Deck View: Pioneers (Red Edition) Playing Cards

Discovery. Liberty. Curiosity.

Following the success of the OG Blue Edition, Pioneers Red Edition Playing Cards brings a bold new colorway to Ellusionist's vintage-inspired series. Designed by Oban Jones, the deck remains fully custom, with every detail... from the tuck box and card backs to the pips, aces, and jokers, painstakingly hand-drawn.

The card back retains its intricate artwork featuring Lady Liberty, a phoenix, and references to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, while concealing a fully marked system for magicians. The striking red colour palette gives the deck a fresh look while preserving the original's period-inspired aesthetic.

Housed in a tuck designed to resemble vintage paper stock, the Red Edition is printed by Cartamundi, delivering smooth handling and durability for collectors, magicians, and everyday play.

Deck View: Crossed Keys (2nd Edition) Playing Cards

Secrecy. Power. Knowledge.

The Crossed Keys (2nd Edition) Playing Cards draws inspiration from the ancient symbol of crossed keys, traditionally representing the gates of heaven and, when inverted, the gates of hell. Created with mentalist Peter Turner, the deck weaves themes of secrecy, power, and hidden knowledge throughout its design.

The elegant Edwardian green card backs feature metallic gold inks that catch the light without overwhelming the artwork, while the tuck box is finished with subtle gold foil accents that enhance its refined appearance. 

With the exception of the Ace of Spades and Jokers, the face cards are pretty much standard but updated with a color palette consistent with the rest of the deck. The elegant back design with gold line accents masks an incredibly intuitive marking system for the clever magician to take advantage of.

Printed on USPCC’s crushed stock, offering a softer feel and improved handling. 

Madison Gold Playing Cards

Sleek. Bold. Collab.

Released in back 2017, the Madison Gold Rvlvrs Playing Cards mark a striking collaboration between Daniel Madison and Ellusionist. This deck embodies Madison’s signature minimalist style... clean, elegant, and crafted for deception.

Inside, the cards feature a metallic gold finish on both the tuck and backs, exuding quiet luxury while maintaining functionality for magic, flourishing, and play. The deck comes with custom Ace of Diamonds bearing Madison’s logo, an extra King of Diamonds with his likeness, and no jokers, reinforcing the deck’s refined simplicity. 

Also, hidden magic reveals like the 9 of Clubs printed inside the tuck add clever touches for performers. Printed by the USPCC on casino-grade stock with a unique Metallux coating, the deck handles smoothly yet feels slightly thicker than other Madison releases.

Available for $60 on Madison's store.

Deck View: Bicycle Black Ghost Legacy Edition V2 Playing Cards

Iconic. Sleek. Familiar.

The Bicycle Black Ghost Legacy Edition is one of Ellusionist’s most iconic decks. This reprint preserves the legendary black-and-white aesthetic and striking skeletal serpent pip on the tuck, but trades the lavish foils and embossing of the first Legacy Edition for a clean, standard tuck case with a classic seal.

Inside, the design stays true to the original Black Ghost style..- white-on-black backs with a bold Rider Back-inspired layout, black-and-white court cards, and deep red pips for Hearts and Diamonds. The Ace of Spades bears the familiar Black Ghost insignia, while the Jokers feature the eerie figure extending his hand, one hiding a Jack of Spades reveal.

Printed by the USPCC.

Deck View: Aurelian (White Edition) Playing Cards

Power. Majesty. Rome.

The Aurelian Playing Cards by Ellusionist are among the most intricately designed decks the company has ever produced. Inspired by Roman Emperor Aurelian, who ruled from 270 to 275 AD, the deck was conceived by Geraint Clarke and illustrated by Oban Jones to capture the majesty and power of ancient Rome with an extraordinary level of detail.

Inside, the cards feature hypnotic back designs and fully custom court and number cards, all rendered with refined detail while still maintaining a familiar structure. The Ace of Spades stands out with golden swords, spears, and whips, while the jokers are a nod to classic Tally-Ho Cowboy designs.

The White Aurelian edition comes in a luxurious tuck box with gold foil and adorned with deep embossing. Inside the tuck, layers of gold foil oak leaf illustrations represent the Emperor’s Civic Crown, offering a regal finishing touch.

Printed by Cartamundi on E7 luxury pressed stock.

Deck View: Prohibition- Absinthe Playing Cards

Floral. Invert. Intricate.

The Absinthe deck is the flashiest in Ellusionist's Prohibition series released 10 years ago. The eye-catching tuck case is wrapped in striking silver foil on both sides. With a matte black finish and intricate foil detailing, the design pops, though some finer details on the back design get lost in the heavy foiling. The bright green seal carries through to the spot and court cards, reinforcing the deck’s bold aesthetic.

