Hessler's Maiden Back Playing Cards by Matt Hessler

Effect

Hessler's Maiden Back Playing Cards feature a visually striking four-color design where each suit has a distinct color. The spades are dark blue, diamonds are gold or yellow, clubs are green, and hearts remain red. The back design includes a black-and-white maiden with colorful accents, such as green grass, blue sky, and red hearts. This makes the deck stand out during performances, especially in tricks where color plays a key role.

Full details

The second edition of Hessler's Maiden Back Playing Cards updates the original design with subtle changes to the tuck case, Ace of Spades, and court cards. The deck uses thick casino stock (2.90 caliper), making it more durable than standard Bicycle decks. The faces and pips are fully colored, adding vibrancy to the classic Bicycle-style courts. The deck includes two Jokers, an advertisement card, and an extra Queen of Spades.

Who should consider the trick

This deck is ideal for magicians who perform tricks involving color changes or suit distinctions, such as Twisting the Aces variants. Cardists may appreciate the thicker stock for riffle shuffles and fans. Collectors will find value in the updated artwork, especially since the first edition was highly sought after.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The thicker stock may require adjustment for sleight-heavy routines but works well for basic flourishes and shuffles. The vibrant colors make it easy to track suits during performances, though the multi-colored back design may limit its use in certain gimmicked routines.

What magicians say

Magic Orthodoxy's David highlights the deck's collector appeal, noting that the first edition once sold for $185 on eBay, while the second edition is more accessible at $14. He praises the updated artwork and durability, stating, "This is not just a relaunch of the original... everything kind of got a little tweak." The bold colors and unique back design make it a standout choice for both performance and display.