At New2play, we take pride in providing a wide range of quality playing cards across the globe. One of the most common questions that we get asked is "what are some of the best playing cards for magic and sleight of hand"?
Well, "best" is a subjective term. However, as a magician with nearly 20 years of experience practicing the art of sleight of hand, I feel I can share some insights into the type of playing cards most suitable for magic enthusiasts or anyone interested in practicing the art of magic with a deck of card.
The importance of the Right Tool
A good portion of card magic, at its core, are based on sleight of hand.
Any serious magician understands that mastering sleight of hand requires dedication and constant practice. Having the right tools can greatly elevate both the learning experience and the magic performance.
The deck I recommend below have been my go-to choices for years, and they handle exceptionally well under the demands of sleight of hand in most conditions.
Bicycle Rider Back
When it comes magic, Bicycle Rider Back are among the most popular choices for magician's worldwide, it is also the most recognisable playing card in the world today.
When I bring out a deck, I want the deck to be instantly recognisable. I want everyone to know it is a normal and standard deck of playing cards they could buy at their local store.
Additionally, Bicycle Rider Back are budget-friendly, making them an excellent choice for someone just starting out magic and looking for something affordable to practice with.
Another notable factor is that they are printed by the United States Playing Card Company (USPCC) and made with an Air Cushion finished, which is ideal for shuffling, fanning and spreading cards either on the table or in the hand.
Another reason to use Bicycle Rider Back is that most trick decks are made using Bicycle Rider Back due to its universal appeal. This allow magicians to secretly switch cards during a performance without drawing attention, as the back design perfectly align with the normal Bicycle cards being used.
Tally-Ho
Another excellent option from USPCC is the Tally-Ho deck. Tally-Ho cards generally provide a similar level of handling and quality to Bicycle Rider Back but with a completely different back design.
There are two types of Tally Ho back design: Fan Backs and Circle Back. Some magicians prefer these designs over the standard Bicycle Rider Backs for aesthetic reasons, as they provide a unique and elegant look while keeping the superb handling.
Bee
Bee playing cards are another well-known option, especially among magicians who focus heavily on gambling sleight of hand.
Bee cards are unique in that they do not have any 'white boarder', which means that the back design extend all the way to the edge of the deck. While some magicians consider this a drawback for tricks that involve secretly reversing a card in the deck, the boarderless design is perfect for performing gambling demonstrations, which helps conceal certain sleight of hand moves.
Phoenix Deck
The Phoenix brand, launched by Card Shark, was designed to provide magicians with a high quality alternative to the standard Bicycle Deck. These deck are also print by USPCC on Bicycle card stock, keeping the same high quality and familiar handling.
On top of this, Phoenix decks are produced using premium 'casino grade' card stocks, which, in my humble option, provide slightly better handling compared to standard Bicycle decks.
Theory11 Decks
Theory11 produces some of the most beautifully designed deck on the market, featuring themes such as The Lord of the Rings, to Harry Potter.
All Theory11 decks are printed by UPSCC, guaranteeing the same handling quality as Bicycle decks, but with unique and artistic designs that add the visual appeal and a bit of flair to any performance.
Please note that, due to the uniqueness of their designs, Theory11 decks are often more appealing to collectors. Performing magic with these decks may sometimes prompt spectator to ask, "Is this a normal deck?"
Additional thought
At New2play, we have encountered many cardistry enthusiasts. Cardistry is an art form that emphasises creative expression using one or more deck of cards, and the playing cards used to perform cardistry moves are an essential part of that artistic expression.
When it comes to cardistry, the choice of playing cards really comes down to personal preference and what design appeals to each individual.
Conclusion
Over the years, I’ve built a sizeable collection of decks, ranging from first editions to rare limited prints. However, when it comes to actual performance, I always return to my trusted Bicycle Rider Backs. They are affordable, reliable, and most importantly, universally recognised as ordinary playing cards—a trait that any magician values.
To quote the legendary magician and sleight of hand artist, Darwin Ortiz:
“I only use red and blue Bicycle Rider Backs, the way God intended.”
