Curtis,

That is my understanding too.

Dave

Why/Why Not?

So, here we go on Why/Why Not?

Why.
It gives you an opportunity to do magic that you cannot do otherwise.

Why Not?
Because the Spectator can see the marks.
(Actually, that is not true.)


Well ...
The Spectator cannot see the marks. Unless you show them the marks. First, you are not supposed to be showing the marks. And, even if the spectator could see the marks, they can't read them. How is it that the spectator cannot see the marks?

They just can't. Really.
Especially on a Coded deck. And probably not on a Reader deck.

Also, Handling. On your part, you simply handle the cards so the spectator cannot see the backs of the cards. How do you do that? Angles and line of sight. If you hold the deck in dealers grip, you are already holding the cards so the spec can't see the backs. But, you say, sooner or later you need to lay the cards down in front of the spectator. Again, not so. Simply do effects where you don't place the cards close up on the table directly in front of the spec if you are afraid to.

Google YouTube for "Tricks With Marked Cards" and pick out some favorite routines. Choose those that eliminate your fears. If you are maintaining eye control over the spec, using misdirection, or using Audience Management Techniques, you will not have any problems in the first place. And, if the sight distance for the spec is so far that they cannot see the marks because they are too far away, problem solved. To accomplish this, set a marked card down and back away until you can't make out the marks. This will be slightly past your focal point at about a small distance away from the end of your arm. Measure that in your mind, and keep the spec at that distance. If you crowd the cards toward you and keep your hands and arms moving around, it makes it harder to see the cards anyway.

And, make a Bold Move. Get your distance, sight lines, audience control, and chosen effect down with practice and Just Get Out There! Getting busted with marked cards in a controlled situation is very low risk. So, take the risk and don't worry about it. Chances are in your favor a great deal. The spec does not have the time to slow down during an effect and stare at the card backs. It is assumed you are moving the spec along. And, what are the chances the spec has ever seen a marked deck? Probably much less than you would think. Like zero, prove otherwise. And what are the chances the spec has seen YOUR marked deck. Like zero.

Develop a skill set of learning how to handle marked cards with appropriate techniques and then choosing effects you are comfortable with.

And, Trust The Cards. They take care of themselves. It's Magic ...

Enjoy!

Wait. Do you mean to tell me that there are videos on YouTube that actually demonstrate how to handle marked cards? Like, how to handle them? Not just do a trick, but how to handle marked cards? Like how to wrangle them around and do stuff with neato handling tips and techniques?

Yep.

And there is other stuff, too. Like, Marked Deck Master Class by Daniel Madison.

Double Yep.

I own Phoenix regular and marked decks. If the regular decks are marked, then I’d like to know how to read them. Can someone point me in the direction of an explanation?

I'll make a thread in the Secret Sessions section with more specific info.

One of the worst-kept secrets in magic is that you can learn a great deal for free by googling and searching youtube. Like it or not, not everyone follows the magician's code.

Most spectators probably have zero interest in performing magic, so no worries that they will catch you at anything. One exception: the DL, if you have not perfected it.

The DeLand marked deck is difficult to read even after reading the instructions! Takes a lot of practice. No one else will be able to read them who doesn't have a deck himself. Just don't hand any marked deck to a spec and let him do a "flip" test.

Which all leads to the philosophical question about magic and spectators in general -- do they really think it is "magic", or do they expect some trickery? If anyone over the age of 5 thinks the former, then they have big problems, lol.

For gaffed decks, marked cards are probably the #1 thing that the layman is aware of. In the year 2024, however, I suspect that less people are aware of them than even just 20 years ago. I'd bet that less and less people are familiar with a physical deck of cards as each year passes by. I grew up in the generation where we watched lots of old classic movies on TV, and it was hard to avoid the situation where you would see someone get shot in a saloon in the old west for cheating at poker -- often with marked cards!

There was a time when everyone and his brother knew about, and probably had, a Svengali deck, though few (including me) called it that when we were young and got the TV Magic Cards from Marshall Brodein. So to me, the Svengali deck is still #2 on the list of gaffed decks the layman is aware of. The "trick" with that deck is to never show all the cards being the same -- yet most people do just that.

After that, most gaffed decks are probably unknown to the layman. And by layman I mean someone who never got a magic kit as a kid or was otherwise never interested in magic.

The stripper deck probably lags way behind, although I'd rank it #3. I got one when I was about 9 or 10, but then again I've always been interested in learning magic.

Also, I had forgotten that one of my Fantasma stripper decks is also marked -- so it took a cue from DeLand in that respect.

I haven't dug out my Boris Wild marked deck in awhile, but if I remember correctly, pretty much the name of the card is the "mark." You need to know where to look, but if you handed a card to someone to examine they'd probably find it in about a minute. The kid behind the counter at Martinka's in NJ (the old Flosso-Hornman store that was in NYC) demo'd it for me without telling me it was marked, but from the trick I could tell, and asked if they were, and he said yes. But actually I had told him I was looking to buy a "new to me" gaffed deck that was different than the many I had. I bought the Boris Wild deck since they were on Bicycle stock and none of my other marked decks were.

I pulled out my Boris Wild deck -- the marks indicate the value -- the location of the mark indicates the suit.

Ohhhhhhhh. Boris Wild Marked Deck on Bicycle cards. Those are hard to come by although an internet search will turn up some decks for $20. The Phoenix Edition Decks are still readily available, also for $20. I like this deck because it is one less mark you need to read and reading them goes fast.

And, The Boris Wild Marked Deck Project is a decent set of videos on handling Marked Cards in general and on some top tier routines. Penguin still has this in stock and as video instruction goes it is top notch. Produced by Big Blind Media and just over 4 hours of instruction with an index at the beginning.

From the Ad Copy:

The Boris Wild Marked Deck Project
"The definitive work on the marked deck. Learn the techniques and skills to turn a marked deck into the most powerful magical weapon imaginable."

Fun!

Yes, that must have been before USPCC decided to disallow Bike backs altered for gaffs.

And, for those of you skeptics out there that are afraid of using Marked Cards, think about this ...

If you can't dance, don't blame the floor.

Dave

Personnally, I use a marked deck for my work with a memorized deck. It simplifies some processes (estimation for instance).
And I mark my deck myself for the following reasons :
- It costs me nothing, just some time.
- As I have glasses with progressive lenses and as my vision is not the best, I mark my deck with the rank of the cards, with a system I can easily see with my eyes.