I had to get the words ‘New Baby’ into the title since we’ve just had our first child! I mention this partly as a proud dad, and partly because that is the reason I have only just got round to posting my impressions of the new Renegades deck which BBM kindly supplied to review. Since the cards are officially released on Monday 8th March, and pre-orders are possible now, now seems a good time to say more…
The Look
This is now the 4th Generation of the Karnival Deck – which all feature the striking artwork of Sam Hayles.
The trademark skeleton, who first obtained ‘gangster’ clothes in the ‘Assassin’ editions, has now been given some new weapons – a knife and a bomb on the Jokers, and a cleaver and an axe on the Ace of Spades.
The Details
The pack comes complete with the ‘usual’ extra card which has a reveal (6C) on one side. There is also a reveal on one of the Jokers (who has a 4S in his hat) and an extra double backed card which is useful for many routines. There is no barcode reveal on the tuck case as we have seen in all the earlier editions.
Like the previous designs, this one incorporates a subtle 1-way feature in the back design. I think this is an under-used device in magic – it is often discounted because it is found in so many elementary magic books, but with the right handling can be a powerful tool.
The Handling
The cards are printed on the usual USPCC ‘Air Flow Finish’ stock and handle extremely well straight out of the pack. If you are used to Bicycle Cards there will be no surprises here. Like all packs they benefit from a little ‘breaking in’ and they won’t last forever, but they perform well and are ideal for all the usual moves and routines.
The Verdict
As usual, the appeal of these cards will depend on the kind of magic you do. Now we have Assasins and Renegades there are effectively a red-backed and a blue-backed Karnival deck – and I can see all sorts of interesting effects involving colour-changes and the 4 different packs. I wouldn’t use them for children’s magic or the vicar’s tea party, but for the right audience they will go down well.
And if you’re just one of those people that loves collecting playing cards, you’ll have to have one of these limited edition packs. So get right on over to BBM and order yours now!
Posted in: Cards, Magic News, Review.
Tagged: BBM · Bicycle Karnival Renegades · Sam Hayles · USPCC
More recommendations from Bicycle-Cards.co.uk – this month a few ‘oldies’ but goodies!
I have a confession to make. Though I love Bicycle Card Magic, I am not much into XCM (extreme card magic). However, I know many of you are, and this classic DVD has all the card flourishes you could want, and is currently HALF PRICE at only £11.49.
This factory produced Rainbow Deck in Bicycle cards comes with some special gaff cards and an instructional DVD for £21.99
In my continuing quest (crusade sounds too grand) to encourage people to read good magic books, I want to mention this gem by one of our home grown talents, Guy Hollingworth. This is a beautiful book in every way – well-written, well-illustrated, and with some amazing card magic within its pages. I’ve had the privilege of seeing Guy perform some of this stuff and it really is brilliant. £26.99
Posted in: Trick of the Month.
Tagged: Drawing Roomo Deceptions · Extreme Cuts · Guy Hollingworth · Keone · Rainbow Deck · XCM
Regular readers will know I am a big fan of Roberto Giobbi’s work – if you are in to card magic then they are the books to read. His Card College books are modern day classics and are an essential starting point if you are serious about learning card magic.
Some years ago, he published Card College Light where the emphasis is on subtlety and presentation and hardly any sleight of hand is required. These, he suggests, are good routines to develop performing confidence, without needing to worry about the technical aspect of our art.
This first volume was followed up by Card College Lighter, and the final volume of the trilogy is now available in the UK.
Card College Lightest is available now for only £24.99. Another 18 routines taught in the same clear style as the previous two books – this comes highly recommended.
Posted in: General Card Magic.
Tagged: Card College · Card College Lightest · Roberto Giobbi
USPCC seem to keep on churning out these new limited edition cards. Cards4Magic are now stocking this latest design:
This is the second installment of Bicycle’s Limited Edition series featuring a dark blue background with white and silver design. The joker was specially designed for this deck. The card faces are standard index, the same courts and fonts seen for years on Bicycle decks. They also have the 125th anniversary edition cards in stock. See Cards4Magic.
Posted in: Card Magic News, Cards.
Tagged: Limited Edition Bicycle Cards
In honour of the world famous Blackpool Magic Convention, MagicShop.co.uk are offering a magical 15% of all orders. There’s no minimum spend, although it doesn’t apply to instant downloads. But use it soon – it expires with the convention on 22nd February.
Just enter the code: ‘blackpool2010′ at the checkout to get your 15% off.
Posted in: Bargain Magic.
Tagged: 15% off
Some friends of mine have now established a ‘tradition’ of blogging all about the Blackpool Magic Convention. Do check out their thoughts on all the acts, dealers and lectures at BlackpoolMagic2010.
Posted in: Magic Links.
Tagged: Blackpool Magic Convention · Magic News
A fitting way to celebrate 125 years of Bicycle Cards, the USPCC have released these Anniversary edition cards. They feature a distinctive Vintage aesthetic with a signature metallic foil face on the special edition tuck case.
The deck is sealed with a commemorative 125 years deck seal and features 2 jokers, one from 1885 and one from 2010. Each playing card is marked with 1885-2010 on its face.
I suspect they will become collectible. Now available at MagicNevin for only £4.99.
Posted in: Card Magic News, Cards.
Tagged: 125th Anniversary Bicycle Cards · USPCC
We recently became aware of the Best Magic Deals website. It is dedicated to finding discount codes and special offers – in fact just the sort of thing that a lot of our readers like. It is run by a real Card Magic man so I’m sure there will be stuff of interest to us Bicycle Cards fans. And of course, we will continue to provide the most up to date information specifically for a UK audience, right here…
Posted in: Magic Links.
Tagged: Best Magic Deals
This time from Magicians Cave. They’ll include a free deck with all orders over £5 placed before January 31st. Why not head on over to Magicians Cave.
Whilst we’re on the subject of bargains, Alakazam are having a DVD Sale with some amazing discounts on all sorts of Card Magic and other magic DVDs. Well worth a look.
Posted in: Magic Links.
Tagged: Free Bicycle Cards · Magic DVD Sale
