Regarding new cards

[auralnaut]

Let me preempt this by saying that I am a complete novice with very little card-mojo and even less technical savvy. As mentioned in the title, my question has to do with new cards. In essence, I have an assortment of new decks: Tally-Ho circle backs, Arrco, 1001 Aladdin, Centurions, etc. My problem is that they all seem to have a certain brand-new warp to them. I realize that this may be the most common thing in the world, but as a novice, all things are new to me.

When I perform dribbles, shuffles, or anything else that might bend the cards slightly, some of them will stay bent one way until I "pop" them back the other direction. It is almost as if I just bent a bit of the deck the other way for a second, then just snapped them back into shape. Is this normal? It seems to happen to all of the decks I have, with the exception of the standard Bicycle Poker 808's, but I am finding that those just feel good in general.

I would really like to enjoy all of these new cards, as I know they are all prized among card magicians. However, the lack of "true-ness" in the shape causes problems with such moves as Jones Changes, or double lifts, as one card might be slightly bent the other way and will pivot on the other card, which seperates them and makes me look even worse than I really am...which is actually pretty easy.

So, is there any trick to getting a new deck into working condition, or have all the years of alcohol abuse and random blows to the head finally done me in?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Cody

 

[2 Legit 2 Quit]

If it is humid where you live, that could be the problem. I've never had one, but I've heard card clips should help. Although you'd need at least two with all those decks and they're expensive.

 

[Kontents]

Keep your cards in a cool dry place to take care of them... also as 2Legit said card clips are another item to think about.

 

[Liderc]

you could send them to me, i could break them in for you *cough*


just trying to be friendly mate!!


Cheers

 

[Slicke]

Well since you are a novice.... you will see all the minor defects the decks have. But as you get use to it and start using all kinds of deck, it will quickly go away. Also when you get a new deck, dribble with it .... shuffle it .... and spring with it a bit, this will make the deck use to your hands.

Also ... use clean hands when performing and as said above, keep the deck in a dry place and don't perform on dirt.

 

[praetoritevong]

I don't think most of these guys have understood exactly what your problem is.

Yes, it's quite normal for a new deck to have bends in them for many reasons - humidity, sweaty hands, etc - but often for no reason at all.

The solution to this is something called breaking in the deck - basically working it over, and working the bends out of the deck. They're not really defects; for me, they basically happen with every new deck I open, but after a day or two they're fine. I find that things that bend the cards either way (faro shuffles for example) break the deck in well. The deck will appear even more bent than before at first, but put it back in the box, leave it a few hours, and the deck will be worked into a beautiful feeling deck.

 

[auralnaut]

Thanks

This was all helpful advice. Funny, but just before posting it, I was working over a deck of cards with dribbles and shuffles while looking for a clip, no kidding. I am just so used to the bicycles that getting used to new cards is funny. Also, the Tally-Ho's are a stiff deck anyway, which will give them more life, I imagine.

Thank you all for taking the time to assuage my frustrations!

Cheers,

Cody

 

[canadamagic]

All cards have a natural bend in them, aside from plastic cards. Just from printing that is how they are. As everyone said working them into place should work. As you get more into magic you hands will strengthen in different ways so it won't be much of a problem with new and stiff decks. Not sure if I was much much help posting this but, wish the best.