I've just made my first magic purchase, hey! - Royal Road to Card Magic, as suggested by many on here. I was going to purchase some Bicycle cards at the same time. However, it seems there are different types. Blue bikes/Red bikes! - what's the differences between the two?? - apart from the obvious one...lol. I also noticed you can buy Poker or Bridge - it mentioned in the description that Bridge are slightly smaller - I'm assuming they would be easier to handle for a beginner or do the Poker size bikes have some other advantage over the Bridge ones??

I would appreciate any comments before I go ahead and purchase these.

Many thanks,

CM

Color choice is by preference. Not many use the bridge size for magic. They work as well as poker size, but the professional magicians use poker size and if you ever get in to using gaffs, they all come in poker size.

It may be more impressive for tricks like card to wallet if a larger card vanished from the deck and appeared in your wallet, an envelope, back in the card case,etc.

It would be best to practice with poker size cards. Also its good to have both red and blue bikes so that you can change from time to time. Using the same color back usually is boring during practice.

Poker is pretty much standard. I suggest you get both colors. There are a lot of good effects using two colors. I personally prefer red because it has a brighter look to it. I use blue for mentalism type of work. This is just my personal preference. No hard and fast rules here I believe.

Peace,

Rannie

Choose which color you like - there is no rule here in magic. And use poker size cards, because this is the standard size in magic when it comes to geffed cards.

Magixx

I would say go for the poker size and you will soon be able to hold them comfertably, as for the colours red and blue are the same, but to have more effects in hands you will need red and blue and maybe two decks of the same colour, as you will find in the Royal Road, there are effects that require two cards of the same value and colour.

I prefer reds .. My Buddy prefers blue .. low and behold we purchase 48 decks at a time and split the order.. they come in a dozen box .. 6 of each , I always use poker size ,
Keet

Your better of using what you plan to use in the long run, so to avoid having to change.
once you ve found what you like, itsprobably best buying more cards than you think you need.

ollie

If we think back when we were laymen, I don't think we would notice or care what cards someone was using. Maybe if you were an experienced card player you would know quality, but the majority of the populice wouldn't take notice. Using what you like and feel comfortable with might be the best thing to do in the long run.

Isn't that the truth. I find I am always picking up a deck or two or four. I don't get mine in bulk, just whenever I go out. My wife got me six packs for Christmas. Some florishes are killer on the cards during practice.

One thing to keep in mind is the size of your hands , if you have very small hands
then bridge may be better.But I too have found out that most gaffed card are in poker size. I like blue backs ,if I am doing card sleights,but I was just taught
that way.Be sure to get as many decks as you think you will need , because in the
learning tricks you will go though some cards .
Aslon

It has been said blue has a calming effect and that red is more exciting.
If you plan on doing any effects that require signing the back of cards then of course red is best.

Practice with Poker and sometimes Bridge. I've borrowed decks and sometimes they are bridge size. Differences are not major but...it don't hurt to handle both.

There are other colours of bike cards as well as the usual blue and red varieties so use what appeals to you. I like a mixed brick of red,blue,black and green if only to help me rotate my practice packs.
European cards are generally Bridge size and are probably much easier to use but as has been mentioned most gaffs are Poker sized so if that is the way you want to go get used to the Poker. Alternatively try making some or your own gaffed decks from the bridge cards.

Bikes by the dozen in a box at Costco for under $14 per box

Thankyou all for your comments and advice, very helpful.

Indeed, I had'nt really thought about how many decks I may get through when practising! - so it looks like I'd better buy at least two of each.

Also, I do have quite small hands and was originally thinking along the lines that bridge size may be easier for me to handle. However, Ollie 1235 mentioned it would be better to use what I plan to use in the long run. As I would like to get into using gaffs at some point, I might as well get used to handling the poker size from the start.

Ok, I think I'm ready to go and make my next purchase!

Thanks again,

CM

And iyoure in the uk remember to go to asda for your bikes

ollie

I use poker size. The color doesn't matter. As for buying in bulk....yes definately. I go through about two decks a wekk just practicing. ( I practice for three hours a day, This is time that I sit down for the sole purpose of practicing and doesn't include when I'm watching the telly and practicing a pass or what have you.)

Nothing do with colors. Just get what suits you best. I use green bikes for a change now. I'd say go with poker size. Bridge gets you more advantages but poker size makes you prepared to handle any size of deck, excluding junmbos.

Color doesn't matter at all. It is all preference. Personally I rarley use bikes. I normally use Tally Ho's or When I do use bikes I only use Tactical Field Bikes. Avoid the two packs, they are not as good quality.

Also keep in mind that there are back with and without white borders. It depends on trick you preform what cards you use. But Bikes red or blue are a good starting point.

I also would advice to start with the poker size. Here in holland we don't play poker much and are all the standard cards you buy bridge sized. It was a lot of effort (for me) to get used to the bigger cards. So I wished I had started with poker....