With the recent release of our Bicycle Centurions I thought it would be appropriate that this months topic revolves around a debate that many have been having within the community for a few years now. It was also suggested by AllanLuu:
How does the use of specialized deck of cards affect a performance for laymen?
Here are my immediate thoughts: Laymen ARE NOT card connoisseurs. For the most part, they have no clue what a "normal deck of cards" is. I have used many different types of cards over the years - everything from regular Bicycles to the newly released Centurions. I am speaking from much experience when I say that laymen - for the most part - don't know, nor do they care.
There are a few exceptions however. Take Ellusionist's Ghost deck. The artwork on the face of these cards confuse laymen. When I filmed Stigmata - I used the Ghost deck a lot. I have hours worth of outtakes from performances that we could not use because the spectators either forgot the card, mis-remembered their card, or were just so distracted by the cards that the cards themselves actually interrupted the performance.
With the popularity of poker on television, your average laymen has seen many different kinds of cards. Laymen DO NOT assume that Bicycle is the be all end all of playing cards - indeed, most laymen have now idea what a Bicycle deck of cards is. As long as the deck does not interrupt my performance, distract or confuse my audience - I have no problem using custom decks. What are your thoughts?
How does the use of specialized deck of cards affect a performance for laymen?
Here are my immediate thoughts: Laymen ARE NOT card connoisseurs. For the most part, they have no clue what a "normal deck of cards" is. I have used many different types of cards over the years - everything from regular Bicycles to the newly released Centurions. I am speaking from much experience when I say that laymen - for the most part - don't know, nor do they care.
There are a few exceptions however. Take Ellusionist's Ghost deck. The artwork on the face of these cards confuse laymen. When I filmed Stigmata - I used the Ghost deck a lot. I have hours worth of outtakes from performances that we could not use because the spectators either forgot the card, mis-remembered their card, or were just so distracted by the cards that the cards themselves actually interrupted the performance.
With the popularity of poker on television, your average laymen has seen many different kinds of cards. Laymen DO NOT assume that Bicycle is the be all end all of playing cards - indeed, most laymen have now idea what a Bicycle deck of cards is. As long as the deck does not interrupt my performance, distract or confuse my audience - I have no problem using custom decks. What are your thoughts?
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