Bicycle cards - thoughts?

CB1 · 17th August 2007, 04:36 AM

Just wondering what everyone thinks is the optimum “age” of a deck of bikes for performance purposes. I ask, because I seem to find it harder controlling a brand new deck. They slide around a little too much. This however, could be down to the fact that as about 90% of the time I am practising as opposed to performing, I tend to use older cards. This may mean that it is just that I am more comfortbale with more worn in bikes. Maybe I should spend more time using brand new decks?

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Cheers

CB

AgeGap · 17th August 2007, 05:44 AM

I like new cards as they fan easier, but it sounds like this is not what you want. If you wants cards to stick together you can buy roughing solution. I don't think anybody on the boards is unhygenic enough to use spit.

Dikobraz · 19th August 2007, 11:52 AM

hey, i have a question on bicycle cards... Two weeks ago i bought a new standard bicycle deck and i was practicing tricks with it every day for 1-2 hours. Yesterday i noticed that they became a bit sticky, so it is more difficult to preform a glide or to make fans. Is this a normal thing to happen or they loose their quality in such short period of time (2 weeks)? Because I thought bicycle cards are a bit more durable(i don't say i can't make tricks with them now but it's not as before...). I'm from Croatia so it's not easy for us to get our hands on Bicycles, that's why I'm askin. ThX

Checkmite · 19th August 2007, 12:41 PM

It's not that the cards are wearing out; they're getting dirty - from things like the natural oils from your hands and such. There's no real way to "clean" cards, but you can restore some of their slipperiness by adding some fanning powder.

Dikobraz · 19th August 2007, 12:55 PM

ok that's all i wanted to hear... yeah, my palms can be quite sweaty when doin tricks(maybe i should use bike gloves

). And it's the same with the masters bicycle edition? Btw fan powder is the one that we use usually for our body or?

Checkmite · 19th August 2007, 02:31 PM

No, it's powder specifically made for card magic; try the local magic shop.

Bob Klase · 20th August 2007, 08:11 AM

Fanning powder is just zinc stearate. I don't know about Croatia, but when I was in Germany you could buy zinc stearate at some pharmacy shops much cheaper than getting fanning powder at a magic shop.

MelBrooksfan · 20th August 2007, 08:53 AM

Generally, magic shops are always more expensive.

Cain · 20th August 2007, 09:53 AM

As a matter of personal preference I am averse to using a virgin pack in a performance situation; we have to get to know each other first. It does not really, really matter. Most of the cards I have borrowed are in an impromptu situation are very used. The only time I used a new deck was when someone actually went to a nearby 99 cent store and bought three different brands of playing cards, none of them Bicycle.

Bob Klase · 20th August 2007, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by MelBrooksfan

Generally, magic shops are always more expensive.

That's true. But you don't really have a choice unless you know what you're looking for. If you don't know that it's zinc stereate and you shop for 'fanning powder' it's unlikely you'll find it anywhere outside a magic shop.

MelBrooksfan · 20th August 2007, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

That's true. But you don't really have a choice unless you know what you're looking for. If you don't know that it's zinc stereate and you shop for 'fanning powder' it's unlikely you'll find it anywhere outside a magic shop.

Probably. Not sure if you could find the chemical name for it on the package.

OnlyTellsTruths · 27th September 2007, 06:33 PM

This person tells you they're in Croatia. They can barely get a hold of a deck of Bicycle cards. Telling them to "try the local magic shop" or even "local pharmacy" for something like zinc stearate isn't exactly being thoughtful.

Bob Klase · 27th September 2007, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

This person tells you they're in Croatia. They can barely get a hold of a deck of Bicycle cards. Telling them to "try the local magic shop" or even "local pharmacy" for something like zinc stearate isn't exactly being thoughtful.

It's not? There's a big difference between having trouble finding Bicycle Cards (a product made in the USA and difficult to buy in many parts of the world), and having trouble finding things that are readily (and often more) available in many places outside the US.

My sister's husband is from Croatia. They go visit there every year. Going to "local" pharmacy" may not be as easy as finding a drug store in New York City, but it is a civilized country.

Of course if you have any better suggestions feel free to mention them. That should be at least as thoughtful as no suggestions at all except to complain about other suggestions.

OnlyTellsTruths · 28th September 2007, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

It's not? There's a big difference between having trouble finding Bicycle Cards (a product made in the USA and difficult to buy in many parts of the world), and having trouble finding things that are readily (and often more) available in many places outside the US.

