The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

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gfajuri
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The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby gfajuri » July 25th, 2005, 11:42 am

This may sound a bit grandiose, but I honestly believe this to be a historic day.

Only moments ago, a truck arrived at the FUN Inc. factory here in Chicago and delivered a shipment of the first ever factory-printed deck of MARKED Bicycle Cards!

Through an exclusvie arrangement with Boris Wild and the US Playing Card Company, FUN Incorporated has produced the easy-to-read Boris Wild Marked Deck on Bicycle Rider Back cards.

Yes, they'll be available in both red and blue backs, and yes, they'll be available from your favorite dealer. Dealers should contact FUN Inc. (www.funinc.com).

We expect to begin shipping decks tomorrow. Expect a companion book to follow in the middle of August. Full details will be available on the FUN Inc. tomorrow.

This is BIG!

Gabe Fajuri
Project Mgr.
FUN Inc.

Guest

Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Guest » July 25th, 2005, 5:00 pm

Gabe,

That's the best trick of the century--how the **** did you get USPC to print the deck of marked cards?!

:whack:

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Bizzaro » July 25th, 2005, 9:24 pm

Wow that is a miracle. I actual enjoy the Boris Wild deck. Used it a lot at the shop I worked at. How much are these gonna go for in the world?
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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby gfajuri » July 27th, 2005, 6:15 am

Well, HOW we got them printed will have to remain our little secret :) I have to say I didn't believe that this would happen myself until the cards were delivered on Monday.

The retail price is $20.00, and they will be hitting the dealers' shelves in the next few days. We only began shipping them out yesterday.

Cheers,

Gabe

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Matthew Field » July 27th, 2005, 6:39 am

This is outstanding news. The Boris Wild marked deck is fabulous, and factory printed decks makes them perfect.

I'd recommend Boris' own routines as well as "Marked for Life" from Hermetic Press for any working card man (or lady).

Matt Field

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby scott snider » July 27th, 2005, 11:40 am

Are these decks going to be in limited supply?

Guest

Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Guest » July 28th, 2005, 8:44 am

Originally posted by Scott Snider:
Are these decks going to be in limited supply?
Aren't we informed that everything is in 'limited supply' when first released?
;)

Ooh, and don't forget that it's not a proper magical product unless it is a 'reputation maker' and requires 'no sleights'.

Seriously though, Boris is a very nice guy with some really creative ideas. Check out his book if you haven't already had the pleasure.

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Jonathan Townsend » July 28th, 2005, 8:46 am

Originally posted by Scott Snider:
Are these decks going to be in limited supply?
And if they weren't, would they be in a countably unlimited supply?

Are the deck cases serialized so collectors can get the low numbered ones?

Do folks understand that as of USPC's willingness to produce fake cards in a consumer design, we run a huge risk of turning public sentiment about that design into "trick cards".

A Pyrrhic victory?
Mundus vult decipi -per Caleb Carr's story Killing Time

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby NCMarsh » July 28th, 2005, 9:01 am

Provided it doesn't get the exposure of...say...D'lite (is the rumor of Rocco and Joanie Spina hawking D'lites at a public show to support breast cancer research true?) I think we're fine

Bicycle is, I think, trusted by laymen not because anyone knows about the historic difficulty of getting them to produce gaffs -- but because they are so familiar...you get them at the drug store...

best,

N.
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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Pete Biro » July 28th, 2005, 9:25 am

I can't believe they are doing this. Small-time hustlers must be wating with great anticipation to get their mitts on these. :rolleyes:

I can see folks getting beat with marked cards suing the card company for providing the tools. :whack:
Stay tooned.

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Terrence » July 28th, 2005, 10:20 am

Not sure that this is a problem Pete.

I haven't seen Bicycle cards in casinos, and private games - well?

Plus if it's an illegal private game, then I don't see legal recourse - but I'm not a lawyer.

Any legal eagles out there have an opinion?

