talkmagic.co.uk

If a gimmicked deck is used effectively you can avoid them thinking the deck is gimmicked. A few tricks with an ordinary deck, preferably one where the spectators can shuffle or at least cut the deck. Then a deck switch. Then they should be thinking of it as a normal deck so long as you've not done anything unusual to make them think otherwise. But then I don't do anything involving blank cards, which is obviously going to flag big red warning lights in the specs minds.

On the whole I try to use an ordinary deck for card tricks. I have an ID that I'll usually carry as a backup. Occasionally I'll take the svengali out as well to justify its existence in my kit.

There are two main issues though for me. First I don't like spending money on lots of expensive gaff decks. Secondly I don't like having to carry the extra decks. I've got enough to learn with a normal deck without complicating things.

Wise words, Jobasha!

I've been getting into the habit of doing some tricks with an ordinary deck then deftly swapping it for the ID (which I'm maybe overusing and should perhaps keep as a reserve for when something goes wrong!).

The Red Rover effect I bought uses gaffed cards but they can be swapped, near the end of the trick, so that you then have an ordinary deck to continue working with.

I agree with you re. blank cards but couldn't resist "Defaced" as it seems such a visually attractive trick. Not tried it on anyone yet though...

I also agree very much with your last paragraph but was finding it hard to keep finding new tricks to be excited about that weren't just variations on others. Also the ID has gone down so well that I couldn't resist investigating further.

Thanks for your insightful comments anyway.