Hey all - I'm checking to see if anyone has a good source for Two Card Monte.

I got Don Driver's pitch DVD recently. It's just as great as all the reviews around here indicate The only problem is, Don's source for the double face and double back decks (Eddie's) no longer carries those decks. They suggested I try Hank Lee, though I can't find them on his site.

A google search turns up little.

All I can find is through Penguin, which sells them @ $4.38 (plus shipping unless the order is over $20), which seems a bit steep. Is that the best I'll find?

Any information from you guys would be quite a help.

Thanks much

Matt

Matt,

Don't look for "Two Card Monte" look for double face and double back cards.

Don

Thanks for the speedy reply, Don. I've looked using those terms, though... still can't find anything. Like I said, all I can find is at Penguin. They're Double Face and Double Back Royal Decks.

Matt,
I Just sent you a P.M.

Robbins?

Thanks Ross but Robbins aren't easy to get along with and they want a minimum order of $250.00

"Not easy to get along with" ... you can say that again. Face it, they are determined to stay firmly in the wholesale end of the business. But a clever fellow with a tax number might add up all his needs and come up with $250 (couple of giant spools of rope, couple gross of two-card montes, case of bicycle backs) ... it can be done.

Of course, I'm not one to argue with the master, and I don't want to hear from anyone going "but you're contributing to the death of brick and mortar shops", I'm just sayin' it CAN be done.

Matt, The Magic Warehouse sells double-backed and double-faced Bike decks for $5 each. These are retail prices, but considering that you can make 40 Monte sets from two decks, it's not totally unreasonable if you just need small quantities.

You can save more money by buying wholesale, but you do have to have a large minimum initial order. I have dealt with Robbins for several years now, and found them to be very good, prompt and helpful. They want a $250 minimum initial order and will take reorders of $200 or more (less than $200 carries a $10 surcharge).

FUN, Inc. also sells the double-backed card decks, and also requires a large initial order (I think it was $300), but will take reorders of $100 or more. Lots of small orders aren't economical anyway, because the shipping costs will just eat you alive.

If you are a legitimate business, you shouldn't have too much trouble meeting these requirements. And if you order your Monte decks at the same time you order your Svengali Decks, you should easily be able to meet the minimum order requirements. SETH

Eddies has the decks. Bob McKinnon is the guy with whom to chat. $1 each--54 cards per deck. I ordered mine on Wed and they were here on Fri! I also got some of these cards from Haines House of Cards. But they were much more expensive. 250 of each for about $75. I also changed Don's package idea just a tad. But that's just me. Good luck. Jon-O

What's the link to eddies?
Thanks

Everything you need is in Don's DVD. Including how to do your booth, build a table, etc. That DVD is just about perfect if you're gonna sell Svengali and give the 2-card Monte away.

John