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Rocky Elite user 486 Posts |
So...over the years the assumption has been that in order to convince an audience that our "normal" deck of cards is in fact normal, we magicians have traditionally used a brand of playing card that we feel is familiar to the general public. The Bicycle back playing card has been the choice for many a working pro in that it is the brand that is assumed the most recognizable and therefore less suspicious to our card magic loving spectators. A few weeks ago during a "close-up night" at my restaurant,a teenage customer was overheard telling his girlfriend that the decks that the magicians were using must all be "special" because they all use the same kind (which in fact was true...all of the performers that evening were using either red or blue backed bikes).For a few weeks some us decided to experiment with different decks that maintained the same feel as our Bicycles but with different back designs.I know that this experiment would cause the average muggle to do something uncomfortable in his pants but it proved a point that I think many have known for years...the average spectator dosent have a clue what constitutes a "normal" looking deck.Most people relate a deck of cards to the beat up bridge sized deck that advertises a vacation spot on the back and has been sitting in the junk drawer for God knows how long.The fact that we are all(or many) using the same type of cards makes the teenagers remark interesting in a "laymen logic" kind of way.I went as far a using decks from the dollar store to bridge sized cards with the Washington Monument as the back design(made for a great one way forcing deck)and not once did anyone comment on the fact that the cards must be gimmicked due to the design being unfamiliar to the spectator. Im not telling anyone to stop using Bikes,just sharing a perspective that myself and a few performers found interesting.
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Expertmagician Inner circle 2478 Posts |
I personally try to use the most common cards which you can buy at local drug stores. In New York, taht is Bicycles or Bees.
Down south I have seen Bees, Aviators and Hoyle and out west, I see Maverak, Hoyle, Tally-Ho and Bees. I personally think an unusual back design will always cause more suspecion than what people can but easily in local stores.
Long Island,
New York |
Rocky Elite user 486 Posts |
You are making an assumption that the normal average person buys a deck of cards as often as we do...they do not. Ask a friend what their favorite brand of playing card is. Chances are they wont be able to give you one,but if they do,ask them to describe the back design.Im just making a point that these assumptions can backfire as the more the general public sees these brands of cards being used by magicians,the more suspicious they may become of them(case in point the teenager in my restaurant).
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airship Inner circle In my day, I have driven 1594 Posts |
People used to play cards much more than they do today. Family and neighborhood card games were a fixture in the 30's, 40's, & 50's. Most everyone played bridge, pinochle, cribbage, poker, and solitaire. Even kids played games like Go Fish.
With the advent of TV and the two-income family, that tradition began to fade. Back in those days, I believe Bicycle cards may well have been a fixture in most homes; now, not so much.
'The central secret of conjuring is a manipulation of interest.' - Henry Hay
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jordanl Veteran user 325 Posts |
I've used Black Tigers without suspicion and been accused of using a "Trick cards" with more common designs. When using the black cards several people who played poker commented on how nice they felt. Some people are suspicious of everything a magician uses, others don't know or care. AFAIK Bicycles are the biggest selling brand in the US, and the easiest for me to obtain.
In all fairness most people don't see magicians very often, I've been surprised how many times people have told me I'm the first person they've ever seen perform magic live. |
Rocky Elite user 486 Posts |
Maybe we magicians should be doing less posting and more performing???
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Tim Jahn Special user South Florida 911 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-07-03 12:30, jordanl wrote: I've had the same thing happen to me a few times. I've been asked "Are those trick cards" when using regular bikes but was never questioned on any of the Specialty decks I have. [/quote] In all fairness most people don't see magicians very often, I've been surprised how many times people have told me I'm the first person they've ever seen perform magic live. [/quote] Same here. I've had a lot of people tell me the same thing. However, I have been asked about Chris Angel and David Blaine more times than I care to remember. Tim
Andrew, (ASW)
The effects on the DVD and lecture notes are far beyond your abilities. (They require mastery of the mechanic's grip.) It would only break your heart. Sincerely, Darwin Ortiz.......(This post has got to be in my top 5.) |
AaronTheMagician Loyal user 291 Posts |
When anyone has commented about me using "Trick cards," I hand them the deck (if it IS regular), or just give it a good display (if it is NOT regular); EITHER WAY, I say this, "Nah, these are normals. Picked 'em up from the Walgreen's down the road here..."
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Phil J. Elite user 467 Posts |
I really don't think this is something we should be worrying about. The teenager was obviously making a wild guess to impress his girlfriend. As he couldn't come up with a decent explanation of his own he grasps at the trick card scenario.
You were born original... Don't die a copy
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