Absolute must-have decks!

[The Quadfather]

Hi guys. Wasn't sure exactly where to put this question, so tried to figure out where NOT to put it and came here!

I was just wandering what everyone thinks are the absolute must own decks for a card collection. Whether they're old or new, or expensive or cheap, or whatever.

To give you a bit of an idea, I'll list some of the (what i think are) rarer parts of my collection. I'm not going to include decks like Black Arcanes, Purple Artifices, or Guardians, as they're fairly standard and still in print.

Smoke and Mirrors v4 1st Edition
Smoke and Mirrors v4 2nd Editon
Smoke and Mirrors v5
Players
Black Ghost 1st Edition
LTD
Gold Arcane
Red Artifice
White Lions (series a and b)
Sultan Treasury
Brown Wynn Casino deck
Legends
Blue Artifice v1
Split Spades Lions

And probably more but I can't think of them right now! So, yeah! It's be great to hear all of your thoughts!

Rich

[dee1orean]

There are no absolutely Must have decks. There only decks that you like. If you only want to have decks in your collection that other people think are worth owning then maybe you should look at why you are collecting?

[The Quadfather]

Ok. Maybe I should have said "rare decks that should have a place in any collection". Not saying I'm going to buy them just because you say so. Just trying to get a list that I can start looking for and decide on buying when I see them. I've only just started on these boards, so I feel a little bit behind with popular brands and makers.

[Don Boyer]

Hi guys. Wasn't sure exactly where to put this question, so tried to figure out where NOT to put it and came here!

I was just wandering what everyone thinks are the absolute must own decks for a card collection. Whether they're old or new, or expensive or cheap, or whatever.

To give you a bit of an idea, I'll list some of the (what i think are) rarer parts of my collection. I'm not going to include decks like Black Arcanes, Purple Artifices, or Guardians, as they're fairly standard and still in print.

Smoke and Mirrors v4 1st Edition
Smoke and Mirrors v4 2nd Editon
Smoke and Mirrors v5
Players
Black Ghost 1st Edition
LTD
Gold Arcane
Red Artifice
White Lions (series a and b)
Sultan Treasury
Brown Wynn Casino deck
Legends
Blue Artifice v1
Split Spades Lions

And probably more but I can't think of them right now! So, yeah! It's be great to hear all of your thoughts!

Rich

The only must-have would be simple - a pack of Tally Ho.  Even a pack of Bicycle would do in a pinch.  The rest are luxuries.

Sorry if we seem a little too Zen... 

[The Quadfather]

The only must-have would be simple - a pack of Tally Ho.  Even a pack of Bicycle would do in a pinch.  The rest are luxuries.

Sorry if we seem a little too Zen... 

No problem    I do actually have those already, even the titanium editions! Prefer to use the standards in magic etc, rather than risk ruining one of the decks from my precious collection!

[Don Boyer]

The only must-have would be simple - a pack of Tally Ho.  Even a pack of Bicycle would do in a pinch.  The rest are luxuries.

Sorry if we seem a little too Zen... 

No problem    I do actually have those already, even the titanium editions! Prefer to use the standards in magic etc, rather than risk ruining one of the decks from my precious collection!

When I first got into magic and collecting - pretty much simultaneously - I thought I'd get all these really wicked-cool decks and perform with them all the time.  It didn't take long for me to realize that performing in public, with strangers of questionable hygiene handling my decks, they don't last terribly long.  At the least, they don't stay CLEAN for long.

The decks I perform with these days tend to be either commonly available and still in print, or decks that I have a lot of gaff cards for, or a bit of both.  More often than not, I'm carrying exactly two.  One is a Bicycle Split Spades "Discover Magic" deck (a.k.a. a Split Spades Lions stripper deck) and the other varies - it might be a Crown deck, it might be a Tally Ho, it might be a pack of Guardians or even a humble pack of Bicycle Rider Backs.  I have so many blue Masters decks from E's giveaways that I should really start using them, especially since I prefer blue over red.

