I'm a pro and despite being able to entertain for hours with an ordinary deck, I always open with this.

It has so many virtues.

-It's versatile.
-Seems to happen in the spectator's hands (with the right blocking and scripting)
-Can be as short as 20 seconds, or several minutes of entertainment

It's best if you get the participant to name 3 or more cards before finally deciding on one.

Doing this prevents the explanation, "Oh, everyone must think of 2 of spades." Of course that's an absurd explanation and not the method, but you don't want to give your spectator any such "I might know how that was done" feeling.

Getting them to name multiple cards first also affords you the ability to involve the whole group.

I got this idea from magician Whit Hayden in Chicago Surprise. At the end of that excellent book (only the first edition), there was his patter for Brainwave deck.

Something about getting them to think of multiple cards before finally deciding on one really seems to cement the impossibility of this.

I get this black deck version because black bicycles look very classy. A little more "grown up" than reds, and much more grown up than the blues.

I still use an ordinary red bicycle deck (in a black bicycle box), and I don't worry AT ALL about anyone noticing the discrepancy. After hundreds of professional performances, not a single person has noticed (apparently).

Also, I use Bicycle Elite Edition Playing Cards (Red 12 Deck Brick) which I get on Penguin. They are about $3 per deck, and they are decidedly better than standard bicycle cards. If they came in black, then I'd get them in black, but they come in red or blue.

Love the black backed cards. They work so well, I may purchase a backup deck.

The invisible deck is now my favorite deck that I use. It takes about 30 minutes to fully understand and perform smoothly. I have performed this over 40 times now and people freak out every time. A must have for all skill levels.

Close up audiences love this trick. When I combine the invis deck with a marked decknit really fries the spectators!

I ordered a Bicycle Rider Back invisible deck. It is from their Elite Edition and printed on a new finish for USPCC. This replaces a vintage Ellusionist black deck that got lost in a move. This is a high quality deck and you'll be amazing family, friends, bar patrons, and parties in no time. Highly recommended!

This was the first effect I ever purchased from a magic shop. It never fails to impress. The first time I saw the riderback in black, I had to stock up. It's such a classy color to rock in a suit, business casual, or jeans.

You can't go wrong with an invisible deck, and especially for a very good price, too. The trick is very easy to learn, too

I don't know if it was faulty or what, but
The invisible deck i got was very difficult to
Use. The cards were very firmly stuck together
Making it very sloppy when performing.
I need to push with my thumb as well
As pull with my fingers underneath with
Quite a bit of effort to separate the cards.
I have thrown the deck away after trying it multiple times.
I have used a red invisible deck that
Was alot smoother and i could separate
The cards with cleanly with my thumb.
Perhaps this is why it's cheaper than red
Or blue? Or maybe because black is less common?
It might have just been a faulty deck or something, but i won't buy another black.
Not chancing it.

If you want an invisible deck...
My advice...spend the few extra bucks
And get red or blue.

I love that this deck is available premade. I keep buying the black decks to make my own Svengali decks. Very happy I didn't have to buy a tray and spray for my own black invisible deck.
Check out the green one as well!

Normally, I prefer to not use gimmicks but one I researched this one and decided to get it, it is a power punch of an effect! There is almost NO bigger WOW factor than having an only thought of card to be the ONLY card in the deck showing face down. It has gotten huge reactions already after only having it a short while. This is a tool that every magician should consider a MUST have.