First off let me just say I did not buy this from Penguinmagic, I bought this directly from Luke Jermay at the session convention (a UK convention run by Vanishing Inc) earlier this year so I have had the deck for quite some time before it released and have performed with the deck many times since buying it. Let me tell you this thing is a thing of beauty, it is incredibly easy to use, the markings are really easy to read and this is coming from someone who has poor eyesight and despite that I can read them perfectly, the deck handles really nicely just like a regular mandolin deck (these are made in mandolin back) the cards are very good quality as is the DVD that comes with the deck, it's shot very well as you would expect from Vanishing Inc. Luke discusses a few routines on the DVD such as...

Card Calling
3 Phase intuition routine
Telepathy
Red/Black colour separation plus many more tips, tricks and handling alternatives with the deck.

The deck really is limited only by your imagination with what you can do with it.

At first glance you may think that the Spectators will see what's going on with the deck if you hand it to them but trust me take it from someone who has had the time to test it you really have nothing to worry about, as soon as you go out and start performing with the marksman deck you'll be amazed by the potential this has and see that it is truly a beautiful tool which you'll be wanting to thank Luke for bringing to the market.

I am given to understand that refill decks will be made available soon I'm not sure when though, Luke has stated his goal with the marksman deck is to make it an affordable deck so that you don't have to be frightened of using them, so I can only assume refill decks will be relatively cheap I'm not too sure on the exact price.

Luke will also be publishing a limited edition book which will contain many more ideas and uses with the deck which is going to be titled "voyages coming soon.

I wanted to go as in-depth as I could and there is many more things I could say but I think I'll wrap up here by saying, if you want a great affordable tool to add to your repertoire then definitely check this out you will not be disappointed.

I purchase every marked deck that is professionally printed when I can, I also love any book on the art of marking cards. What Luke Jermay has produced here is something so special and great it's amazing. He is combining a lot of other deck work within this one deck. Without saying to much about the markings its practical, it's easy to see, in goes hand n hand with mem deck work. Simply beautiful. You will not be disappointed if you purchase this deck...

This deck is "packed" with features (and markings). This is not a "marked" deck - but rather a reader back where all the indicators are EASILY readable. A Magician will see these right away. But don't worry, they are "hidden" in plain sight. Luke gives you a host of ideas and materials so that you can get off and running right away. This is an entire routine of magic in the palm of your hand.

Anytime you can have a well recognized, skillful, magician, mentalist sitting right in front of you with the tools he is about to demonstrate, and he is teaching you in your living room, in what is in fact a 'one to one' training session, it's a good thing. Cards in hand, you can easily follow along the 'not very complicated' system by one of the finest performer/instructors out there. He demonstrates 'his' presentations and then explains every detail as to how he does 'that'. Clear, concise, great learning format. I am now routinely performing about half of what is possible with the deck and I couldn't be more pleased. You will find your own uses. As is pointed out in the instructions, one can use this deck for any other effects you have using this concept. This is what we are all used to, times 10! I might add, as Luke points out, nobody suspects what you and I might think as 'obvious'. They just don't and for those still concerned, Luke gives a great and simple tip. I just haven't needed it. I might also add, my 'false shuffles' are pretty weak but it's just not a problem. My point is, if you are worried about those things, don't. I just keep talking and doing what I do and in dozens of performances, so far, nobody has seemingly, suspected a thing. (I have been so bold as to say, "I am not a card man, I am a mentalist, so just look at these cards (show the faces)and see how they are all different and mixed up." Then I do two (easy) false cuts and 'go to town'. I didn't shuffle them at all! Outcomes are simply 'amazing' to the audience. One or 20. I tend to start with four elements of what is presented and then go right on into 'other effects' employing the same principles using the same deck. I am NOT a 'card man' (ask anybody), but I must say, these aren't really 'card tricks'. I treat it as 'mentalism' so nobody expects me do a fancy 'shuffle' and this is simply one of the tools to demonstrate those 'mentalist' skills. I find it 'advantageous' to start any 'such' routine with this because order matters, sort of, (and if it gets out of order, Luke gives you have an 'out), so once I'm through with that, you can really open it up to anything else that uses the same principles. One last tip. I DO bring a small calculator and hand it out to one of the spectators. When the 'math' begins, EVERYBODY watching starts calling out the values of the cards as they are presented and the spectator punches in the numbers. I'm just 'monitoring'. So if you are worried about the 'math', get somebody else to do it! The little math 'problem', becomes 'fun' for everybody! They LOVE it! I think this is properly priced for what you get, the quality of the instruction and the video quality is good as it gets and the utility of the deck, there is simply nothing like it. Well worth it. Thank You Luke (again) and Penguin!

so many possibilities, i just love it, period

This is a wonderful marked deck. Easy to use, extremely versatile. The instruction video by Luke Jermay is top rate. So happy I purchased it.

This is a wonderful deck reading system - but the add copy above is incorrect. The performance video is 45 minutes, but the explanation video that you get is over an hour long PLUS you also get a 33 page pdf. More than your moneys worth - add 2 decks to cart

This is without a doubt the best marked deck I've ever come across.

Luke's handling and patter is a certain style, one I generally don't vibe with, but the effects are great.

But more importantly, this is just an exceptional tool that you can use to create your own effects, or if you're just getting comfortable with stack work. For anyone who is just learning how to work with stacks, I would say this deck should be your training wheels.

One caveat-the marks are very in your face. You are going to look at it and think "there's no way people won't see that." I'm a week owning it and have already used it for a dozen performances, and no one has caught it yet.

This is without a doubt the best marked deck I've ever come across.

Luke's handling and patter is a certain style, one I generally don't vibe with, but the effects are great.

But more importantly, this is just an exceptional tool that you can use to create your own effects, or if you're just getting comfortable with stack work. For anyone who is just learning how to work with stacks, I would say this deck should be your training wheels.

One caveat-the marks are very in your face. You are going to look at it and think "there's no way people won't see that." I'm a week owning it and have already used it for a dozen performances, and no one has caught it yet.

This is without a doubt the best marked deck I've ever come across.

Luke's handling and patter is a certain style, one I generally don't vibe with, but the effects are great.

But more importantly, this is just an exceptional tool that you can use to create your own effects, or if you're just getting comfortable with stack work. For anyone who is just learning how to work with stacks, I would say this deck should be your training wheels.

One caveat-the marks are very in your face. You are going to look at it and think "there's no way people won't see that." I'm a week owning it and have already used it for a dozen performances, and no one has caught it yet.