I keep telling myself that one of these days, enough will be enough and I'll just stop buying decks altogether.  I'm trying to work in that direction, and I've been cutting down on the number of decks I buy.  After all, there's only so much space... 

[MrMollusk]

I look for uniqueness. I don't care how rare or common a deck is. If it's fresh, I'll probably end up getting it. The only rare decks I really covet are the early S&M series, because I love Si Scott's designs. For example, the Mechanic deck/Fantastique deck. You can get both on Ebay for under $20. But I love both, because of the animation you get when you flip through them. In terms of handling, standard bikes work as well as most cards, but my go-to deck are the Crown decks. They just feel better to me.
As everyone else said, there's no one "must have" deck. If you must have it, it's a must have deck.

[The Quadfather]

I keep telling myself that one of these days, enough will be enough and I'll just stop buying decks altogether.  I'm trying to work in that direction, and I've been cutting down on the number of decks I buy.  After all, there's only so much space... 

Not a cheap hobby really, is it?! Especially when you've missed release dates or giveaways like I have, and have to buy everything at inflated prices on ebay or some other place! I've just recently bought a couple of aluminium flight cases that will (hopefully) give me somewhere to store all my decks properly.

I look for uniqueness. I don't care how rare or common a deck is. If it's fresh, I'll probably end up getting it. The only rare decks I really covet are the early S&M series, because I love Si Scott's designs. For example, the Mechanic deck/Fantastique deck. You can get both on Ebay for under $20. But I love both, because of the animation you get when you flip through them. In terms of handling, standard bikes work as well as most cards, but my go-to deck are the Crown decks. They just feel better to me.
As everyone else said, there's no one "must have" deck. If you must have it, it's a must have deck.

By any chance, can you recommend any places that regularly have v1 2 and 3 s&m decks? I keep checking ebay but its quite rare that I find anything.

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

Ok. Maybe I should have said "rare decks that should have a place in any collection". Not saying I'm going to buy them just because you say so. Just trying to get a list that I can start looking for and decide on buying when I see them. I've only just started on these boards, so I feel a little bit behind with popular brands and makers.

I am still lost to the initial question, the above statement says you're looking for "rare" decks and then you mention "popular brands." I don't consider the decks in your list all that rare. The majority stem from Theory11, Dan and Dave, Ellusionsit and David Blaine. Of those, you probably can't get any more trendy that that.

I like Karnival Cards. the decks from CARC are a bit more "under the radar" and not as "trendy" - I know Blue Crown has been mentioned here before, the decks Russell Kercheval has released on Kickstarter, I think are pretty cool and a little more "unknown." Plus there are TONS of Bicycle Decks that get released (you can find them on Amazon) that the general public never really ever sees.

There are no absolutely Must have decks. There only decks that you like. If you only want to have decks in your collection that other people think are worth owning then maybe you should look at why you are collecting?

I agree with Dee1orean. I guess it really depends what YOU want, that's what collecting is about. There is no such thing as "best" or "worst." Good luck!

[The Quadfather]

Im just trying to get an idea of rare decks and brands I've never heard of before. I struggle putting thoughts into words and sometimes takes me a few tries to get it right!!

[Gunshy1]

holy shit turbo. i know you're new to the forum and all but calm down man. ive been reading some of your other posts of the past few days and you get very touchy quickly. "most" of the people on this forum log on DAILY and have for quite some time now so most of us can talk between threads about stuff without missing a thing.

stop taking things so literal and most of the confusion will go away completely. opinions are opinions and people are more than welcome to post them; they don't have to say, "disclaimer, this is my opinion".

[CBJ]

Ok. Maybe I should have said "rare decks that should have a place in any collection". Not saying I'm going to buy them just because you say so. Just trying to get a list that I can start looking for and decide on buying when I see them. I've only just started on these boards, so I feel a little bit behind with popular brands and makers.

