Magic Tricks

Lately I’ve been basically collecting marked decks, trying to find the one that works best for me. I should mention that my eyes aren’t as sharp as they used to be, so I’m concerned about the biggest giveaway that you’re using marked cards: an awkward, long squinting stare and the back of a playing card.

There are some really cool features to some of the available decks (like knowing the next card or how many have been cut from the deck) if you’re interested in using a specific stack. But I’m an Osterlind stack guy and I’m not ready to put in the work to learn a different system. So I want a marked deck I can use every day with the stack I already know. And it’s worth mentioning that all of those other decks retail at 25 to 35 bucks a piece.

With very little practice, I can read the backs of these cards at arm’s length, yet the marks are well-hidden enough that I have no problem casually handing them to a spectator. Of all of the marked decks i’ve tried (including Luke Jermay’s Marksman Deck, Andy Nyman’s The Code and the Ultimate Marked Deck), this one is the easiest to read and, by far, the most affordable. I’m going to buy a brick and make them my everyday cards!

The only downside I see, comparing them to some of the more expensive decks, is that the only information on the backs of each of these cards is the value/suit of that card. But the values are clear, easy to read and well-hidden in multiple locations. And that is just perfect for me.

Congrats to Rick Lax for creating the first truly affordable marked deck!