The DVD category has been hard to call.  There are three disks that stand out – all involving more or less self-working magic.  If cards are your thing, then it is hard to judge between two BBM releases – Awesome Self-Working Card Tricks (which we reviewed back in August) and Out of Sleight (from May).  Both full of cracking card material which is very easy to do.  Another close contender was Automata 2 – which is the same kind of quality but with non-card items.  If you don’t have these you really should.

We started off focused entirely on playing cards so it feels appropriate to mention the best deck releases.  When we started the sight we couldn’t possibly imagine how many decks would be produced with the advent of crowdfunding and the like.  However, our top release this year would probably have to be the Luxx Palme (and not just because of my love of Paisley)  with the Number 17 Deck coming in a close second.

For the best tricks of 2015 it is harder to decide – there are really so many to choose from.  But three that stand out, in no particular order, are: Steve Brundage’s amazing Cube 3 – for sheer cleverness and the joy of learning a new skill; Cody Fisher’s Killer Prediction – for an outstanding take on an old effect which makes it a very powerful platform item; and I also rather enjoyed Liam Montier’s Voodoo – for a nice update to another trick with a history.

We’ve only reviewed a couple of books this year, so it doesn’t seem fair to highlight one as a best of 2015, however, as I mentioned last month, this Christmas I have been reading Tom Stone’s Vortex – which is an outstanding book from a professional magician.  The insights into the way he creates his magic, the performance ideas and the routines make this a compelling read for anyone who loves the art of magic.

And finally, our ‘unsung utility’ item of the year goes to the Jaks Wallet – which continues to be a wonderful utility wallet consistently overlooked by people who have only heard of the Card to Wallets made by the same manufacturer.

What would you add to your list of the best tricks of 2015?  What have we missed?  What would you change?  We love to hear from you – either in comments below or on social media.

We’re excited about all the new magic we’re going to be sharing with you in 2016 – the review pile is already a foot high with some very exciting releases in the pipeline.  Follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook to keep up to date with all our latest posts.

The post Trick of the Month – January 2016 – best tricks of 2015 and more appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

Rick Davidson’s design is inspired by a paisley pattern (my wife’s theory is that is why I like it since it reminds me of my old dressing gown) – with no borders – which leads to some spectacular designs when it is spread or fanned.  So I apologise for the number of photos which feature some variation on this theme.
(BTW a brief apology for some of the pictures not being as sharp as they could be – I was working in lighting which was far too low, but time was against me I’m afraid).

The deck has been printed by Legends Playing Card Co on their ‘Elite Finish’ stock which handles very nicely – as well as, if not better than Bicycle stock.

The tuck case looks beautiful and features tasteful embossing.  I particularly like the understated printing on the inside which gives a real air of quality to the whole thing.

All the pips feature a ‘split’ design – hearts, spades and diamonds with a single split, clubs with a kind of double split.  This looks particularly nice on the aces, but it can feel a little ‘busy’ on higher value spot cards – e.g. a ten.

The court cards work well and are strong and bold.  The deck only comes with a single Joker which features a stylised  young lady and continues to pick up the paisley influence.  The second ‘joker’ is actually an advertising card.

I seem to remember that the series of decks was aimed first at Poker players – who will be less bothered by the single joker.  For the magician, having two jokers is often useful.  On the other hand, for anyone into flourishing I cannot think of a more beautiful deck.  Did I mention how nice the spreads are – especially in curves.  Have a look at the mesmerising patterns in some of the following.

So I think the Luxx Palme is another great deck. The cards feel less ‘glossy’ than the earlier decks and if anything handle slightly better. I have a bias for even bolder aces than these, and I’m not completely taken by the split pips design, but I love the play of the back design so much I can forgive these minor details.

Available direct from JP Playing Cards who produced them. They will be releasing some limited edition variations in the new year. £8.99

And if you’d like to get your hands on some of these Palme decks – or some of the earlier Luxx decks which are no longer available to buy, then check out our Christmas Stocking Filler competition – which launches on Black Friday (27th November). We’re giving away over £300 worth of stock – so enter away…

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As it’s name suggests it is a limited edition of only 5,000 decks so should be fairly collectable. But just look at the gorgeous colours!  The court cards are nicely tinted too – and apparently the actual design is a bit of a mystery!  I think this looks fantastic, and only £8.99.

I’ve recently enjoyed watching Spectre (the new Bond movie) and this limited edition Espionage deck would fit in well to that world!  There’s a smart embossed tuck case and metal/ink printing on the cards.  It looks great and handles well, but isn’t guaranteed to give you a license to kill!  £18.99

And if you like this new foil treatment on your cards, check out what happens to a classic Rider Back when it gets the Luxe metallic look.

And for another ‘new technology’ on your playing cards, have a look at the Grid 2.0 Limited Edition UV ink deck.

This isn’t a new deck – but a really cool way of displaying/storing your prize deck.  Have a look at these Acrylic Playing Card Cases. These would look so smart on your shelf.  £7.99 (but with reductions as you buy more than one).

(They look especially nice with the new Luxx Palme decks in them!)

Final mention this month goes to the Elemental series.  Pictured here is the Elemental Wind Deck – a striking and refined looking deck with an almost fractal like back design.

The series also includes Elemental Fire Deck and Elemental Earth Deck, but I think the Wind is the nicest – and not just because I’m a Gemini (which is apparently a wind sign!).  They’re all very collectable and a reasonable £8.50 per deck.

That’s our selection of the latest Bicycle cards for this month.  Seen any we’ve missed?  Or got strong feelings about these?  Let us know!

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