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I have been reading up on memorized decks, and to ensure that I get the most out of it, have read everything by simon aronson and mnemonica by juan tamariz. I then planned to choose which stack was best to memorize.
The conclusion I've come to is that the majority of effects dont rely on the stack, and the majority of those that do, I would never use (e.g. spelling effects).
It would be more beneficial to me to have a memorized deck that incorporates my favourite effects that require a stack/set-up. This would be useful even when not performing memorized deck routines as it would always be ready to 'go', with the added bonus of added control over the cards.
I was just wondering if anyone had done/attempted making their own stack, and how much they managed to cram into their deck.

I am not sure I totally understand your question......I can explain my deck stack to you if you PM me......however, when I use my stack deck, it is always to open up a series of effects - maybe 1 or 2 - that require the stack, then proceed to shuffle and head into my other effects that do not requre a stack....I never personally try to keep the stack in order throughout my routine.....If I intend to close with a stacked deck effect, then I will do a deck switch during my routine in order to bring my stacked one in play

What I mean is, that instead of using the aronson stack or tamariz stack, I want to develop my own stack where numerous memorized and non memorized routines are crammed into the stack.
THis will enable me to use the wealth of memorized deck material available, and also a choice selection of my favourite routines all built in.

It sounds like you should take a look at the program Stackview.

AndyRegs wrote:I have been reading up on memorized decks, and to ensure that I get the most out of it, have read everything by simon aronson and mnemonica by juan tamariz. I then planned to choose which stack was best to memorize.
The conclusion I've come to is that the majority of effects dont rely on the stack, and the majority of those that do, I would never use (e.g. spelling effects).
It would be more beneficial to me to have a memorized deck that incorporates my favourite effects that require a stack/set-up. This would be useful even when not performing memorized deck routines as it would always be ready to 'go', with the added bonus of added control over the cards.
I was just wondering if anyone had done/attempted making their own stack, and how much they managed to cram into their deck.

The standard setup I use that is used for 3 effects eventually get destroyed after the spectators involvement. Thus I cannot really combine this setup with memeoried deck.

Ahh Stackview. I actually have had that on my Pc for a while and forgot about it. I think there is a new version about too which I will check out. Though to be honest, Im the kind of person that is more likely to sit with a deck of cards and scribbled notes in front of me.
It will probably take a long time to sort a stack out (probably more than I expect), though it is something I know I will enjoy pottering around with, and so will be a labour of love. And it will also be beneficial to my knowledge of how a deck rearranges itself through various alterations. I can imagine I may even find a few 'bits and bobs' I didn't expect to as well.
It will be interesting to see how much I can cram into a deck, as just displacing one or two cards within a stack can open a whole host of new possibilities.
Again, if anyone has any thoughts on this, then any input would be appreciated.

I learned to memorise a random deck very quickly using the techniques from Derren Brown's recent mainstream book. However, I am struggling to come up with any particularly good effect using a memorised deck.

Can anyone point me to any sources (books etc) that have good suggestions?

Pit Hartling's 'Card Fictions' has an excellent effect making use of one. It's packed full with other brilliant real-world material too!

You could also check out the last chapter of Hugard and Crimmin's 'Encyclopedia of Card Tricks' for some ideas on what to do with it.

learned to memorise a random deck very quickly using the techniques from Derren Brown's recent mainstream book. However, I am struggling to come up with any particularly good effect using a memorised deck.

Can anyone point me to any sources (books etc) that have good suggestions?

The two most widely used are the aronson stack, and the tamariz stack. Simon Aronson has written a lot on the memorized deck, and his work is essential reading, even if you don't use his stack. Mnemonica also has a wealth of valuable material in there.

What I'm trying to do is build my own stack which takes the ebst bits of these stacks, but also has some of my favourite effects either in built, or easily available, without disrupting the stack too much. Haven't made much progress yet as I've been sidetracked by a couple of effects that have formed in my grey matter.