I'm a huge Bicycle collector.  Here are some of the rare Bicycle decks

Bicycle Cage Garden set
Bicycle Grand Opening Deck
Bicycle 125th set (Alternate Box)
Bicycle Split Spades Prototype set (4 decks)
Bicycle Original Fake (5 deck set)
Bicycle Made In America (the Ratzenberger deck)
Bicycle New Era (Gold Edition)
Bicycle Sylvain Juzan
Bicycle Tall Stacks ( 2 decks )


I'm not saying these are "must haves" in a collection.. but I do think they are "must haves" if you are a hardcore Bicycle collector.

CBJ

[The Quadfather]

I'm a huge Bicycle collector.  Here are some of the rare Bicycle decks

Bicycle Cage Garden set
Bicycle Grand Opening Deck
Bicycle 125th set (Alternate Box)
Bicycle Split Spades Prototype set (4 decks)
Bicycle Original Fake (5 deck set)
Bicycle Made In America (the Ratzenberger deck)
Bicycle New Era (Gold Edition)
Bicycle Sylvain Juzan
Bicycle Tall Stacks ( 2 decks )


I'm not saying these are "must haves" in a collection.. but I do think they are "must haves" if you are a hardcore Bicycle collector.

CBJ

Well thanks! That's definitely given me something to look for! I'm collecting almost any deck of cards I can get my hands on, especially the Karnival ones! They look freakin awesome! My infernos arrived this morning! I also like the different bicycle decks, but can't be bothered with all the different coloured rider backs. I would rather spend my money on cards that have more different to standard ones than just the colour!

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

Im just trying to get an idea of rare decks and brands I've never heard of before. I struggle putting thoughts into words and sometimes takes me a few tries to get it right!!

ha ha, it happens to ALL of us! 

I bet these guys can help point you in the right direction then! Good Luck!

[S.C.]

I'm just trying to get an idea of rare decks and brands I've never heard of before. I struggle putting thoughts into words and sometimes takes me a few tries to get it right!!

I think it's safe to assume Jerry's nuggets are the more expensive of the decks, although the white centurions are seemingly catching up (from what I've seen on eBay anyway). any of the first S & M decks. As everyone else was saying are you collecting them because there rare or are you collecting them because they great cards?

[xela]

Ahh... cage gardens... the one ultra-rare modern deck that eludes me to this day. I refuse to pay $500 for a set.

[CBJ]

Ahh... cage gardens... the one ultra-rare modern deck that eludes me to this day. I refuse to pay $500 for a set.

I refuse as well.  When I first came across this set years ago, it was around $45 per set.  And I thought to myself .."Who would spend $45 for 2 decks of cards".. I look back now wishing I would have bought at least one set

Jay

[RSLancastr]

I was just wandering what everyone thinks are the absolute must own decks for a card collection. Whether they're old or new, or expensive or cheap, or whatever.

Sorry if someone has already said this, but perhaps if you gave us an idea for what you look for in a deck, maybe we could suggest some decks we like which match up with what you look for in a deck.

You listed what you think are the "rarer parts" of your collection, but I can't tell if they are your favorites or just what you think would sell.

[Don Boyer]

I have a simple philosophy to follow in terms of collecting decks, rather than buying them for performing.

Buy what you like, and what you can afford.

Most expensive deck I ever bought cost me around fifty bucks.  I don't usually go higher than twenty or thirty, and I try getting them when they're new and still selling at MSRP.

I'd love getting a White Centurion, a Jerry's Nugget or a Bicycle Cage Garden set, but it's unlikely I'll ever afford them, so I don't lose any sleep over it.  Once in a rare while I'll get something special in a trade, like when I swapped a Black Artifice for a vintage, intact WWII plane spotter deck.

But for me, there's just no such thing (anymore!) as freaking out over missing a deck or how badly I want some rare and expensive pack.  I'm happy with my collection and I enjoy playing with every single deck I get, regardless or rarity.  I accidentally traded away my last sealed Red Artifice a few weeks ago.  When I realized it was my last, I actually didn't care that much about it - I bought a brick when they were first sold and used most of them as trading fodder, and I realized that I don't need to be a completionist nor was the Red Artifice my favorite deck (I prefer the second edition with the white borders).

