I have one from almost 2 years! haha, and im still using them
Excellent quality cards.
Spread very easily , and always i can get good fans.
Recommendable for anyone
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
Initial Impression: This is definitely my most intimidating review. Tally-Ho decks have been a
favorite amongst magicians and flourishers alike for a long time. Indeed it has been the standard by
which high quality decks seem to often be measured. Daring to review these and attempt to remain
objective might border on heresy for some. Never the less I will give it a shot. I am happy, and
relieved, to say it was one of the top performing decks but a little nervous to point out that is
was by no means the top performer. Perhaps the best way to describe this deck is to call it a Bike
on steroids. Indeed, with the exception of fanning, it seemed to perform slightly better than the
808 in all categories.
The Look: Not much needs to be said here as the Tally-Ho deck is
almost as well recognized as the 808 in the magic community. It seems to have strong powerful lines
that seem to give it a clear distinction next to the flowery patterns that surround the angels on
its cousin, the Bike 808. The court cards look almost identical. There is only one Joker in the
deck, the other being more of an advertisement card. The ace of spades is 2nd to none. A classic in
card magic that still holds its own paired up against the new improved Ace of spades from the Bike
Masters decks.
Card construction: The stock is stiffer than the 808s but doesnt seem
thicker. The same dimples pattern common in most USPC decks is present here as well. While I cant
feel the difference between the linoid finish of the Tally-Ho and the Air Cushion of the 808 it
does seem to impart different characteristics in handling. Overall the card came in at 15mm
thickness which made it about 2 cards thinner than a bike.
Durability: TBD. It scored a tad
better that the Bike on the Crimp hold test but we will see if that equals a longer life.
Handling:
Fanning: 8.5
Not quite as smooth as an 808 but pretty close.
Spring Moves: 7.5
This card was just a tad stiffer than a Bike and various spring moves
performed as one would expect given this.
Dribbles: 8
The stiffer stock seemed to make
springs a bit more clumpy but I expect as the cards break in it will actually do better in this
category.
Crimp hold and recovery: 8
One of the best performers in this category. You
will have no worries about passing your cards out for a shuffle, your crimp will be secure.
Single card glides: 8
The stiffer stock seemed to help these moves remain secure.
2+Card Obfuscations: 8
Again a strong performance in this category. Obfuscations in which
opposing corners are held were very secure as were corner displays from push-off doubles however, it
was about on par with the 808 with a Diving Board Double.
XCM cuts: Obviously this is a
well loved deck by Flourishers. The added stiffness should help with packet cuts but no other
category seemed to indicate why this is. Consciously or unconsciously I think most of its
popularity in this field stems from the bold back design. The distinct backs are still visible while
packs are twirling between hands and spinning in the air.
Card Splitting and Gaff
construction/availability: There are gaffs available for Tally-Hos
You might check this thread if
you are interested.
viewtopic.php?p=847373
As for splitting? TBD
Who should not
buy?: Cant think of a reason not to buy these.
Who should buy these?: As with the Arrco
decks, Talley-Ho decks are similar enough to Bikes that there is no reason not to check them out.
You wont find super cheap deals on them as you will with Bikes but they still have a high
performance bar for such a low price.
Final Thoughts: We will see how these age. Supposedly
they are a very durable card which has been cited often as one of the reasons some magicians swear
by Tally-Hos. Quite honestly these feel a whole lot like the UV500 stock( a stock I hold in high
regard). Indeed when I first opened the pack I suspected that E might have just requested a bunch of
black bike designs to be printed on Tally-ho stock. A quick measurement of the decks proved this to
be incorrect(Tally Hos are much thinner) but the feel is very similar. If you are a UV500 fan
looking for some good practice decks you might start using these as they are sold about $1.00
cheaper than the cheapest UV500 deck. Overall a good deck but on initial examination I wouldnt say
it has lived up to the hype. Perhaps the longevity review will make me eat my words?
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
I love these cards and these cards for some reason seem to faro easily and these cards look very hip
on my large red close-up pad.
The deck also has one of the coolest Ace of Spades I've ever
seen.
You can't do wrong getting yourself a few packs of these.
MP-
These are my first Tally-Ho cards. I bought them because I have become obsessed in recent months
with learning the faro shuffle. Paul Gordon always seems to feature them on his excellent videos,
including his "Pro Aces" where he introduced me to the faro. By the way, get Pro Aces from Penguin
Magic; one of my best purchases. I also learned that Tally-Ho cards were the favorite of Dai Vernon.
The Fan Backs look beautiful, but I had trouble choosing between that design and the Circle
Backs.
The faces look like standard Bicycle faces. I have yet to see better faces than standard
Bicycle faces. The ace of spades is a work of art and is the reason why I ultimately gave in and
bought more cards, even though I have about one hundred decks unopened.
The cards fan and ribbon
spread flawlessly thanks I guess to their linoid finish, which I think these days is political speak
for air cushion finish or something very similar.
Here's the thing: the cards faro extremely
well, but only from top down when they are turned face up. My understanding is that Tally-Ho cards
are traditionally cut and that they therefore should faro face down from above down. With my
Tally-Ho cards the reverse is true. Not that it deters me. I love the cards. They are stiffer and I
think a tad thicker than Penguin Magic's Bicycle Elite cards. Also superb cards that faro well. Time
will tell which of the two decks I prefer. Quite possibly my preference will be the Bicycle Elites
because they are a lot less stiff than the Tally-Hos.
The quality is always consistent, both back designs are nice. I especially appreciate Penguin's
ability to ship quickly. I was doing multiple back-to-back shows on the road and ran out. Thanks to
Penguin, I was able to check-in to the next hotel with half-a-dozen decks waiting for me when I
arrived.
I know, I know. Some people are addicted to bikes. I guess they think if it doesn't look like
every other deck used by magicians that there is something suspicious about it. I don't believe
they think that way at all. People are used to playing cards at home with all sorts of different
decks. They see a Tally-Ho and think you're some cool Brit. And I love the birds.
Still to this day, the highest quality to cost ratio out there.
anything else need be said
Like classic books on magic and other items, I try not to review cards. They are usually so cheap
that you can buy maybe 1 and go back to get more if you like them. I have 4 of these decks, and I
really like them.
One of my decks has been around for years. Sure it warped a little but if
you are a flourisher, these feel really nice. WHen they get old they stick together pretty nicely so
elaborate packet flourishes are much easier with them. But new they feel like OLD bicycles. Old
meaning pre-transition, before they started feeling like the stuff I wipe my bum with :p
I
would suggest you buy one to use and try out and one to keep on the shelf. They are rare in stores
now (at least by me) so having some unopened feels nice. The case looks really cool too, so that's a
plus!