BREAKING IN A NEW DECK
C L OSE-UP WORK
Essays and articles about close-up magic and mentalism
TAKE CARE OF YOUR PLAYING CARDS
In most households across America, you likely won’ t have to look hard for a deck of playing cards. The household staple has been around for hundreds of years and is used in a wide variety of activities, including magic tricks, cardistry, and of course, games. Because playing cards often undergo strenuous use and excessive wear and tear, it’ s important to maintain your playing cards to ensure longevity and lasting quality. Successful maintenance can be accomplished by careful and educated handling techniques, proper storage, and regular cleaning.
BREAKING IN A NEW DECK
There are few things as exciting as breaking in a new deck of cards. For magicians or those practicing cardistry, new decks of cards can be a challenge to control in contrast to older, used decks. This is because new decks have not yet been exposed to the elements and can come off as a bit slippery. A simple way to get break in a new deck of cards is by shuffling the cards. It’ s important to shuffle the cards correctly— otherwise cards may become bent or out of shape.
To correctly shuffle a deck of cards while maintaining their quality, spilt the deck evenly and align both
stacks. Gently, without putting too much pressure on the edges, pull your thumbs upwards along the inner corners of the two stacks. As you do so, push the stacks together so that the cards fall back into one another. Practice often until you get the hang of it. By doing so, you will not only break in your deck but you will maintain the quality of your new playing cards.
Avoid scratches on your playing cards by keeping your cards separate from sharp objects and using a felt covered surface. Felt is gentle against plastic playing cards and can prevent the scratches commonly associated with wood or plastic surfaces. Scratches can quickly become dirt and dust filled grooves, something that all card owners aspire to avoid.