Printed on black paper, the deck inverts traditional colors—black suits appear in white, while red suits are replaced with vibrant green. The Ace of Spades continues the floral theme, and the Jokers feature framed designs, one with a motion blur effect that sharpens when spun. The court cards are ghostly and mirrored, with stark white line overlays that vary between organic and circuitry-like patterns. While some enhance the design, others obscure the character details, making the creative intent unclear.

Warrior Playing Cards by Ellusionist

Warrior Playing Cards bring a minimalist aesthetic combined with hidden card revelations. Designed by Romy Meermans from Elluionist, these cards are inspired by the timeless elegance of classic two-logo decks like Jerry’s, Rounders, and Kings. 

Warrior Playing Cards blend style with substance, crafted to honor those who move boldly forward, no matter the challenge. The deck are available in Black and White editions.

The White Version includes a fully customized deck with a double-backed card and a duplicate 4 of Clubs. The Black Version offers a unique Angle Z gaff card alongside the duplicate 4 of Clubs, making each colorway distinct and versatile for magic or cardistry.

Printed on Cartamundi’s luxury E7 slimline stock. Available now for $12.95 on Ellusionist, Warrior Playing Cards are more than a deck—they’re a tribute to resilience and effortless style.

Not Just Another Custom Deck, Shipwreck Playing Cards

Ellusionist's Shipwreck Playing Cards deck isn't just another custom deck of cards- it's the ultimate utility deck for magicians, featuring 52 marked cards, and 6 exclusive gaffs all at the price of a standard deck.

With this powerhouse in your hands, you'll have the ability to perform hundreds of tricks you already know, plus many more to discover along the way.

Each card is marked for easy readability from all angles, letting you stay one step ahead with minimal effort. The six included gaffs aren't just add-ons; they're precision tools that eliminate the need for a separate gaff deck, combining both utility and creativity in one package.

A very cool and versatile deck of cards! Printed by Legends Playing Card Co. on Viper Finish. At only $12.95 on Ellusionist, Shipwreck Playing Cards offers unmatched versatility and performance.

Bicycle 1900 Blue Edition Playing Cards

Blue. Century. Weathered.

Ellusionist‘s Bicycle 1900 Playing Cards is the follow-up to the popular Bicycle 1800s deck. The artwork on the face cards has been meticulously crafted to make it look weathered and abused, exposed to the elements.

With the exception of the bold Ace of Spades and Jokers, the pips and courts are pretty much standard with a faded, vintage blue color palette on the card backs. The “damaged” pattern adds uniqueness to the deck. The tuck showcase the same distressed look as each of the cards in the deck.

Ellusionist's Black Water Ranch Playing Cards

Ellusionist has quietly released the Black Water Ranch playing cards, a tribute to the storied past and rugged spirit of the American West. Established in 1909, Black Water Ranch represents a peaceful expanse dedicated to hard-earned freedom. These playing cards are a modern re-imagination of the decks used by the cowboys and ranchers of Black Water.

Designed with meticulous attention to detail, the Black Water Ranch deck evokes the imagery of a classic poker game at sundown, where the cards are stained with ash and soil from the hands of all players.

Inside, you’ll find fully custom cards, from the pips to the iconic back design, each element thoughtfully crafted to reflect the era and spirit of the ranch. The tuck box features a fresh tan leather appearance, branded with deep red inks, giving it a vintage yet timeless look.

Magicians will appreciate the practical additions to each deck, which include 2 jokers, a double backer, and a duplicate Queen of Spades, perfect for performing powerful card magic.

Avaialble now for $12.95 on Ellusionist. Use KARDIFY to get 10% off your order on checkout.

Queen Bee Playing Cards

Yellow. Black. Borderless.

The eye-catching Queen Bee Playing Cards is the third edition to the Bee seeires by Ellusionist. Unlike the previous two deck designs which feature a faint white halo around the deck’s edge – Queen Bees card backs have no border. The design is a classic of borderless decks, repeating into infinity with bees that fly in opposing directions. The top left, and top right corner prominently features a yellow bee. This little splash of yellow in a sea of black looks stunning in fans and spreads.

For the face cards, each custom pip is arranged in a completely unique way, with a hidden hive represented in 1 pip of each number card. Each court card is custom, with connecting hexagons encasing an effeminate design, like honey trapped within a single cell of the honeycomb.

The deck is kept secure in a custom matte yellow tuck case with all intricate details debossed to create texture. The back of the tuck is foiled in black stripes featuring the life-giving Queen, taken from the Queen of clubs within the deck.

