|
|
Lou Is New user 73 Posts |
It seems the majority of magicians use Poker size cards. Is that most common? Does ANYONE work with Bridge size decks? Other than for palming, does it make a difference?
|
alicauchy Veteran user Málaga, Spain 310 Posts |
The ability with poker size cards can be directly translated when working with bridge-size decks but not necessarily the other way round.
So much to do, so little time . . .
|
galerius Loyal user Piemontese Alps ( Northwestern Italy ) 245 Posts |
I'm used to Poker sized cards and feel perfectly comfortable with them ; with the exception of some manipulations - like the Snap Production, to name one - but in that case it's a matter of length, and since Bridges are the same length as Poker sized, using them is just pointless.
|
warren Inner circle uk 4138 Posts |
Even though I have small hands as I'm not the tallest of people I always use poker size cards even though it means there are a couple of techniques I can't do which tend to be flourishes more than anything else.
|
Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Tommy Wonder used bridge size cards. I've used them, but I just find it easier to buy bricks of poker size cards.
I do like the feel of bridge size cards, but I have fairly big hands so I find it just as easy to palm poker size cards. Try some out and use what you like. It's part of the fun.
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
|
DelMagic Special user 719 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 14, 2015, Lou Is wrote: Not to the spectators. |
Rocky Elite user 486 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 19, 2015, DelMagic wrote: EXACTLY! However, since the majority of those who witness card tricks are magicians watching other magicians do said card tricks....use poker sized cards...or face being ostracized from your local magicians fraternity. |
magicfish Inner circle 7004 Posts |
A quick search will reveal some lengthy debates about this. Good reading.
|
RogerTheShrubber Veteran user 301 Posts |
I'm barely 5'5" with puny hands to match, but use poker-sized cards. I haven't even SEEN a bridge-sized deck for years (my wife and I play bridge with the neighbors and we use poker-sized cards for that, too). The fact that I can't do an efficient one-handed cut has never been a detriment.
|
Timtom New user Sweden 56 Posts |
In Sweden a standard deck is more or less a bridge-sized deck, so if you go to the shopping mall and buy a deck you will get a bridge-size. I started out buying 2 bridge-size and 2 poker sized deck and I have hardly used the bridge sized.
|
RiderBacks Loyal user 251 Posts |
(1) It is much more difficult to find bridge size cards in bulk quantities at low prices. This may have been Theodore's point. Given how many decks of cards you will be running through, this might be a very serious consideration. (If someone knows where one can find bulk quantities of inexpensive but quality bridge cards, my wife would like to know!)
(2) In the US, almost nobody will have bridge-sized cards. So you'll always have to bring your own deck. Being able to use someone's standard poker deck is a plus, and can heighten effects. This may well not be a concern of yours. (3) If you want to cheat when playing cards with your friends, it's best to practice with poker cards. =) (4) Reasonably intelligent people with standard familiarity with cards (that's a lot of people) will notice that your cards are smaller than usual. This may cause them to suspect you are relying on palming or make them more sensitive to sleight of hand. (5) Consider the distance you want to be able to put between yourself and the spectator. Poker sized cards will work better at slightly greater distances than bridge sized cards. (6) There are various moves which might be better suited to small hands. For example, you might look into the Tenkai Palm as a workaround in some situations. (7) In my view, the general principle that everything should look perfectly natural weighs against use of bridge sized cards (at least in the US). Clearly, I lean towards using poker cards, but you should weigh your own needs. The above are just some considerations you might take into account when trying to balance that equation. |
ymumagic Regular user 131 Posts |
Definitely in the US where no one uses bridge decks I wouldn't go near one.
How can I convince my audience that a deck that doesn't even look normal really is!? (For the same reason I try to stay away from all the interesting back designs and only use the regular bikes.) I feel like I would be arousing suspicion before I even begin! |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Come-on that is ridiculous, for all you youngsters, bridge size playing cards were the only card that could be used in magic until the early 1990's. Aviator was the brand of choice and they could only be bought from Haines' House of Cards in Ohio. Some very few card men used poker cards, but they were not Bicycle cards, they were No. 9, and Fan back.
Have you ever heard of the game of Bridge? Well, they use bridge size cards to play the Bridge Card Game. Mainly because of the number of cards that have to be held by each player. Back in the 1970's, I changed over most of gimmicked card tricks and decks to Bicycle Poker size, just to be different from all the rest. It cost a lot of money to do that. Now that everyone is using Bicycle Poker Cards, I am going back to my Bridge size cards. I don't want be like everyone else. Cards of choice is purely your decision, and how you want to be perceived. Just like they say about Aviators back then, everyone was familiar with gimmicked decks that came in that style of playing cards, so it is today, everyone knows, that Poker Bicycle come in gimmicked cards. Use the deck you like to use most. Whether poker of bridge size is more determined by your and size today. 45 years ago, there was no choice, you used what was available. Although, today, you will most likely have to make your own gimmicked decks and cards for bridge size. The other consideration, is to routine your card presentation. If you use poker size cards for one trick, then to smoothly transition to a perfect trick to fit that spot in your act, then it will be more difficult to change the size of playing cards. Finally, they make Bridge Size Bicycle Playing Cards. Not to long ago, I even purchased a Svengali Deck and Stripper Deck in Bicycle Bridge size. So, don't be surprised if when you pull out a Poker deck, the spectators may ask you why you are using poker cards, when they are Bridge Players. Also, Poker Cards are a negative item for many people, they look on gambling as the Satan's work. So they associate the cards with Satan. Therefore, you are a Satan worshiper in their eyes. |
RiderBacks Loyal user 251 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 17, 2016, Bill Hegbli wrote: Also, Poker Cards are a negative item for many people, they look on gambling as the Satan's work. So they associate the cards with Satan. Therefore, you are a Satan worshiper in their eyes. I suspected you of trolling. Then I read this nonsense which confirmed that you are, indeed, a bridge troll. |
IMAGINACIAN Special user In Your Thots 558 Posts |
It also depends on what is being done with the cards. Card Mentalism, Cards tricks which involve sleights & flourishes, Card tricks with borrowed decks, Hands off card miracles, routines with gaffed decks etc. Definitely one rule cannot apply for all, IMHO.
There is no better freedom than choice and no better choice than freedom.
|
NotThatLarson Regular user 113 Posts |
It all depends on your audience and what kinds of cards they are most likely to be using.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » All in the cards » » Does size matter? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |