Magic Tricks

Funded through Kickstarter and printed by the Expert Playing Card Company, this is part of Vanishing Inc.'s first set of in-house playing cards (there is another deck in blue). The tuck box has a custom perforated seal and spade cutout on the front to tease the paisley design you'll find inside. The courts boast one of the most vibrant and tasteful color schemes I have seen on a deck of cards and the back design is elegantly done. So why the 3 rating? This is a marked deck using a very simple and conspicuous marking system rendering it unfit for card games and for close up card magic. I'm not a fan of marked decks as it lends itself to "lazy" magic and very limited applications. Not sure what the thinking was behind the decision to mark this deck in such an obvious way (apparently, there was no mention of it to Kickstarter backers) but it wasn't a wise one. I would have gladly purchased a brick of each color but as it stands, I'll be looking to offload the one I have. A shame really.