Customer Reviews

BicycleŽ Masters Edition RED Playing Cards Deck by Ellusionist

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For many, many reasons that are so subtle you really won't understand until you have Handled these, you absolutely must put this deck into your own hands. THIS is the "PROFESSIONAL" level highest-quality version of standard appearing cards.

Unlike all of the 'special' company decks from Bicycle that use strange colors or transparent plastic, these professional decks use the completely standard appearing Bicycle back design (not shown in the photos above).
They also use the fairly standard faces...except for the gorgeous enhanced Ace design that you see illustrated and on the box.

The result is a deck that 'appears' to be just like the most familiar deck anyone around you has ever seen from the nearest drug-store - until they TOUCH these cards. Watch their eyes pop open and "blink" as they will ask you "where did you find these?" and "how much did they cost?" (actual experience talking here)

This is the highest quality finish I have ever played with on a standard cardstock deck, with a perfect glide and ability to be moved and dealt smoothly but with a texture that is just right for your fingers to take the cards.

The edges are cut - GET THIS - with a perfectly symmetrical BEVEL that allows you to literally slice half the deck right into the other half with the smoothest ease you have ever experienced. They are noticeably 'slightly' thicker than standard cards and this thickness has been used to advantage by this edge treatment.

If you host a little Poker with your friends, likely you have already experienced the wear-down of standard cards and have moved to plastic ones for long lasting use. After rejecting the cheap ones with no textured finish due to the difficulty in shuffling and dealing them, you've likely settled on a higher priced textured deck.
If so, you and your friends have - I would wager - simply forgotten the satisfying, luxurious FEEL of real cardstock cards. Get a few of these Master's decks, and surprise your group with the amazing professional look and feel of these cards. They WILL be impressed. Although I freely admit that I place mine over on the side for use only by the 'finals' table...as kind of a reward...you will be amazed that these cards have such a high-quality finish that they last and last like new for months longer than any other cardstock card you have ever owned. I got my first set over a year ago, and am just now looking to buy new ones.

For those of you who like to do "Card Flourishes" like those fancy riffles and flips and fans and one-handed cuts, I can tell you that my little amateurish attempts gained new confidence with these in my hands. They handle better than any cardstock I have ever tried. I'd heard that some 'professionals' use KEM or special cellulose cards for their longevity - OK, fine, I'm not a professional, but I'll tell you I feel like I am better at doing anything I know when I use these cards.

I have a small collection of Tally-Ho decks (Tally-Ho Viper Fan-Back Deck ~ Black + Silver Playing Cards by Ellusionist.com),
Bee decks (Bee No. 92 Diamond Back Club Special Red/Blue Decks),
various Bicycle decks (Bicycle Limited Edition Series # 1 Collectible Playing Cards by Bicycle,
funky colored decks (Rare Bicycle Tie Dye Deck Playing Cards Tye Die Magic),
Black Tiger decks (Bicycle BLACK Tiger Playing Cards Deck by Ellusionist.com (RARE)),
Ghost decks (Raider Bicycle White Deck Playing Cards),
a Magic deck (Pro Brand Svengali Deck - Easy Magic Card Trick - Includes "How To" Instructions),
a few GHOST decks (Bicycle Black Ghost Second Edition Playing Cards Deck by Ellusionist ) - very cool for Halloween play...
and I love them all for various reasons. For some of them, the custom graphics and typically black-based backs and backgrounds and special face cards, Joker's and Aces lend a unique ambiance for doing even simple magic effects.
You will quickly learn, however, as did I, that anyone for whom you begin to perform a magic trick will immediately suspect a 'trick' going on with a custom deck. They are unfamiliar with the appearance of the cards, and will complement you on your 'cool deck' but squint their eyes and wonder if what you are 'doing' is really magic, or a result of some special thing going on with that deck.
*sigh*

THIS MASTER'S DECK IS THE SOLUTION.
You have now in your hands a deck that is simply amazing in it's unparalleled professional feel, obvious superiority to any standard deck, perfect in finish so that you appear to be truly amazing in your handling, yet TOTALLY FAMILIAR to your audience.

