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 .