Magic Tricks

This is my first close-up pad, so I may be somewhat presumptuous when I give this 4 stars, but I do have to say that this pad is not only inexpensive but really quite excellent.

I opted for the 16"x23" size as I did not intend to travel with this and I wanted a good deal of surface area to practice spreading and manipulating the cards. The surface is synthetic and flocked. This is not a velvet-type surface--think of it as a slightly fuzzy mouse pad. The backing is more than sufficiently thick, which facilitates picking up of the cards.

I was worried that a mat this inexpensive somehow couldn't make the grade. That said, I was extremely satisfied at the quality of the mat and just how much easier it is to manipulate the cards on it. Prior to this, I had used a large, gaming mouse pad. This was okay, but the surface was too slippery for card work.

Per the Murphy's magic site, the difference between the pads is really the thickness. Deluxe is 8mm (card plyometric thickness), Standard is 5 mm thick (low impact cardercise), and Economy is 3 mm thick (card yoga mat). All kidding aside, the surface is all the same with each pad. The thickest pad has the advantage of having the most give when reaching under the cards. As 'deluxe' as this may be, it is probably overkill. Additionally, I store it flat--the thick backing means that it doesn't roll up well and I was worried about stretching the playing surface if I rolled up the mat. If you want something that rolls compactly, you would have to go for the 3 mm economy mat. I think if I were to buy again, I'd go for the standard, 5 mm, model--it sounds like a good compromise, with more than enough padding and the same great work surface.

This is an inexpensive mat but it really delivers. It's not one of those fancy, wood-backed, heirloom, Pleasant-Valley-Sunday mats you might get if you want to dress to impress or want to add a carved-wood, Victorian air to your card magic, but don't let this mat fool you--this understated mat is really quite excellent. For a 'worker' mat, Murphy has over delivered.

This is a simple but excellent accessory for close up magic. Given this price point, there is lots of value here. I couldn't be happier with this purchase.