Cards - Do they matter?
- Thread starter Maharajah
- Start date
Well it does depend on who you are. The line's fine for say, someone like me, because I don't use trick decks. But to each their own.
Everyone's gonna react differently. Some people are just naturally suspicious/paranoid and will question everything you do and use. Sometimes they just don't care. Some people think they look cool, and that's about it. Some people seem to have this "You're A Phony!" thing were they think you're just a lier and wanna expose you, haha. And i'm sure the line doesn't end there either. Fact is, if you wanna use them, prove they're real, and use them. If you don't wanna use them for whatever reason, then don't. IMO, it comes down to personal preference. Either the hassle bothers you, or it doesn't.
I agree with Steerpike. Some decks don't work for a certain personality. I wouldn't recommend a comedy routine with vipers or black anything, unless your humor is dark. The audience shouldn't question the cards otherwise there is a piece of information that is not be conveyed to you spectators.
to me it depends when i perform for people in the streets i use red/blue cards
but for my friends and or people at school í use any deck
but for my friends and or people at school í use any deck
Steerpike is absolutely right. If you can't use a custom deck without getting accused of using a trick deck then it means that the fact you're using that deck is obviously being noticed. I'm sorry, but in my opinion, if the most noticeable thing about your performance is the deck of cards you're using, then that says more about your performance than about the usability of a deck of cards.
I haven't been called out or accused of using a custom deck in years. It was only a problem I had early on in my performances, and in those days I never used a trick deck so I'd just give them the deck and tell them to see for themselves. Now....it just never happens, lol.
I haven't been called out or accused of using a custom deck in years. It was only a problem I had early on in my performances, and in those days I never used a trick deck so I'd just give them the deck and tell them to see for themselves. Now....it just never happens, lol.
As Steerpike said, it's about who you are.
I've used decks ranging from normal bikes to shadow masters and never once been asked if it's a trick deck nor heard a comment like that.
I've used decks ranging from normal bikes to shadow masters and never once been asked if it's a trick deck nor heard a comment like that.
I'll pipe in for the Aussies here, in Australia, there's not really a well known deck, so we can use anything without anybody getting suspicious.
Also, one question : Why the hell would your spectators know that trick cards exist?
Also, one question : Why the hell would your spectators know that trick cards exist?
I usually use bikes for tricks, as they do seem to strike a common ground with the spectators.
However, when doing flourishes, I really do prefer Guardians or Centurions, both because they look awesome in the flourish, and they feel really nice.
One solution is to buy some blue or red masters, they've got an awesome finish and just feel great in general while maintaining that common ground with your spectator.
However, when doing flourishes, I really do prefer Guardians or Centurions, both because they look awesome in the flourish, and they feel really nice.
One solution is to buy some blue or red masters, they've got an awesome finish and just feel great in general while maintaining that common ground with your spectator.
I only use my custom decks in videos. Otherwise I use my red or blue masters, since they look just like bikes only better.
I usually spread them or thumb fan the deck and show that the cards are different. If they dont believe me, i just go on with the trick
For performing in the U.S.A., use either red-backed or blue-backed Bicycle 808 playing cards.
For performing in the UK (and most of Europe), use Tally-Hos (either fan back or circle back are fine) - stick to the red or blue colors.
For performing in Singapore and other Asian areas, use Arrcos, Alladins, Tally-Hos or Bicycles.
For flourishing, use the sexiest cards you can find.
For performing in the UK (and most of Europe), use Tally-Hos (either fan back or circle back are fine) - stick to the red or blue colors.
For performing in Singapore and other Asian areas, use Arrcos, Alladins, Tally-Hos or Bicycles.
For flourishing, use the sexiest cards you can find.
Because he has made a proclimation to that effect. I'm just going to bonfire my other cards and shelve my act, because obviously I've been doing it wrong for the last 10 years. At least I have some good company though. Blaine's been doing it wrong.....as has Kenner, David Copperfield, Criss Angel, Dan Garcia.....shoot.......just about every magician I can think of has broken these golden rules for convincing the audience your cards aren't a trick deck.
I guess they're exceptions to these rules right? Maybe its because they can actually perform with a deck.
Oh and for the record, I'm from the UK and bikes are far more popular than tally's over there despite this weird tally niche that seems to have developed in the pre-teen to teen magic community, so I have no idea what Europe you're referring to, but it wasn't the one I lived in until 6 months ago. I routinely played poker, and the most common, non magical deck I encountered outside of a Casino were red backed bikes, no ifs and buts about it.
I guess they're exceptions to these rules right? Maybe its because they can actually perform with a deck.
Oh and for the record, I'm from the UK and bikes are far more popular than tally's over there despite this weird tally niche that seems to have developed in the pre-teen to teen magic community, so I have no idea what Europe you're referring to, but it wasn't the one I lived in until 6 months ago. I routinely played poker, and the most common, non magical deck I encountered outside of a Casino were red backed bikes, no ifs and buts about it.
Last edited by a moderator:
Why use tallys in the UK? Before I got into magic I played poker regulary and never heard of tallys. I don't know where you got your info that tallys are a known deck in the UK, but wherever/whomever you got it from, they're wrong.
Please note, this is not me bashing tallys, they're probably my most used cards.
Please note, this is not me bashing tallys, they're probably my most used cards.
Last edited by a moderator:
Thats weird that so many people cant use custom cards without getting called out on it. I have never had that problem NEVER. I make my spectators feel comfortable around me and my props so they rarely question anything.
-Michael
-Michael
Fixed.
If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say my countrymen assume this because, "Tally ho!" is something our Saturday morning cartoons told us was peculiar to British people.
Last edited by a moderator:
Here's a question: Why do you care what type of cards you use. Yes people will get suspicious. But why does that matter? Everybody likes different types of cards that fit their style. As Steerpike would say "Normal sucks."
Also I think the only reason people get suspicious is because you act suspicious.
Also I think the only reason people get suspicious is because you act suspicious.
People sometimes ask me... "Is that a normal deck" to which I reply, Yes it's completely normal, I then go into flourishes, and fan's so that people no it normal, sometimes even let them inspect it.
It's all about how you handle it, if a spectator thinks it's a trick deck and it's not, prove it to them! It's not hard to do, and it will astonish them even more.
It's all about how you handle it, if a spectator thinks it's a trick deck and it's not, prove it to them! It's not hard to do, and it will astonish them even more.