To answer the question why Tally-Ho's are more expensive than Bikes...

They're not more expensive, it's just that Bikes are now so more inexpensive. The US Playing Card strategy to sell Bikes through Costco changed everyone's perceptions on how much a deck of cards should cost.

Months ago, I contacted US Playing Card when I was considering selling Tally Ho's. The wholesale cost to retailers is $1.75 per deck. Any retailer would need to mark that up X%. I don't know what the margins are in a magic shop or game store. The retail price would easily be $2.50 per deck for Tally Hos or $3.50 if shipping is included.

Now compare the pricing on Bikes through Costco. If you buy the 12 pack carton, then you pay $13.49 for 12 or $1.13 per deck. US Playing card has successfully dominated the playing card market with this low ball price strategy. Costco is selling Bikes retail at a cheaper price than a retailer can BUY Tally-Hos at wholesale pricing. Now, everything other than a $1.13 deck price seems expensive.

Thanks, Jive-Turkey, for the Costco connection. I drifted away from card magic several years ago, and when I recently decided to get back into it I was shocked at how the prices of Bicycles had changed. Now I understand a bit better.

I've also discovered that most of my old gaffe cards are in Aviator back, which I'm having a hard time locating at $1.13 a deck. Ha!

Bicycles all the way !!!!

Bicycles or Tally-Ho doesn't really bother me. The quality of the card tricks is more important!!! The card trick is even better with a borrowed cheap deck.

Hi,
Living in England the use of Bicycle cards can seem very strange. As a whole you will only find Bikes in Magic Shops! This is the same for all the cards made by the US playing Card Company (Bee, Steam Boat, Tally Ho, BullDog Squeezers!) therefore the use of any of them seems slightly strange and to a lay audience can arrouse suspision. But I use Tally Ho circle Backs, as unlike in American where Bikes are the most common, here either seem strange, thus I use the ones which are more suited to my preferance. Personally I like Tally Ho's I also prefer the Jokers in these decks.
In England the most common cards are Waddinton 1 s which are not nearly as gooda as US playing company cards. Once they have become over used, you could never use them for a trick again! Also Poker sized cards are uncommon over here anyway, as most British Card Players play Bridge!
owen

Tally - Ho is now the same price as Bicycle if you order bulk. I switch between bikes and circle back Tally - Ho's. I love the way the circle back looks. And the finish on the cards is the exact same air cushion finish.

I only use Tally-Ho cards when I go to lectures, because that's the only place where people will say "Hey, cool, Tally-Ho's" or if they're new to magic "Wow, what cards are those?!"

Otherwise it's just bikes, and I don't mind messing them up real good.

Also, when I finally decided it was time to retire my red circle-back deck, I was supplied with a near lifetime supply of bookmarks.

I have owned some tally-ho card decks. I usually find that when I use either deck, they raise suspicion about being marked.

Living in the Southwest, lots of Casino Gaming in the area, Bee Brand is dominate. People who know cards in this area have no problem with Bee's. I use them all, just not a purist when it comes to decks of cards. None of them last that long, however, Hoyle Brand seem to stand up a bit longer then the other top brands.
Wizzard

Picked up my first pack of STUDS today... THEY ARE MY MOST FAVORITEST CARDS EVER! These feel wonderful, and there's nothing you can't do with them. (I was even suprised how well the faroed)

Hm I'll have to pick up some of those STUDs...Bees are my fav right now, I've never used Tally Ho's..hope to pick some up soon. To me, the Bees handle better than standard Bikes..They feel stiffer, but that could be because I've had my bikes for about a month and I ain't used to new deck feel...But they do feel different from my Black Tigers too (which I try not to mess up..them cards are still in new deck condition.) Oh and not to mention the cheap paper cards I got 2 packs for a dollar at the dollar store..I use those just to practice folds and signed card tricks.

How much are STUD decks?

A dollar something. I paid around 2.5 dollars for a two pack (one red one blud) but be careful, the jumbo and poker indexed two packs look IDENTICAL except one says jumbo the other says poker. Look carefully.

Can you post a pic of the backs of them?