You seriously think, on a worldwide average, it's easier to find zinc stearate than something common from the US? There are plenty of places, even in the US, that don't have a pharmacy or similar store for hundreds of miles, or a magic shop for thousands of miles.

Quote:

My sister's husband is from Croatia. They go visit there every year. Going to "local" pharmacy" may not be as easy as finding a drug store in New York City, but it is a civilized country.

Well what county is he from in Croatia?

Quote:

Of course if you have any better suggestions feel free to mention them. That should be at least as thoughtful as no suggestions at all except to complain about other suggestions.

Likewise, I'm sure. For instance, did he not ask if body/baby (talcum) powder would be an alternative. An answer to that would be nice.

Checkmite · 28th September 2007, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

You seriously think, on a worldwide average, it's easier to find zinc stearate than something common from the US? There are plenty of places, even in the US, that don't have a pharmacy or similar store for hundreds of miles, or a magic shop for thousands of miles.

Sorry but there is no other solution. If your cards are getting sticky, the only way to make them slippery again is to use the zinc, or buy new cards. There's absolutely nothing else that can be done. Sorry if it's not helpful, but there's really a lack of alternatives.

Besides, living in Croatia, I very, very strongly doubt that he'll need to travel "hundreds" or "thousands" of miles to find what he needs. I'm sure Zagreb has at least one pharmacy in it.

Bob Klase · 28th September 2007, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

You seriously think, on a worldwide average, it's easier to find zinc stearate than something common from the US?

No. I seriously think that it's better to give a suggestion that is possible, no matter how difficult, than to just say "too bad, all the solutions to your problem are difficult so I won't offer any".

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

There are plenty of places, even in the US, that don't have a pharmacy or similar store for hundreds of miles, or a magic shop for thousands of miles.

Perhaps you can name one place in the US that doesn't have a magic shop within 1000 miles? I don't think so. Perhaps in a few more years when the internet finishes putting them out of business, but right now there is no place that far from the nearest magic shop.

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

Well what county is he from in Croatia?

I believe they're called regions, and I don't know which one he's from. I also don't which city, street or house he's from. Now that I think about it, he may be from Serbia and not Croatia. I do know that when he left it was still part of Yugoslavia. None of which makes any difference to the topic.

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

For instance, did he not ask if body/baby (talcum) powder would be an alternative.

No, he did not ask that. If he'd asked then I'm sure someone would have answered it.

OnlyTellsTruths · 30th September 2007, 02:51 AM

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

For instance, did he not ask if body/baby (talcum) powder would be an alternative.

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

No, he did not ask that. If he'd asked then I'm sure someone would have answered it.

I'd like to know what you make of this, and please be specific:

Originally Posted by Dikobraz

Btw fan powder is the one that we use usually for our body or?

As for:

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

Well what county is he from in Croatia?

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

I believe they're called regions, and I don't know which one he's from. I also don't which city, street or house he's from. Now that I think about it, he may be from Serbia and not Croatia. I do know that when he left it was still part of Yugoslavia. None of which makes any difference to the topic.

Try wiki/Counties_of_Croatia

Your first two responses, on the other hand, don't need any further clarity as to your understanding of the thread. Try re-reading it "perhaps".

Checkmite · 30th September 2007, 07:27 AM

No, talcum powder fogs up the cards.

Next.

Bob Klase · 30th September 2007, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

I'd like to know what you make of this, and please be specific:

As Joshua already said, "If your cards are getting sticky, the only way to make them slippery again is to use the zinc, or buy new cards."

As for:

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

Try wiki/Counties_of_Croatia

I already said I don't know. Perhaps it wasn't clear that I really don't care either.

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

Your first two responses, on the other hand, don't need any further clarity as to your understanding of the thread. Try re-reading it "perhaps".

I understand the thread perfectly well. No need to re-read it. All of my responses are also perfectly clear.

DJM · 30th September 2007, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

This person tells you they're in Croatia. They can barely get a hold of a deck of Bicycle cards. Telling them to "try the local magic shop" or even "local pharmacy" for something like zinc stearate isn't exactly being thoughtful.

I live in a very small town in Israel and there are at least 6 pharmacies where I can get about anything that I need.. I believe there are at least 2-3 in any other town, and over 10 in the big cities.

So I really doubt that it's much different in Croatia or any other civilized country. I hope you understand that buying medicines is a bit more important than some magic cards.