If I had anything else to say in praise of the simplicity and elegance of this deck design I would...but here goes the Bonus:
Take this deck with you to the next restaurant, bar, club, or party where there is some corner of the room using black-lights or deep-blue LED lighting. Sit your friends or family or target with you in that mysterious and slightly secretive location and casually mention "You know...I do have something neat I think you'll enjoy seeing..." and pull these cards out.
Yep - they look like normal cards alright in daylight - but they POP! under blacklight. Score one more for whoever pushed for the extra step of putting a UV-reactive formula into this card coating. Sheesh...as if I needed one more reason to love these cards. ALL my black-backed magic cards should have had this finish!
OK...enough...buy some - lol :)

From the moment you open the box, these cards scream top-notch quality at you. They are the smoothest and best designed cards I have ever touched. I used to admire the Ace of Spades from the Ghost deck, until I held a Masters Ace. I could stare at it for hours and it would still hold its elegance. Needless to say, these cards will leave a lasting impression on your spectators.

I used to use Tiger decks for all of my performances and I never thought I would find a better deck at such a great price than those. I was wrong. You can feel the difference between these and any other cards you have used. And at only $4 each, these cards are cheaper than most decks on the market, making the decision a no brainer.

Personally, I love the Tiger design, as the black cards look so elegant. However, they do make it very difficult to gain the trust of the spectator when the cards look so suspicious. The Masters deck looks just as beautiful, though through different means, handles even better, and looks perfectly innocent. Could it get any better than that?

Yes, it could. There are three bonuses included with the purchase of the Masters deck. One is the "2 07 5P4D3S" printed underneath the bar code of the box, making for a free gaff box that can be used in a box reveal. Another bonus is the inclusion of a Ghost Ace of Spades, as a promotion for their Ghost decks. The last bonus is the UV500 finish, which makes for a great treat when performing at those parties with black lights.

- Bubloo (bubloox)

This deck is the best deck of cards that I have ever handled, ever. These cards fanned beautifully right out of the box, that just doesn't happen! If you are into cards, be it for card effects or just a little poker, then you have got to get this deck. Durable, and a joy to handle. Did I mention the Ace of Spades, ... beautiful.

I own old cards, new cards, small cards, big cards, blue cards, black cards, ghost cards, red cards, torn cards, and even invisible cards. The quality and durability of the Masters Deck puts these other decks to shame. I open the box, fan, and the exclaimed "Wow..." from my girlfriend, who has threatened the destruction of my other decks, says it all. This is a top quality deck you can see and feel. What I enjoy most about the Masters Deck is that it performs like a Black Tiger or Viper Deck, but at a glance appears to be normal when it is anything but. The Ace of Spades, also featured on the box, is completely unique, beautiful, and in my opinion worth the cost of the deck alone. The Ace adds something special and will stand out in a spectator's mind. I highly recommend this product for professional magicians, hobbyists, or if you need some cards to play Go Fish. It performs amazingly, is extremely durable, and is only $3.99. Need I say more? Put another gold star on the board for Team Ellusionist. Thanks!

This deck of cards is simply amazing. They slide better than any deck i have ever seen and the ace of spades is stunning. I ordered off the companies web site and the super saver shipping only took 5 business days.

All the other reviewers seem to have gone ape over this deck. I'm slightly bewildered at that.
The deck is printed on thick paper and very slippery. However, it's just a standard red Bicycle deck with a standard red Bicycle back...and ONE unique card (the ace of spades). For me, it's very nice, but nothing to write home about.
The finish is "UV500 AIR-FLOW FINISH", whereas all the decks I buy in stores have "AIR-CUSHION FINISH." Don't ask me what the difference is, I can't tell. Both are incredibly slippery, especially when new.
My deck's printing is slightly lighter in color than the decks I've bought in stores. Bummer. Also, the illustrations on the face cards are smaller than average. Don't know if this is a new Bicycle standard, or just this deck.
Overall, really very nice. But, just nice. I'm not doing cartwheels.

My family plays card games almost every weekend and these work perfect. Nice looking deck and just floppy enough not to be annoying right out of the box. I am usually a fan of broken in cards more than new ones because they are so hard to hold onto, but I had no issues with these.