Depending on whether or not you need the entire deck stacked......you can stack the deck by putting the cards in the repeat order of something significant to you, your phone number, (in canada) your Social insurance number, etc.....it allows you a quick way to stack a larger portion of the deck without lots of memorization......you put any remaining cards on the top or bottom (good old pencil dotting will help you find the break between the two quite easily), and just ensure that the card selected is forced from the needed section of the deck.....it is a great way to balance out the deck from being totally stacked vs. totally unstacked...it requires some card/spec control to ensur that you work from the stacked portion of the deck for stacked effects, and unstacked for unstacked......for the suits just ensure that are rotating them in some fashion...for example.....a telephone number of 403-527-6891 would put the stacked deck in the following order....

4c Qh 3s 5d 2c 7h 6s 8d 9c Ah 4s Qd 3c 5h 2s 7d 6c h8 9s Ad.....you get the idea.....

If that is too much description mods....please edit and let me know......I am not sure where deck stack methods would sit in the "exposure" scenario????

it allows you a quick way to stack a larger portion of the deck without lots of memorization......

Its not remembering the stack I'm concerned about either, just what (and how many) effects I can cram into a 52 card stack. It doesn't look like many people have tried doing it. Whether it is because of the amount of work involved, or that the available stacks are as good as you will get, I will have to find out the hard way.

I've ended up plumping for the mnemonica stack (with marked cards).

As you've read mnemonica I won't bore you with what is built into it.

You've said you are not into "spell a card". For me many of the other "pre sequenced tricks", such as poker hands and coincidence effects can also be a bit lame. I think it makes people think that the deck MUST be ordered. Personally I try to avoid anything that SEEMS to rely on deck order. (I prefer something like the Ortiz effect where he askes someone to pull off three cards and then correctly calls all three as if by ESP/cold reading - it is based on order but only hidden beneath layers of misdirection).

As an aside - I find that marking the cards stops me from having to do a glimpse which means I don't even need the cards in hand. It also means that any sighting of the back or face of any card allows me to know all the others around it. This is very versitile when dreaming up your own stuff.

As another aside - I used to use a mnemonic method but now just do it by constant repetition. Mnemonic methods work but for me are too slow.
I need to know immediately that 43 = AC not that 43 = Ram = Cat = AC.
There is an irony that it was "Mnemonica" that taught me not to do it with mnemonics

Cardza wrote:Pit Hartling's 'Card Fictions' has an excellent effect making use of one. It's packed full with other brilliant real-world material too!

yeah, that's an absolute gem of book that...its a lewis jones idea originally i think...

AndyRegs wrote:Its not remembering the stack I'm concerned about either, just what (and how many) effects I can cram into a 52 card stack. It doesn't look like many people have tried doing it. Whether it is because of the amount of work involved, or that the available stacks are as good as you will get, I will have to find out the hard way.

I have a stack I use that allows me to go into three different effects (or all three, in order) easily. I don't really do much with cards, so that's perfectly adequate. I also use the 8 Kings stack and the Osterlind BCS. They offer plenty of options to me.

I'd say that you should start by working out the effects you know, concentrating on the ones you like best/get the best reaction (not always the same). Then see to what extent you can get from one effect to the next and what cards, if any are duplicated. It may be that you need to change some cards over.

For example, say you do a poker deal effect. You might find it easier to squeeze into your deck if you opt for a straight flush finish, rather than a Royal Flush. Not quite as powerful, perhaps, but it might let you fit in more.

With a couple of exceptions, I don't find spelling tricks too interesting. I think poker deals are a bit different, as the idea of being a master cheat or gambler can be part of the effect.

With a couple of exceptions, I don't find spelling tricks too interesting. I think poker deals are a bit different, as the idea of being a master cheat or gambler can be part of the effect.

I agree. Especially if you can produce any hand called for from a seemingly shuffled deck. There a a lot of concesions you can make to ensure more can be fitted in, like you said. Its going to be a a long job constructing one, and I seem to be getting distracted with other ideas at the moment. But I will do it...eventually.