I guess I'm becoming more calm and even-keeled about a lot of things in my life lately...    It's all good - I now have the blood pressure and pulse of an athlete.  Now about the rest of the body...  Well, not so much!  But that's OK, too.

[MrMollusk]

I look for uniqueness. I don't care how rare or common a deck is. If it's fresh, I'll probably end up getting it. The only rare decks I really covet are the early S&M series, because I love Si Scott's designs. For example, the Mechanic deck/Fantastique deck. You can get both on Ebay for under $20. But I love both, because of the animation you get when you flip through them. In terms of handling, standard bikes work as well as most cards, but my go-to deck are the Crown decks. They just feel better to me.
As everyone else said, there's no one "must have" deck. If you must have it, it's a must have deck.

By any chance, can you recommend any places that regularly have v1 2 and 3 s&m decks? I keep checking ebay but its quite rare that I find anything.

Hmm.... can't say I can.
I know that Dealing Deuces had some V3s at one point. Other than that, I just keep trolling around ebay and hoping I get lucky.

[PrincessTrouble]

I'm new to the forum but have been collecting cards for a few years.  Most of my collection is shown on this Pinterest board:

http://pinterest.com/princesstrouble/playing-cards/

Hope it helps (or at least inspires you). 

[Don Boyer]

I'm new to the forum but have been collecting cards for a few years.  Most of my collection is shown on this Pinterest board:

http://pinterest.com/princesstrouble/playing-cards/

Hope it helps (or at least inspires you). 

Welcome to the forum, Andrea!  Nice collection of photos - you should write a new topic in the Introduce Yourself board.  Let people know a little more about you.

[The Quadfather]

A few photos of my collection. Not too big at the moment, and I am getting some white lions series B to add to it soon, but I think it might grow outside of these two cases before much longer! I'm trying to get 2 decks of everything so I can look at one and keep the other factory sealed.

First photo
Back left to right: 2x white lions series A blue, 2x Split Spades Lions Red, 1x Split Spades Lions Blue, 2x Legends Red, 2x Legends Green, 2x Legends Blue, 2x Bicycle 125th Anniversary Edition Red, 2x Bicycle 125th Anniversary Edition Blue, 2x Bicycle Solitaire Blue, 2x Bicycle Solitaire Red

Middle left to right: 2x Bicycle ECO Edition, 2x Bicycle Elephant Deck, 2x Bicycle Limited Edition Series 2 Blue, 2x Karnival Midnight with Limited Edition Foil case, 2x Karnival Inferno

Front left to right: 2x Smoke and Mirrors v4 1st Edition (with seal), 2x Smoke and Mirrors v5, 1x Red Artifice, 1x Gold Arcane, 1x Sultan Republic Treasury

Second Photo
Back left to right: 2x Purple Artifice v2, 2x Blue Artifice v2, 2x Emerald Artifice v2, 2x Sultan Republic, 2x Fathom, 2x Tally Ho Viper Fan Back, 2x Tally Ho Viper Circle Back, 2x White Ghost v2, 2x Black Ghost v2, 2x Infinity

Middle left to right: 2x White Arcane, 2x Black Arcane, 2x Masters Blue, 2x Blue Artifice v1, 2x Guardians, 1x Rebels, 1x Deck One Industrial, 1x Steampunk Silver, 1x Steampunk Copper, 1x Monarch Silver

Front left to right: 2x LTD, 2x Brown Wynn, 2x Players, 2x Black Ghost v1

3rd Photo: Gold Arcane in Lucite Case

4th Photo: Red Artifice in Lucite Case

5th Photo: Red Artifice Uncut Sheet

[Emmanuel]

I'm new to the forum but have been collecting cards for a few years.  Most of my collection is shown on this Pinterest board:

http://pinterest.com/princesstrouble/playing-cards/

Hope it helps (or at least inspires you). 

Nice collection! I was already one of your followers on Pinterest, and it's great to see you here. Welcome!

[RandyButterfield]

@The Quadfather - No HOPC Decks yet in the collection??!!!

thanks, Randy