The majority of magicians have heard of marked decks. A few magicians are aware of the power of these tools.
For a marked deck to produce miracles, it needs quality presentation and well-constructed magic. However, this is similar to any other gimmick or hand technique. If used correctly, a marked deck can be a magician’s most powerful tool.
1. They’re a super-weapon
A marked deck is an effective tool for any magician. It can make tricks that are already in place more effective, and unlock new possibilities that wouldn’t be possible with a standard deck. However, a marked deck can’t do miracles on its own – it needs to be used in combination with other techniques and executed well.
The markings should be as difficult to read as possible however they should be as simple to hide as is possible. They should also appear as normal as possible. This is because a marked deck that screams “marked” is likely to cause suspicion among your customers.
There are two kinds of marked decks made commercially: Reader Systems and Coded Systems. The first are designed for mentalists and magicians and the second is intended for gamblers. Whatever type of marked deck you select it’s important to recognize that using one could be illegal and a violation of the law.
If you’re not sure which kind of marked playing card deck to purchase we suggest you look into the Cohort Marked Playing Card. This is an engraved deck that was designed specifically for card magic and has traditional markings that are difficult to spot. The deck is marked and includes a free download video that teaches the advanced technique of using a marked card from Jon Armstrong. He is one of only a few professional magicians who have been caught using marked decks (watch his video). Once you’ve learned this technique, you’ll be able to use your marked deck to add a layer of deceit to your tricks, and even help you out if something goes wrong!
2. They’re a secret weapon
The majority of card magic relies on a deck of cards, and it requires a lot of skill. Some magicians employ marked decks as an extra tool to perform amazing card magic that is impossible using just a regular deck of cards.
Marked decks use clever marking systems that are simple for magicians to understand but not visible to their audience. This information lets them to perform feats of magic such as reading minds, making predictions identification cards, making predictions and much more.
There are two kinds of marked decks coded decks and reader systems. Reader systems conceal marks on the back designs of cards, whereas coded decks rely on clues and codes. Both require a system that can recognize the marks. This could be as easy as using a smartphone or as complex as using a poker analyzer.
The decks have been marked with Bicycle Secret weapon, which were used by the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War during raids on the United States Playing Card Company. The decks are stored in plain white cases, and are emblazoned “Bicycle Secret Weapon” to frighten the enemy. The decks resemble the standard Bicycle decks with the Maiden Back design which is an unintentional variation of the trademarked Rider Back.
3. They’re an excellent tool for learning
If you’re looking to speed up your current tricks, or just learn new ones using decks marked with a mark will help. If you’re a skilled magician who knows how to use them, you may even make use of them as a fail-safe in the event that your routine doesn’t go as planned.
A large portion of the factory marked decks available today come with instructional videos as well as booklets with amazing routines using the markings. A majority of them also contain tricks that can be performed with the hands of a person who is watching which makes them perfect for beginners who are looking to take their game to the next level.
Markings on a marked-deck allow you to pull off tricks that are not possible with a normal deck. For instance, imagine asking a spectator to choose a card from a deck shuffled. Then giving them the name of the card they picked It’s a truly mind-blowing trick!
A good trick isn’t just about the cards’ marks but it also has to be well-constructed and presented. There are numerous online resources available to help you create amazing card magic that will amaze your audience.
4. They’re a great tool for performing
When used properly, marked decks can be an excellent tool to perform. They can enable you to perform tricks that would not be possible with a regular deck, and they can add a new layer of deception and mystery to your performance. This is the reason that many magicians appreciate them.
In all honesty you should be careful how you use a Marked Deck of Cards. There is always a risk that you’ll be caught and convicted, but this isn’t different from the risk of using any gimmick, trick or trick of the hand. This is why it’s crucial to only ever use them in the right context and to stay clear of using them for anything that may look suspicious to your spectators.
There are many factory-printed mark decks available which use a simple and easy-to-read marking system. These decks typically have marks on the long edges of cards, which makes them less noticeable when viewed in a spread or fan. These decks also tend to be extremely affordable, which makes them a fantastic addition to any magician’s toolkit.
A deck with marked markings that is popular is the contact lenses or sunglasses-based deck. It employs invisible code markings that are placed in the four corners of the cards. These decks can also be easily read, but require special lenses or sunglasses to be recognized.