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Bill Mullins » July 28th, 2005, 1:38 pm

Originally posted by Terrence:
Not sure that this is a problem Pete.

I haven't seen Bicycle cards in casinos, and private games - well?

Plus if it's an illegal private game, then I don't see legal recourse - but I'm not a lawyer.

Any legal eagles out there have an opinion?
Not a lawyer, but . . .

One idiot shoots another, and the gun manufacturer gets sued. This has happened enough that it has endangered the corporate health of Smith & Wesson, Ruger, etc.

Anyone with a lawyer can sue. Bicycle may decide to settle just to keep things under the carpet.

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Pete Biro » July 28th, 2005, 2:09 pm

The biggest amounts of money taken by card cheats is playing BRIDGE. :whack:
Stay tooned.

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Guest » July 28th, 2005, 5:49 pm

They look great! I saw a sample of them and they will be at The Magic Apple in a few days!!!

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Pete Biro » July 28th, 2005, 6:04 pm

Not an April Fools Joke is it? :D
Stay tooned.

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby gfajuri » July 29th, 2005, 8:21 am

Pete-

No joke, belive me! In the few short days we have had these cards in stock, they have proven to be a gigantic hit.

As for hawking them like a D'lite, rest easy folks, that ain't gonna happen. Or rather, if it does, FUN Inc. will not be guilty party.

Best,

Gabe Fajuri
FUN Inc.

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Pete Biro
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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Pete Biro » July 29th, 2005, 8:53 am

Gabe... the April Fools line was aimed at THE MAGIC APPLE... who pulled a gag on April 1 that cost me time and gas money...
Stay tooned.

Guest

Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Guest » July 30th, 2005, 10:42 am

No April Fools Joke - but Lance Burton will be autographing the marked decks when they arrive...hee hee

Guest

Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Guest » August 5th, 2005, 5:13 pm

The decks were here and are cool!! THe deck comes with a routine that is GREAT!! Worth the price of the deck!!
They have just sold out, but a new batch will be in next week sometime. Give me a call if you'd like to put one on hold!

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Richard Kaufman » August 6th, 2005, 8:46 am

I received mine the other day and it does look very good.
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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Bill Palmer » August 6th, 2005, 10:25 am

The Magic Apple is a commercial venture. There have been several posts by the Magic Apple advertising merchandise for sale during the past couple of weeks.

How about ponying up for a banner ad?
Bill Palmer, MIMC

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Terrence » August 6th, 2005, 4:29 pm

And The Magic Apple is sticking to the topic of this thread, which was started by another commercial venture.

Jeesh! :rolleyes:

Just got my deck. Gabe - these cards are awesome!

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Pepka » August 8th, 2005, 4:32 pm

I'll have to pick up a set. I have the book but no patience to make a deck. My only problem is I rarely use bikes and it would scream "trick deck" to laymen. Anyone know of a professionally marked deck on Steamboats or Tally-ho circles?

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Richard Hatch » August 8th, 2005, 8:49 pm

Originally posted by pepka:
My only problem is I rarely use bikes and it would scream "trick deck" to laymen. Anyone know of a professionally marked deck on Steamboats or Tally-ho circles?
Do the laymen you work for know you so well that they would find your use of Bicycle cards (the most common brand for layment) suspect? This brand was specifically chosen to avoid the "trick deck" suspicion aroused by off brands such as the Dekram or Deland decks... The cards are really great by the way. My concern is that the secret may get into the mainstream population more quickly now that they are widely available...

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Terrence » August 9th, 2005, 1:06 pm

Richard - that has occurred to me as well, and also poor usage by our fellow mages.

I'm using this deck to get a key card under impossible conditions. What I hope doesn't happen is that some of us may read them directly, tipping the secret.

Use with caution guys and girls!

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Pepka » August 9th, 2005, 1:41 pm

Richard,
The restaurants I perform in are very regular heavy. I prefer tally ho circles and steamboats. When I do have Bikes the regulars comment on it. I think it would seem odd to do a whole strolling set with one brand, and for one or two tricks, switch to bikes. Unless of course I use them for the whole gig.

