How to Switch Decks

Based on what I'm about to say, it might seem like I'm on a crusade against card magic. Far from it.

You see, the real question is why you'd limit a magic session to just cards. Magic is a complete universe, an ecosystem where different specialties coexist, and card magic is just one branch of this vast world.

Besides, if I do more than 10 minutes of cards, my audience, at least, tends to nod off. I can use 50 different techniques, 20 revelations, and 100 manipulations, but people will just see cards, cards, and more cards. The capacity for astonishment has its limits. I say it, Joshua Jay says it, and a study from the University of New Jersey says it.

[spoiler]By the way, this study completely changed my perspective on how I should approach magic. Years later, at a lecture, I found out that it did the same for magician Adrián Carratalá. In fact, he even modified his company's vision because of it.[/spoiler]

Now, if you do your 10 minutes of cards, then some rope magic, a bit of manipulation, a few coins, some rings, an impossible journey, and finish with a torn and restored card, I guarantee no one will complain about you using different decks, of different colors or sizes. What's more, it's justified within the act as you finish one segment and begin another, like closing thematic chapters. You maintain their astonishment, misdirect the audience's attention, use other magical elements, and hey, you demonstrate your versatility as a magician. And you've used 8 different decks, and no one batted an eye.

At first, it's normal to carry around an arsenal of 5 or 6 decks; we've all been there. With time and experience performing for audiences, you'll increase your arsenal to 12 or 20, but you'll also add other elements to combine, so your act won't rely solely on cards, but they'll be just one more magical element.

I hope my thoughts have been helpful, cheers.

Hey there!

Here's the quick rundown...

1 - Don't use different decks :) plain and simple.

• Believe me, I've got decks galore, but when it comes to doing magic by combining regular decks with special decks, stick to Bicycle, either red or blue, and that's it. It's the most convenient way, and you'll avoid those dilemmas.

2 - Do you like making things complicated?? It occurs to me that (just for example) when you switch decks, instead of just putting away the Ambigram (or whatever it is), you hand it to someone to shuffle and mix well... Meanwhile, you put away the other one (keep insisting they shuffle the deck well), then you do the trick with the special deck for other family or friends (you keep reminding the one with the Ambigram to shuffle it well, that you're watching them), finish the trick with the special one, and put it away.

You get your deck back (super thoroughly shuffled) to continue with another trick or just put it away, and that's it. No need to explain anything (this is a very Juan Tamariz or DaOrtiz vibe, disorienting and confusing without saying why 😉).

There are many ways, but I prefer option 1 because I use deck switches, and since the decks are the same color, it allows me to switch very easily at any moment, even in the middle of a trick.

Cheers!!!

Look for Roberto Giobbi's book, "The Art of the Deck Switch." I think he sells it himself for €10 as a PDF.

You know, I actually do something that might seem totally absurd. I carry a small case with several decks of cards (different colors and even sizes). Each one is neatly organized and carefully stored in its spot. I open the whole case and tell them, "Go ahead, pick a deck." Then I do an effect for them. When I'm done, I tell them to pick another, and we keep going until all the decks are used. Now, it's true I don't perform strict card magic with every deck. With one, sure, but then with another, I might do an envelope prediction, then perhaps the Invisible Deck with yet another, and so on. No one has ever asked me (or even suspected anything) about the deck changes. I mean, I do it completely "out in the open," and maybe because it's so blatant, nobody even questions it. I guess. All the best!

Here's what I do: Whenever I switch decks, I explain that after a lot of use, the cards lose some of their stiffness and don't glide as well compared to a new deck or one that's been used less. I even let the spectator feel the deck so they can check it themselves. This makes the spectator unconsciously feel that it's really for that reason. Even though it's a technique I use to switch decks, there's also a grain of truth to it, and sometimes if a deck feels really worn, I do prefer to change it. But I recommend only giving that excuse and letting them touch it when they ask. Likewise, I recommend having more than two decks so it doesn't feel strange. You can even tell the spectator to choose the deck for the next trick. That way, if it's a gaffed deck, you do that trick; if not, you do a different routine and then switch to the gaffed one later. That's something that has personally worked for me. However, if you're referring to secretly switching it out, I honestly don't know any methods for that. This is what I use when I do magic; I hope it helps you.

If we're talking about decks with different back designs, you absolutely have to justify the switch. Spectators will notice (unless they're completely spaced out). One thing I did once was finish the first routine with an effect that left the deck completely mixed, face up and face down. My justification for switching decks was "to save time re-sorting the cards" (and besides, the second deck was secretly set up, haha).

Another idea I have is something Juan Tamariz, I believe, calls a "sorbete" (like a palate cleanser) – essentially, a non-card trick that acts as an interlude. For example, you finish with your first deck, put it away, pull out a piece of rope and do something with it (or Linking Rings, a finger ring, a slip of paper, etc. etc.). Then, you transition back to cards and use the deck you wanted to switch in. If the backs are different, because there's been that little 'interruption' in between, it's likely they won't notice or won't pay attention to it. And if someone does notice and asks, you can just say whatever (like you forgot where you put the other deck, haha).

Cheers,

Another tip I can give you involves a sort of misdirection – not strictly misdirection, but something along those lines. When you want to swap out a deck, draw their attention to something else. For example, if you're in a restaurant, start asking when the food is coming, diverting their attention from the deck, and pretend to put it away. (Here, it's important not to make it look like you're hiding anything; do it casually and calmly, as if you're just finishing your act.) Then pick up the other deck as if you'd been using it all along and start a routine with it.

Example: I finish my routine, start gathering everything, and at the same time, ask the spectator a question to divert their attention: "Has anyone else ever done magic for you besides me? Which trick did you like the most? Shifting gears, how's work been lately?"

At the same time, put the deck away and set it aside. Let a moment pass, and keep the conversation going with more questions. Then, naturally pick up the deck you want and say, "Alright, let's do another trick!"

Whether it feels odd or if they ask questions will depend on you and how well you've managed the situation.

I switch them out seamlessly this way: I have the decks prepped and stacked in some specific order, and I use the first one until it's time to make a switch. Then I bring out a packet trick, which often comes in a small envelope (I put away the deck). I finish that 'palate cleanser' and bring out 'the deck' (which is already a different one), but no one ever has to know. I do the same with the others, interspersing a coin routine, a small box effect... These effects help me make the switch without any explanations. No one notices the change, especially if they're the same brand (Bicycle) and color.