You want the markings to be easy to read, and look natural. This is difficult to do with the more precise methods of marking your cards such as juice mark or tintwork.
This can be accomplished with an array of already-prepared markers. Penguin Magic’s Reader Deck is a fantastic choice. It features a Bicycle Maiden design on the back and comes with instructional videos, which include excellent routine ideas.
How to Guard Yourself from becoming a victim of your adversaries
You may request an alternate deck if you believe that the game is being rigged. However, only if you are certain that the people running the game aren’t aware. If you want another deck, the gamers will likely be hostile.
You can stop such a ploy by using a large transparent, clear card protector every time you play. It will be much more difficult for your opponent to sneak a small card in without your knowledge. This will keep you safe from typical cheating techniques like pot-slamming or angle-shooting.
You can also talk about marked cards using a low tone when the topic comes up. If they’ve never been on a secret previously, most people have had ZERO marked cards in their lives. They would assume they’re discussing a trick that doesn’t use marked cards. This will keep people from getting paranoid and believing that all games are rigged. This will allow them to keep away from the subject and not be too enthralled.
Playing Card Tricks using Marked Decks
Marked decks make a fantastic tool for magicians of all kinds. It can help you perform’miracles that aren’t possible with ordinary decks, and it can also provide you with a protection plan should your plan fail. work as you expected. You must be aware of what you do with the decks, and only select tricks that make use of their markings.
A marked deck of playing cards is usually a series of hidden markers which the magician can identify by looking at the reverse side. The marks could be delicate and blend seamlessly with the design of the card. The back of a playing card, for instance may be marked with a pattern that indicates the worth or the suit. Cards marked with marks can also contain intricate patterns or symbols that require a deep understanding of card magic to discern.
The ideal place to start is with a factory printed reader deck like Penguin Magic’s “Bicycle Marked Cards”. The cards are poker-sized, and are made from Bicycle Elite, which gives them an extremely smooth feel. Also included are two downloads that show you some great techniques to use with this kind of deck. Once you’re confident with this deck, it’s time to explore other decks marked. There are a lot of websites that can help you understand the possibilities of an engraved deck.
Use Marked Decks to perform Magic Routines
Many marked decks come with accompanying instructional videos that not just show you how to read markings, but also give you some great routine ideas. For example Penguin Magic’s Marked Cards comes with two amazing video tutorials that contain some great card trick ideas that are provided by Jon Armstrong and Rick Lax. There are also many books that teach you tricks and techniques for using specific marked decks. Hidden in Plain Sight, written by Kirk Charles and Boris Wild is one of the best. However it is required to learn a specific reading system. It is also able to be used with those markings.
Some magicians build their own marked decks using different DIY systems, but this can be quite labor-intensive and requires a certain level of proficiency. The easiest way to do this is by purchasing the reader deck from a printer that has a clearly readable marking system. Some decks come with an innocent looking Bicycle Maiden back design, while others are extravagant in design and include 3D glasses that help you see the markings from a distance!
Certain magicians are concerned that they could be caught by their spectators using a marked deck, however this is no different than being worried about being taken in by any other gimmick or sleight of-hand trick. If they employ a careful approach to crowd control and only make the mark public when there is a real justification for doing so and will find it’s very difficult for the audience to be able to get to the secrets.
Using Marked Decks in Magic Tricks
When it comes to performing cards magic, marked decks provide a powerful extra tool that can make many tricks stronger. If you’re able to read the name of a particular card, you can utilize the information to control the cards during the performance, or reveal them in an unexpected way.
The mark you choose to use should be read by magicians but it should be difficult for spectators to discern. It must also be placed in a manner that is compatible with the act you’re performing. If you’re using an assortment of Bicycle cards, and your marking system requires that you read the back of the card the markings must be placed on a surface that looks like a part of the Bicycle Logo on the back of the card.
Certain magicians design their own marked decks using a reader system or coded marks, but this is often time consuming and requires the expertise of a skilled magician. A professionally-designed marked deck is more affordable and convenient, and you won’t have to worry about gaffing your cards.
Some magicians are nervous about using a marked deck since they fear it will increase the risk of being caught by spectators. However, the reality is that this is similar to any other gimmick, sleight of hand techniques. All depends on the way you interact with your audience, the tool and how natural the trick looks within your routine.