You’d like the markings to be easy to read, and also to appear natural. This isn’t easy when using the more precise methods of marking your cards such as tintwork or juice mark.
This can be done with an array of already-prepared markers. The best option is Penguin Magic’s reader deck, which uses an adorable Bicycle Maiden back design and contains instructional videos and great routine ideas.
How to protect yourself from being the victim of an opponent
If you believe that a deck might be marked it’s generally acceptable to ask for a new one – however, only if you’re sure that the people running the game aren’t in on it. In any other case, they’ll respond with hostility and try to convince you that nothing is wrong with your current cards.
You can guard yourself against this type of cheating by using a thick, transparent card protector every time you play. It’ll be harder for your adversaries to sneak tiny cards into the game without you knowing. This will also shield you from more typical cheating techniques, such as pot-slamming and angle-shooting.
The other thing you can do is to talk about marked cards in a non-serious way when the topic comes up. A majority of people haven’t encountered marked cards before and believe they are discussing an esoteric trick that doesn’t involve them. This will keep them from getting paranoid about mark cards and beginning to believe that each game they play in is made up. It will also enable them to avoid the subject and not get too excited.
Making Card Tricks Using Marked Decks
A marked deck is a valuable tool in the arsenal of any magician. It can help you perform’miracles that aren’t possible using ordinary decks. Additionally, it can also provide you with a safety net in case your routine doesn’t go as it was planned. Be cautious when and how you use the decks, and only select techniques that take advantage of their marks.
A marked deck of cards typically contains a set of hidden markers that magicians can read with a glance at the reverse of the card. The marks can be delicate and blend seamlessly with the style of the card. On the reverse of a play card, for example might be marked with a design that indicates the value or suit. Marked cards can also have intricate patterns or symbols which require a solid understanding of card magic in order to recognize.
An excellent place to begin is with a factory printed reader deck, such as Penguin Magic’s “Bicycle Marked Cards”. These are poker-sized decks made from Bicycle Elite paper, so they’re smooth to handle and traditional cuts. Two downloads are included that will help you learn some fantastic strategies to employ with this deck. When you’re confident with the marked deck then it’s time to experiment with other marked cards. There are a lot of websites that can help you understand what you can do with marking decks.
Utilizing Marked Decks in Magic Routines
Many marked decks come with accompanying instructional videos that not just teach you how to read the markings, but also give you a few good ideas for routines. For example Penguin Magic’s Marked Cards comes with two excellent video tutorials that contain some great card trick suggestions that are provided by Jon Armstrong and Rick Lax. There are numerous books that will teach you tricks and methods to use marked decks. One of the most popular is Hidden in Plain Sight by Kirk Charles and Boris Wild but it does require the reader to master their specific reading method and can only be used with their specific markings.
Some magicians build their own decks marked with various DIY techniques, but this is often labor-intensive and requires a level of expertise. The best option is to purchase a well-made manufacturer-printed reader deck that features clearly visible marking systems. Certain decks feature an innocent looking Bicycle Maiden back, while others are high-end in appearance and include 3D glasses that help you read the markings from far away!
Some magicians worry that their audience will not catch their tricks if they employ decks marked, but this is the same as worrying about being caught using any other trick or sleight-of-hand technique. If you are able to manage your audience with care and only reveal the deck mark when you need to, you will find that the majority of your audience won’t be able to figure out the trick.
Use marked decks to perform Magic Tricks
When it comes to performing cards magic, decks marked can provide an additional instrument that can make a variety of routines more powerful. The information you have on the card to manage the card during a trick, or make it appear in a surprise manner.
The ideal situation is for your mark to be easily be read by magicians, but difficult to spot for viewers The markings must be located in a spot that is appropriate to your specific trick. If you’re using cards from a deck of Bicycle cards, and your marking technique requires you to read the back design of the card, then the markings should be placed in an area which looks as if it is a part of the Bicycle logo on the back.
Some magicians create their own marked decks using an electronic reader or coded marks, however this is often time consuming and requires the experience of a skilled magician. A marked deck that is professionally designed will be less costly and more convenient and won’t have to worry about losing your cards.
Many magicians fret about using marked cards since they believe that it increases the risk of being caught by viewers. But the truth is that this risk is no different than for any other gimmick or hand trick. Everything depends on how you interact with your audience, the instrument and how natural the trick is in your routine.