SleightfulSimon Aronson Shuffle Board by Simon Aronson, Craig Petty, and Phil Smith
Created by: Simon Aronson, Craig Petty, Phil Smith
Key features
Deck designed to look like collectible gaming cards
Utilizes Phil Smith’s Optical Marking System for marked card tricks
Includes pre-written prediction scorecards for the Shuffle Board effect
Suitable for a wide range of card and tile tricks
High-quality card stock with air-cushion finish
Pros
Creative and deceptive design
Versatile for various magic routines
High-quality production and materials
Unique thematic appeal enhances patter possibilities
Cons
Requires subtle handling to avoid revealing markings
Slight adjustment needed for the Shuffle Board effect reveal
May not appeal to magicians preferring traditional card designs
Effect
The Simon Aronson Shuffle Board effect uses a specially designed deck that resembles collectible gaming cards (similar to Magic: The Gathering or Pokémon). The magician introduces the deck as a set of character-based cards, divided into heroes (blue backs) and villains (red backs). A spectator shuffles the deck, and the magician reveals a pre-written prediction scorecard that matches the shuffled arrangement of heroes and villains. The effect combines prediction, mind reading, and an engaging theme that resonates with audiences familiar with storytelling and mythology.
Full Details
The deck is gimmicked with Phil Smith’s Optical Marking System, allowing the magician to secretly read information from the card backs. Each card features a character (e.g., King Kong, Sherlock Holmes) with trivia and a designated "mate" (e.g., King Kong’s nemesis is Carl Denham). The deck includes pre-written prediction scorecards for the Shuffle Board effect, streamlining performance.
The cards are printed by the United States Playing Card Company with an air-cushion finish, ensuring smooth handling. The deck’s design as a gaming collectible enhances deception, as spectators assume it’s a novelty item rather than a magic prop.
Who Should Consider the Trick
This trick suits magicians who:
- Perform mentalism or prediction-based routines.
- Want a visually engaging alternative to traditional playing cards.
- Appreciate themed decks with built-in storytelling potential.
- Prefer marked decks but need one that doesn’t resemble standard playing cards.
Difficulty
The trick requires familiarity with marked deck systems, particularly Phil Smith’s Optical Marking System. The tutorial (over three hours long) covers 17 routines, but performers can start with the Shuffle Board effect and expand their repertoire gradually. Handling the deck subtly is crucial to avoid exposing the markings.
What Magicians Say
David from Magic Orthodoxy praises the deck’s deceptive potential, stating, "This is a real deck of cards disguised as not a deck of cards... Spectators will just think you're using some deck found at a comic book store." He highlights the Shuffle Board effect as a standout routine but notes a minor adjustment needed for the reveal numbers.
He also appreciates the deck’s versatility: "You can do classic tricks like Oil and Water or Sandwich effects with this deck, and spectators won’t suspect a thing." His only critique is the deck’s design, wishing it resembled gaming cards more closely with attributes and ranks listed.
Overall, the Simon Aronson Shuffle Board is praised for its creativity, deceptive power, and high-quality construction.
What people are saying about Simon Aronson Shuffle Board
magicorthodoxy says...
Heroes and Villains is a deck of cards that's disguised as not a deck of cards, which is beautiful absolutely beautiful. [...] The deck is also marked with Phil Smith's Optical marking system, so if you're already familiar with Phil Smith and his optical marking system you'll be familiar with this right away.
Review videos
Magic Review - Heroes and Villains by Craig Petty
magicorthodoxy mentioned this magic trick in this video.