First off, there is the major Con when using Deck Stacks: The fact that you have to carry around a deck in stack. Now, you could just carry around a single deck that is in the stack, but then you wouldn't be able to use it for effects requiring people to take a card, you couldn't have it signed, the deck couldn't be shuffled, if you drop them your left with a problem, etc. (without doing some extra moves to compensate for all of these). If you carry around 2 decks, you have to switch one in, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is another thing to carry around with you.
The Pros to it is that there are a ton of effects that are only possible/significantly easier to do whilst using a stack. Furthermore, once you have it memorized, you can use a stacked deck as an out for almost anything. Further more, it is still a regular deck, no gimmicks/gaffs are involved. Pair one with a marked deck, you know the position of any card in the deck, or you instantly know the value of a card they take simply by cutting the deck and peaking the bottom card. The whole deck is a key card system. There are so many things you can do with it. Plus, a lot of work has been done on them, and they are pretty easy to start a creative flood with.
That being said, I can move into some more info. There are essentially 2 branches of stacks, as far as I am aware, and here I can break down some major points to help you get an idea between the 2:
Mathematical - These stacks rely on a mathematical formula, principal, or equation that keeps the whole deck together. The Most Notable (
and the one you should start with) is Si Stebbins Stack. It takes just a few minutes to set up, and requires no memorization, apart from a few formulas. You can use it to find what card they picked instantly, you could use it to find how far in a card is, you can use it with some other principals to instantly cut to a card, the possibilities are huge. Si Stebbins Published a few effects he does with them in a little pamphlet, which is currently available on the public domain. I can PM you and get it to you if you want, and am willing to help you with it (I love SSS) as some of the wording is near impossible to understand.
Mathematical Stacks are super easy to customize, and are really good outlets to work into as you can essentially have a blank canvas to which you can apply anything. For Example, With SSS, You can easily pair other things with the effect, and you can start creating your own ideas based on it fairly quickly.
Pros:
- They are Utilities allowing you to do a ton of effects
- No memorizing cards, just couple of base ideas,
- Easily customizable
- Easily used as a blank canvas
- Easy to get into and learn
- Easily paired with other principals
Cons:
- The deck is still using a pattern, so there is a VERY SLIM chance that someone will notice it (though I have had people scrutinize SSS and not find anything.
- You have to keep the cards in stack perfectly to use some principals
- More limited than memorized stacks, though they aren't really limited at all.
Memorized - These stacks use a memorized system. The entire order of the Deck is memorized, and looks completely Random to someone else. They generally rely on a system of Mnemonics to help you remember. They are generally easy to get into, but not without a ton of practice (and sometimes they are 100% random, so you have to put everything in order by hand).
There are 3 major systems out there that people generally use: The Mnemonica/Tamariz Stack, the Aronson Stack, and the Nikola System. All 3 take a considerable time to memorize fully learn and understand. The Learning curve is pretty high, since you are essentially giving mnemonics to initial chaos. Furthermore, they take a bit more understanding to accomplish some effects. Luckily, you can buy the books to help you understand (Mnemonica by Juan Tamariz is huge and filled with info, "A Stack To Remember" By Simon Aronson is a pamphlet with a lot of info, and the Nikola System was Published in the Encyclopedia of Card Tricks. The latter is obviously the most well rounded buy, as you get the entire Encyclopedia for about $10, or at your library. The Aronson Stack is a bit harder to find, but you can definitely find it (I believe Simon himself released it on the public domain. Not sure though). Mnemonica will set you back $60, but has the most info.
The great thing is, most effects are apply-able trans-stack. Furthermore, stacks like the Redford stack (from Temporarily Out of Order), have been developed to get into each stack and transfer from one to the next.
Pros:
- A utility to use for many things
- Virtually undetectable
- Pure Memory, so it is always in your head
- Large works on the subjects, A lot more options
- Very easy to start making your own effects based on them
- Easy to combine with other effects
- Immediately know everything about the deck
- Always have an out
Cons:
- Very steep learning curve
- Pure Memory - you will need to remember everything
- Virtually undetectable - you wont immediately notice a mistake
- Long time to memorize fluently
In the long run, Memorized stacks will give you more options & possibilities than Mathematical ones. However, Mathematical ones are significantly easier to learn and use.
Since you are just starting out, I would Learn Si Stebbins first. It literally will take you minutes to learn, and it has a lot of potential power. pm me, and I can find you that public domain pdf and help you out with some of the effects!