Bob Klase · 30th September 2007, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

There are plenty of places, even in the US, that don't have a pharmacy or similar store for hundreds of miles, or a magic shop for thousands of miles.

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

Perhaps you can name one place in the US that doesn't have a magic shop within 1000 miles?

I'd still like to know your answer to this, and please be specific.

OnlyTellsTruths · 1st October 2007, 01:08 AM

I must apologize. I don't know what gave me the impression any of you were being less than thoughtful in your responses. Hopefully I didn't scare off our friend from Croatia.

Unalienable · 6th October 2007, 02:35 AM

Fanning powder and Bicycle cards don't get along very well. The special "air cushion seal" of the Bicycle cards ends up collecting the powder in little pockets, and you never get the smoothness of the fresh deck back again.

Fanning powder works great with just about any other kind of card I've encountered.

I like to use cards that are very fresh from the package, I don't mind the extra slipperiness, but the effects you have to worry about are ones where packets can slide around once placed on the table. Tabling a double as one card is a good example--you don't want to try that with a fresh pack of Bikes and their slip & slide air-finish.

As long as everything takes place in my own hands I can handle the slipperiness, in fact I enjoy it.

Bob Klase · 6th October 2007, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths

I must apologize. I don't know what gave me the impression any of you were being less than thoughtful in your responses. Hopefully I didn't scare off our friend from Croatia.

Thanks for the apology. Hopefully at least one response helped him in Croatia.

17th August 2007, 04:36 AM	#1
CB1 Student Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 27	Bicycle cards - thoughts? Just wondering what everyone thinks is the optimum “age” of a deck of bikes for performance purposes. I ask, because I seem to find it harder controlling a brand new deck. They slide around a little too much. This however, could be down to the fact that as about 90% of the time I am practising as opposed to performing, I tend to use older cards. This may mean that it is just that I am more comfortbale with more worn in bikes. Maybe I should spend more time using brand new decks? Does anyone have any thoughts? Cheers CB
CB1 Student Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 27

17th August 2007, 05:44 AM	#2
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,803	I like new cards as they fan easier, but it sounds like this is not what you want. If you wants cards to stick together you can buy roughing solution. I don't think anybody on the boards is unhygenic enough to use spit.
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,803

19th August 2007, 11:52 AM	#3
Dikobraz New Blood Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3	hey, i have a question on bicycle cards... Two weeks ago i bought a new standard bicycle deck and i was practicing tricks with it every day for 1-2 hours. Yesterday i noticed that they became a bit sticky, so it is more difficult to preform a glide or to make fans. Is this a normal thing to happen or they loose their quality in such short period of time (2 weeks)? Because I thought bicycle cards are a bit more durable(i don't say i can't make tricks with them now but it's not as before...). I'm from Croatia so it's not easy for us to get our hands on Bicycles, that's why I'm askin. ThX
Dikobraz New Blood Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3

19th August 2007, 12:41 PM	#4
Checkmite Skepticifimisticalationist Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Third in line Posts: 8,648	It's not that the cards are wearing out; they're getting dirty - from things like the natural oils from your hands and such. There's no real way to "clean" cards, but you can restore some of their slipperiness by adding some fanning powder.
	__________________ Nuclear energy is GREEN energy.

19th August 2007, 12:55 PM	#5
Dikobraz New Blood Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3	ok that's all i wanted to hear... yeah, my palms can be quite sweaty when doin tricks(maybe i should use bike gloves ). And it's the same with the masters bicycle edition? Btw fan powder is the one that we use usually for our body or?
Dikobraz New Blood Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3

19th August 2007, 02:31 PM	#6
Checkmite Skepticifimisticalationist Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Third in line Posts: 8,648	No, it's powder specifically made for card magic; try the local magic shop.
	__________________ Nuclear energy is GREEN energy.

20th August 2007, 08:11 AM	#7
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Fanning powder is just zinc stearate. I don't know about Croatia, but when I was in Germany you could buy zinc stearate at some pharmacy shops much cheaper than getting fanning powder at a magic shop.

20th August 2007, 08:53 AM	#8
MelBrooksfan Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,011	Generally, magic shops are always more expensive.

