Playing Card Buyers Guide: The Workers
What are the “Workers?
The “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.
Anglo Rug Deck
Going Rate: $6.00/Deck
Width: 14.5(-4 or -5 Bikes) Surface: Mini Dimpled
Would you perform magic at a black tie affair(wedding, private party, …Magic Castle) wearing a Casio watch? Probably not. So why then do we think nothing of taking a deck of Bicycles to the same event? If you really want to impress upscale clientele then learn to accessorize! Get some Anglos Rug Decks. With 6 different colors to choose from you have plenty of options. The combination of thin but stiff stock and a modern yet classical design easily won this deck a five star rating. This deck is a fantastic choice for difficult sleight of hand and flourishing that is heavy on the aerials and packet cuts. It’s one “Achilles Heel” is it’s poor fan. Though it starts out great it clumps and deteriorates rather quickly. No matter, there is plenty of beautiful card magic that you can do with a deck of Anglos. Leave it to the Swedes to know “class.” Classy magic(21 DVD set), classy chewing tobacco(Sweedish Snuf), and classy cards(Anglo Rug Backs). I could go on…and do…just read my review.
Conjuring Arts Bee Erdnase Acorn Backs(Ivory)
Going Rate: $7.00-$8.00/Deck
Width: 15.5(Same as Bike) Surface: Smooth
With the death of the Steamboats and the increasing rarity of the Aladdins this is about the best smooth finish USPCC card available. It is printed on Bee Casino Grade stock but the lack of dimpling the stock allows this stock to retain a bit more stiffness. It does seem to have a few issues with crimping but overall it is a fine deck.
Conjuring Arts Bee Smith Backs(Ivory)
Going Rate: $7.00-$8.00/Deck
Width: 15.5(Same as Bike) Surface: Smooth
Under the hood this deck is almost a match for the Acorn backs. A unique back design will make it equally useful for dealing seconds and bottoms as it will covering reversed cards in a deck, such as in a triumph routine. It is printed on Bee Casino Grade stock but the lack of dimpling the stock allows this stock to retain a bit more stiffness. It does seem to have a few issues with crimping but overall it is a fine deck.
Fournier 605 (Lee Asher Signature Series)
Going Rate: $8.50 – $11.00/ deck depending on size of your order.
Width: 14.5 (-4 or -5 Bikes) Surface: Smooth
These are hands down my favorite deck of cards ever. If playing cards were high performance street bikes than these are the Ducati! This is a precision instrument that will appeal to experienced card handlers. Some have complained about the price of these but frankly I feel it keeps the Rif-Raff away. If few of you buy this deck then that leaves more for the people who appreciate quality. In addition to their excellent performance they have a durability that, as of yet, has been unmatched by any other card I have reviewed(though Piatniks came close) These have some fanning issues, like the Anglos do, but if you break them in properly they will actually fan quite nicely. My comment about wearing Casio watch and using a Bike 808 in a Tuxedo applies to these as well. If the Anglo looks like the perfect accessory for the “Nouveau Riche” then the Fourniers are the perfect accessory for the magician performing for the “Old Money” crowd.
Piatnik Club
Going Rate: $4.00-$6.00/ Deck
Width: 15.5(Same as Bike) Surface: Smooth
Tommy Wonder was no slouch and neither are his most favored card. These are similar in stiffness and overall feel to the Fournier 605s but they are a bit thicker. Personally the thinner Fourniers felt more precise to me but if you prefer a thicker deck check these out. This is another very long lasting deck.
Rally Card
Going Rate: $3.00 – $5.00 / deck
Width: 16mm (+ 3 or +4 Bikes) Surface: Smooth
This deck has an interesting old world design that they stole from USPCC after USPCC let the trademark expire on a back design from the early 20th century. The neat design doesn’t save this deck however. At 16mm these are thicker than the UV500s! These are stiffer than the Fournier! The combination of the two make for a deck that performs less like playing cards and more like manipulating a block of oak! If Shaquille O’neal ever retires from basketball and picks up card magic I might recommend this deck to him. Other than that….Don’t bother.
Steamboat 999
Going Rate: $5.00-$10.00 / deck
Width: 14.5(- 4 or -5 Bikes) Surface: Smooth
A true Immortal. Somehow this card existed for over a hundred years with very little change and was sold at very reasonable prices. Then one day someone pointed out to USPCC that they were “accidentally” producing a high quality card at a cheap price. They put an end to that and to the shock and sadness of many “in the know” card men the Steamboat was no more. How cool was the steamboat? Imagine a card that matched the Fournier in almost every category except for longevity being sold for $2.50 / pack. The look of the card was perfect for anyone doing a gambling show, especially one with a wild west or riverboat theme. I can’t say enough about these cards….R.I.P.
playingcardblog 