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Knock Deck by Magic Dream Paris

Created by: Magic Dream Paris

Portraits by Olivier Zaragosa is a unique deck of cards designed for mentalists and magicians, featuring celebrity portraits instead of traditional playing cards. This discreet design allows performers to execute classic effects like Triumph, Out of This World, and the Four Kings Tapestry without the deck appearing as a magical prop. The deck includes a mix of real-life celebrities, fictional characters, and historical figures, ensuring broad recognition. It's subtly marked (similar to a Knock deck) for easy identification of cards. The package includes a 1.5-hour tutorial teaching 10 different routines, ranging from predictions to eliminations, making it a versatile tool for performers looking to distance themselves from standard decks.

Key features

  • Discreet Design: Doesn’t resemble traditional playing cards, making it difficult for spectators to reverse-engineer the method.

  • Marking System: Subtly marked backs allow performers to identify cards without obvious tells.

  • Multiple Effects: Includes a 1.5-hour tutorial teaching 10 different routines.

  • Self-Contained: Some effects require minimal additional props, with certain predictions built into the box itself.

Pros

  • Great for mentalists who avoid traditional card decks.

  • Strong visual appeal with recognizable celebrity faces.

  • Versatile—capable of multiple effects in one deck.

Cons

  • Limited practicality for performing all 10 tricks in a single set.

  • Non-downloadable tutorial (hosted on Vimeo only).

Effect

The Knock Deck, also known as Portraits by Olivier Zaragosa, presents a unique twist on traditional card magic. Instead of standard playing cards, the deck features celebrity portraits, making it ideal for mentalists and performers who want to avoid conventional card props. The deck allows magicians to perform classic effects like Triumph, Out of This World, and Four Kings Tapestry while maintaining the illusion of a non-magical item.

Full Details

The Knock Deck consists of a marked deck disguised as a collection of celebrity portraits. The faces include well-known actors, musicians, and historical figures, ensuring broad audience recognition. The backs are subtly marked, similar to a traditional Knock deck, allowing performers to identify cards without obvious tells.

The deck comes with a 1.5-hour tutorial teaching 10 different routines, ranging from predictions to eliminations. Some effects require minimal additional props, with certain predictions built into the box itself. The deck handles like a standard pack, with only one double-faced card requiring careful handling.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This deck is best suited for:

  • Mentalists who prefer not to use traditional playing cards.
  • Magicians looking for a fresh, visually engaging alternative to standard decks.
  • Performers who want a self-contained prop with multiple effects.

Difficulty Level

The routines are designed to be easy to perform, with the tutorial guiding users through each step. Most effects require basic card handling skills, making them accessible to beginners. However, some tricks involve slight-of-hand techniques that may need practice.

What Magicians Say

David from Magic Orthodoxy highlights the deck's versatility, stating:

  • "This is a fun way to do Out of This World, Triumph, and the Four Kings Tapestry effect."
  • "The art is great, and the celebrity selection works for both European and American audiences."

He also notes minor drawbacks:

  • "You get 10 tricks, but you’re not going to perform all 10 in a single set."
  • "The tutorial is not downloadable, which limits accessibility."

Overall, the Knock Deck (Portraits) offers a creative and deceptive alternative for magicians seeking a non-traditional card prop.

What people are saying about Knock Deck

magicorthodoxy says...

This is a fun way to do out of this world, this is a fun way to do the Triumph, it's even a fun way to do the king's tapestry effect. Great for mentalists who like to use something that's not a deck of playing cards.

Review videos