Memorised Deck

Memorised Deck is a foundational mentalism and card magic trick where the magician appears to have memorized the entire order of a shuffled deck, allowing for seemingly impossible predictions, revelations, and mind-reading effects. Spectators witness the magician naming cards, finding specific ones, or performing feats of memory without any apparent trickery, making it a versatile tool for close-up and parlour magic. Buyers should note that this requires significant practice to master the memorization and handling, but it offers endless possibilities for customization and integration into various routines.

Key features

Versatile foundation for mentalism and card effects
Requires memorization of a specific deck order
Allows for strong, baffling revelations and predictions
Can be combined with other methods for layered misdirection
Suitable for close-up and parlour performances

Pros

Highly powerful and baffling to spectators
Extremely versatile for creating multiple effects
Encourages creative customization in routines

Cons

Demands significant practice and memory work
May not be suitable for beginners due to complexity

Effect

A memorised deck allows a magician to know the exact position of every card in a deck. To an audience, this appears to give the performer impossible mental abilities. They can name a card a spectator is merely thinking of, find a selected card instantly, or predict an outcome long before any choices are made. The effects are direct and often feel like real mentalism.

Full details

A memorised deck is a system where the magician commits a full deck of cards to memory in a specific order. This is not one single trick but a foundational tool for many effects. It enables a wide range of routines from card location to prediction. The system requires no gimmicks or special cards. Any standard deck can be used once the order is memorised. The method relies entirely on memory work and practice.

Who should consider the trick

This is for magicians who perform mentalism or card magic regularly. It is ideal for those who want to build a reputation for having a superhuman memory or psychic ability. Nikolas Mavresis includes it in his list of desert island effects for its versatility in a mentalism context. It suits performers who are willing to invest time in learning and maintaining the memory system.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The difficulty is high. It requires significant initial effort to memorise the stack and ongoing practice to retain it. Performance difficulty varies based on the routine. Simple revelations are easier, while complex routines demand more skill. The challenge is not in the handling of cards but in the recall under performance conditions. Consistent practice is essential for smooth and confident presentation.

What magicians say

Nikolas Mavresis values the memorised deck as a "foundational tool for its versatility and power in a mentalism context." He includes it among his eight desert island picks, indicating its importance in his professional repertoire. This endorsement highlights its status as a powerful method that spectators find completely baffling, aligning with his philosophy of designing magic from the audience's perspective.

What people are saying about Memorised Deck

Nikolas Mavresis says...

Memorised Deck is a foundational tool for its versatility and power in a mentalism context.