talkmagic.co.uk

Ted wrote:

Lawrence wrote:Never again will those cards be used for performance.

That is very interesting. I've never been tempted to use weird-looking cards, simply because I think cards should look as mundane as possible. I had never even considered that the design might actually confuse an audience.

I totally agree there. But I was naive once.

I must confess I am quite fond of Shadow Masters. I have a deck but I never use them for performing; I just get them out for a fondle every now and then because it feels great.

(By the way, no bingo on that line because it was so blatantly deliberate on my part).

i've never had a spectator quesiton my deck, and I rarely use regular bikes. generally speaking i perform with ghosts or shadow masters, all i do is give a quick run throuhg showing every card is different and tell people that they are only available online and people just nod along and watch my performance.

With the ghost deck(at least the one i got from ellusionist) there are several really good reveals to be done with them, including a gaffed joker and barcode. its cool stuff and usually i open with those and then proceed to stigmata or 2 card monte

flaw07, by all means do so if it works for you.

They are beautifully made cards, very unusual and if that gives you the tools and reactions you are after then go forth and kill 'em all

I found it frustrating, because people would suspect the deck over my ability or supposed power, but that's not to suggest you would have the same responses.

We all have to walk our own path, and find the answers that are right for each of us.

DominicRougier wrote:We all have to walk our own path, and find the answers that are right for each of us.

Absolutely.

DominicRougier wrote:flaw07, by all means do so if it works for you.

They are beautifully made cards, very unusual and if that gives you the tools and reactions you are after then go forth and kill 'em all

Its funny you say kill em all cause as I type I'm listening to that album
I know I know I'm a nerd

And funny story, I was taking a public speaking class that my major requires, and I had to give a sales pitch speak and I showed off my Tally ho Vipers, Bicylcle Masters, Shadow masters, 1800s and ghosts.
Despite the fact that I had no intention of selling anything, I had three people approach me after that speech wanting to buy shadow masters.

I am trying to get a few decks of the Bicycle Gold deck that are apparently amazing enabling faro shuffles straight out of the box and tabled faros.
http://richardturner52.com/cards-games/bicycle-cards/
The guy who has commissioned them Richard Turner is one of the best card men around and was highly praised by the likes of Vernon, Charlie Miller, Marlo, Skinner plus he also does some testing for the Bicycle company himself.

Believe me these will be the BIGGEST thing.

At the moment we can only get them direct from him in bulk- too pricy for me. I have contacted Alakazam and MAgic Box to see if they will be supplying.

Best John

Ted wrote:I agree that nasty cards can make an effect extra-convincing (if that was what you meant). Also, I guess given time you could learn their backs and have a naturally-marked deck.

I was thinking of both of these things.

I came across an interesting problem with one pack, though.

The solid, dark back design was flush with the edge i.e there was no white margin around the edge. This could cause a few potential issues, if you see what I mean. Certain moves had to be very accurate to be convincing, which is a challenge with cards that are so sticky they have a sort of natural roughing quality .

Quite a few decks have no borders. As you say, they cause problems with some moves, but can make others easier.

John McDonald wrote:I am trying to get a few decks of the Bicycle Gold deck that are apparently amazing enabling faro shuffles straight out of the box and tabled faros.
http://richardturner52.com/cards-games/bicycle-cards/
The guy who has commissioned them Richard Turner is one of the best card men around and was highly praised by the likes of Vernon, Charlie Miller, Marlo, Skinner plus he also does some testing for the Bicycle company himself.

Believe me these will be the BIGGEST thing.

At the moment we can only get them direct from him in bulk- too pricy for me. I have contacted Alakazam and MAgic Box to see if they will be supplying.

Best John

If I were you, I'd contact World of Magic, because they sell the Richard Turner Traditionally Cut Bee Decks, so may well get the Bikes at some point, and Cards4Magic because, well, it's kind of obvious, isn't it?

I think Shadow Masters have the best look and feel. They really get spec's attention and I find that I can fan with them better than with a standard Bikes deck. The big advantage they have over decks like the Ghost are that the red cards are properly red! With the Ghost deck there isn't enough red on the hearts/diamonds and that can really confuse people sometimes.

my eye has recently been caught by Bicycle Centurians, Bicycle Guardians, and the Split Spade Lions.
Has anyone tried any of these? They look nice but I want to be sure of quality before I try them

The Centurions and Guardians of which you speak are aesthetically lovely but practically they fall flat on their *rse in my opinion.

The stock used to create these cards is very thick. Maybe they thought it would make the cards more hard wearing. What it really does is make it hard on the hands and it's very difficult to get them to weave together if one were trying a one handed shuffle or a Faro shuffle. Buy a pack! They're nice to muck about with sometimes. I'd imagine if you're a flourisher messing about with packets they'd be ideal as they're robust and you KNOW you're holding them, but if you like a nice supple card, look elsewhere.

The Split Spades cards are alright. They have different faces on the court cards, i dont know who they're supposed to be but im sure a quick search on the net would reveal that information. They feel a lot like Tallys to me, but slightly better quality. Not sure how hard wearing they are as i've only had mine a week or two.

Of course for the price of these decks you could buy two standard Bikes, but you pays yer money yadda yadda yadda

Grimshaw wrote:but if you like a nice supple card, look elsewhere.

For said supple cards, try Studs. Soft, long lasting, and looks pretty nice. Cheaper than Bikes here in California, too.

John McDonald wrote:I am trying to get a few decks of the Bicycle Gold deck that are apparently amazing enabling faro shuffles straight out of the box and tabled faros.
http://richardturner52.com/cards-games/bicycle-cards/

As I mentioned above, World of Magic were likely sellers of these, and the Bicycle Gold Standard Decks have just gone up on their website. Current price is £5.71 a deck, but I suspect that the Pound might worsen further against the Dollar after the interest rate cute last week, so you might want to get in quickly!

Additional comment on the Split Spades now i've had them a while longer. Mrs Grimshaw is terribly good at designing amigrams, and noticed that on the Ace of spades, there are two ambigrams on there. One says Split Spades one way up, and Superstitious the other way up. The second says Blaine one way up and Stutzman the other way up. Stutzman being the chap who designed the deck.

Won't help your sleights or skill at all, but if you're like me you appreciate when thought has gone into something rather than just being slapped down.

I likes ambigrams me.

Thanks part timer