From the second you pick this deck up you know it is different. If you have touched a deck of playing cards before you can appreciate the fact that these cards are smoother and of a much better quality. If you are a collector , a hobbyist , or a card-player you get a top quality deck of cards, and you get the best of both worlds here if you are a magician. I love all of the Ellusionist decks , but as magicians should know when you pull out a deck that looks even slightly different it immediately draws suspicion. Not with these, they look like a standard red bicycle deck , and feel a million times better. The Masters last longer pure and simple. The first deck I opened I sat and riffled , fanned and ribbon spread for hours and imediately the creativity jumped off the page like it hadn't in a while. I just enjoyed the fact that they were just so extremely buttery smooth.

I have a regular Poker game twice a week at my house and usually halfway through the night we have to swap decks because with 7-8 guys who have been eating corn chips and salsa all night the cards usually ended up pretty well beaten , but with the Masters the durabilty is just there. You don't usually assosciate the word "durable" with playing cards but in this case you just have to.

The updated design of the Ace of Spades makes this possibly the "sexiest" Ace out there. Top-notch artwork went into the design here. Anyone who enjoys playing cards at all knows the Ace makes the deck , and anyone who plays poker at all loves to look down and see an ace , mostly the ace of spades, it just has strength to it and this one more than others. It has a brilliant look about it.

With the UV500 finish you can use these under a black light and they look insanely good.

For the price it's definetly a solid investment.

Anyone who likes playing cards for any reason will LOVE the Masters.

I give the Rating of 4 stars simply because of all the cards I have used, these in thier simplicity have the best feel, and as far as looks go, they are just regular red bicycles , where as I do at times enjoy the other Elussionist decks as well for different reasons.

If you are going to use a deck of red Bikes, then do yourself a favor and just try a Masters deck , you will not go back.

This is one deck you need to experience. From the moment you open the deck you think wow, you do a little riffle and immediately realize how nice these are.

The Ace of Spades is spectacular. It has a very 70's feel to it with the way it was designed.

This deck like all Ellusionist made have the UV500 Air Flow, and something a little extra.

That something extra is a little gift right on the box itself. On the bar code of the box there is a "reveal" that reads "2 07 5P4D3S" or 2 of spades ;-)... All you have to do if force the 2 of spades and BAM do a little patter and you have a free gimmicked card box!

If you are a magician or a poker enthusiast you should invest in a Masters Deck. I mainly use the Ellusionist ghost decks, but it's only because they don't offer as many gimmicked cards with the Masters. If they do start making them I will be first in line for the whole set up!

I was fortunate enough to receive this deck for free as part of one of the many Ellusionist contests/giveaways. To be absolutely honest and frank, I would have paid $30 for this deck. The feel and control of these cards is among the best I have ever felt in my life - hands down. Let's get started.

// THE LOOK

If you've been debating whether or a high-quality deck of cards from Ellusionist is for you, give the Masters Edition a shot. When you open the box and hold the cards for the first time, you won't put them down for hours. The cards retain the great look of a regular red-backed deck of Bicycles, so if you're worried about people thinking you are using a trick deck then fear no more. The Ace of Spades is fantastic. The spade graphic stands out and just screams "watch me". The box design is superb. As you can see from the picture, it's much more beautiful than your typical box of Bicycles.

// THE FEEL, CONTROL, AND LIFE

These cards rock. They feel like silk, fan like a smoking hot razor blade gliding through a soft stick of butter, and stay together for what seems like eternity. As you've read from many other reviews, these cards retain their quality for a very, very long time. From personal experience, this deck will last you about four times as long as a normal deck of Bicycles. The UV500 finish is just amazing, and it's definitely something you will NOT find on a normal deck of Bicycle playing cards.

// PERFORMING WITH THE MASTERS

As opposed to many of the "black decks" and other colored decks on Ellusionist, which might I add should be added to your shopping cart upon completion of reading this review, the Masters Edition playing cards do not raise suspicion whatsoever. The reason for this is that the deck is the color of your average red-backed deck of Bicycles, but with a much, much better quality. If you're into magic, performing with the Ace of Spades will heighten your performance to levels you've never dreamed of.

// FINAL THOUGHTS

You've read the reviews. You've seen the pictures. Perhaps you've even seen the preview movie on Ellusionist's website. Everything you've seen is true. Everything you've read is true. These cards are a beauty. They're superb. Best of all, they're only $3.99. Buy your deck(s) today!