Can someone clarify for me what, if anything, the difference is between these two marketed trick decks?

Assuming both are printed on similar Bicycle stock, are they *exactly* the same (identical) in nature?

Yes, they are the same.

Exactly the same

Good to know -- thanks!

By the way, it seems that four different varants of the Mastermind Deck (all in red Bicycle only) are currently available. A choice is available regarding the "force" card in question. The available options are 3S, 2D, 3H, or 2C.

(In each case, you must supply the matching "prediction" card yourself [traditionally in a contrasting color, e.g. blue Bicycle] -- I know this because I asked Penguin Magic.)

From a psychological (or any other) perspective: is there any reason to favor (and therefore order) one version over the other three versions? In other words, is there any practical or strategic advantage in going with the force card being one of those four options in particular, over the others?

(Or is it essentially arbitrary -- in which case, why offer four options? [And why those specific four?])

Options for repeat shows/people.

Those specific four are chosen because the pips are only in the center of the card. There are no pips or graphics (court cards) near the sides. Therefore, when you do a spread showing the 52 different cards, you are less likely to have an unwanted pip/graphic show up that wouldn't match the corner indices + pips which are showing.

That is true
Which is why I have 3 of them so I can switch the decks out if they want it repeating

For those of you who have used this deck, is it worth the money? Does it get good reactions?

I like it, I do get good reactions with it. However, I only ring it in very rarely and only use it for one effect.

@rowdymagi5 Thanks for your reply. Hmm, not convinced then for that amount I can justify the expense at this time...

Looks like Penguin Magic was wrong. I just bought a Mastermind deck, and it actually did come with a matching "prediction" card of a contrasting back color (red deck, blue extra card) supplied.

It occurs to me that the basic effect is similar to just the first part of Doc Eason's "Impossible Opener" (spectator's genuinely freely chosen card he slides out of a face-down ribbon-spread deck is found to match magician's prediction card, which has been in sight the whole time), lacking only its big surprise finale (revealing all other cards in the deck are identical, but not the same as the magician's prediction or the spectator's uniquely matching selection).

The advantage of the MM deck is its ability to be spread face up to show all cards different, both right at the outset and again at the conclusion (if desired), which of course is impossible for the Impossible Opener.

I also have a question relating to a fine point regarding setup and performance of the basic MM effect described above, but as it's difficult to pose without giving away trade secrets I'll pose it elsewhere, in the "Secret Sessions" forum.

Another deck to look out for, which is basically the same but with King of Hearts (if I recall correctly) is "Reshuffled" by Pedro Morillo.

//Dan

Reshuffled is not quite the same thing. Don't want to get into exposure but it is not the same as others, although there is a similar element.

Dan just took me to school on this. He's absolutely correct. Reshuffled is the same thing as the others. I was thinking about Anton James' "Unshuffled" deck, which is a different animal altogether. Sorry to have caused any confusion. And thanks for the clarification, Dan.

So many great ideas/routines can be performed with this deck! So glad to have found it.

... even with half of that gaffed deck (+ another half regular cards). One of MY favorites.

You guys care to share the effects, routines, performers using the Mastermind Deck ?

What's the best source for getting the Mastermind decks right now?

I see that they are available from Penguin Magic for around $30, but I've seen some negative press on the card quality of their decks, and that they don't spread evenly and clump quickly (which makes them rather useless). Does anyone have experience with a Mastermind deck from Penguin, and whether this was an issue?

Yes. They’re rubbish.

Clumping makes them rather useless if you can't get a decent spread - has anyone tried fanning powder and did that help at all?