Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that today I finally worked up the nerve and did a "half-routine" for my family with the 52-to-1 deck (I say "half" because I didn't do the whole thing, just the low card and high card bits, since I'd already been doing other effects for them for a while). Anyway, I fanned it out twice, and sure enough, they didn't notice it was a gimmicked deck. They loved it!

So, I just wanted to thank you all for the advice you gave me and for helping me get over my fear of using this deck. Thanks a ton!!

(I'm already thinking of using it in the 'Tahur, Mago, Mentalista' effect with some variations because the spelling part obviously won't work with this deck)

Hey!

@ricardorg2283:

Al-Korán deck

Good deck (there are a ton of them with the same principle), though like all decks of that type, it's tough for longer routines.

I usually use these types of decks as a switch.

First, I use a 'normal' deck (or any other special one) and using hold-outs or secret pockets, I swap out the decks.

This way it's very easy to clearly show the regular deck upfront, for the spectator(s) to confirm it's a regular deck (no need for them to count the cards one by one to make sure they're all there 🤣), and at the end of the trick, make the switch.

This way, you can confidently do the spread later, since NO ONE will notice.

Keep in mind, though, it'll depend on your audience and the situation.

A deck I use a lot this way, and as a final effect in my routines, is the Accumulator, which has a 'similar' principle (not identical).

And I can tell you, nobody's looking for the 'catch' (it's never happened to me, even though I initially had my doubts) when you do the spread for the prediction.

But hey, as always, it's just advice... not the absolute truth 😅

Best!

@ricardorg2283:

I'm scared to show it in a spread or fan

"90% of the things we worry about never happen"

What you focus on, grows.

What's the worst that could happen if you get "caught"?

Really picture it and have a solution ready in case it ever happens.

Cheers!

I have both, the 52 to 1 Deck.... and the Accumulator Deck.

Honestly, I'm thrilled with them, though the second one does require some dexterity with a few simple counts.

The audience won't suspect a thing if it's done well, and you come across as calm and relaxed.

You've got a fantastic monograph on the Al Koran deck from Bigblindmedia, explained by Liam Montier. To be honest, it's an older deck that's rarely used on its own, though its principle is highly versatile (like with the Svengali, stripper, etc.).

Thanks for the tip, it was really helpful.

I've got the 52 to 1, which, from what I understand, is the earlier version of the Accumulator. When I first saw the effect performed, I thought it was fantastic and jumped at the chance to pick it up. But once I learned the method, that's when I got a bit nervous. It's true, though, that in the videos where I've seen it, spectators never seemed to notice the deck wasn't "normal."

Thanks again.

Hello.

Julio Ribera explains a possible use here:

https://magiaycardistry.com/tutorial/barajaalkoran/