A marked deck can provide an entirely new dimension to your magic tricks with cards. It’s important to understand how to use the gimmicked cards to ensure that your audience doesn’t suspect any trick.
The most effective decks with markings are able to conceal the markings to not be noticed by magicians. They should be easy to read by magicians and should not require them to be looking or staring during an event.
What is a Marked Deck?
A marked deck is a special deck of cards that contain hidden markings on the reverse of each card. The magician can discern the worth of a card as well as its suitability by simply looking at the reverse side. Marked decks are a crucial tool for magicians and can be used to perform a range of tricks. Some magicians go so in saying that they use a specially marked deck for every show.
It is crucial to choose a marked deck that is easy to read. This is particularly true if you are using the deck in an environment with excellent lighting. A deck marked with marks that are difficult to read will require you to spend more time focused on reading the markings than doing the trick itself. This could make your deck appear suspicious to your viewers.
If you’re unsure which type of marked deck to pick There are plenty of information available online to aid you in making the best choice for your requirements. One popular option is the Players Elite Marked Deck, which features a simple system of marking that is easy to read. The deck is also of high quality and has a smooth shuffle and is a great choice for both magicians both amateur and professional.
How to read a marked deck
It may seem that marking cards are an easy method to cheat however, when it is used by a skilled mentalist or magician it can offer new possibilities and improve many tricks. The trick is to make use of the markings sparingly and in ways that make them less obvious than their presence. One way to do this is to re-adjust the angle and position of a person’s card as they go about their business so that you can read their selection without them being aware of it.
There are two major kinds of marked decks being manufactured commercially that are coded and reader systems. Reader systems are based on hidden information within the back design of the card to enable you to quickly recognize the identity of the card without looking at the face.
It’s crucial to take the time to understand the marking system of a deck prior to buying it. You must be able to master the marking system in order that you can understand it quickly and clearly during a performance.
Certain of these systems require careful lighting conditions and are only read from an a specific distance. It’s not recommended to use them in situations where they’re not suitable for this kind of. If you are performing at a table that has poor lighting or in dim conditions, it may be difficult to spot the marks. This could reveal your secret.
How to play with a marked deck
In general the use of a marked deck is best when you’re performing a trick based on a reasonable selection of cards. In this scenario, it is important that the deck is easy to read. It is also essential to be able to hide the marks sufficiently so that the people who will be watching you are unable to discern them, even with close scrutiny.
A number of different systems exist for marking cards, but the majority of professional magicians prefer a reader system than a coded one. The reason is that a system for marking with code could require the magician to use more brainpower while performing, and it can decrease the quality of performance of many tricks. A reader marking system is more user-friendly and allows the performer to focus more on the presentation, patter and technique of the trick.
It all comes down to the method the magician uses to manipulate the deck. No amount of marked decks will make a routine more enjoyable when it’s not. In this respect, many of the greatest magicians in history never used marked decks at all.
The first download is written by Jay Sankey. He shows you how to mark yourself with the Bicycle Rider back deck, and then create a few simple effects. The second download includes Jon Armstrong, a top card player who demonstrates how to make use of the marked deck in more advanced ways.
Picking a Deck with Marks
A good marked deck should be easy to read and look similar to any other deck. The markings on a deck marked with a mark can either be reader systems (where the secret marks are printed on the back of the card) or coded systems (where the cards are marked with symbols that have to be deciphered by magicians). The most well-known factory-printed marked decks for magic include GT Speedreader, Boris Wild’s Marked Deck Project, and the regular Bicycle branded decks. These decks were designed for the professional magician and mentalist in mind and have special features that make them useful for this kind of purpose. These decks also often come with a book or an instructional DVD that helps magicians understand how to utilize the marking system as well as some suggested routines.
It is possible to do amazing tricks using an unmarked deck and not reveal any secrets, however it requires careful planning. You’ll need to be judicious about how and when you use the markings, and cautious about the type of trick that you choose to pair them with. You must also be able to use the decks with ease and confidently.
A lot of beginners are worried about using a marked deck because they don’t want to get found cheating. But, in reality it is extremely rare to get caught if you’re careful and natural in how you play with a marked deck. The most serious risk is from amateurs who depend too heavily on a marked deck and fail to be careful about it.