To start with let’s take a look at the design, the tuck box is gorgeous with metallic gold, silver and red ink embossed upon a soft touch tuck box, with an elegant seal to finish things off which is of course also metallic ink, the detail is exquisite both on the front and the back, the more you look the more detail you’ll uncover, this deck is wonderfully intricate but then again, what else would you expect from Theory 11! Despite the fact that both the front and back designs are lovely, I have a criticism… They are very, very similar, this isn’t the end of the world by any means, just an observation that I thought I’d share, look at the pictures and come to your own conclusion! Moving onto the inside of the tuck box, it is once again patterned with metallic gold ink featuring the same circle design shown on the front continuing the luxurious aura throughout.

The back design of the Neil Patrick Harris Deck is identical to the design on the back of the tuck box, with more gold ink. I personally really like the design and all of its detailed intricacies, however, I have noticed a rather apparent flaw which may or may not surprise you, the cards have been printed by the United States Playing Card Company, the playing card enthusiasts amongst you probably know that cards by USPCC are prone to misalignment issues, annoyingly this luxury, collectable deck is no different, the borders are all over the place – this doesn’t affect the deck’s usage or novelty, it is just an annoying quality control issue that may bug some more than others, I myself accept the irritating misalignment and look past it because let’s be honest, the deck is excellent regardless.

Moving onto the face designs, the court cards are standard in appearance with a change in colour, they feature an updated red and gold colourway – this is great because it meets both the criteria for magicians, who want standard faces and collectors who want something novel. The ace of spades is wonderful, it is yet again intricately detailed in gold and black ink, take a look at the pictures – I think you’ll like it! The spot cards are all very basic, they feature a very, very slightly different pip design that card enthusiasts will notice, laypeople however will not, this once again is excellent for the magician who wants to perform with these cards yet retain the standard feel to avoid the audience’s suspicion of trick cards! I think the face designs of the cards meet the equilibrium between the collectors and performers needs, they sit in between the two making the practical advantage per individual more likely.

The Neil Patrick Harris Deck comes with a few extra cards, let’s explore them. First of all the NPH deck comes with two identical jokers, this is perfect for magicians who may wish to do routines using the two cards, a nice touch that the performers amongst you may appreciate. The next two extra cards lead me onto the amazing, unique feature of this deck. Here it comes, the moment you have all been waiting for, the deck is a puzzle! The two extra cards are the puzzle cards to get you started, one quotes the brief and the other is full of cryptic clues, I must admit I haven’t cracked the secret puzzle…yet, however, it is a fascinating challenge that creates the unique selling point of this deck, many people buy this pack just for the puzzle! Considering most magicians like to solve puzzles as well as shuffle cards, it is the perfect combination! 

Moving onto the feel of the deck. They feel great, it’s exactly what you would expect from Theory 11 and USPCC. The card stock itself is relatively standard, it sits between thick stock and crushed, this means you get the best of both worlds – smoothness and durability! The cards are very smooth to handle and shuffle with ease. 

Let’s explore the practicality of this deck. Honestly, for magicians, you are better off using a regular pack of Bicycle Cards, Bee’s, Tally Ho’s etc merely due to the fact you are going to be getting through decks like there is no tomorrow if you were to use the NPH deck for practice and performance you’ll suddenly have a very expensive habit on your hands, at the very least reserve them for special occasions! For card collectors, the deck is wonderful, the luxurious feel, the detailed design and of course the hidden puzzle. This deck should be in your collection, there is no doubt about that! Once again, I can’t speak for cardists but at the end of the day, you can use any cards for cardistry – it is simply a matter of your personal preference and style!

In conclusion, the Neil Patrick Harris Deck deck is wonderful, one of the most luxurious and novel decks in my collection, I highly recommend it due to the reasons listed above. I won’t perform with the deck, that’s not to say you can’t though, it will instead take a pride of place position in my display, it’s a gorgeous deck and deserves to be displayed accordingly! 

The deck is available worldwide here:

I sincerely hope this review has helped you and that it has provided the insight you were after. Let me know your thoughts about both the blog and the cards in the comments down below and feel free to ask any questions either on here or directly through my Instagram, @matthomermagic. 

Thank you for reading, until next time,

Matt Homer

The post Neil Patrick Harris Deck by Theory 11 – Review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

First up is a lovely effect by the marvellous Matthew Wright. He has a knack of coming up with workable magic – often with a mental magic theme. Visions combines a prediction of a card and a thought of image. His instructional material is always worth learning from – he has a wealth of real-world performing experience to back it up. Available any day (depending on when you read this!) for £29.50.

We’ve enjoyed a number of releases by the clever American magician Ryan Schlutz and so Lifto is certainly worth a look (we hope to do a proper review shortly). In brief – a chosen card lost is in the pack. Then a bunch of cards stick to your hand – and then fall off leaving only the chosen card there. Only £21.50

Another new release which seems to have had quite an impact is Angelo Carbone’s The Gift – an exceptionally clean looking prediction effect using a lovely gift box as a prop. It’s getting some wow reviews (and again, we hope to do our own soon) but if you can’t wait, is available for £71.99.

We’re planning to do another feature on the latest bunch of Bicycle cards released in the UK, but just to wet your appetite, why not have a look at Deck One – Industrial Edition by Theory 11. This is a re-release of an earlier deck, but in a new and stronger tuck case which emphasises the orginal vision. A nice deck and reasonably priced at £9.99.

