Look at all the nice things that people have said about the RAMA DECK... and we didn't bribe any of them or anything...

 

 

The Magic Café Forum

 

Category: Magic/Mentalism effects and utility
Difficulty: 2- 3 out of 5

Well, this is quite an interesting bit o’ kit.

Personally, I generally don’t like to carry ‘gimmicked’ decks as they often are a bit of a one trick pony in terms of gaffing, they often utilise a reasonably complex to master stacking system or they are more magic than mentalism…but…the RaMa deck is twisting my arm rather severely.

The characteristics of the deck’s “workings” are pretty darned clever. I can’t really divulge the nature of the “gaffing” but suffice it to say that the blurb is spot on right…a spectator can handle the deck reasonably freely and the workings shouldn’t be obvious.

The deck employs a few different classic elements in a very clever way to result in a truly useful deck of cards. What’s more you can use the deck as a genuinely normal deck after you finish with a mind blowing RaMa routine…intriguing huh?!

There is no exaggeration to say that with this little “52-piece power pack” you actually have the equivalent of at least 3 well tried and tested gaffed decks in one! Because of this there is a wide variety of effects you can perform AND as a tool to force with…well you’ll see when you get one…but it’s very cool.

The deck is a poker size Bike deck that is very nicely altered indeed. You get a colour, foldout A-3 pamphlet with full explanation of the workings of the deck and some solid routines to flex your mighty RaMa muscle with. You also get a DVD to take you through the workings and routines.

FLIPPIN’ HECK MAN! But WAIT! There’s more! That’s right folks, you also get membership to a forum devoted to those people who own and use the deck. There you will find discussions, explanations, routines and a bunch of RaMa users to address your every whim.

Overall: 8.5/10

The RaMa deck will be, if you adopt it as a regular weapon, a powerful utility and effect/s in its own right. It’s also something you can create your own effects with. Go through some classic magic and mentalism books with the RaMa deck in your hands and you will find plenty of ways to utilise this deck to breathe new life into effects you might well have discounted. You will need to devote some time to learn the various routines and methods, it isn’t a “super-easy, self-worker” but it is pretty close. With a little practice (always recommended with any effect) you will be USING this deck most confidently.

 

 

 

 

 

Talk Magic Forum

 

Ok I gave in and got it due to this awesome review. I got it this morning and I can now say that I completely agree with the review. It's great! It's probably my favourite gimmicked deck. The invisible deck is an amazing trick but this deck appears normal, yet the effects you can do are amazing and completely unexplainable. I've only performed it a couple of times so far but it went very well each time, and I let the spectator do it all the handling, and it's this that makes it so strong. They shuffle and cut the deck and you never even have to touch it. It doesn't get any better than this. I think I'm going to get alot of mileage out of this baby.

 

Magic Bunny Forum

 

* You Get
The gaffed deck
Booklet wth instructions, background, a suggested marking system, technique and 4 routines/tricks
Free instructional DVD (in my opinion one of the best)

* You Need To Get/Know
The invisible deck (for one of the tricks)
Know how to count

* Preparation
Open the box (there is none)

* Effect
Sorry, should say “effects”, the RaMa deck is the first trick I’ve got that actually does have too many effects to mention. the 4 tricks included are:
- You memorize the entire deck in 5 seconds, cut it and tell your spectator what each card in the deck is before they urn it over
- (with invisible deck) spectators card that nobody (even spectator) has seen matches the one card that’s face down in a second pack of cards
- The spectator takes two cards and puts them in different pockets, the magician instantly (or not) names the two cards
- The magicians prediction is found in-between the two cards it has written on it

* Pros
> Really does look like you can read minds
> Examinable at every stage
> Can be shuffled and cut by spectator
> Although this is a gaffed deck, you could do an entire card show with the cards as regular bikes, just as long as you don’t mind spending 5 minutes resetting it

* Cons
Cannot be overhand shuffled (normally the spectators instinct), only riffled

Overall
This rules. If you can make sure the spectator riffles and cuts instead of overhand shuffle, then you have a lot of good tricks. The DVD is, in my opinion, one of the better “sub-teachings” on the market. A lot of care and effort has clearly gone into making the DVD, and the format is easy to understand. I have to admit, the written instructions weren’t exactly crystal clear. I struggled to understand, but after watching the DVD and reading through again, I was performing almost perfectly every time. All of the effects with this deck are more mind reading than magic, but would not be out of place in a card magic show. As mentioned before, you could probably use a few of these tricks as openers and then move on to do pure sleight of hand or other cardy stuff, and just reset the cards afterwards. Alternately, you could do a whole shift of walk-around in a restaurant with just these cards, the effects are that varied. The back-marking system is optional, and I do not use it. It just eliminates relying too heavily on glimpsing.

