Hi,

I have just watched "Tom Crosbie - Recall" DVDs and the Shadow Stack is a combination of a Memorized Deck Stack plus a sort of Marked Deck of Cards (for some shortcut and key cards).

Do you know any other Cards Stack/System using the same combination principle (Mem Deck + Marked Cards)?

Thanks!

An easier question to answer may be “What comprehensive explanation on any stack doesn’t both cover general work in the cards and benefit from using a marked deck?”

Of more recent(-ish) books—including Woody’s Memorandum, Redford’s Temporarily Out of Order, Chapman’s The Devils Staircase, etc.—all discuss one or more of specific types of work put into key cards, fixed floating key card, markings, and the like. Any stack worker worth his/her salt knows when they can benefit/streamline with a marked deck at their disposal, and take appropriate advantage. Most I’ve jammed with have run with similar setups: marked, corner shorts, breather, scallops and, in my case, punch work. By no means should you be dependent upon any work, of course, but life sure can be sweeter when you have it.

As for the Shadow Stack? Well, a stack is a very specific thing tailored to the unique needs of the person that made it. Some will sacrifice many aspects others find critical and vice-versa. While this was my take of the stack, everyone is different.

I agree with Pasteboard Alchemist here. In fact, I put a ton of work (more than I even mention in this quote from January, such as scallops). Most people I know who use mem decks often do as well.

Thanks!