We hope these ideas get you going through the murky month of March. Watch out, too, for our February competition, which with breathtaking originality we’ve decided to run in March!

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As a massive paisley fan (I make no apologies for THAT!) I cannot believe I let the Dapper Deck from Vanishing Inc pass me by. This is a really attractive deck with the paisley inspired back design picked out in the detail of the Aces too. I’m not sure I would perform with them since they may seem too unusual for a spectator – but a thing of beauty to collect! £7.50

If you like the concept but want something that would be more understated for performance, there is a NOC release which maintains the signature NOC plain back, but the paisley accent appears on the aces and on the inside of the tuck case. £7.99  And if it’s not too early to think about Christmas, what about this Deluxe Set for that special someone in your life? Both colour ways of the Dapper Deck, plus a beautiful matching handkerchief and tie, all in a gorgeous wooden box with built in practise mirror! £136.99 (only 400 sets produced)

Sticking with the elegance theme, the beautiful Bicycle Aurora Playing Cards are well worth a look. For those of you who aren’t classicists, Aurora means ‘dawn,’ and the golds of dawn and silvers of dusk mark out the court and spot cards respectively. Nicely realised with an embossed tuck case – another good one for the collection. £13.99

I’m not always a fan of solid colour faces on playing cards, but the striking fan designs you can achieve with the Bicycle Red Castle playing cards more than make up for my slight reservations about this approach. There’s a clear heraldic influence with strong court cards – but it’s that borderless back design that really grabs me here. £9.50

If you enjoy the world of the Ancient Egyptian Gods, and are looking for a classy and luxurious deck, you would do well to consider the Osiris and Anubis decks. They’re not cheap decks, but with the gold ink and foil and embossed tuck cases they look the part. Each £16.99

And for a similar ‘luxury’ feel, but at almost half the price, then you may wish to consider Theory 11’s recent release – the Tycoon Playing Cards. They are available in Ivory and in Black and are inspired by the elegance of the famous Waldorf Astoria hotel. Check out the skin tones on the court cards which are Fournier designs. £9.50

That’s surely enough to keep you going for now?! Look out for more close up and card magic news and reviews coming soon…

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Here’s a good looking deck from the folk at Theory 11. Designed in the US (and so a token hat tip to my extended visit here) the Citizen deck has a beautiful intricate design and comes in a fine embossed tuck case. We haven’t handled them in person but they look as if they would bring a bit of class to any performance and for the collectors you may be able to get hold of one of the wooden collectors boxes. £9.50. (If you are a collector or a serious magician, you may also like to take a look at the Royal Zen Playing Cards at £18.99)

I’ll be honest, I still usually vanish a ring in a handkerchief, but SansMinds seem to have produced a superb new way of vanishing a ring – in an innocent looking ring box. There is a clear logic to using a ring box – and it may be more reassuring for the spectator than your (snotty?!) handkerchief. This looks super. Now you just need to think about how you’re going to reproduce it! The Vanishing Ring box is currently reduced to £99.99. Well worth a look.

(By the way, if you don’t yet have a way of reproducing it, the Rolls Royce of the impossible location options is Dave Bonsall’s superb Ring Flight Revolution.  You may also consider the excellent Departure Ring Flight.)

That’s all for now. We have some really exciting news about the future of this site which we hope to announce in the next few days…

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The first one is a little unusual – in that it is a pack raising money for charity. Mail Chimp have partnered with Theory 11 to produce these attractive cards – with simian elements creeping in all over the place – to raise money for a charity helping child survivors of war in Atlanta. We think it’s a great cause and really like the smart back design (in red and black editions) and the fun monkey elements. Why not splash out? £9.99

Theory 11 are also behind the beautiful Medallion Signature Playing Cards. An already elegant design has been improved by some beautiful embossing on the tuck case.

In contrast to some of the rather more elaborate back designs, the Whispering Imps have a minimal approach featuring a ‘WI’ logo on anotherwise plain back. These seem to have been designed with game players in mind slightly more than magicians, and have an interesting approach to the indices.

The Chameleons Playing Cards on the other hand have clearly been produced with magicians in mind (also available in Red and in Blue). They come in Mnemonica order (I’m always surprised that more card manufacturers don’t do this) which means you can perform some great effects from a new and sealed deck (if you’re familiar with the Mnemonica stack, that is!).

The Expert Card Co who print these have used top quality stock which should mean they handle beautifully for faros and more advanced card manipulation. Currently waiting on more stock but well worth a look.

The first thing that struck be about the gorgeous Number 17 Playing cards was the effect of their elegant back design in a fan. And the more you look the more interesting they become. The classics geek in me loves that there is Latin text around the (extraordinary) court cards. They come in Bicycle branded and unbranded versions and I think they are absolutely fabulous! Check them out!

That’s all from us for now. Let us know which of the latest Bicycle Cards available is your favourite and why – perhaps there are some we’ve not yet seen. Let us know!

The post Latest Bicycle cards appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

Sticking with the visual magic theme, Mash Pack is a new item from Garrett Thomas. A solid Bicycle Card case visually morphs into a full deck of 52 cards. And there’s no flap! £26.99

Here’s another re-invention of the classic Bicycle Deck – the Centurion Deck from Theory 11. Another striking addition to the collection. And only £4.99

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