talkmagic.co.uk

Apologies for this post, I'm sure I read a topic on this recently but for the life of the search box I couldn't find it.

Anyway I'm looking for a marked bicycle deck. Having searched around the web I'm shocked, I tell you I'm shocked at the prices. So does anyone know of best prices & best decks.

I don't really have any routines in mind for this, I just feel it will make a useful out. I obviously want something that won't be spotted & as I'm in no rush to perform with these cards have no worries about taking the time to learn the markings.

There's a couple of deck son ebay which work out at around £10 (don't you just love the current exchange rate!) One set are Gypsy cards, the others don't state what kind.
The cards at cards4magic seem pretty expensive for bicycle stock which is a definate requirement.

Any ideas chaps
???

You could try the Boris Wild marking system.

It's a book which shows you how to mark your own cards for minimal cost.
The marking system is very clever - simple to use, but pretty much indetectable.
Unlike many other systems, you can read the cards when they are being spread from hand to hand - you don't need to see the whole of the backs.
It's also very fast for eg spotting all the cards in one suit.

I think Keith Bennett sells the book, and it comes complete with enough *stuff* to mark three decks.

Sounds good, thanks Saxmad.

Tell me "The Stuff" once used is it available in most towns or would I need to buy the same stuff?
Have found "the stuff" at cards for magic, they have one of the decks but at £17.50 that's a tad pricey, but they don't have the book describing what to do. Do you know any web sites that do?

Although not listed on his web site Keith Bennet will get it for you.

The marking material is widely available from art shops - couple of quid for enough to mark 3 or 4 decks.

Warning - don't buy the video for the Boris Wild Marked Deck - it's performance only (although very good for that). No explanations on the video.
The book however also has quite a few good routines for the deck.

You might also want to invest in Kirk Charles' book Marked for Life, which discussed marked cards at length. It also explains the FarChas and FarMarx systems which you can do yourself.

Take care, Ian

I highly recommend the Boris Wild Marking system - I did a review of the book and marking materials set here, but yeh - you can get the marking materials anywhere...

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic3317.p ... boris+wild

Alternatively you could devise your own marking sytem and tehn we'd all be stumped, but i can't think of much better than the BWMD.

thanxs guys i have e-mailed him for prices.

Just noticed Boris Wild has released a new video on his system on sale from Alakazam.

This is NOT the performance-only video.

addendum mr bennet no longer stoks this product sorry folks.

OK, been persusing the net looking into this more & came up with a page that tells me some interesting stuff.
Below is a marked card. Can you spot the markings?

[edited by mods (yes I could)]

I thought this was quite a good idea & went & bought myself a blue felt tip that was the closest that matched a standard blue backed bicycle deck & spent 60 minutes marking.

I then tried it out on my 7 year old daughter.
"Dad, why do the cards have funny smudges?" Ahhhhhh

Looking at the cards in a better light than when I marked them it appears the marks are kinda purple in some light/angles.

However as an actual marking system what do you guys think, is it likely to fool most laymen.
I like it 'cos a, it's easy to read & b (with the right pen) easy to make.

And for the actual marking can anyone recommend a particular make of pen, red & blue that is identicle to the colour of standard bicycle cards & where to buy?

Can you spot the markings?

Yes but only because you said the card was marked and I went looking for it. If you can get a colour to match and you know your own system then you'll have a winner because it will be easy for you to use and remember. Although your 7 year old might have spotted things, that's not to say a 33 year old would see them!

Thanks for that Mandrake, did it take you long to spot?
Anyone got an ideas on pens that match up???
The pen I used looks fine in dimmish lighting but under any glare it gives of a kind of purple glow. Bargh!!!

did it take you long to spot

Less than 15 seconds but, as there was only about 1/4 of the card surface to look at, the possible places were not numerous! OK, I also have to confess that, since my eyesight is less than perfect, I enlarged the image consderably which made it more obvious!

In general terms, the average spec probably wouldn't spot your amendments as long as you give them good enough reasons to be looking elswehere as much as possible.

Would be interesting to see how well other folks here can spot the cards markings.
Because of what you said Mandrake with the card only being a quarter size I did another one, this time a full card & reduced it in size to more or less a proper sized card (200x283). This therefore makes the card more or less as seen by a layman.

Was just about to change it when I noticed the post with the card had been edited & blocked. I understand the reasons for this, however can I post the smaller, discreeter card I've done here???

Is a useful experiment

Keep the card to yourself for the time being - there are usually some folks 'visiting' who are only looking for secrets to be divulged and would be well chuffed to see your suggestions. I understand that your first card was removed by one of the Mods to be on the safe side because of this.