8/10 Not 10 because the marking system makes the deck a lot less examinable and it is a little too easy to mess up your shuffle and have to reset the cards again (only when you start with it, becomes impossible to screw up with practice)

 

 

 

MagicWeek Website

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 don’t 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 won’t 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

 

 

Customer Comments

soooo much potential!
by Ben Francis from Reigate, Surrey on 3 Jan 2006
This deck has just so much potential. Performed it many times over christmas and the reactions were amazing - if you like card magic, you NEED this!!!

excellent!
by Paul Jarvis from (no location specified) on 20 Dec 2005
Wow, this is gr8! I was a little disappointed that it needs some prep to start with, but it's well worth doing. Comes with DVD performances of 4 sample effects. Watched the first one without reading the instructions and just couldn't figure it out - amazing!

Nice One ! but see below
by Chris Batten from Tonbridge Kent on 18 Dec 2005
This is a very good pack and the tricks it can be used for are very impressive - it should easily rate 5 stars but why oh why was the pack not completed with the result that you will have to spend a few hours further adapting it? I also think mention should be made that you will need an Invisible Deck as well to do probably the best trick -the one featured in the demo video. Thus I have knocked a star off. For the money it is still good value.

Ingenius
by Jon from Surrey on 16 Dec 2005
I have yet to actually try this deck out on someone as I only got it today. However, from watching the DVD you get with it, and the instructions, I can tell it will be a fantastic trick deck.

Without giving the secret away, there is one thing that they haven't done, and say you have to do it yourself. It would be better if they did it for you and stated that is how the deck comes and works. I can't say any more than that.

However, the idea is great. It uses two main systems already widely used by magicians to make the deck work. I think I am going to like this deck.

I do feel the price was a little steep as it didn't really need the DVD to go with it. A lot of people may think that £16 is a lot of money to pay for a trick deck. However, think about the Invisible deck, Brainwave, Svengali etc etc. You cannot hand it out for examination or let the spectator touch the cards. This pack can be shuffled by the spectator (riffle shuffle only!), and both sides of the deck can be shown at all times. It really is cool.

I suggest you add to cart now. Come on, it's Christmas! Splash out on one of the best gimmicked decks to have come out for a while!

One last thing, very quick service by MT once again. You cannot fault this company one little bit.

No More Switching Decks!
by Reyvon from Leicester on 16 Dec 2005
Excellent!! Now you only need carry one deck of cards, no more switching, so easy to use, performed with mine the same day they arrived. With a great DVD included with four great routines this is exceptional value for money, and there are loads of effects you can use this deck for. This really does make magic easy, great for card workers and mentalists.

 

 

 

 

QUOTES:

“Rama deck is one of the BEST mentalism products I've EVER come across.” Kevin, USA

 

“The Rama appears totally normal, yet the effects you can do are amazing and completely unexplainable. It doesn't get any better than this.” Andrew, TalkMagic.co.uk

 

"The demand for the RaMa deck has been huge. Our original order sold out in just over 24 hours! This deck is a must for anyone with an interest in card magic" - Carl Fraser, www.MagicTricks.co.uk

 

".. you are simply going to LOVE this deck!" MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE, Jan 2006

 

"...There is no exaggeration to say that with this little "52-piece power pack" you actually have the equivalent of at least 3 well tried and tested gaffed decks in one!" MAGICCAFE FORUM REVIEW

 

"...It's great! My favourite gimmicked deck... yet, it appears totally normal!" TALK MAGIC FORUM REVIEW

 

"...Really does look like you can read minds!" MAGICBUNNY FORUM REVIEW

 

 

Examples of Customer Comments:

5/5 - "This deck has just so much potential. Performed it many times over christmas and the reactions were amazing - if you like card magic, you NEED this!!!" Ben, Surrey

 

5/5 - "Wow, this is gr8! Comes with DVD performances of 4 sample effects. Watched the first one without reading the instructions and just couldn't figure it out - amazing!" Paul, London

 

5/5 - "This is a very good pack and the tricks it can be used for are very impressive - it easily rates 5 stars!" Chris, Tonbridge Wells

 

5/5 - ". It really is cool. I suggest you add to cart now. Come on, it's Christmas! Splash out on one of the best gimmicked decks to have come out for a while!" Jon, Surrey

 

5/5 - "Excellent!! Now you only need carry one deck of cards, no more switching, so easy to use, performed with mine the same day they arrived. With a great DVD included with four great routines this is exceptional value for money, and there are loads of effects you can use this deck for. This really does make magic easy, great for card workers and mentalists." Revvon, Leicester