Marked Deck Playing Cards
When it comes down to marking decks of playing cards it is essential to ensure that your markings are simple to read and look very natural. This isn’t always easy with the more off-the-spot methods for card marking like juice mark or tintwork.
This can be accomplished with the use of pre-prepared markers. Penguin Magic’s Reader Deck is an excellent option. It features the Bicycle Maiden design on the back and comes with instructional videos, which include fantastic routine ideas.
How do you protect yourself from being the victim of an adversary
If you suspect that a deck might be marked it is generally okay to request a fresh one – but only if you’re sure that the players playing the game aren’t on the issue. Otherwise, they will probably respond with hostility and try to convince you that there’s nothing wrong with your deck.
You can protect yourself from such a ploy by using a large transparent protector for your card each time you play. It will be much harder for your adversaries to sneak a small card in without you noticing. It also helps protect you from more typical cheating techniques, such as pot-slamming and angle-shooting.
Another thing you can discuss the marked cards in an informal manner when the subject comes up. A majority of people haven’t encountered marked cards before and assume you are talking about a trick which doesn’t involve them. This will stop people from becoming enthralled by mark cards and beginning to think that every game they play in is fraudulent. This will also allow them to avoid the subject and not get overly excited.
Perform Card Tricks with Marked Decks
Marked decks can be a useful tool for any magician. It can help you perform’miracles impossible to perform with normal decks. Furthermore, it can also provide you with a security net should your plan fail. go as intended. It is important to be cautious the way you use the decks. Only select tricks that make use of their markings.
A marked deck of cards is usually a series of markers hidden from view that the magician can see by glancing at the reverse side. The markings can be subtle, and blend seamlessly into the design of the cards. For example, the back of a card may have a pattern that indicates its worth or value. Marked cards can also have obscure symbols or patterns which require a solid understanding of card magic in order to recognize.
A good place to start is with a factory printed reader deck, such as Penguin Magic’s “Bicycle Marked Cards”. These cards are poker-sized and made of Bicycle Elite, which gives them an extremely smooth feel. Two downloads are included, which can teach you some excellent techniques to apply to this deck. Once you are comfortable with the deck that has been marked, it is time to test other cards marked with. There’s a wealth of information on the internet to show you how you can do with the marked card.
Make use of marked Decks to perform Magic Routines
Certain marked decks contain instructional videos to help you master the art of reading markings and provide ideas for routines. Penguin Magic’s Marked Cards, for example includes two great tutorial videos that show great card trick ideas by Rick Lax and Jon Armstrong. There are a variety of books that show you how to play and techniques for using specific marked decks. One of the best is Hidden in Plain Sight by Kirk Charles and Boris Wild However, it requires you to understand their reading system and can only be used in conjunction with their specific markings.
A few magicians design their own marked decks employing various DIY systems, but this is often labor-intensive and requires some level of proficiency. An alternative that is much more simple is to buy a manufacturer-printed reader deck that features an openly readable marking system. The decks could have the Bicycle Maiden-inspired design printed on their back, or they can be over-the-top and have 3D glasses that let you identify the marks from the distance.
Some magicians are worried that they’ll be caught by their spectators by using a mark on their deck, however this is no different than being worried about being exposed to any other gimmick or sleight of hands technique. If you are able to manage your audience effectively and only reveal the deck marking when it’s necessary then you’ll be able to find the majority of spectators will not be able to deduce the secret.
Utilizing Marked Decks in Magic Tricks
Marked decks are an excellent tool for enhancing numerous tricks. It is possible to use the information you have on a card to control it during a trick or reveal it in an unexpected manner.
The mark you choose to use should be readable by magicians, but not easily discernible by the audience. Also, it should be placed in a way that is compatible with the trick you’re performing. If you are using the deck of Bicycle cards and your marker method requires you to read the back design of the card your markings should be put in a location that looks like the Bicycle Logo on the back.
Certain magicians design their own marked decks using an electronic reader or coded marks, however it is usually time-consuming and requires the skills of a professional magician. A marked deck that is professionally designed will be less costly and easy to use as you won’t need to worry about gaffing your cards.
Some magicians worry about using marked cards since they believe it increases the likelihood of being spotted by viewers. But the truth is that this risk is no different than for any other gimmick, sleight of hand trick. The whole thing is dependent on how you conduct your audience as well as the instrument and how natural the trick appears within your routine.