This is my first close-up pad, so I may be somewhat presumptuous when I give this 4 stars, but I do have to say that this pad is not only inexpensive but really quite excellent.

I opted for the 16"x23" size as I did not intend to travel with this and I wanted a good deal of surface area to practice spreading and manipulating the cards. The surface is synthetic and flocked. This is not a velvet-type surface--think of it as a slightly fuzzy mouse pad. The backing is more than sufficiently thick, which facilitates picking up of the cards.

I was worried that a mat this inexpensive somehow couldn't make the grade. That said, I was extremely satisfied at the quality of the mat and just how much easier it is to manipulate the cards on it. Prior to this, I had used a large, gaming mouse pad. This was okay, but the surface was too slippery for card work.

Per the Murphy's magic site, the difference between the pads is really the thickness. Deluxe is 8mm (card plyometric thickness), Standard is 5 mm thick (low impact cardercise), and Economy is 3 mm thick (card yoga mat). All kidding aside, the surface is all the same with each pad. The thickest pad has the advantage of having the most give when reaching under the cards. As 'deluxe' as this may be, it is probably overkill. Additionally, I store it flat--the thick backing means that it doesn't roll up well and I was worried about stretching the playing surface if I rolled up the mat. If you want something that rolls compactly, you would have to go for the 3 mm economy mat. I think if I were to buy again, I'd go for the standard, 5 mm, model--it sounds like a good compromise, with more than enough padding and the same great work surface.

This is an inexpensive mat but it really delivers. It's not one of those fancy, wood-backed, heirloom, Pleasant-Valley-Sunday mats you might get if you want to dress to impress or want to add a carved-wood, Victorian air to your card magic, but don't let this mat fool you--this understated mat is really quite excellent. For a 'worker' mat, Murphy has over delivered.

This is a simple but excellent accessory for close up magic. Given this price point, there is lots of value here. I couldn't be happier with this purchase.

The pad is the best it can be with this design. Even though it is nothing compared to real close up pad, its good enough for table work with cards

Excellent quality, beautiful green color. My magic students have been toting these back and forth to class every day for almost 3 weeks now and they haven't had an issues with the back peeling off or anything like that. I did a lot of comparison shopping before committing to purchasing 20 close up mats and I'm glad I went with these ones.

I enjoy it because of it’s size, and that it mutes any noise or talking sounds from object or coins in chop cup routining

Excellent

Can't recommend this enough. Great price, good product, amazing people. The folks over at penguin magic even went so far as to record themselves packing my order to ensure everything was correct. The mat itself was also great, especially for such a low price. If anyone is looking for a cheap mat to see if course up magic is for them, this is the one

It's pretty. It's clean. And it does the job. A great starter pad for an excellent price.

Good thickness, surface, flatness and colour! For me is the perfect mat.
Doesn't keeps marked when you touch it as some velvet ones

This close up pad is good!
I recommended buying this if you are a beginner

This pad is not what I expected. The surface of this pad is too hard for doing close-up table card magic. It lacks softness for on the table shuffles and cuts.