When you sit down for a card game, you may shuffle a deck of Bicycle Playing Cards, and you are not just holding paper and ink, but you are holding a piece of history. For over 140 years (since 1885), bicycle cards have been the gold standard for cardistry, magic, and gaming. They represent heritage, artistry, and innovation, and their reputation extends beyond their durability. Let’s explore more about Bicycle Playing cards.
History of Bicycle Decks:
The history of Bicycle Cards begins in 1885, when the first Bicycle brand deck was introduced by the United States Playing Card Company (USPCC) 1885. At a time when bicycles were a symbol of freedom, speed, and progress, the name captured the spirit of the era.
Quality and Consistency of Bicycle Playing Cards:
One of the main reasons for the USPCC to be among the most trusted manufacturers is because of their reputation for providing playing cards with consistently high-quality feel and handling across every deck of cards they print. This is true with their Bicycle Playing Cards. In simple terms, when a bicycle deck is opened, everyone knows what to expect.
All Bicycle Playing Cards use the same standard Bicycle stock, though the USPCC is now offering a variety of stocks including the Bee Casino and Thin-Crush stocks which are popular among custom playing card manufacturers. To ensure unparalleled performance, every Bicycle deck is printed with a distinctive embossed “air-cushion” finish, identical to almost all other USPCC-branded playing cards. This is also how the well-known Richard Turner Gold Seal playing cards are manufactured, but are cut using different methods.
In addition, Bicycle Playing Cards provide consistent coloring and printing. All Bicycle playing card decks have a similar appearance, except for the odd batch. Even decks with minor inconsistencies, such as the slightly off-center image, still feel and handle the same. As they generally come at a lower price, like Bicycle 808 Seconds Playing Cards, these variations are famous among magicians and are often unnoticeable at first inspection.
What is the Standard deck of Bicycle Playing Cards?
Custom playing cards have been incredibly popular in recent years, and many designers choose to link their creations to the reliable name and steady caliber of the Bicycle brand. You can make your own Bicycle playing cards as long as you have a proper license, get your artwork approved in advance, and follow the brand’s strict requirements. Therefore, a conventional Bicycle deck is no longer guaranteed to be within a card box with the Bicycle logo.
Bicycle Playing Cards are a standard issue deck with the iconic Rider Back design and come in red or blue. 52 playing cards, two Jokers, and two extra cards (usually an advertisement card and another card that ranks poker hands) are included in each deck.
Black Seal Deck of Cards vs Blue Seal Deck of Cards:
The USPCC was started in Cincinnati, Ohio, but in 2009 they moved to Erlanger, Kentucky. Before the transfer, they produced bicycle decks with a blue seal instead of the present black seal. Many experienced card handlers assert that they also notice minor variations regarding how these decks of cards are handled because the new seal has arrived along with a move to new machines for printing, polishing, and cutting the cards. As a result, some cardists and magicians may look for earlier Bicycle playing card decks with blue seals that were printed in the Ohio factory.
Other Playing Cards:
Though Bicycle Playing Cards are certainly the most widely used, the USPCC also produced other types of playing cards. Bee Playing Cards, Aviator Playing Cards, and Tally-Ho Playing Cards are only a few outstanding brands that the USPCC has included over the years and continues to print.
There is hardly any perceptible difference in quality and handling, while some magicians and cardists might favor one brand over other. Each brand’s names have been maintained primarily to carry on the established legacy they had before joining the USPCC family. Generally speaking, all USPCC brands have cards of the same quality as that of famous Bicycle Playing Cards.
Are Bicycle Playing Cards Worth the Money?
While not expensive, Bicycle Playing Cards are not always the cheapest in the store. But when it comes to playing cards, the old adage “you get what you pay for” is absolutely accurate. Many low-cost, non-USPCC brand playing cards are printed using low-quality materials, which makes them challenging to handle. For the occasional poker game, they might be fine, but magicians and cardists should stay away from them.
Standard Bicycle Playing Cards are a high-quality, reasonably priced deck of cards that are readily available. They are well worth the slightly greater cost compared to decks from the inexpensive corner store because they will last you through numerous card games, card tricks, and card flourishes. They are the ideal playing cards for anyone just getting into card tricks or cardistry, or for those looking to practice their favorite sleight of hand card magic, because they perform the same functions as the majority of more expensive custom playing cards, but at a far lower cost.
Why do magicians trust Bicycle Playing Cards?
As magicians and cardists, we may not be aware of the level of technology and work required to create a high-quality deck of cards as we are so familiar with handling them.
Because the USPCC forbids shortcuts with any of its playing cards, Bicycle Playing Cards remain one of the most often used decks of cards worldwide for card games, sleight of hand, and card tricks. Cutting corners leads to a cheap deck that is ineffective for poker games or magic tricks and handles like a stack of bricks.
Conclusion:
I hope this article provides you with detailed information on bicycle playing cards. Knowing about these cards is better because in the world of card games and card magic, bicycle playing cards are the most recognizable and familiar brand. Most of the audience refuse to use other playing cards as they fear that audiences may think they are using a trick deck.