20th August 2007, 09:53 AM	#9
Cain Contrarian Join Date: May 2002 Location: S. California Posts: 3,958	As a matter of personal preference I am averse to using a virgin pack in a performance situation; we have to get to know each other first. It does not really, really matter. Most of the cards I have borrowed are in an impromptu situation are very used. The only time I used a new deck was when someone actually went to a nearby 99 cent store and bought three different brands of playing cards, none of them Bicycle.
	__________________ Well, well, well. If it ain't the serious, elusive Leroy Green. I've been waitin' a long time for this, Leroy. I am sick of hearin' these ***** Superman stories about the "wassah" legendary Bruce Leroy catchin' bullets with his teeth. Catches bullets with his teeth?! ***** pleeze.

20th August 2007, 02:42 PM	#10
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by MelBrooksfan Generally, magic shops are always more expensive. That's true. But you don't really have a choice unless you know what you're looking for. If you don't know that it's zinc stereate and you shop for 'fanning powder' it's unlikely you'll find it anywhere outside a magic shop.

20th August 2007, 10:00 PM	#11
MelBrooksfan Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,011	Originally Posted by Bob Klase That's true. But you don't really have a choice unless you know what you're looking for. If you don't know that it's zinc stereate and you shop for 'fanning powder' it's unlikely you'll find it anywhere outside a magic shop. Probably. Not sure if you could find the chemical name for it on the package.

27th September 2007, 06:33 PM	#12
OnlyTellsTruths Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 400	This person tells you they're in Croatia. They can barely get a hold of a deck of Bicycle cards. Telling them to "try the local magic shop" or even "local pharmacy" for something like zinc stearate isn't exactly being thoughtful.
OnlyTellsTruths Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 400

27th September 2007, 10:50 PM	#13
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths This person tells you they're in Croatia. They can barely get a hold of a deck of Bicycle cards. Telling them to "try the local magic shop" or even "local pharmacy" for something like zinc stearate isn't exactly being thoughtful. It's not? There's a big difference between having trouble finding Bicycle Cards (a product made in the USA and difficult to buy in many parts of the world), and having trouble finding things that are readily (and often more) available in many places outside the US. My sister's husband is from Croatia. They go visit there every year. Going to "local" pharmacy" may not be as easy as finding a drug store in New York City, but it is a civilized country. Of course if you have any better suggestions feel free to mention them. That should be at least as thoughtful as no suggestions at all except to complain about other suggestions.

28th September 2007, 11:18 AM	#14
OnlyTellsTruths Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 400	Originally Posted by Bob Klase It's not? There's a big difference between having trouble finding Bicycle Cards (a product made in the USA and difficult to buy in many parts of the world), and having trouble finding things that are readily (and often more) available in many places outside the US. You seriously think, on a worldwide average, it's easier to find zinc stearate than something common from the US? There are plenty of places, even in the US, that don't have a pharmacy or similar store for hundreds of miles, or a magic shop for thousands of miles. Quote: My sister's husband is from Croatia. They go visit there every year. Going to "local" pharmacy" may not be as easy as finding a drug store in New York City, but it is a civilized country. Well what county is he from in Croatia? Quote: Of course if you have any better suggestions feel free to mention them. That should be at least as thoughtful as no suggestions at all except to complain about other suggestions. Likewise, I'm sure. For instance, did he not ask if body/baby (talcum) powder would be an alternative. An answer to that would be nice.
OnlyTellsTruths Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 400

28th September 2007, 02:24 PM	#15
Checkmite Skepticifimisticalationist Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Third in line Posts: 8,648	Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths You seriously think, on a worldwide average, it's easier to find zinc stearate than something common from the US? There are plenty of places, even in the US, that don't have a pharmacy or similar store for hundreds of miles, or a magic shop for thousands of miles. Sorry but there is no other solution. If your cards are getting sticky, the only way to make them slippery again is to use the zinc, or buy new cards. There's absolutely nothing else that can be done. Sorry if it's not helpful, but there's really a lack of alternatives. Besides, living in Croatia, I very, very strongly doubt that he'll need to travel "hundreds" or "thousands" of miles to find what he needs. I'm sure Zagreb has at least one pharmacy in it.
	__________________ Nuclear energy is GREEN energy.

