What is the best Marked Deck out on the market right now?

Greg

This is such a broad subject to answer, do a search first and when you find one you might be interested in, search the reviews for that particular deck/system. There are so many reasons one may be more appropriate than another based on how you plan on its use. That being said, I prsonally like the deck I prepare myself. Check out PM Marking system. Jeff

Greg,

Think of it as a readability to disguise ratio. In general, the easier and quicker it is for you to read it, the easier and quicker it will be for a savvy spectator to detect the markings. So the question you need to answer is "Who is my audience?"

If you are performing on the street or at a picnic for laypeople who wouldn't generally suspect marked cards and/or you need to get the glimpse in the time it takes for them to pick a card out of the spread then you would probably want something that is easier to read, i.e. a non-symbolic marked deck.

However, if you're performing for a sharper group then you will want something harder to detect, with the understanding that it may take you a split second longer to read the marks.

In fast company, you will likely need something like juice or luminous decks which are the hardest to read initially but when you master the technique you can read them from across the room. They are also the most difficult to detect, even by those in the know.

The best marked deck for me is Boris Wild's. I didn't see the marks when I took it out of the box, and it took me less than a second to discern the identity of the card after I had read the instructions. Spreading the cards from left to right, I can discern them all, yet the marks are invisible to everyone else.

Once again the best and classiest out there is the ULTIMATE MARKED DECK. It is a Bike deck - perfect markings - easy to read - and the decks will no longer be made again as USPCC does not allow changes to the backs anymore. Grab one before they disappear. They were created by Magic Dream in France.

http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/1470

The David Blaine "Mind Reading" decks are also nice (split spade design) -and cheap too for the quality. Markings are more obvious but you still need to know what to look for.

There are many other threads on this same question - search for them.

I agree with saysold. The ULTIMATE MARKED DECK is a very good choice, easy to read and hard for someone to detect if he does not know what to look for.

Joe

I what to thanks everyone for their input. I want to be able to get a glimpse in the time it takes me to put the other cards back into the card box.

Joe and saysold.
I going to try these first.

I also agree with Saysold. The UMD is excellent!

The "GT Speed Reader Marked Deck" is also good. Here's a link to a WPR episode where the deck is discussed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dJctx9SKk8&t=8m22s

Works well in conjunction with spectator peeks. Printed with Mandolin backs BTW.

Marty

I agree. The fact they they are Bicycle cards tips the scale for me.

GT Speed isn't the one in Mandolin back?

UMD is one of the best, then Boris Wild's. I haven't used my Boris Wild because I'm always afraid they're gonna spot the markers. Of course, this is me thinking as the performer.

Thanks guys for your help.

Boris Wild's mark deck is fabulous.

However, I much prefer blockout work on a bee pack for an undetectable unbeatable sure fire marking system - Outstanding. And its home made.

Best regards,

MW

I'm of the opinion that making your own marked deck is generally easier to use and harder to detect than any bought deck.

I personally use blackout work on tally hos/mandolins/bikes when I need to.

-Raahul

Hello Raahul

What do you mean with 'blackout work' and how is it applied to a Bicycle deck?

I have Boris' deck, but not the Ultimate Marked Deck. Nor have I seen it. For those of you that have both, which ones markings are better disguised? I had know that the Phoenix decks were marked and as soon as I saw one, I immediately saw the marks. For me they were just too obvious.

Well I have both, but because we know where and what to look, for me Boris Wild is more obvious especially for cards with 10 value and higher.

But I know that I don't speak for everyone, there are people here in this forum that are very confident using Boris Wild Deck.

For me, UMD is much more hidden as they are not printed across the frame line on the design. I hope I don't reveal too much. I would suggest you to get both and see which one is more comfortable for you. Even in terms of the price, UMD will cost you a little bit more than Boris'.

Hope it helps.

I already use Boris' deck and like it. In my opinion not as obvious as the Phoenix deck. I'll have to check the UMD just to compare.

Thanks, it does.

I love UMD not because Boris' is obvious, but for me, UMD is more hidden so it gives more confidence I guess.

I'm just curious as once I saw a marked deck for $45. I will find the link. I'm just curious why it is so expensive just for a marked deck.

$45 for a good marked deck is cheap depending upon who your audience is....

For most magicians, less expensive marked cards are fine since the audience does know what to look for, nor are they likely motivated enough to spend the time to catch you.

On the other hand, professionals who want the most deceptive marked cards have been known to spend $75 - $175 per marked deck which is designed to fool people who are "in the know".

These expensive marked cards are overkill for most readers of this forum.