|
|
lcwright1964 Special user Toronto 569 Posts |
I recently picked up a couple of Ted Lesley decks in Bike stock that were on sale at The Magic Depot. I concluded really quickly that I wouldn't be at ease putting these in the hands of spectators--which is a shame, because the effect I want to used it for (Simon Aronson's Shuffle Tracking, but minus the glimpse) puts the control of the selection completely in the spectator's hands. The marks just stand out glaringly to me. On the other hand, the marks on the Phoenix decks are beautifully concealed and I would have no problem put such a deck in a layman spectator's hands. The marks just blend, but on the Lesley they just seem to obvious to me. On the down side, the Phoenix decks might look "gimmicky" and suspicious to an audience at ease with Bikes.
Any thoughts on this? Is my caution warranted or am I thinking too much like a magician? TIA, Les |
charlie_d Loyal user 247 Posts |
I guess it depends on the audience, and the presentation. Most people these days haven't handled a deck of cards, let alone a marked deck. But you'll get the odd poker or bridge player who knows what to look for, who'll riffle the cards to check for marks, feel the edges, reverse a packet and so on. If it gets to that stage, I'd argue that the presentation has gone a little wrong - either you've challenged them to inspect the cards ("Take a look at these and make sure they're normal", rather than "could you give these a shuffle" or whatever), or they're really gunning for you for some reason, or they're just an a**hole.
As long as they're given the cards with a clear instruction to do something, like shuffle, deal or cut, they'll be too busy trying not to mess up to take a good look at them. As for the merits of different marking system - one of the benefits of the Lesley system is that even the "checking" I described above doesn't necessarily give it away. But if they're getting a good look at the cards, I'd say it's already gone badly wrong Another thing with marked decks - like "it's up your sleeve", this is something normal people are quite likely to just blurt out. So have a plan - don't clam up and stop if someone shouts it out, just carry on, maybe explaining that the cards *are* marked - very clearly marked, but sadly only on the front. It does make things a whole lot easier if they're marked on both sides, and I once had a discussion on this very theme with some very persuasive gentlemen in Vegas... etc, or whatever patter suits you. I think the phoenix cards are fine; if the Lesley method worries you then you're probably better off switching, just so you feel comfortable. I don't think there's a problem with the phoenix design looking unfamiliar, because a deck of cards is probably going to be a pretty unfamiliar object to most people. |
FatherWilliam57 New user Beaver, PA 73 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 2, 2014, lcwright1964 wrote: I recently started to switch from Bikes to Phoenix. I have only had a couple people wonder about the fact they don't look the same as decks they are used to seeing. I simply said that I purchased them especially for the design since "the Phoenix rising from the ashes" was another symbol from mythology which had been appropriated by Christians as a symbol of the Resurrection at Easter. Since I am a Lutheran pastor who does Gospel magic, they find this a perfectly reasonable explanation for my use of them instead of Bikes. (You can simply tell people you collect unusual decks because they "tickle your fancy." Many plausible explanations can be given.) But by and large, I don't think people really pay that much attention to what brand of cards is used...as soon as you begin a trick, some people are going to think the cards are "funny," regardless of the brand...can't really do anything about it except complete your performance and replace their suspicions with wonder.
The Rev. William B. Henry, Jr.
"If this be magic, let it be an art..." - Leontes (Winter's Tale, Act 5, Scene 3) |
lcwright1964 Special user Toronto 569 Posts |
Thanks for the thoughtful observations, gents. I think my misgivings about the Ted Lesley cards was that I spotted the marks immediately--but then again, I was looking for them. It took a little longer for me to spot the Phoenix marks, because the lettering is in a font that blends beautifully with the border. That said, a riffle will quickly expose the peripherally placed Phoenix marks. The Lesley marks are more central and don't stand out during that test unless you do more of a Svengali-style riffle that exposes the full backs.
I'll try both, and see how it goes. At my magic club last year Kenton Knepper put a Svengali deck in the hands of a member for a really easy but fooling stop effect. Afterwards, the club member admitted it didn't even dawn on him to think the cards were gimmicked, so he didn't notice anything amiss. He just was keen to follow the instructions so the trick could succeed. If good presentation gets a gimmicked deck by a magician, I suspect that likewise can occur with a marked deck and lay people. Les |
Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
I've used Blaine's Split-Spade MD and Phoenix MD a number of times. No one has noticed.
|
Robb Inner circle 1291 Posts |
A few suggestions... One, the most likely time a spectator will notice the marks is if you have them shuffle the deck. Therefore, have them shuffle the deck FACE UP to "prove" that the cards are all different. This will of course conceal the marked side from their eyes and others.
Secondly, routines should be structured so that the mark is only read on an offbeat and in a moment where it would not (apparently) help you even if the cards were marked. For example, if you do a "spectator as mind reader" effect where in the closing moments of the routine you peek the card they "received" from you and name it. This catches people totally off guard. There is a great book called "Marked For Life" which has all sorts of tips and insights into using a marked deck. Forget the author, but it shouldn't be hard to find and it's like $15. |
brandontoh New user 56 Posts |
I would suggest not giving too much attention to the deck. The less important they seem, the less likely it is for spectators to become conscious of any form of markings. Try using the Ted Lesley as your everyday deck; use it for effects that don't even need MD, and see how it goes.
|
Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
Robb, is that the one by Wayne Dobson?
|
Kabbalah Inner circle 1621 Posts |
I think the book Robb is referring to is Kirk Charles' Marked For Life.
Wayne Dobson has a book titled Marked 4 Life. And Les, to answer your original question, no and yes.
"Long may magicians fascinate and continue to be fascinated by the mystery potential in a pack of cards."
~Cliff Green "The greatest tricks ever performed are not done at all. The audience simply think they see them." ~ John Northern Hilliard |
Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
Cheers for the clarification, Kabbalah
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Gaffed & Funky » » Marked Deck - Allowing Spectator to Handle (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |