Bicycle Standard Red Poker Cards by The United States Playing Card Company

Created by: The United States Playing Card Company

Bicycle Standard Red Poker Cards are the classic, essential deck for card magic. This is a standard 52-card poker deck with a traditional red back design, widely recognized and trusted by magicians worldwide. As a close-up magic prop, these cards are versatile for everything from self-working tricks to advanced sleight of hand routines. Buyers should know that this is not a gimmicked deck—it's a standard, high-quality playing card deck designed for durability and smooth handling, making it perfect for beginners learning foundational techniques or professionals needing reliable performance cards. The deck works seamlessly with countless card magic effects, from simple forces and controls to complex routines like the Chicago Opener or vanishes.

Where to buy

Bicycle Cards - Standard Red Back from Monster Magic
Monster MagicBicycle Cards - Standard Red Back£2.99
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Key features

  • Standard 52-card poker deck with traditional red back design

  • High-quality card stock for durability and smooth handling

  • Widely recognized and trusted by magicians and spectators alike

  • Versatile for all types of card magic, from self-working to advanced sleight of hand

  • Essential foundation for building card-based magic acts

Pros

  • Classic, familiar design that audiences trust

  • Durable construction withstands frequent use

  • Smooth handling ideal for card sleights

  • Affordable and widely available

  • Versatile foundation for countless card routines

Cons

  • Not a gimmicked deck (requires magician's skill to create effects)

  • Standard design may not stand out in performance

  • Limited to card-based magic only

Effect

The Bicycle Standard Red Poker Cards are a standard deck of playing cards. They are not a trick by themselves. They are a tool used to perform card magic. To an audience, these cards look like a normal, red-backed deck of playing cards. They are familiar and trusted. A magician uses this deck to perform various card tricks, such as making a selected card appear in an impossible location, changing one card into another, or making the entire deck vanish.

Full details

This product is a single deck of Bicycle Standard Red Poker Cards. The cards have the traditional Air-Cushion Finish for smooth handling and durability. They feature the standard Bicycle rider back design in red. These cards are a fundamental prop for card magic. They are used in countless routines and are compatible with a wide range of card sleights and gimmicks. The deck is a reliable, professional-grade tool for any card magician.

Who should consider the trick

Every magician should have these cards. They are essential for anyone who performs card magic. Beginners should start with this deck to learn basic sleights and routines. Professional performers use this deck for its consistent quality and audience familiarity. Magicians building a close-up act, a strolling set, or a parlour show will include this deck as a core prop. As reviewer Pete notes, it forms the "backbone" of card work in a budget act.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

Using the Bicycle Standard Red Poker Cards requires skill in card magic. The difficulty depends entirely on the specific trick or routine the magician chooses to perform. The cards themselves do not make tricks easy or hard. They are a standard tool. A magician must learn and practice the required sleight of hand or method for each effect. For example, performing Matthew Dowden's Chicago Opener with this deck requires practice. Performing a simple force or a self-working trick with this deck is easier. The cards handle well, which supports both learning and professional performance.

What magicians say

Reviewers consistently include the Bicycle Standard Red Poker Cards as a fundamental item in any magic act. In a video about building a budget close-up act, Pete lists it as one of three "core items," using it for routines like the Chicago Opener. In a video about table magic, the deck is included as a "staple" for use with other effects. For a parlour act, the cards are noted as an essential, "reliable, classic" prop. In a strolling magic challenge, both performers, Peter and Harry, used the deck. Peter's act used it as the "backbone of his card work." These reviews show that magicians view this deck as a necessary, versatile, and trusted tool for performance.

What people are saying about Bicycle Standard Red Poker Cards

AlakazamMagicUK says...

Bicycle Standard Red Poker Cards – A staple deck included, possibly as part of a bundle or for use with the other effects. The selection leans toward visual, commercial magic with minimal technical demand.

AlakazamMagicUK (Pete) says...

The core items are Bicycle Standard Red Poker Cards, a Thumb Tip Classic, and an Alakazam Unlimited subscription. He suggests starting with Matthew Dowden's version of the Chicago Opener, a visually striking card routine using a red deck.

AlakazamMagicUK (Peter) says...

Bicycle Standard Red Poker Cards – The backbone of his card work. His act leans toward traditional close-up magic with a mix of visual and interactive pieces, ensuring broad audience engagement.

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