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby gfajuri » August 10th, 2005, 8:41 am

Hi All-

The Boris Wild Marked Deck has proven to be the most popular item we have released in the last 5 years, perhaps longer!

By now, if your favorite dealer doesn't have them in stock, well, he's missing the boat!

Thanks to all for their interest and support.

Gabe Fajuri

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Pete McCabe » August 15th, 2005, 5:05 pm

Didn't I see an ad (or two) in Genii a few months back for "The Devil's Deck?" This was an application of Ted Lesley's basic idea printed at the factory onto a bicycle back. Actually, if I remember from the picture in the ad, the markings were integrated into the filigree design on the card.

Whatever happened to this?

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby cgscpa » August 15th, 2005, 8:21 pm

They are available here:

http://www.mentalismunlimited.com/DemonDeck.html

I do not think they are exact Bicycle backs which let to some delays in production.

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Richard Hatch » August 15th, 2005, 10:06 pm

The ad for the Demon Deck emphasizes that it is an "original" back design and makes no mention of the Bicycle brand. I think the "historic" aspect of the FUN INC product is that it is the first time (that we know of) that US PLAYING CARD CO has printed marked cards using a modification of one of their own designs. That they would do such a thing is rather surprising, since it could seriously undermine confidence in the integrity of that brand. I suspect someone at US PLAYING CARD CO was sleeping on the job when they approved the FUN INC order! Buy the cards while you can, they are unlikely to be able to reprint...

Guest

Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Guest » August 25th, 2005, 10:59 pm

There is now a Booklet that goes with thi deck of cards with a whole BUNCH of new tricks and ideas to use with the Boris Deck.....

About $15 per book
Here is the description of it:
Hidden in Plain Sight is the most complete manual for marked cards ever published. Author Kirk Charles, a long-time professional magician, has written a book that explores this most powerful of all magical tools in great detail. From the history of marked cards to more modern developments in reader technology, Charles breaks down the advantages, disadvantages and nuances youll need to know. Youll learn about commercially available decks as well as how to prepare your own custom-marked pack.

Additionally, Charles delves into the psychology involved in performing with a marked deck. From strategies for misdirection to key cards, stacked decks, and mnemonics, Charles explores every angle of the tips and tactics that can enhance tricks with any marked deck.

For the beginning card conjurer, an entire chapter of easy-to-do miracle material has been included. These tricks require little if any sleight of hand, yet pack a wallop when performed. Even amateurs, armed with a marked deck and these Instant Miracles will be amazing spectators in no time!

Best of all, Hidden in Plain Sight details the workings of the finest marked cards on the market, the Boris Wild Marked Deck. A lengthy chapter, written by Boris Wild himself, details the nuts and bolts of his stellar system, and includes two blockbuster tricks that will fool not only laymen but magicians as well!

Guest

Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Guest » September 5th, 2005, 8:52 am

Originally posted by Jonathan Townsend:
[QB]
Do folks understand that as of USPC's willingness to produce fake cards in a consumer design, we run a huge risk of turning public sentiment about that design into "trick cards".

A Pyrrhic victory?
Jonathan...please keep in mind that it's not a deck of fake cards at all...merely a deck with that "extra added something." And as long as we keep that "something" to ourselves, it shouldn't be a problem.

And if the public begins to perceive Bicycle cards as magic cards...well, I'm not so sure that's a bad thing.

A Pyrrhic victory? I'll leave that up to a jury of my Pyrrs.
:rolleyes:

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby John Lovick » September 5th, 2005, 9:04 am

Steve,

Would you please explain how you don't think it would be a bad thing if the public started to perceive Bicylces as trick cards?

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 5th, 2005, 10:02 am

A marked deck is most definitely a "fake" deck by the definition most of us would use.

