How long did your first decks last you?
- Thread starter cxzsaq
- Start date
The first decks I bought for practising magic were standard Bicycle Rider Backs. I bought two decks of them, and I think they lasted me about six months to a year. They could probably have lasted me longer, but I got bitten by the card-acquiring bug and started buying loads of different decks. Of course, at that time, I wasn't practicing anything that required particularly delicate handling, so they didn't necessarily need to be in superb condition.
A couple of tips to keep your cards in good condition for as long as possible:
1. Circulate decks. Have more than one deck on the go so you can switch every couple of hours while you're practising. It'll give any moisture or stickiness on the decks time to dry off.
2. Make sure your hands are clean and free from excess moisture before you handle the cards.
3. If a deck starts to feel like it's clumping up, put it away for a couple of weeks. I'm not quite sure of the reason why, but, for some reason if you leave a deck alone for a while, it regains some of its slickness. I imagine it's something to do with the moisture but that doesn't quite seem to cover all the facts. Maybe its something about the chemical constitution of the finish on the cards. Whatever it is, it works!
A couple of tips to keep your cards in good condition for as long as possible:
1. Circulate decks. Have more than one deck on the go so you can switch every couple of hours while you're practising. It'll give any moisture or stickiness on the decks time to dry off.
2. Make sure your hands are clean and free from excess moisture before you handle the cards.
3. If a deck starts to feel like it's clumping up, put it away for a couple of weeks. I'm not quite sure of the reason why, but, for some reason if you leave a deck alone for a while, it regains some of its slickness. I imagine it's something to do with the moisture but that doesn't quite seem to cover all the facts. Maybe its something about the chemical constitution of the finish on the cards. Whatever it is, it works!
Exactly what I wanted to know. Maintenance and genuine feedback. I got 10 decks as a gift so Im very happy.
My hands are sooo clammy!
I simply rub the old cards with fine talcum powder using a woolen pad, then rub away excess talcum powder with a cotton pad. Cards gain a shiny and slick surface. Be sure that playing cards are dry before applying talcum powder.
Don't let them hit the floor, floor cards are every magicians nightmare. Keep your hands dry and it really depends on what kind of magic you are doing. If you are shuffling a ton or practicing flourishes then you will burn through cards faster than if you are working on basic effects without many flourishes.
I still have my first deck--which is a bit dingy at this point. I've flourished the bejeesus out of my first 3 decks since July of last year
It lasted about 4 months and I used it for Cardistry and Magic
Tips:
Practice in your bed or at a table, because if cards fall they won't get dirty.
Change decks. I use a different deck every day, that's why they last more.
If you are practicing flourishes or shuffles, keep one deck for that and other decks for magic.
Wash your hands before using the cards.
If the cards fall to the ground, make springs and dribbles to remove some dirt.
Hope it helps.
Tips:
Practice in your bed or at a table, because if cards fall they won't get dirty.
Change decks. I use a different deck every day, that's why they last more.
If you are practicing flourishes or shuffles, keep one deck for that and other decks for magic.
Wash your hands before using the cards.
If the cards fall to the ground, make springs and dribbles to remove some dirt.
Hope it helps.