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The RaMa Deck by Owen Packard
Reviewed by Sam Cross
A gaffed deck that can been fully examined by a spectator (no stooges!),
shuffled in riffle shuffle form, fairly displayed as freely mixed and cut as
many times as you or your spectator wishes. The effects are still possible and
gob smacking.
What does the sales blurb say?
The cards can be examined on both sides.
They can be shuffled and cut by you or the spectator.
You never have to see their card even the back to know what it is.
No knuckle busting moves required. A beginner magi can operate the RaMa and
perform amazing tricks!
It can be used as a normal deck no more switching.
Sounds almost too good to be true. The cards can be examined totally. The set up
is very subtle and looks very fair. No bunches of picture cards or obvious
patterns in the stack. No repeated or double cards. The marking system included
is a nice touch. It does not take too long at all to mark up the deck (They
leave it blank for 2 reasons, firstly it keeps the cost down and secondly, if
you have a marking system that you like to use then you can add your own OR
for a tiny price you can have your marked deck made into a RaMa by the SPOC
magic boys! Now that is service!)
When working I dont normally like to carry gimmicked decks. There is always the
problem of having to switch them out if the audience want to check them. Not the
case here. They can check as much as they like. They will find nothing.
When I read about the ability to riffle shuffle the deck I was surprised. The
riffle shuffle in my opinion always looks fair and even the sloppiest shuffle
will mix the cards. The RaMA allows a spectator (who does not need the worlds
best shuffle) to really, really mix the cards. That really is the convincer.
No knuckle busting moves? Surely not. If all of the sales blurb is true (which
it is!) then it must take some serious skill? Not so, it really is very, very
easy to use.
You never have to see the cards, do any funny moves or make time for an obvious
and prolonged peek. The deck makes the divination of chosen cards so, so simple.
As soon as you get used to the cards (which wont take long) then it is as easy
as reading a road sign.
The deck comes with an instructional DVD in which the creator takes you through
some routines that you can do with the deck. Just a few to wet your appetite and
get the creative juices flowing. There are some really good routines on the DVD.
Clearly presented, fairly shown and nicely explained.
The Card Marking system included (which I love) is really clearly explained and
very easy to understand which makes marking the cards simple and not overly time
consuming. A little effort is required but it is worth if for the host of
effects that you can achieve with this deck of cards.
I really do love this little deck of cards. The thought that has gone into it is
amazing. The attention to detail, the routines, the marking system and the DVD
are all good quality. The host of effects possible really do have a high impact
on the audience and are limited only by your imagination. By combining some of
your own magical knowledge with the clever workings of this deck of cards you
will be baffling and entertaining people every moment you get.
A fantastic magic buy.
© San Cross, January 2006