Have you ever wanted to learn a card stack? Well if so, this post is for you!
HERE we will discuss what a card stack is, the different types of card stacks and their uses, and how to learn a card stack along with our top 3 card stacks.
So let’s begin!
What is a Card Stack?
Card stacks are an advanced card magic technique that enables you to perform astonishing magic routines with ease. We recommend learning a reliable card stack in order to open up a whole new world of magic for you! AND these techniques on how to learn a card stack, are a great way to take your card magic to the ‘next level!’
Something to note as we dive into things is, there are two main types of card stacks. The first type is sequential meaning the stack follows a set sequence over and over again. This can also be referred to as ‘cyclic’ for the same reason; the stack follows a cycle. Sequential card stacks are generally easier to learn.
A few examples of this are the Si Stebbins (a numeric progression) and Eight Kings (a rhyming mnemonic progression). The purpose of a sequential stack is providing an effective compromise between the ease of determining the next – and previous – cards in the stack while at the same time having the stack appear to be a random assortment of cards.
The second type is a memorized stack. A memorized stack or otherwise known as a memorized deck is one in which you simply know the position of every card and the numerical name of the card at any location. These decks are more randomized and they don’t really follow a set pattern or ‘cycle’. However, memorized decks enable you to perform a larger quantity of tricks than sequential stacks.
Ok so now that we have learned a little more about card stacks, you may be asking what is the best card stack?
Well… for the answer we have decided to review our top 3 choices
- Mnemonica Stack
- Si Stebbins Stack
- Aronson Stack
The Best Card Stacks
1. Mnemonica Stack
The Mnemonica Stack is one of the most famous stacks in all of card magic. It was invented by the legendary Spanish magician Juam Tamariz. While it’s not particularly easy to learn, the Mnemonica Stack has many benefits that allow you to perform a wide variety of routines, many designed by Tamariz himself.
So why learn the Mnemonica Stack?
Great question!
The Mnemonica Stack is great for learning the location of every card in the deck. This means that you will know the EXACT location of any card that is named and placed back and shuffled a certain way. You can know where a card is without even having it be seen or glimpsed. AND you can know how far down a card is in a deck for tricks such as ACAAN.
2. Si Stebbens Stack
Second, we have the Si Sebbens Stack. This stack is undoubtedly one of the most popular card stacks and for a good reason. The Si Stebbins Stack was originally created by magician Si Stebbins and is a classic sequential stack.
The stack follows the popular ‘CHaSeD’ order (Clubs, Hearts, Spades, Diamonds).
One thing to note about the Si Sebbens Stack is that in order to use this stack practically, it will take some ‘mental maths’ which can be a deal-breaker for some magicians (the last thing some of us want to do under pressure is performed math right?!) BUT learning this stack can be very beneficial overall!
The Si Stebbins Stack is very reliable and is used quite heavily by professional magicians around the world.
3. Aronson Stack
Last but not least we have the Aronson Stack. This particular card stack is not cyclic so it may take a little bit longer to learn but we wouldn’t mention it if it wasn’t worth the time. The benefit of learning the Aronson Stack is that the result is worth every bit of effort you put into it.
The Aronson Stack was created by Simon Aronson. He has devised HUNDREDS of powerful effects that can only be performed by using this exact stack! On the surface, this stack may look like a regular shuffled deck since there are no patterns that a spectator could spot and that is what makes this stack worthwhile!
If you would like more information on the Aronson Stack feel free to CLICK HERE (LINK TO BLOG POST: https://thedailymagician.com/the-aronson-stack#5 )
So we’ve talked about the different stacks, now let’s get into a few recommendations on how to get started on the learning process.
Here are a few book recommendations to get you started!
Book Reccomendations:
First is the book Mnemonica by Juan Tamariz. This phenomenal book reveals concepts and routines that you wouldn’t have realized existed using the Mnemonica stack.
This book is one of the best-selling magic books of all time! Many magicians recognize its brilliant combination of practical training and mind-blowing routines.
CLICK HERE for more information!
- BOUND TO PLEASE
If you are looking for something less Mnemonica Stack and more Aronson Stack, we highly recommend the book Bound to Please written by the man himself, Simon Aronson. And what is a better way to learn?
Aronson’s book is a perfect introduction to working with stacked decks. It contains incredible memorized deck effects and ideas, although the actual pure memorization method it uses isn’t one we recommend.
CLICK HERE for more information on Simon Aronson’s, Bound to Please!
- THE MEMORY ARTS
The last book we’d recommend checking out is the book, The Memory Arts by Sarah and David Trustman. This book is a tried and tested method that many magicians have had success with.
This book presents a new and exciting way to learn complex stacks in record time!
CLICK HERE for more information on The Memory Arts!
~ BONUS TRAINING ~
While we have talked about many wonderful books here is one that we HIGHLY recommend for working with card stacks (or otherwise known as memorized decks.)
This book is called the Memorized Deck Starter Pack. This course will show you an elegant method to memorize as many decks as you want, by doing the same amount of work (OR LESS) than required by other memory methods.
If you are interested in this training, CLICK HERE for more information!!