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Mnemonica stack by Luca Volpe and Phil Smith

Created by: Luca Volpe, Phil Smith

The Mnemonica stack is a pre-arranged deck of cards in a specific order, designed for magicians and mentalists to perform a variety of impressive card tricks without the need for sleight of hand or complex memorization. This stack allows performers to execute routines where a spectator can think of any card and any number, and the magician can reveal that exact card at that exact position in the deck, creating a seemingly impossible and highly impactful effect. The NYX Velvet deck, as mentioned, incorporates this stack along with additional features like hidden revelations and psychological forces, making it a versatile tool for both close-up and stage performances.

Key features

  • Built-in Mnemonica Stack for easy performance of advanced card tricks

  • Incorporates hidden revelations and psychological forces for added impact

  • Designed with German black core paper for a luxurious feel

  • Includes a video download and full PDF booklet for learning and performance tips

  • Features a one-way back and front design for additional trick possibilities

Pros

  • No sleight of hand required, making it accessible to beginners

  • Highly versatile for a wide range of card tricks and mentalism effects

  • Luxurious design and feel enhance performance quality

  • Comes with comprehensive learning materials

Cons

  • Requires initial setup to arrange the deck in Mnemonica order

  • Limited quantities may make it difficult to obtain

Effect

The Mnemonica stack is a memorized deck system that allows magicians to perform seemingly impossible card tricks. To the audience, it appears as if the magician can instantly locate any named card, predict a freely chosen card, or perform complex routines with no apparent setup. The deck looks ordinary, but the magician can control and reveal cards with precision, creating strong magical moments.

Full Details

The Mnemonica stack is a specific arrangement of 52 playing cards developed by Juan Tamariz. It is designed to be memorized, allowing magicians to know the exact position of every card in the deck. This system enables powerful effects such as:

  • Any Card at Any Number (ACAAN): A spectator names any card and any number, and the magician reveals that exact card at that exact position.
  • Instant Card Location: The magician can instantly find a selected card without searching.
  • False Shuffles & Cuts: The deck can be shuffled and cut while maintaining the stack, making the trick appear fair.
  • Multiple Reveals: The magician can perform multiple effects in a row without resetting the deck.

The NYX Velvet deck includes a built-in Mnemonica stack, making it easier for beginners to perform these effects without memorization.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Mnemonica stack is ideal for:

  • Intermediate to Advanced Magicians: Those comfortable with memorization and deck control.
  • Mentalists: Performers who want to add strong prediction effects to their routines.
  • Card Enthusiasts: Magicians who enjoy complex card magic and want to expand their repertoire.

The NYX Velvet deck is a good option for beginners who want to experiment with stacked deck magic without memorizing the order.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

  • Memorization Required: Learning the Mnemonica stack takes time and practice.
  • False Shuffles & Cuts: Maintaining the stack while appearing to shuffle requires skill.
  • Presentation Skills: The real challenge is making the trick feel organic and impossible, not just recalling card positions.

Lloyd Barnes notes that with the NYX Velvet deck, "you don’t even need to know the stack—just prepare the deck, and you’re ready to perform."

What Magicians Say

  • Lloyd Barnes describes a hands-off ACAAN routine using the Mnemonica stack: "They think of any card, any number, and deal down to find it—without the magician ever knowing their selection." He praises the method for being "stupidly easy to do" with no sleight of hand required.
  • Luca Volpe highlights the NYX Velvet deck’s built-in Mnemonica stack as a major advantage, calling it "a powerful mentalist’s tool" that allows for "hundreds of routines."

The Mnemonica stack is a powerful tool for magicians who want to elevate their card magic with strong, audience-tested effects.

What people are saying about Mnemonica stack

lloydb says...

This version is for those AAN connoisseurs out there. I don't even know it's going to fool you because you've seen certain elements of this effect before. You haven't seen this version.

MurphysMagicSupplies says...

The NYX Velvet deck boasts a refined aesthetic and utilizes German black core paper with a deep red finish, aiming for a luxurious feel that elevates performances.

Promotional videos

Tutorial videos