Plastic Cards

[RSLancastr]

What do magicians think of plastic playing cards?

I don't mean pasteboard cards with a plastic coating. I mean solid plastic cards, such as those made by Kem.

Are they too slick for fanning, etc?

 

[NoZed Avenger]

What do magicians think of plastic playing cards?

I don't mean pasteboard cards with a plastic coating. I mean solid plastic cards, such as those made by Kem.

Are they too slick for fanning, etc?

Short answer from a hobbyist (YMMV): They suck.

Slightly longer answer: Without a lot of powder or extra work, they are uneven, make ragged displays, and are a general pain. They are also thicker than normal cards and do not seem to separate as easily. Also, I think some spectators may suspect that you are doing something tricksy because they aren't "normal." Everyone knows and trusts Bicycles, although for feel I really love Bee's.

NA

 

[RSLancastr]

Re: Re: Plastic Cards

Short answer from a hobbyist (YMMV): They suck.

Concise, and to the point sir!

Also, I think some spectators may suspect that you are doing something tricksy because they aren't "normal." Everyone knows and trusts Bicycles, although for feel I really love Bee's.

People seem to "trust" Bikes, Bees, even Aviators.

I collect unusual-looking decks of cards, and it only took trips to a couple of magic stores before I wouldn't find anything there - that the more ordinary-looking a deck is, the more a magician's audience tends to accept them as a straight deck.

This is also a reason why unusual decks have been slow to catch on in casinos - gamblers tend to want to stick to the tried-and-true standard designs. Not sure whether it is superstition, or simply not trusting something that looks different.

There are a few casinos which use unusual decks (the Flamingo, many indian casions), but for the most part, standard pattern rules.

 

[rustypouch]

I would say go with Bicycle, as they have always been good for me.

And most 'special' cards go can buy have bicycle backs.

 

[RSLancastr]

Speaking of card "feel", a friend of mine - an amater magician - gave me a deck for my collection which he says is/was very popular among magicians.

It's a deck from a now-defunct Vegas casino, the name of which escapes me ("Joe's Nugget"? "Fred's Nugget"? - something like that).

He (my friend) said that the deck has incredible action, and is sought after for that reason. He had stumbled upon a box of a dozen decks in an antique store, and gave one to me.

 

[RSLancastr]

And most 'special' cards go can buy have bicycle backs.

I have occasionally wondered about this...

The bike back (along with the spade ace, court cards, possibly more) is trademarked by the manufacturer (U.S. Playing Card Co.).

When someone manufactures a gaffed deck, made from a trademarked deck (such as bikes), are they supposed to pay the original manufacturer (such as USPCC) a licensing fee?

 

[wert]

When someone manufactures a gaffed deck, made from a trademarked deck (such as bikes), are they supposed to pay the original manufacturer (such as USPCC) a licensing fee?

Often, certain gaff cards will be actually printed by USPC directly.

I know of one manufacture who sold a gaffed bike deck was was not allowed to sell the bike box with it. Weird.