Split Spades Lions and Black Lions

faizpardesi · Jul 9, 2016

I remember purchasing the Split Spade Lions when they came out (1st Edition written on the box) and the great feel it had, in fact, I just recently found like half a pack of opened SS Lions and they still handle so great. Unfortunately, they're super out of stock and selling for around $50 a piece so I'm saving the remaining few decks I have due to their value.

I went on David Blaine's site and saw the "Black Lion's Seconds, I was thinking of picking up a brick of those as a practice/moderate level flourishing and magic performance deck since i like the design.

My deciding factor is, Are the decks the same feel as the 'SS Lions 1st Edition' decks?
Does anyone know any cards that have the same exact stock or finish?

MrMrRPG · Jul 24, 2016

Hard to tell since they've just been released. Usually USPCC seconds are slightly defected that doesn't affect gameplay that much, so they should be fine even the King of Diamonds (Daniel Madison) is misaligned.

But in terms of the Black Lions it is a really nice deck! It has one of the most hidden marking system even seasoned magician with no prior knowledge would need to take time to read and decipher the markings. The stocks are think and soft enough for gambling demonstrations and magic in general. The jokers, art cards, and tuck case has certain imagery that you can do mentalism tricks (if you know how to force those images). Comes in Mnemonica stack too! Simply put, a fantastic deck for magic.

For flourish/cardistry, however, I do not find it to be a nice deck for that due to the casino/gambling back design. It'll be great for some moves such as isolations, but Dan and Dave kind of flourish might not work as well. Just my opinion as someone who does flourish and magic.

faizpardesi · Jul 24, 2016

MrMrRPG said:
Hard to tell since they've just been released. Usually USPCC seconds are slightly defected that doesn't affect gameplay that much, so they should be fine even the King of Diamonds (Daniel Madison) is misaligned.

But in terms of the Black Lions it is a really nice deck! It has one of the most hidden marking system even seasoned magician with no prior knowledge would need to take time to read and decipher the markings. The stocks are think and soft enough for gambling demonstrations and magic in general. The jokers, art cards, and tuck case has certain imagery that you can do mentalism tricks (if you know how to force those images). Comes in Mnemonica stack too! Simply put, a fantastic deck for magic.

For flourish/cardistry, however, I do not find it to be a nice deck for that due to the casino/gambling back design. It'll be great for some moves such as isolations, but Dan and Dave kind of flourish might not work as well. Just my opinion as someone who does flourish and magic.

Thank you so much for your response !
I ordered a few, to see how the feel is like. I tend to use them mostly for flourishes with a bit of magic here and there. If I don't like the feel, I like a nice game of Hold'em, so it shall be utilised

MrMrRPG · Jul 24, 2016

You are more than welcome!

I think to fully utilise the deck you must know the markings and the Mnemonica stack and routines. I will gladly help you out to decipher the markings since there are a few links out that taught the less practical way to read the marks. In terms of the Mnemonica stack, since it the deck comes with the stack as new deck order, you can perform miracles such as Mnemonicosis (Tamariz's version of A Card Trick That Cannot Be Explained by Dai Vernon) and Any Card at Any Number, as well as some gambling demonstrates from Juan Tamariz's "Mnemonica". Regardless you know the markings or Mnemonica, you will enjoy using them as much as I do.

faizpardesi · Jul 25, 2016

Ill be sure to try to check out the references you provided, at least some if not all.
I shall try finding out the marking through Google, if I feel lost, I know where to turn to. Thanks !

mykenny · Mar 21, 2017

MrMrRPG said:
You are more than welcome!

I think to fully utilise the deck you must know the markings and the Mnemonica stack and routines. I will gladly help you out to decipher the markings since there are a few links out that taught the less practical way to read the marks. In terms of the Mnemonica stack, since it the deck comes with the stack as new deck order, you can perform miracles such as Mnemonicosis (Tamariz's version of A Card Trick That Cannot Be Explained by Dai Vernon) and Any Card at Any Number, as well as some gambling demonstrates from Juan Tamariz's "Mnemonica". Regardless you know the markings or Mnemonica, you will enjoy using them as much as I do.

Hi, I've just been deciphering the marking system myself and it would be great to double check with you that I am doing it the best way as I haven't read any instructions on it and might have taught myself the less practical way...

mykenny · Mar 21, 2017

I've been looking at getting a brick of BL seconds myself but the cost of shipping and tax to the UK doubles the price How badly are they misaligned? I love my Red Black Lions and desperate to get some reasonably priced Blaine cards.