Before we get ahead of ourselves….
….most of you beginners and or intermediates who perform card magic but are not completely obsessed by cards need not go further than this page. Simply read the following two headings and they should guide you to a deck that will suit you.
How to use this guide:
To understand more about the philosophy of these reviews check out the Mission statement in the About Us page. This guide evaluates decks based on several handling characteristics. Many of these characteristics are evaluated in blindfold tests to minimize my own personal biases. To get a full understanding of what each of these characteristics are, what they mean, and how they are evaluated check out the Testing Metods Page. In addition to the individual scores that evaluate the decks, I also categorize the decks into a few main classes. These categories are based on a few generalizations about different magic and flourishing styles. To know which deck of cards might best suit you, you first should categorize yourself.
The Baseline decks…
The baseline decks are the decks that I originally used to evaluate all the other decks I have reviewed. These are(or at least were) pretty common decks within magic and cardistry circles. The first is obviously the Bicycle 808 Rider back. The next is the Tally Ho. For those who like a softer stock, the Bee Club Specials are the baseline deck and for those who like a stiffer stock, the Elusionist UV500s are used.
Are you an “Artist?”
The Artists are the decks which started out with a softer flexing stock. If it is married to a good finish and cutting job, these decks also tend to be the best at fans and spreads. The baseline deck for these is the Bee Club special.
Flourishers who like these decks might be influenced in the classic stage manipulation or cardistry that relies heavily on long “Anaconda” dribbles, card springs, giant fans, and long spread catches. Jerry Cestkowski, De’vo, and Jeff Sheridan might be good examples of influence for this style.
Magicians who like these decks will most likely favor card magic that uses lots of culling, false counts, complex shuffling techniques, bottom, second, and center dealing, and table magic in general. Some greats in this style are Steve Forte, Richard Turner, and Michael Close.
Are you a Jack of all trades?
The Jack of all trades are cards in the mid range of flexability. Bicycles and Tally Ho decks are the two most common brand in this category.
Flourishers who do a little bit of everything and flourishers who have yet to adopt a distinct style, will be drawn to these decks. Daniel Madison’s style of flourishing is very much a Jack of all Trades style, though the Buck Twins and Andrei Jikh could also be categorized here. (In my opinion, however, Jikh and the Bucks each reside on one side of this spectrum)
Magicians who fall into this category will also be into a little bit of everything and, or, beginners or intermediates. As far as famous examples…..too many to count!
The truth is that the vast majority of all magicians and flourishers will be in this camp.
Are you a Worker?
Workers are tough, stiff, and snappy decks. These decks are made for people with powerful styles of magic and flourishing. You will need strong hands to fully appreciate these decks….and if you pick one up and start practicing with one you will likely get strong hands!
Flourishers who like these decks probably focus more on complex multi-packet(Sybil type)cuts, one handed cuts, and aerial packet cuts. Perhaps the most famous example of this style of flourishing is the ever humble Brian Tudor. The Buck twins also have a lot of card material that would be easier to learn with one of these decks.
Magicians using these decks will likely be the “move monkeys”. Guys who love to find new and crazy way to manipulate a pack of cards should likely try out one of these cards at some point or another. Some moves that might typify this style would be the Diving Board Double, Clipshift, One handed Pop-over, Venus Trap, etc. Naturally, magicians who typify this category likely have pretty flashy styles themselves. I’d place Lee Asher, Chad Nelson, and perhaps even Greg Wilson in this group.
Where to go from here?
Each of the bottom links will take you to one of my main classifications of playing cards. Those are the Baseline Decks, The Artists, The Generalists, and The Workers. Because the baseline decks are the basis from which I evaluate all other decks, I recommend you start there and then go into the category of decks that most fits your style.
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