Zebra King Slayers Playing Cards

Constast. Black. White.

The Zebra King Slayers by Ellusionist is the follow-up to the minimalist King Slayers series. This eye-catching deck features the famous contrasting black and white stripes of the Zebra on the tuck and the card backs. The face cards, with the exception of the Ace of Spades and Jokers, are mostly standard. However, they have been improved with Zebra stripes on the pips to go along with the theme of the deck.

Like the original King Slayers, the tuck showcases the weapon of choice – the sword of the suicide king. The same sword is prominently featured throughout, from the custom mirrored card backs, jokers to the bold Ace of Spades. The number and court cards are standard but enhanced to match the overall color palette of the respective colorway.

The cards are printed on Luxury Pressed E7 Stock by Cartamundi cards.

Street Magic Playing Cards: Private Reserve

OG. Magic. Vintage.

Last year, Ellusionist celebrated to launch of its revamped site, with this nostalgic-looking playing cards. The Street Magic Deck sports a vintage design plucked right out of 2001- Brad Christianson’s How to do Street Magic DVD cover.

Created as a 20th-anniversary gift to Brad, the team at Ellusionist printed 2,500 to meet order minimums. The deck sports the iconic Ellusonist logo of the early 2000s in the mirrored card back. The face cards come with a bold custom Ace of Spades with the Ellusionist logo and semi-custom courts with cool shades.

The Street Magic Deck: Private Reserve offers a crushed stock. With a vintage design plucked right out of 2001, these cards are for the OGs of magic. Available NOW from ellusionist.com for $12.95.

Talons Playing Cards

Lightning. Retro. Power.

A striking deck that commands attention, Talons Playing Cards by Ellusionist is a fascinating mixture of retro-style illustrations combined with modern design. 100% custom from the bold Ace of Spades, card backs to the jokers and court cards, the deck spots a hot rod orange colorway.

The lightning design element is used throughout the deck. Much like the claws on a bird of prey, it is a unique manifestation of power and cunning. The mirrored card backs of Talons show an owl with a bolt of lightning, demonstrating power and control with experience.

The court cards carry electric blue lightning bolts across their bodies and are finished with the signature orange hue. The pips are standard to allow the cards to be easily recognizable by spectators.

The cards are housed in a matching tuck box in hot rod orange with a smooth glass finish. Printed by the United States Playing Card Co..

Is The Playing Card Market Dead?

In a recent post by Ellusionist, the current state of the playing card market was discussed, revealing its challenges and decline. One of the main issue highlighted is the oversaturation of deck designs within the magic industry, contributing to the diminishing demand for new playing card releases.

Ellusionist pointed out that various independent producers, including notable creators like Pigcake and Fraser Parker, have successfully funded their decks on platforms like Kickstarter. However, despite the reputation and creativity of these producers, the trend shows that the market might have reached a saturation point. The fact that these projects garnered around 190 backers each emphasizes the struggle to establish a sustainable market base.

The blog post further delves into the democratization of deck creation, as modern technology has made it feasible for almost anyone to design and produce their playing cards. This accessibility has led to a rapid increase in the number of deck producers over the past decade, overwhelming potential buyers with an abundance of options and stifling the potential for innovation and uniqueness.

Despite these challenges, I personally think there are positive aspects to consider. The competition and modern technology have empowered countless artists and brands to bring their unique visions to life. This has led to a vibrant and diverse array of playing card designs that cater to different tastes and preferences over the past decade. From double-sided cardistry decks, holographic, and augmented reality cards to gilded decks, full foil and thermal decks. While the market may be crowded, it also offers enthusiasts an opportunity to discover new and exciting decks that resonate with them personally.

Ellusionist also shed light on the repercussions of the US Playing Card Company’s move to legally protect its iconic “rider back” design. This protection led to the discontinuation of several well-known decks, compelling magic companies and brands to seek differentiation across various designs, further complicating the market landscape.

Additionally, the post discussed the challenges posed by extended lead times and heightened production costs, making it difficult for producers to respond swiftly to market trends or create new ones. This situation has resulted in a very competitive environment, where differentiation is scarce.

In response to these challenges, Ellusionist announced their decision to discontinue certain deck designs and offer substantial discounts. They acknowledged that playing cards would no longer be a primary focus of their business, shifting their emphasis towards magic tricks instead.

What are your thoughts on Ellusionist’s recent post? Is the playing card market dead?

