Cardistry Training Decks by Jose Portals (KS)

[badpete69]

SO I think this belongs in this section

After a year of being handcrafted and polished, the Wine decks are now available. When brought to Magic Con 2014 it was an instant success, raising the attention of both card flourishers and magicians. Each Wine deck is translucent and dark red, yet turns darker and darker as more cards combine. The deck consists of 10 packets, each durable enough to be used not only as a packet but also as a individual card. The deck weighs less then a standard deck of playing cards and can easily move across your fingers. Each box is hand signed by Jose Portals, and comes with a number indicating it's stock (For example: if it has the number 45, it was the 45th deck made). Neon Decks have 6 packets, yet look stunning. When brought up to any light they glow outwards. You will be amazed on how these decks look.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1941740446/portals-trainer-decks

[badpete69]

Just posted a new KS in the Magical cardistry Bonanza section. Thought i would put a link here for those who might not go to that section often (like myself)

http://www.playingcardforum.com/magical-cardistry-bonanza/portal-trainer-decks-(ks)/msg96957/#msg96957

[Don Boyer]

This is better suited for Magic/Cardistry - it's not really a deck and certainly not the Anglo-American standard...

[badpete69]

I know but I thought a link in the plethora for those who like me do not come to this section, but may be interested in this would be a great way to advertise our other sections.  But whatever you think is best I guess

[Don Boyer]

I know but I thought a link in the plethora for those who like me do not come to this section, but may be interested in this would be a great way to advertise our other sections.  But whatever you think is best I guess

If you cross advertise on the boards, it can get to be a confusing mess.  Better to keep things in the correct categories.  The people most interested in this product would be cardists, not simply collectors, and would likely be looking over the Bonanza to start with.

[shadowkat]

What are folks thinking of these?  I am very new to flourishing and wonder if they are worth it compared to just learning with cards. 

[Don Boyer]

What are folks thinking of these?  I am very new to flourishing and wonder if they are worth it compared to just learning with cards.

I will say that a pack of Bicycles is probably a cheaper alternative, if nothing else...

But having said that, I have heard of some cardists liking this type of thing.  It gives them practice in working with packets without spilling individual cards everywhere, though some would argue that it can make you less able to deal with real packet made up of individual cards.  But there's no denying that they have a "Wow" factor to them when you see them in action.

I don't know if you would call it a training deck so much as a new kind of performing deck - but I'm not a cardist, so my opinion and four quarters will still add up to a dollar.

[John B.]

I know a little about cardistry and some of the moves I try learning with out being taught I could see this helping me.

[shadowkat]

If they were the brick price for one, I would be more inclined to purchase one.  I do like the 2.50 Bicycle price compared to 20!  Thank you for your replies. 

[Don Boyer]

I know a little about cardistry and some of the moves I try learning with out being taught I could see this helping me.

But what if instead, you took a pack of Bikes and glued or taped it into little packets the size of these things?  Not as pretty, but more realistic in terms of the weight and feel of the cards.  But like I said, I'm no cardist.

[John B.]

I know a little about cardistry and some of the moves I try learning with out being taught I could see this helping me.

But what if instead, you took a pack of Bikes and glued or taped it into little packets the size of these things?  Not as pretty, but more realistic in terms of the weight and feel of the cards.  But like I said, I'm no cardist.

and I am lazy. I dont care about cardistry to glue them or buy these. Just saying they look like they could help.

[Don Boyer]

I know a little about cardistry and some of the moves I try learning with out being taught I could see this helping me.

But what if instead, you took a pack of Bikes and glued or taped it into little packets the size of these things?  Not as pretty, but more realistic in terms of the weight and feel of the cards.  But like I said, I'm no cardist.

and I am lazy. I dont care about cardistry to glue them or buy these. Just saying they look like they could help.

Understood.  My point was that there are less-expensive and more-realistic alternatives that don't look as flashy but are probably better suited to the task of practicing.  This product is really less for training and more for looking cool - hence the video of people making moves that look cool while using the product.

[formula]

I really love the idea and they certainly look cool. My initial thought was the same as yours Don, that the cheaper alternative is to glue stacks of cards together but what I like about these are that you can take them to a swimming pool, beach, hot tub or even in a bath, which isn't possible with the alternative. I also like the fact that I can get one of these out to practice with knowing that no one would ask to see a trick, which is an issue sometimes.

I'm not entirely sure why the wine version is the only one with 10 pieces and without playing with them it's difficult to establish whether 6 or 10 pieces is the correct choice. What he says in the ricks and challenges section of the kickstarter doesn't fill me with confidence either.

I would love a wine and wicked version but for the price I may as well get a local workshop to cut my own pieces of acrylic.

[Don Boyer]

Well, I wouldn't be so certain about all those moist conditions being good places to use these "cards".  Enough humidity and the tiles will be too damp, adhering to each other more if they are not clean, or conversely, becoming too slippery to the touch.  Additionally, accidental exposure to sand can scratch the surfaces badly enough to make them unattractive or even non-functioning for the purpose.

Lightweight aluminum might be better, possibly titanium, but titanium's pretty expensive.  They're not as soft as plastic.  In fact, it would be good to rough the surface and glue a playing card down to each face and back, providing a more playing card-like feel to the slabs.  You could also put striations on the edges to replicate the feel of a stack of cards.

No matter how you slice it, though, twenty bucks or more for a stack of acrylic slabs cut to the dimensions of a pack of cards is a lot of cash, especially when a pack of cards can be had for so little by comparison.  They have the "oh, gee whiz" factor going for them, but that wears off quickly enough.  Worse, some might argue, if the weight doesn't match an equivalent stack of cards, practicing with them may throw your technique off rather than improving it.

[formula]

I didn't necessarily mean using them while wet (though the demonstration video shows that) but that it's fine for them to get wet whereas if actual cards get wet they're usually ruined. I feel like replicating the edges of cards on these would make fingers sore quickly but they definitely need some kind of texture that clings to skin.

I don't think these are a substitute for a deck of cards but I do think they are great for certain situations and though the weight could throw you off I think the idea is that they're considerably harder to manipulate than cards, thus stretching your abilities further.

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

wow, don't know how I missed this, didn't come up on my normal feed. I agree somewhat from the above comments, but card blocks have been around for years - and magicians and cardists alike have used them to train. So I for one think this is a good idea.

Finally I can practice at the beach! (ha ha)

Plus, from a collector POV, they sure are "interesting cards." And a nice break from the same ol - same ol.

[aldazar]

Anyone have links to videos of good ways to practice with these? I have a coupla sets, but am struggling to get started... I'm a total n00b, in case it wasn't obvious...=P