A deck of marked playing cards is a powerful tool for performing card tricks. It’s easy to set up and takes only some minutes.
Depending on how you utilize it, it can even make your current card magic more powerful. But it’s crucial to understand how to read the marks properly and at the right time.
Selecting a Deck
Think about what you would like to use the deck for. Are you planning to play cards with your friends or performing magic, or are you looking for a good looking deck to have around?
If you’re planning on spending a significant amount of money on the deck, you might want to look into getting one printed by a top printer. USPCC and Cartamundi are two companies that specialize in printing playing cards. In addition, larger companies like Ellusionist have in-house designers who can print custom decks from beginning to finish in house. However, they usually require a significant investment in the design that they’re willing.
Another alternative is Murphy’s Magic, who allow users to submit playing card designs which they will publish and handle the distribution, production, and marketing for. To convince them to invest in your concept, you have to have a high-quality design with the potential to succeed.
The other thing to keep in mind when selecting a deck is that the manner in which the deck is made can make a an impact on the handling of the cards, specifically in regards to how smooth the edges are. Certain manufacturers, such as LPCC and EPCC (Elite Playing Card Company) offer decks that are of a superior quality that often match or even exceeds the quality of USPCC prints.
Getting Started
Many magicians believe that marked decks are a valuable tool in their arsenal. A well-marked mark can make a deck of cards appear more powerful than they actually are.
There are a variety of ways to mark a deck of cards. One popular option is to make use of a shade system which is based on light and dark inks and is only seen in certain lighting conditions, or with special glasses. This isn’t the most ideal option, but it’s perfect for those looking to start out in magic without investing too much into a set of marks they might never use.
If you want to make more investment in your marks, then Boris Wild’s Marked Deck Project dvds are an excellent resource. These DVDs include a variety of amazing routines and will teach you how to shade the deck of cards using his homemade marking system.
You can also purchase a factory-printed, marked deck of cards, such as the GT Speedreader Deck. The decks come with a book with a variety of routines that you can perform with the deck.
Tricks to Use
If you’re considering using a marked deck of cards for card magic there are a few key things to be aware of. First, ensure that you play the deck as though it’s not marked. If you behave nervously or in a way that is not natural when handling the cards, your spectators might suspect that something is wrong. Also, be careful not to spend too much time looking at the backs of the cards. Doing so can cause your guests to be aware that you’re using an unmarked deck, especially in cases where the markings are big enough to be seen.
Since the 14th century, Chinese gamblers etched their cards with ink, magicians and cheaters have used marked decks. In modern times magicians have come up with more sophisticated marking systems that are nearly undetectable to the naked eye. These systems can be used to determine a particular card or suit of the card allowing performers to perform amazing tricks and manipulations.
No matter if you’re an amateur a professional magician there’s always value to learning the art of card magic. If you’re looking to find an excellent way to improve and practice your skills, the marked deck of cards is the perfect instrument. With some practice, you’ll become an expert at card magic using a marked deck in no time.
Getting Confronted
There is a very good possibility that if you use a deck of cards marked to cheat at blackjack or poker, the casino staff will find out. This is due to casinos prosecuting card cheating heavily and have the resources to prosecute them. It is also difficult to mark a set of cards invisibly during a game being played. This is because the cheating player will likely have to collude with one or more dealers or floormen.
It is essential that magicians use marked decks in the most natural manner possible. They should only glance at the markings when they have a valid reason to do this. This will ensure that they do not give themselves away by staring at the marks for too long. This is the most common way that card magicians are found guilty. It is easily avoided.
There are tricks that will only be performed using a marked deck. A marked deck makes it easier to perform a trick that involves reading spectators’ minds. However, it is important to point out that the vast majority of magic using cards does not require a marked deck and most of the time can be done with any deck of cards.