HEARTBEAT: The Sensational Connection in Magic

HEARTBEAT, Ellusionist’s best-selling product of 2023, is a magical experience that transcends visual perception into the realm of sensations. Developed by Juan, a seasoned magician, this effect offers a unique connection between the performer and the spectator, leaving a lasting impression on both. In this review, we delve into the captivating qualities of HEARTBEAT, exploring its simplicity, impact, and the profound experience it creates.

SETUP

Magic is typically a visual art, but HEARTBEAT takes a different approach. The real magic lies in the sensation it evokes. When performing this effect, you place a pencil against your fingertips, establishing an intimate link with the spectator. With a touch to your heart, an inexplicable connection is forged. The spectator can feel the rhythm of your pulse coursing through the pencil. It’s an experience that defies explanation and must be personally witnessed to be fully understood.

HEARTBEAT’s brilliance lies in its simplicity. There are no elaborate electronics or concealed gimmicks. The pencil and your hands can be freely examined by the spectator before and after the effect. This transparency enhances the impact of the experience, as the spectator is left with a sense of awe and wonder at the seemingly impossible connection that occurred.

EFFECT

HEARTBEAT is not just a magic trick; it’s an unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impression. It creates a deep emotional bond between the performer and the spectator. The effect is so powerful that it has the potential to form special connections and foster unique relationships between individuals. This makes HEARTBEAT a remarkable addition to any magician’s repertoire, capable of creating moments of genuine astonishment and wonder.

On the product page, customers have praised HEARTBEAT for its effectiveness and impact, as evidenced by numerous positive reviews. One review commends the effect, items, and tutorial, emphasizing that while not everyone may be able to perform all the effects, the ability to astound those who can makes it a worthwhile purchase. Another review highlights the simplicity of the method, allowing performers to focus entirely on their performance.

OVERALL 

HEARTBEAT is a true gem among magical effects, captivating both performers and spectators with its sensory connection. With its simplicity, impact, and ability to forge deep connections, HEARTBEAT has rightfully earned its position as Ellusinonist’s best-selling product of 2023. If you seek to astound and leave a lasting impression, HEARTBEAT is an essential addition to your magical repertoire.

Available NOW from ellusionist for $34.95 and get 10% off automatically on checkout.

Deal of the Week: Ellusionist's Decks Are Dead! Clearance Sale

Ellusionist are massively discounting decks and taking them off life support. Ellusionist has decided to give its overall focus to magic. With that, huge discounts on playing cards that it’s time to say goodbye to.

Popular decks such as Cohorts, our favourite Pioneers, Bicycle 1900s and more are NOW available for a cool discount of 70% off on Ellusionist!

Discover more deals, coupon codes, and offer on tuckcase.com

Deck View: Bicycle 1900 (Red Edition) Playing Cards

Red. Century. Weathered.

One of our absolute favorite EDC! Ellusionist‘s Bicycle 1900 Playing Cards is the follow-up to the popular Bicycle 1800s deck. The artwork on the face cards has been meticulously crafted to make it look weathered and abused, exposed to the elements, and left to experience every second for over a century.

With the exception of the bold Ace of Spades and Jokers, the pips and courts are pretty much standard with a faded, vintage color palette. The “damaged” pattern adds uniqueness to the deck. The tuck showcase the same distressed look as each of the cards in the deck.

Also, the deck hides a secret. The secret marking is practically invisible to the untrained. Only those who know the secret can unlock the markings on the Red Bicycle Rider card back.

Available NOW from ellusionist.com fo $12.95. Use coupon code KARDIFY for additional discount for your purchases on checkout.

VIEWS X Ellusionist Playing Cards on Kardify Spotlight

This spotlight episode features the trippy VIEWS X Ellusionist Playing Cards (buy). Views is a collaboration between Ellusionist and Got Magic? and was designed by Yves Krähenbühl. Find out more in the video below and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE (YouTube: kardify)!

Available now from Ellusionist for $12. Use coupon code KARDIFY for 10% off your order.

Deals: Buy 12 Decks and Get 50% Off Automatically!

Last weekend we’ve put out a deck price comparison on our Instagram. We took 4 popular playing cards brands and averaged the prices of their 5 latest deck releases, to see who has the cheapest decks.

Following that, Ellusionist did a poll and 95% of customers said they were feeling the pinch of rising deck prices. Their cost of producing a deck has gone up, but Ellusionist doesn’t want customers to feel gouged. Here’s their idea:

Buy 12 decks and automatically get 50% off! It’s cheaper for us to sell 12 decks to 1 customer, than it is to sell 1 deck to 12 individual customers. And we want to pass those savings on to you. Bigger deck orders means less packing materials, less man hours & less storage costs. 

Go and load up. Any decks, mix & match… You’re welcome.