28th September 2007, 06:12 PM	#16
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths You seriously think, on a worldwide average, it's easier to find zinc stearate than something common from the US? No. I seriously think that it's better to give a suggestion that is possible, no matter how difficult, than to just say "too bad, all the solutions to your problem are difficult so I won't offer any". Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths There are plenty of places, even in the US, that don't have a pharmacy or similar store for hundreds of miles, or a magic shop for thousands of miles. Perhaps you can name one place in the US that doesn't have a magic shop within 1000 miles? I don't think so. Perhaps in a few more years when the internet finishes putting them out of business, but right now there is no place that far from the nearest magic shop. Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths Well what county is he from in Croatia? I believe they're called regions, and I don't know which one he's from. I also don't which city, street or house he's from. Now that I think about it, he may be from Serbia and not Croatia. I do know that when he left it was still part of Yugoslavia. None of which makes any difference to the topic. Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths For instance, did he not ask if body/baby (talcum) powder would be an alternative. No, he did not ask that. If he'd asked then I'm sure someone would have answered it.

30th September 2007, 02:51 AM	#17
OnlyTellsTruths Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 400	Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths For instance, did he not ask if body/baby (talcum) powder would be an alternative. Originally Posted by Bob Klase No, he did not ask that. If he'd asked then I'm sure someone would have answered it. I'd like to know what you make of this, and please be specific: Originally Posted by Dikobraz Btw fan powder is the one that we use usually for our body or? As for: Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths Well what county is he from in Croatia? Originally Posted by Bob Klase I believe they're called regions, and I don't know which one he's from. I also don't which city, street or house he's from. Now that I think about it, he may be from Serbia and not Croatia. I do know that when he left it was still part of Yugoslavia. None of which makes any difference to the topic. Try wiki/Counties_of_Croatia Your first two responses, on the other hand, don't need any further clarity as to your understanding of the thread. Try re-reading it "perhaps".
OnlyTellsTruths Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 400

30th September 2007, 07:27 AM	#18
Checkmite Skepticifimisticalationist Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Third in line Posts: 8,648	No, talcum powder fogs up the cards. Next.
	__________________ Nuclear energy is GREEN energy.

30th September 2007, 10:06 AM	#19
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths I'd like to know what you make of this, and please be specific: As Joshua already said, "If your cards are getting sticky, the only way to make them slippery again is to use the zinc, or buy new cards." As for: Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths Try wiki/Counties_of_Croatia I already said I don't know. Perhaps it wasn't clear that I really don't care either. Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths Your first two responses, on the other hand, don't need any further clarity as to your understanding of the thread. Try re-reading it "perhaps". I understand the thread perfectly well. No need to re-read it. All of my responses are also perfectly clear.

30th September 2007, 06:32 PM	#20
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783	Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths This person tells you they're in Croatia. They can barely get a hold of a deck of Bicycle cards. Telling them to "try the local magic shop" or even "local pharmacy" for something like zinc stearate isn't exactly being thoughtful. I live in a very small town in Israel and there are at least 6 pharmacies where I can get about anything that I need.. I believe there are at least 2-3 in any other town, and over 10 in the big cities. So I really doubt that it's much different in Croatia or any other civilized country. I hope you understand that buying medicines is a bit more important than some magic cards.
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783

30th September 2007, 07:24 PM	#21
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths There are plenty of places, even in the US, that don't have a pharmacy or similar store for hundreds of miles, or a magic shop for thousands of miles. Originally Posted by Bob Klase Perhaps you can name one place in the US that doesn't have a magic shop within 1000 miles? I'd still like to know your answer to this, and please be specific.

1st October 2007, 01:08 AM	#22
OnlyTellsTruths Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 400	I must apologize. I don't know what gave me the impression any of you were being less than thoughtful in your responses. Hopefully I didn't scare off our friend from Croatia.
OnlyTellsTruths Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 400

6th October 2007, 02:35 AM	#23
Unalienable Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 293	Fanning powder and Bicycle cards don't get along very well. The special "air cushion seal" of the Bicycle cards ends up collecting the powder in little pockets, and you never get the smoothness of the fresh deck back again. Fanning powder works great with just about any other kind of card I've encountered. I like to use cards that are very fresh from the package, I don't mind the extra slipperiness, but the effects you have to worry about are ones where packets can slide around once placed on the table. Tabling a double as one card is a good example--you don't want to try that with a fresh pack of Bikes and their slip & slide air-finish. As long as everything takes place in my own hands I can handle the slipperiness, in fact I enjoy it.
	Last edited by Unalienable; 6th October 2007 at 02:39 AM.

6th October 2007, 09:15 AM	#24
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by OnlyTellsTruths I must apologize. I don't know what gave me the impression any of you were being less than thoughtful in your responses. Hopefully I didn't scare off our friend from Croatia. Thanks for the apology. Hopefully at least one response helped him in Croatia.