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Sexton Blake wrote:non-magicians notice/care about/find suspicious the brand of cards being used as much as non-guitarists notice if you're using a wound G string or not

Good one!

I don't know why one would go to such lengths to find alternatives, however. The only complain I have with Bikes is that they are sometimes too thin for some manipulations (actually they are not too thin - but if you use thicker cards the manipulations become easier). I'm talking about snap changes, shapeshifter, and almost any "flicking" effect making a card fly in the air.

...and the answer to all this is.....Masters edition!

2 wheels are better than 1

Great thread!! Saves me asking the same question - God what would I do without the search function?!

I, personally, use bikes. I do throw in other decks from time to time (for example, I have several vintage bikes in thistle back that I like to use) and when someone out of the blue hands me a deck, any deck, any condition, I can do something with it.

The following is a copy and paste job:

• Why Bicycle cards?

These cards are chosen by magicians regularly as the ones that they perform with, not because they are the best - they are not. The fact of the matter is, bikes are industry standard because when you buy gaffed decks or gaffed cards, they normally come on bike stock. Believe me, there are a lot of magicians out there who would rather be using a different deck, but they are stuck with bikes, like the rest of us, if they wish to use gaffes on a regular basis.

• Why not Black Tigers, or Ghosts, or other decks like that?

As you grow in your abilities and skills with a deck and begin showing your new found talent to the general public, you'll find that they are knowledgeable on the fact that "trick" cards exist. Decks of cards that look out of the ordinary immediately come under scrutiny of your specators. By using the Black Tigers, or Ghosts, you are setting up a situation where you will be suspected of using a trick deck if you are using these types of decks. There is no sense in making a problem for yourself that wouldn't be there otherwise.

Then again, if you like them and enjoy using them, there is no reason not to use them (other than what I've stated above). This is a matter of personal choice and taste - nobody can give you advice on your own, personal opinion nor tell you what you like and dislike.

• Which cards should I use - which are the best?

The very best cards are the ones that you feel most comfortable with. Gaffed cards and decks aside, if you are doing card magic that is either "self working" or by sleight of hand, then you want a deck that you are comfortable with. If it's bikes, then so be it, but it doesn't have to be bikes. It should be whatever deck style that feels the best in YOUR hands. Keep in mind that if you walk into someone's house and they hand you a deck of cards and say, "Show us a trick," that you're going to feel pretty dumb if you have to tell them "No" because you can't work with any deck other than what you normally use (whether because you need a gaffed deck or because you simply cannot work with them).

• Why not Bees?

Bees have no border on them, like bikes and many other styles of cards. Then again, there are other styles of cards that have no border to them. Borderless cards can be both good or bad, depending on your application. Oftentimes, though, borderless cards are harder to work with for a great deal of the sleights that you'll learn.

However, Bees are a better quality of card than your garden variety bikes. Bees are used in casinos because of their high quality. Some people swear by Bees. Also, Bees are the card of choice for many of the "Three Card Monte" guys (the REAL three card monte and not one of the various gaffed versions on the market). Again, this is going to come down to personal choice based on your comfort level and not somebody else's.

Mike.

It might be worth noting that Bees are excellent for 2nd deals. But when you fan or spread them they look far too freaky and confusing.

Bikes are the top selling brand in the US. These are the cards most spectators here recognize as "normal". That is why they are used so much, and why all the gaffs come in a bike version. Bikes are a subtle way to allay a little bit of suspicion from the deck. If you pull out some cards that the audience is not familiar with, they already start to tontemplate your cards.

In other places, though, this is certainly not true. The gaff problem still exists though. Folks making gaffs for other decks will not have much luck with them in the US, which is still the worlds biggest magic market.

If you plan to do manipulation, bikes are not recommended - neither are they used by most folks doing a strict manipulation or fanning routine.

It is true that the monte throwers prefer borderless cards for a better illusion.


-Steve

I think because Bicycles are common in the US it is the obvious choice of cards if you are a US Magician. Because they are not very common in the UK (people normally use novelty bridge size cards that fan like sandpaper when fanning!) I would say to people in the UK don't feel you have to purchase Bikes. The main reason magicians used Bicycles from the start is because they were the common choice in America, in order for them not to look gaffed. As there is no set make of cards that people in Britain, you don't have to use Bicycle cards. If you are just starting out in magic and not doing any intricate moves, just key card effects e.t.c then ask yourself if you really need Bicycle cards. You have to order them online or go to a specific magic shop, it is a lot easier to go to a WHSmiths, Woolworths etc and just pick up a pack of their cards.

I would not recommend buying the premium poker cards from makers like Waddingtons or WHSmiths because then you might as well get Bicycles.

I use Bicycles purely because they are so slick and when you feel your current cards are holding you back i.e unable to do a fan, spread that is when I would say buy your first pack of bikes. And as other people say, once you've bought your first, you won't go back!

Bicycle playing cards are recognized as a standard to magicians, like how Band-Aid is a standard for bandages. Bikes handle more smoothly and have a better texture than any other deck of cards (Tally Ho can rival them, though). Also, they are cheper than most cards, so it's less expensive to replace signed cards. But I would wait until you are experienced to the point of being paid or on the street before having cards signed. DO NOT try to wash off a marker from A card. It will swell up, bend, or, if next to other cards, stick and ruin the deck.

Poker size cards are more preferrable to bridge size. Gaff decks are normally poker size Bicycle or Ellusionist variation decks. If you don't know, Gaff cards are special graphic cards designed to f fit in with the rest of the deck. Like blurry cards or Skull Kings. They get results, unless of course they are the wrong size or the wrong back pattern. The deck would look as stupid as the spectator if he wasn't suspicious about the card/deck.

All in all, get Bicycles because they are cheap, and handle better than most any card today.

PS. The Masters Edition is created by Ellusionist. They are an online magic store owned by Brad Christian. The Masters Edition deck looks the exact same as a Rider Back(the traditional angel on bike on back), but handle more smoothly, are more likely to be printed exactly on center, and has a new, improved Ace of Spades design. But they throw in the old ace if you don't like it.

PPS. When you get your first Bicycles, you won't change back to your old brand.