Roulette Playing Cards by Mechanic Industries – A Review

Reviewed by – Rick Carruth

This was a complicated review. Unlike most reviews, I generally post the ad copy and then my thoughts. I mixed the two on this review because of the complexity of Roulette Playing Cards. Everything in parentheses is ad copy.

First, RPC (for short) has to be one of the best deals in all of magic. The cost is $9.95, and I’m going to give you an idea of what you get for that price. You get a deck of cards… Of course, they aren’t just a deck. They are a system to carry out effects and gambling sleights unlike any other I’ve seen in, like, .. forever.

I received RPC along with several other decks to review.. and I didn’t realize they were a complex system of sleights and effects. I thought they were just another deck. I opened the box and put the cards through my little initial routines, which includes several rapid faro shuffles to test the edge integrity. Bicycle cards, in general, do not fare well. Only when extra care is taken to keep the cutting blades sharp, as with a specialized deck similar to Theory 11 cards, will a deck faro smoothly the first time. Both the edges and the surface were ideal for their purpose. The cards are premium crushed USPCC stock, so they handle well out-the-box.

On the back of the cards are a picture of a roulette wheel. The wheel and the ball form a marking system that tells not only the identity of the card, but the position of the card in the deck.. if a stack is maintained. You can thumb the cards, flip book style, to create a visual unlike that of any other deck I’m familiar with…

“Our animated and marked playing cards are a first for the magic industry. Use just the flip book to amaze your friends, add narrative to your magic routines or utilize them as marked cards to get a step ahead of your audience. They are fully marked decks based on the orientation of the cogs and after a bit of practice they are very easy to use, a marked card deck like no other, a card cheats dream!”

My only negative is a few folks have complained the marking system requires too much time to master. I didn’t find that to be the case.. but I respect their opinion. It’s like magic in general.. the more you put in.. the more you get out..

“Not only do you get the most innovative marked playing cards available, you also get a host of instructional videos so you can learn to become a card cheat or just amaze your friends and audiences. These are marked cards like no other use a 13 card repeating back system. This marked deck is easy to use and will be the only marked card deck you will ever need.”

In addition to the marked deck, the developers have included a TWO HOUR video to help you learn several effects and ways of handling. Everything is taught in a very easy to understand method, and there are varying degrees of difficulty.

“All the Roulette tricks are taught in detail. Multiple skill level options, self working and medium-advanced handling. Learn the patter, the sleights, the timing, the off beats and more. A fully flavoured gambling routine stacked all into one deck.”

RPC also includes two croupier Jokers illustrated in an Erdnase style. They are well suited for a color change move.. or something of your creation. Also, there’s a box gaff prediction card to use in one of the taught effects.. House Edge. The card with the instruction url is a red-backer to use in color changing deck effects and montys…

Here’s a list of the taught effects, included with each deck..

–Straight Up.. The spectator selects a card. The Roulette wheel spins and they call ‘stop’ – the deck is cut exactly there. The ball has stopped on a number… the spectator counts down that number to reveal their selected card.

–Split bet..

–Red or Black?.. We teach a couple of visually stunning colour changing deck sequences as well as an easy to do Monte trick.

–Marking System.. We go in depth on how to use the marking system, so you’ll be up and running in no time.

–The Mechanic .. We share some of our work on how a card cheat ‘could’ use this system in a card game. Deal winning hands every time and influence every part of the game.

–Lucky Thought.. (Maybe my personal favorite..)

–House Edge..

–The Croupier..

I spend quite some time perusing the Mechanic Industries web site. I was surprised at the many different variations of this deck available, as well as all the gaff cards, coins, rings and training sessions. Much of the training is available in return for your email.

I highly recommend Roulette Playing Cards to anyone with an interest in gambling and marked cards. You can’t beat the price.. and the quality and training FOR the price.

$9.95 From Murphy’s Magic and dealers who carry their line of magic…
https://www.murphysmagic.com/Product.aspx?id=67807