Plastic Cards

RSLancastr · 30th June 2003, 04:18 PM

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 · 30th June 2003, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 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?

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 · 30th June 2003, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NoZed Avenger
Short answer from a hobbyist (YMMV): They suck.

Concise, and to the point sir!

Quote:

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 · 30th June 2003, 04:31 PM

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 · 30th June 2003, 04:33 PM

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 · 30th June 2003, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rustypouch
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 · 30th June 2003, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RSLancastr

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.

30th June 2003, 04:18 PM	#1
RSLancastr Philosopher www.StopSylvia.com Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Los Angeles Area Posts: 8,070	Plastic Cards 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?

30th June 2003, 04:22 PM	#2
NoZed Avenger Bitter Whiner Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 8,411	Re: Plastic Cards Quote: Originally posted by 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? 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

30th June 2003, 04:30 PM	#3
RSLancastr Philosopher www.StopSylvia.com Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Los Angeles Area Posts: 8,070	Re: Re: Plastic Cards Quote: Originally posted by NoZed Avenger Short answer from a hobbyist (YMMV): They suck. Concise, and to the point sir! Quote: 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.

30th June 2003, 04:55 PM	#7
wert Critical Thinker Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 371	Quote: Originally posted by RSLancastr 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.
wert Critical Thinker Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 371

30th June 2003, 04:31 PM	#4
rustypouch Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary... Posts: 2,584	I would say go with Bicycle, as they have always been good for me. And most 'special' cards go can buy have bicycle backs.

30th June 2003, 04:33 PM	#5
RSLancastr Philosopher www.StopSylvia.com Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Los Angeles Area Posts: 8,070	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.

30th June 2003, 04:37 PM	#6
RSLancastr Philosopher www.StopSylvia.com Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Los Angeles Area Posts: 8,070	Quote: Originally posted by rustypouch 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?