And, I agree with Lovick completely. Once these cards make their way into the general marketplace (and they will), the public's perception that a Bicycle deck is an ordinary deck will be corrupted. They will never look at a deck of cards the same way again. Some ding-dong in the mainstream media is going to do a magic or gambling expose at some point and show how the cards are marked, and perhaps show the Scarne riffle test. It's all over then for anyone using marked cards in magic. It's unimaginable to me that US Playing Card would print a deck of marked cards of their most well-known brand.

I use a card whose back design is unusual, and do only magic that is visual in nature to offset the potential belief that it's a marked deck.
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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Guest » September 5th, 2005, 10:10 am

[/QUOTE]

And if the public begins to perceive Bicycle cards as magic cards...well, I'm not so sure that's a bad thing.
[/QUOTE]

What?

Terrence
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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Terrence » September 5th, 2005, 10:43 am

I do agree with Richard on the long term prospects of exposure - and these cards do fail the riffle test.

Ouch!

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby cataquet » September 5th, 2005, 11:12 am

If these guys are interested, they just type "marked bicycle deck" into Google, and get:
  • Trickshop with a Ted Lesley version
  • Farmarx hand marked bicycle deck
  • Penguin with the Wild Bicycle deck

Marked Bicycle decks have always been around (they were available thirty years ago). However, up till now, they were all handmarked. The fact that NOW the deck is machine printed, just means the deck will last longer. However, as long as the price remains high, lay people won't be buying them. When the prices drop to $5, that is the moment that the consumer will see these in Duane Reade. That's the moment Joe Public will be reading the marks on the back.

Magicians will always be accused of using marked cards. I often get suspicious laymen testing the cards to see if they are strippers or long/short pairs. Why? Because they can buy these decks for $3. People KNOW about marked cards, but very few have ever seen them. Worse yet, just because they can't see the marks doesn't mean they aren't marked! How can you convince someone that you haven't got WMD? Just because they can't find them, doesn't mean that you aren't using them! ;)

Guest

Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Guest » September 5th, 2005, 2:49 pm

Harold...bravo. I agree totally.

This whole thing is pretty simple, really...most people who use cards will run into a magician, roughly, once in a blue moon. They'll play cards or keep a deck around the house.

Now, if they perceive that all Bikes are marked...based on what they've seen or heard elsewhere...they'll go over their own Bikes with an eagle eye. And they won't find squat. Which will give them yet one more reason to be confused when dealing with a card guy. And ultimately, they won't care.

Right now, if you trot out a deck of Tallys or anything else, they may already think the decks are marked, because they're not used to seeing them. (I occasionally use a deck of casino Bees with face marking for the court cards; I've been accused of using marked cards because of them.)

And Richard, while it may be unimaginable to you that USPC would do such a thing as print marked cards...don't worry, I'm sure they had a market analysis done on the cost/benefit ratio. They'll be just fine.

I think this entire thing is a tempest in a teapot.

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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 5th, 2005, 6:06 pm

I disagree with Harold on the point of cost: the printed Bike backs are going to be a helluva lot cheaper than any hand-marked decks or lettering-applied Ted Lesley decks. And because they're cheaper, a LOT more people will have them. Harold puts the line at $5. I don't--$20 isn't that much of an impediment to purchase (and it's certainly a lot less than these decks used to cost).
And, by the way, now that it has been done, all someone overseas has to do is take one of these printed Bicycle decks, scan it, and start printing cheap counterfeits.
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Re: The Boris Wild Marked Deck - Factory Printed by US Playing Card!

Postby Richard Hatch » September 5th, 2005, 7:11 pm

Originally posted by Richard Kaufman:
I disagree with Harold on the point of cost: the printed Bike backs are going to be a helluva lot cheaper than any hand-marked decks or lettering-applied Ted Lesley decks.
Ted sold his decks for just $25 and Kirk Charles sells hand marked Bicycle decks on his site (www.kirkcharles.net) for just $15. The Fun Inc factory printed decks retail at $20...


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