talkmagic.co.uk

Ok then, how do people like their cards. Do you prefer them brand new straight out of the packet, or do you like them slightly "naturally" roughed.
And on the main subject of the topic, whats everyones preference to the bend in their bikes. Do you like them arched, bowled, width-ways or length-ways.
Just curious

Good point!

I like mine to be 'handled' a bit. I'm a bit rough on the old cards, so getting a bit of flex into a new deck helps me a lot.

Plus - the newness of a bike deck usually is the contributing factor to the 'oopss!' when the whole deck slips out of your hand during an overhand shuffle...

A few rigourous riffles, a couple of waterfalls and some serious springing in all directions gets them supple.

As for bends, I prefer to counter-flex them to keep them flat-ish, as this keeps the cards together during double lifts etc.

I usually lob a deck of cards in the 'used' pile when the edges become to 'grey'... that's usually a sign they're getting tired - and this makes things like a Faro shuffle nigh impossible.

I like my decks to be brand new as i find that if there old packs they dont make as nice a fan. Ive asked Santa Claus to bring me 2 brick packs for christmas ho ho ho!

Good question

I also like my cards slightly more worn than new and flat.
I have often played 52 card pick up with a brand new deck but if the are too worn I struggle a little with some moves, I find it's a very fine line.
I would be interested to hear some more of what people like to do to wear their new decks in...

BaB

have to say i prefer brand new cards, just because a find sleights alot easyier, i.e the cards glide around were i want them to be.

If I am performing of an evening I will get out a new deck in the morning and practice with it, this gets it just greasy enough to stop from sliding everywhere (just a few overhand shuffles, fans and some ribbon spreads) and I riffle them a few times. I will practice all the sleights that I am going to perform as well. This works both ways, as well as breaking the deck in it also gets you back into the feel of a new deck, hopefully enough to allow you to do everything perfectly under pressure!

I like the smell of a brand new deck fresh from the wrapper but the cards are just far too springy decent plaming. I have to agree with doing a few fiffle shuffles and doing some slights just untill they feel right.
Saying that there are good and bad points with using new or worn cards, for example with a new deck as Seige pionted out, double lifts are far easier as well as glides.
Also this is just a theory, but I dont think cards get worn as such,yes the faces will get a little greasy but i think they soak up the moisture in the air which causes the loss of "springivity" (thats definately not a real word), i feel an experiment comming on here!!!
Im just about to stick an old knackerd deck in the airing cupboard now.

Recommendation: Card press

Invaluable for straightening decks out - especially overworked wizard/invisible etc.

Interesting...
Keep us updated on the airing cupboard pass

I saw one of those antique progs on the tv a few weeks ago and there was an old card press from the "wild west" days, when cards were very hard to come by. Wooden base with with a top plate and two wooden screws, it went for £400 and something pounds.
I never thought dull time TV would come in handy.

BaB

Hi bab,
I saw the prog with the card press too. I think it was one with ol David "teak finish" Dickinson was it not? Certainly seems like a must have item if you've got 400 squid to spare....

As to the the cards, I definitely like a small amount of wear so they're not too slippery (that air glide finish works very well), but not so juch that you lose the springiness. Very fine line I think. i certainly can't do anything remotely serious with brand new cards with any great confidence.

LOL @ teak finish

ello m8, have you noticed he's more pine these days, more ikea.
Wonder if he's finaly noticed only parrots look good in orange.

Well i tried a couple of things, the airing cupboard didnt do much, only very slightly acentuated the arch in the cards so i toucht i would sit a old knackered deck on top of the convection heater at work, luckly there was no fires when i returned 10mins later only to find the cards with obscure bends in them. They were like spring metal they had a definate dome or bowl bend to them depending which way you flexed them. You could bend them so all corners flexed down, place them on a table and when you pushed in the center of the deck they would mak a cracking sound and flex the other way with the corners pointing up.
I think i might get my mate to make a make-shift steel card press and see what it does next.

Like many people have already said, a new pack is too slippy for many of the slights I'm trying to learn, though doing a backslip is a lot quieter when the pack is new.

As a student I don't like to spend too much money on these things (£2 can buy a few drinks after all!!) so I'v been using the same deck for the past month. Its got pretty grimmy, but It also has a nice little bend that i feel fits more naturally into my hand.

The only problem with using a deck like this is that people think you must have done something to the deck. (although when they check it out they are usually quite annoyed )

Guess its time I opened up a new pack!!

Colin