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This is my first message as I only registered today; here goes.

I was interested in a debate around stacked decks and in the past had shied away from them. I recently read Phil Goldstein’s Abacus (Apocalypse Vol 1-5) and thought it so good that it was worth the effort of using a stacked deck. (I introduce the new deck by saying we'll need a premonition card, strip out the King of Hearts and then false shuffle and cut the new complete deck). I've had no complaints thus far.

Does any one have a view on an even better effect needing a stacked arrangement before hand?

Thanks

Paul

Hi Paul - why not post an introduction

There are many effect using stacked decks, but some of the very best use memorised decks, ie stacks which appear totally random but in which the performer knows the position of every card cold. Some of these can be found in Simon Aronson's books or in Juan Tamariz's Mnemonica.

I would recommened Thought Foreseen on PM and ShuffleCutDeal by Jay Sankey, but It's not really a stacked deck.

I might post a video of that one, because I haven't seen anyone do it yet, but I'll need to find a spectator and a good place to film it

Probably the easiest to learn and work with as a novice to stacked decks, would be the Si Stebbins method. It's effective, and a great introduction.

Ace of Kev - Thought Forseen is a good choice. However, Shuffle Cut Deal is not a stacked deck effect.

I use the masters index and it has worked fine for me.

Demitri wrote:Probably the easiest to learn and work with as a novice to stacked decks, would be the Si Stebbins method. It's effective, and a great introduction.

Ace of Kev - Thought Forseen is a good choice. However, Shuffle Cut Deal is not a stacked deck effect.

Si Stebbins +1...it's very easy to "Stebbins" stack the new deck with few faro's and off you go

Thanks everyone for your responses.

By way of introduction, I came to cards late on in life (36) but have practised pretty hard to reach an average level. I probably have 8 routines that I do that I think are down pat but made the mistake when I started of trying to learn everything. I rely mainly on the following sleights and moves; DL, false shuffle (both overhand and riffle) and cuts and have a reasonable pass and glide. My palming needs some work and the perfect faro is still a thing of dreams. I put in about 20 hours a week practice, always with the fear however that I'm practising the wrong thing. My favourite artist would be Arthur Buckley (I loved his book Card Control) but think Lewis Jones's work excellent too. My favoured area is gambling and poker ruses as I find that when your starting out people will happily watch a gambling expose but can baulk at a "can I show you a trick" approach. Regards. Paul

Welcome!

Stacked decks, there are a few ones on the market. One I'm going to be looking in to is the Richard Osterlind Breakthrough Card Sysetem (available from http://www.alakazam.co.uk/acatalog/DVDs_36.html as part of his Mind Mysteries - volume 2 I think) which has had good reviews; another one which seems good but has gotten mixed reviews is Docc Hilford's Lolita System. I don't own either but I'd probably go for Osterlind's. Both feature some pretty intersting effects though. At the moment I tend to use Si Stebbins or 'Eight Kings' and just push the cards over in clumps, helps hide the stack.

I use the BCS, and it was well worth it. The deck is indistinguishable from a shuffled deck (if I told you that the first four cards were AS, 3S, 7D, 5H would it help? ) so can be ribbon spread and so on. The stack does need some practice but overall it is well worth it.

Kati

Demitri wrote:However, Shuffle Cut Deal is not a stacked deck effect.

Yes, I know that. I would recommened learning it anyway.

I know this isn't the topic of the forum but as far as the shuffle cut deal goes, I used to really underestimate the power of this effect. It wasn't until I used Jay Sankey's "Astral Projection" (an equally simple but much more powerful effect) that I thought I'd try this. This trick will leave people guessing for hours, and they'll never get it.

AS, 3S, 7D, 5H would it help?

Please tell me if I making a fool of myself, but isn't it AS, 3C...

?

Please tell me if I making a fool of myself, but isn't it AS, 3C

nope, it is AS 3S

oh well that one went in the can