Playing Card Deck Care and Storage for Magicians

I'm writing this post to help out beginners, and I'd love for the pros to chime in with their two cents. The idea came from another thread where we indirectly got onto the topic of deck care, and I thought it was an interesting subject for a new discussion.

To keep your playing card decks in top shape and extend their lifespan, it's important to follow certain care routines and best practices. Here are some key recommendations for their maintenance and storage.

Maintenance and Handling

1. Wash and thoroughly dry your hands before handling your cards

Clean, dry hands prevent natural skin oils and dirt from transferring to your cards, which can degrade their finish and feel over time.

2. Use a Proper Mat

When performing tricks or practicing moves, use a quality mat designed for magic or card games. This protects your cards from scratches and keeps them from sliding around uncontrollably.

3. Handle Cards Gently

Avoid bending them unnecessarily and be careful when performing flourishes or advanced sleights. Rough handling can accelerate wear and tear, reducing the deck's durability. Of course, this depends on your skill level and what you need to do with the deck.

Storage

4. Store Decks in Their Original Tuck Case or a Protective Box

Keeping cards in their tuck case helps protect them from light, dust, and humidity. For extra protection, you can use boxes specifically designed for storing decks. Check out our friend @Zeta's thread, where he talks about his favorite decks and shows off the boxes he uses.

5. Avoid Heat and Humidity Exposure

Don't leave your cards in hot or humid places, like inside a car or near heat sources. Temperature and humidity can warp cards and affect their finish.

Proactive Care

6. Inspect and Clean Your Cards Regularly

Inspect your decks frequently to ensure they aren't damaged. If you notice dirt, clean the cards with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid contact with moisture. While some threads recommend cleaning them with a damp cloth, in my opinion, you need to be careful with that.

7. Use Protective Sleeves for Special Cards

If you have high-value cards or a frequently used deck, consider using protective sleeves to minimize wear and tear and keep their appearance pristine for longer. These can be specialized sleeves or even plastic card sleeves designed for Pokemon cards or similar.

Additional Tips

8. Rotate Your Decks

If you use one deck heavily, rotate it with others to reduce wear and tear on a single deck.

9. Keep Cards Away from Dirty Surfaces

Avoid placing cards on dirty tables or in dusty environments to prevent stains and damage to their finish. However, if you're like me and enjoy performing bar magic, you'll just have to keep buying new decks. That said, use your already-worn decks when performing at a bar or on a dirty table.

By following these recommendations, you can keep your playing card decks in excellent condition, ensuring they're always ready for your magic performances and practice sessions.

I hope you enjoy this post, and I look forward to your comments to add more information!