I would also love to see how you make it so spectators don't get suspicious from your Ghost deck. (I'm meaning this normally, not in an angry way. I'm actually interested.)
That means you're the only person supporting Swiss who actually wants to hear a conflicting opinion.
People kept saying that using a Ghost deck is stupid because people will think it's a trick deck. So I combined a little of my humor with some Kenton Knepper-esque suggestion, and some conventional wisdom on props.
I don't open with cards, but when I do take them out, I say the following:
"The first thing you'll notice is that these cards are a little unusual in that they're black and white. I personally like that because I'm just pretentious that way. But they also feel really slick too. Here, take a look (hand them the deck). Vegas quality stock and finish."
Here's what I'm doing.
1. I immediately call attention to the unusual look of the deck, but not in a way like I'm trying to be cool. I'm commenting from their point of view. Black and white cards are unusual.
2. I dismiss the look of the cards as me being pretentious. For me, this works as a lot of my scripting revolves around a dry wit with a wry sense of self-awareness.
3. I brag about the feel of the deck and let them handle it to see for themselves.
4. I plant the mental image of Las Vegas.
What does this accomplish? Well, first of all by calling attention to the unusual aspect of the cards, I make it seem as if there's nothing to hide. I'm fairly low-key and casual about it so that it doesn't look like I'm being defensive. Rather than addressing the deck as if I've been accused of something, I say it like it's something they just noticed and I'm agreeing with them.
Again, this makes it seem as if there's nothing to hide.
By dismissing the look as pretentious, it makes people laugh. Laughter disarms people. It also subtly suggests that I only picked up the deck for looks (which isn't too far from the truth).
Then I hand them the deck. But not with, "Is this a normal deck?" tone. No, I'm bragging about the quality of the deck and letting them see for themselves. Now, Ghosts do have great stock and finish, but here's the thing. I learned from experience that most decks people keep at home are in mediocre shape at best. They don't take proper care of their cards because they're not aware such a thing exists. Since I treat my cards well, they always seem so clean and smooth. People chalk this up to the pure quality of the cards because I said so.
Even in cases where I perform for card sharks, it still works because they're used to handling cards and can appreciate the differences in stock and finish almost as well as magicians.
And of course since they handled the deck they have the chance to see that there are no markings or wierd marks, cuts, or apparatus. They won't find any.
So now they think I bought the decks for looks and because they're higher quality, which is something you naturally assume a professional would do.
Now they're thinking the deck is made to look fancy and built smooth and sturdy so professionals can use it.
Finally, I plant the image of Vegas in their minds. Vegas is synonymous with ostentation and pretense, tying back to my earlier statement making fun of myself. Vegas is also synonymous with casinos and professional gamblers and card sharks which ties back to my bragging about the quality of the deck.
Ever since I started using this scripting, I've never had a problem with people thinking the deck is gimmicked.
