What card game for magic?

Are you new to magic and don't know which deck of cards to choose to start learning your first tricks? It's true that with the abundance of existing decks, it's easy to get lost among the different brands, different backs, etc. So let's take a look together at the criteria that make a deck suitable for magic.

Essential criteria for a good deck of cards

While one could initially say that any deck of cards is sufficient for most tricks, it must be admitted that having a good deck of cards greatly simplifies things. Some techniques, for example, might be impossible with certain mass-market decks, hence the need to practice with a proper deck of cards. We could thus form a short list of criteria to look out for when acquiring a deck of cards for magic:

• Paper quality: This is obviously the basis, but the quality of the cardboard used, as well as any protective layers or varnishes, play a decisive role, particularly in the cards' glide.
• Format: Magicians mostly use poker-sized decks, slightly larger than their bridge-sized counterparts. You will quickly get used to the larger size of these cards, and it will seem even easier for some techniques if you ever switch to a bridge size.
• Flexibility: Good playing cards must have both flexibility (for certain manipulations) and a certain rigidity (otherwise the cards would deform too quickly). The clever compromise between these two criteria is a balance that the card manufacturer must find.
• Back design: It must be pleasing to the eye, and at the same time sober and neutral enough to remain pleasant to look at. A deck of cards with an overly eccentric back could unnecessarily arouse suspicion of trickery if it is too different from what spectators are used to seeing.
• Back marking: This will depend on your wishes, but if you need a marked deck, then you will automatically exclude certain types of decks. Furthermore, you will need to find a deck with a marking that is easy to read yet invisible to the untrained eye. Conversely, your choice will be all the greater if you don't want one.
• Indexes: The card indexes (i.e., the number or letter in the corner of the card indicating its value) can be classic, but also large format. On some decks, both exist, and although large indexes are not very common, it can be interesting to know that they are an option if you want the cards to be visible from further away.

We could also have discussed the Jumbo format, but that would go beyond the scope of this article, which aims to focus on decks for classic conditions. Now that we have these constraints in mind, let's look at the main decks of cards for magic that exist: you're sure to find your preference.

Main decks of cards for magic

Bicycle Rider Back

Undoubtedly THE most popular deck of cards, both on poker tables and in the hands of magicians. Most card gimmicks that come onto the market are made with Bicycle's rider back. Many gaff cards also exist with this back, making many routines possible.

Rider backs are available in any magic shop and at a low price (around 4 euros). The print quality is impeccable, like everything done by the company behind these cards, namely USPCC (the United States Playing Card Company). Many decks from the Bicycle brand are released every week, all with the same quality, but with varying backs. Prized by collectors, these cards are certainly beautiful, but you must absolutely resist the temptation to put a deck that is too extraordinary in front of your spectator's eyes. They will inevitably think it's rigged, which is not the case!

A major disadvantage of the Bicycle Rider Back deck is that the company does not want this back to be marked. There is therefore no rider back deck with a marking on it. For this, another design must be used, the Bicycle Mandolin, which does allow it. It's worth noting a small subtlety, however: the recent appearance of a deck of cards created by Ondřej Pšenička that does have a rider back but still has a marking. This does not contradict what we said about USPCC not wanting its rider backs to be touched, because the marking is precisely not on the rider back pattern itself... we won't say more!

The Bicycle Rider Back deck remains the reference for all magicians, due to its excellent glide which allows for perfect manipulations. There is also a good tip if you want to practice and need many low-cost decks of cards for this: Bicycle cards that do not pass quality control during printing are not discarded, but kept and placed in packs called Bicycle seconds. These cards have the same back and characteristics as their classic counterparts, but printing errors (spots, pattern shifts, missing elements, etc.) may appear on the cards, which explains their reduced price. It is interesting to know that this opportunity exists, but it is only really interesting if you use a lot of decks of cards, for training or for card manipulation on stage, for example.

Bee

Another emblematic deck is the Bee deck of cards, also printed by USPCC. The quality is also excellent, and the real difference from the Bicycle deck comes from its back, which consists of an elegant white grid on a solid background (of your chosen color).

These cards are mainly used for cheating demonstrations, as the back has no white margin, which makes certain manipulations, such as second deals, completely invisible. There is no properly marked version of this deck (there are some markings that are applied to the back of the cards afterwards, but there are no versions with a marking directly printed by USPCC).

Tally-Ho

Another deck from USPCC that has more or less the same characteristics as Bee and Bicycle decks. Only the back really changes, and it will be mainly on this detail that the magician will make their choice.

Phoenix

Phoenix decks of cards were designed for magicians and have all the characteristics that make them a good deck of cards for practicing magic. The little extra? The decks have a marked back, which is perfect for performing certain magic tricks. Phoenix brand decks are becoming increasingly popular with magicians, and some gimmicks now have their own version with a Phoenix back.

Jerry’s Nugget

Probably the most sought-after deck of cards by collectors, the Jerry's Nugget has become a real subject of speculation! We are obviously talking here about the original decks from the brand, which sell for several hundred euros per deck on specialized platforms. The cards are perfect for card magic, slightly stiffer than their USPCC counterparts. If you are simply looking for the back of these cards, there are reissues at a lower cost, but you will then not have in your hands the valuable Jerry's Nugget cards whose stock is limited and dwindling these days. If the history of this deck of cards interests you, feel free to check out our dedicated article on the subject.

DMC Elites

A deck of cards with an elegant design that boasts the printing quality of USPCC decks, with the added particularity of having a very easily readable marking on its back at a glance. DMC Elites decks are perfect for mentalists or magicians who need a marked deck.

Butterfly Deck

The Butterfly deck is undoubtedly the most incredible marked deck, as it has opened the way for many effects that were previously impossible to achieve. Designed by the brilliant Ondřej Pšenička, this deck of cards has its own unique marking, which allows not only to know the value of a card just by seeing its back, but also to locate any card in the squared deck. A real gem that, however, requires a bit of practice to fully master the possibilities this tool offers.

In terms of quality, there is nothing to complain about, but this type of deck may not be a beginner magician's priority purchase. In general, beginners should not bother with marked decks initially, and instead prioritize learning techniques and tricks that can be done with a normal deck. If a marked deck is necessary, we would first recommend the Maiden, Phoenix, or DMC marked decks before acquiring the Butterfly deck, which is a real gem but has a slightly more complex system to learn.

Summary table

We have just seen the characteristics of different decks of cards. The list is obviously not exhaustive, and new decks appear every week. A beginner will focus on the classic rider backs, while someone wanting a marked deck should rather turn to the DMC Elites, Phoenix, Butterfly, or Maiden. The qualities of the cards mentioned are generally all equal, and a beginner will not be able to tell the difference between these decks (most of which come from the same company, so they don't have significant differences). Below, we have compiled a small summary table to help you get a clearer idea of which deck of cards to choose for practicing magic: