Editor’s Note: This article is the fourth in a new, weekly series by Jason England: MYSTERIUM. Each article in this series will be posted on Wednesday at 11:00am EST – every post on a different subject. This week, Jason describes a practical way to practice and master The Bottom Deal.

The Bottom Deal is a classic sleight-of-hand card movement that enables you to covertly deal the bottom card of the deck while in play. With practice, the move can be done without detection.

Come Sail Away - A Practical Way to Practice and Master the Bottom Deal

I no longer have a set practice schedule. These days I find that frequent performing, even if they are only informal performances for friends and family, is enough to keep my physical skills with the cards reasonably sharp. I do still practice quite often. It’s just that I no longer need to sit down for formal practice sessions every day like I did when I was first starting out in magic. Continue Reading

Editor’s Note: This article is the third in a new, weekly series by Jason England: MYSTERIUM. Each article in this series will be posted on Wednesday at 11:00am EST – every post on a different subject. This week, it’s all about one question: why?

Mysterium: Why Am I Here? – By Jason England

I’ve often thought about my job as a magician in relation to the job that a filmmaker has. I see a lot of parallels between magic and film. In fact, I think there are a lot of parallels between magic and theater in general. Naturally, there are some significant differences as well. Let me explain what I think my “job” as a performing magician is. Continue Reading

The PERFECT Valentine’s Day Gift. Love Me Playing Cards, inspired by Curtis Kulig’s global street art campaign. An elegant design and universal message.

Curtis Kulig’s art began on the streets of LA with one simple phrase: “Love Me”. Today, that signature statement has transcended the street to become the latest trend in fashion, art exhibitions, and now – playing cards. Love Me Playing Cards feature an original Ace of Spades, Joker, Back Design, Box Design, Sticker Seal, and Ace of Hearts – renamed the Ace of Love.

Editor’s Note: This article is the second in a new, weekly series by Jason England: MYSTERIUM. Each article in this series will be posted on Wednesday at 11:00am EST – every post on a different subject. This week’s article is all about the count…

Mysterium: Card Counting History & Methods – By Jason England

Within the realm of gambling games using playing cards, the concept of keeping track of cards that have been played has been around for centuries. In some games, mechanical devices have been used to assist the player by displaying the number of cards of a given value that have appeared.

The game of faro comes to mind. The faro ‘casekeeper’ is a wooden frame that resembles an abacus. Beads of wood or ivory were used to keep track of the number of cards that had been removed from the deck as the game progressed.

After the deck was exhausted, the beads were moved back to their starting positions and the next game started anew. Continue Reading

With this post, so begins a new series of articles presented by Jason England every week, as a sort of digital “column” here on theory11. For those curious as to what each post will contain – the answer is anything and everything.

Our goal is to present a diverse array of topics, from sleight of hand to card cheating, interviews, inspiration, and everywhere in between. Check back every Wednesday for the latest post, and feel free to comment and ask questions in the forums. Our hope is for this series to be less of a monologue, and more of a dialogue. So on that note – let’s get started!

Mysterium: On Tangential Subjects – By Jason England

I’m frequently asked for a list of the best magic books to improve one’s technique, effect construction, presentation, routining or showmanship. The answers for technique depend largely on the specific techniques in question, but classics like Expert Card Technique and the Card College series frequently make the lists. For good effect construction advice I always point people to Darwin Ortiz’s Designing Miracles, and to his Strong Magic for advice on showmanship and presentational ideas. Continue Reading

theory11 artist and honest pickpocket Apollo Robbins (The Gentleman Thief) is featured in this week’s issue of The New Yorker!

Writer Adam Green shares Apollo’s life story – and explains how Apollo’s mastery of misdirection has defined him as a legend. Apollo has worked with neuroscientists, psychiatrists, and the Department of Defense.

Read the in-depth story of Apollo’s journey and learn how he earned his reputation as the best – and most honest – thief alive. Read the story on The New Yorker.

A fun, quirky, and colorful new deck! Animal Kingdoms are now available!

This bold deck of playing cards is FULLY customized, featuring hand drawn art from Hatch Studios. We’ve teamed up with the leading organization in wildlife conservation and endangered species, World Wildlife Fund, to promote conservation and sustainability.

For every Animal Kingdom deck purchased, theory11 will donate $1 to the World Wildlife Fund to help endangered species, forest conservation, and much more.

Animal Kingdom features custom box, backs, pips, courts, tuck interior, and sticker seal. We made sure to include ultra thin borders on the back design – in fact, they’re the THINNEST borders we’ve ever printed! Every court card features a different animal – each unique in character and hand drawn.

Whether you love cards or simply want to help preserve the planet,  Animal Kingdom is for you.

Now available: Animal Kingdom and Artisan uncut sheets!

Rare, authentic uncut sheets – straight off of the press at USPCC. Suitable for framing or mounting on your wall, they are rare and should be taken care of with lots of love.

Sold elsewhere for $150+, these are extremely rare items pulled off of the production line before the decks were cut. They are NOT photocopies, re-prints, or duplicates – these are the real deal! And at $29.95 – they’re a steal.

Pick up both for your wall! Buy Artisan Uncut Sheet. Buy Animal Kingdom Uncut Sheet.

Now Available: 150 sets of very rare, special gaff dice. Includes a FREE download teaching how to switch one pair of dice for another.

In collaboration with expert card technician Jason England, we were able to track down 150 sets of very RARE, special, casino gaff dice. Commonly known as crooked dice, T’s, tops and bottoms, or mis-spotted dice, they are used to increase the odds of winning.

With purchase of these dice, we include a FREE downloadable video that teaches TWO methods for secretly switching one pair of dice for another. For educational or entertainment use ONLY.

Quantities are limited, and these WILL sell out quickly.

Every year, we do some sort of crazy holiday contest to celebrate the end of one year. This year, we raise the stakes with FIVE prizes better than ever.

Here’s how it works. Just like last year, you will receive one token for every product you purchase. If you purchase 2 Decks, you’ll receive two tokens. If you purchase 6 decks and two downloads, you’ll get 8 tokens. And so on.

After you check out, you’ll see a special link to apply those tokens towards five prizes. Each token is one chance to win. You can put all of your tokens towards one prize, or divide them evenly towards all five.

What’s up for grabs? 100,000 Elite Member Points (10 winners each receiving 10,000 points), a year’s supply of Artisans, the ultimate card collection (containing every deck we have in stock), a video production kit, and a special code that will unlock an instant $500 gift certificate.

See the official page for more details!