What routines are good using postcards instead of playing cards?

None.

Postcards work well when the theme and presentation fits logically.

100% disagree. Quite often playing cards are used simply as a way of having a set of possibilities that people are familiar with. There is no inherent value to using playing cards versus picture versus postcards in a vast majority (in my opinion) of cases.

To elucidate, unless you are doing a gambling demonstration, how can you answer "None" to the original question of "What routines are good using postcards instead of playing cards?"

Do you actually believe that? No routines are good using postcards instead of playing cards?! Your answer seems pretty clear and, in my opinion, pretty clearly incorrect.

To answer the original question, here are my opinions of a few routines that are good using postcards instead of playing cards:
Chuck Hickok's Pop Eyed Popper routine (postcards)
Out of this World (postcards)
Memory Demonstration (can't remember if Hickok or Cassidy, thinking Hickok)

Good luck!
-Lem

His question is about using card tricks with postcards...

I do not think that is a good or sensible use of the postcards. Its unnatural to handle postcards like playing cards.

And it's called an opinion by the way.

I used to make my own sven postcards, I used them naturally occurring presentations where postcards make sense to use as a selection process.

On a train and using a smartphone equals poorly written posts...

A packet of post-cards and a packet of playing-cards are functionally identical for a prestidigitator. Both can be "handled" in a nearly identical manner.

Post cards lend themselves to personalized reveals, elevating do-as-I-do type routines to something dreamy and esoteric.

I agree they can...

However, they shouldn't be (apparently I have to stipulate this is my opinion, who knew!)...

I say this because of that exact association. "oh he used and held those postcards just like someone would a deck of cards"

So if you're going to use postcards, think about the theme that allows them to feel natural and suitable to the presentation...

For example, why are you limiting the person to pick from that selection of places? You just need a decent reason... Doesn't have to be too indepth...

Otherwise, if you're a mind reader then they can think of any place or country...

Maybe. I agree that the mentalist should avoid the trappings of magicians.
But handling cards of any type is fairly universal, and not necessarily "magical". No flourishes obviously.

This is why magicians should be banned from commenting on the affairs of mentalists. Just because "cards" is part of the word "postcard" does not require mentalists to develop sleight of hand skills for playing cards. Here's an example of how a mentalist might use "post pictures." You show six (for example) large posters of exotic locations around the world. The posters are then rolled up and dropped into a barrel (vertically) where they can be shaken and mixed. Now "post pictures" of those same locations are handed to another spectator, who is told to choose one, put it in his pocket and drop the unused "post pictures" in an envelope. Now someone else comes to the barrel, reaches in without being able to see the posters, and withdraws one poster. The poster is unrolled. It shows Hawaii! "Aloha `oe, aloha `oe,
E ke onaona noho I ka lipo." While singing your best Hawaiian song, you have the other spectator remove the post picture he freely chose, and Lo and Aloha, they match! And no one did any card moves, double lifts, used roughing fluid, or mysterious shuffling.

Iain, ok maybe I should have just asked "What's a good routine with postcards," since I agree that I don't want to do "card tricks" and I don't even want to shuffle them like playing cards. I think limiting the choice by asking the spectator to look at one and I will name it is a strong effect.

Lemniscate, thanks for the suggestions. I do want to do Chuck Hickok's memory test followed by a name the one you're looking at. But the pop-eyed popper requires a special deck and I have the Desired States postcards from Jim Kleefeld, and it is a regular pile of 50 postcards. So I would like to do three tricks with this one prop. I have been thinking of doing an OOTW with eastern vs western states and maybe three way with central states also.

Jim, first I must say I love the magic nook! And thanks for the idea, maybe I can do a prediction and then have them pick it.

Jonathan Manuel Kanter

Excellent point that I've seen made here regularly. Banachek, Osterlind and Mavin have done rather well using "common," "everyday" cards in a "common," "everyday manner. *wink, wink*

Jim Kleefeld's new effect, "Desired State," uses 50 postcards (one for each state in the USA) and permits some engaging mentalism.

George

Truer words have never been spoken. If only...

That attitude toward brothers in different branches of the SAME art only divides us and is ill-conceived at that.

That's only true if you believe mentalism is part of magic (the same art). I don't and it isn't. Mentalism is part of the mental arts, but of course, most magicians will not see this. Its not an "attitude" it's an understanding.

I see some of "us" are not acquainted with the word "sarcasm." That usually afflicts those who have no sense of humor. The cure is to "get over yourself."

I understood it fine, seems you are having a problem with it yourself, lol.