Madison Rounders by Daniel Madison/Ellusionist

[Card Player]

Why eat mince when you make Steak, right?

Well said!

Daniel is a great addition to your team. He's someone that draws people's attention to your brand and is a highly respected talent in the industry. However, If Daniel is going to be a face of Ellusionist... Its time to clean the facial hair up or go with a new style. The grey streak in his knotted beard is not appealing. Just saying...

I look forward to see more of this deck and having an opportunity to buy it.

[MrMollusk]

Any info on if this deck will be gimmicked? Marked like the players, or some other sort of quirk?

[sinsandman]

You are a fool, Legacy. That is Daniel's swag...his appearance adds to the allure and mystery. You think all magicians or cardists need to be clean cut? Welcome to 2013 my friend, where guidelines are blurred and sticks up asses are starting to loosen up. Did you see he ha tattoos as well?? He should have to cover those up....

[Card Player]

You are a fool, Legacy. That is Daniel's swag...his appearance adds to the allure and mystery. You think all magicians or cardists need to be clean cut? Welcome to 2013 my friend, where guidelines are blurred and sticks up asses are starting to loosen up. Did you see he ha tattoos as well?? He should have to cover those up....

No need for insults... Your taking my comments to the extreme. I said nothing about covering up tattoos. Ellusionist is a business. I don't know what guidelines you've blurred but if cleanliness is one of them I feel sorry for you. This was not about disrespecting Daniel. I'm just saying a beard trim and a haircut would go a long way.

[sinsandman]

Would go a long way in what regards? Do you think people are drowning on E because DM has a beard and hair? You may be right...I was walking down the road the other day and in passing heard "I would order some awesome items from Ellusionist if it wasn't for that fella's beard and long hair. Darn whipper snapper." And did you just make a brash statement insinuating having a beard and hair is a reflection of one's cleanliness? Damn, son you are a confused one aren't ya?

[Card Player]

Would go a long way in what regards? Do you think people are drowning on E because DM has a beard and hair? You may be right...I was walking down the road the other day and in passing heard "I would order some awesome items from Ellusionist if it wasn't for that fella's beard and long hair. Darn whipper snapper." And did you just make a brash statement insinuating having a beard and hair is a reflection of one's cleanliness? Damn, son you are a confused one aren't ya?

Sin, I started to read some of what you wrote and then realized you were telling some fabricated delusion of yours. I won't try to make sense of insanity. Your obviously very passionate about Daniel's facial hair possibly more than himself. It's just not worth it to me to continue. I gave my opinion, you don't have to agree with it.

[DrianAbara]

You are a fool, Legacy. That is Daniel's swag...his appearance adds to the allure and mystery. You think all magicians or cardists need to be clean cut? Welcome to 2013 my friend, where guidelines are blurred and sticks up asses are starting to loosen up. Did you see he ha tattoos as well?? He should have to cover those up....

No need for insults... Your taking my comments to the extreme. I said nothing about covering up tattoos. Ellusionist is a business. I don't know what guidelines you've blurred but if cleanliness is one of them I feel sorry for you. This was not about disrespecting Daniel. I'm just saying a beard trim and a haircut would go a long way.

If DM wants to looks like how he is, let him be - it doesn't affect his talent in magic nor cardistry at all.. You basically just said 'I don't wanna disrespect Daniel, but he looks like a tramp'

The classic 'Don't judge a book by its cover' is applicable in this case I believe

[KPopFever605]

Any info on if this deck will be gimmicked? Marked like the players, or some other sort of quirk?

I don't think the back design can be marked if the back is made up of solid black with one symbol on it.

[Don Boyer]

Any info on if this deck will be gimmicked? Marked like the players, or some other sort of quirk?

I don't think the back design can be marked if the back is made up of solid black with one symbol on it.

Actually, you'd be surprised...  But I don't think it's likely.  He's already done that once, and I've never seen E sell a marked deck or any videos/books on the topic yet.

I recognize the value of a gimmicked deck as much as the next magician, but many tricks that can be performed with a marked deck can also be performed without one.  I think of it as the "Borrowed Deck Principle" - some of the best and most skillful tricks should be possible with any decent-condition deck borrowed from someone, utterly ungimmicked in any way.  (Not that my skill is quite at that level yet, but you get the picture!)

[DelMagic]

I received a new deck (unsolicited, complete surprise) in the mail today. It is called Madison Rounders and it is put out by Ellusionist. There was a note in it indicating I received it since I was a Black Club member and Daniel Madison wanted to know what I thought about them before they were released. He asked me to try them out and provide some feedback on the Ellusionist Facebook page.

The cards have custome jokers, A of S, and all of the court cards. The rest are standard, with the exception that the red is darker than the standard Bicycle cherry-red.

The box has a nice texture to it - like an air-cushion finish. The long sides have absolutely nothing written on them. The bottom flap has Ellusionist info and the top has the deck name. Nowhere on the outside of the box does it say USPCC. It does say it on the Ace of Spades.

The cards have the usual magic finish smell. I think they are standard Bicycle stock - not Bee Casino. They seem two cards thinner than CARC Bee Erdnase deck and the same thickness as Bicycle Wounded Warrior. They don't feel stiff.

I like the back design (plain black with Madison logos at both ends) and the borders certainly are not thick. They seem to faro better back to front but front to back can be done - it's just a little hitchy right now. Maybe when they are broken in more it will be better. The spread and handle well like any new Bicycle deck.

[sinsandman]

I cannot wait for this deck. I'll admit to being a DM fanboy lol

[Don Boyer]

Now I REALLY have to go check my mail...  I joined Black Club as well!  It's a nice companion deck with the Madison Players, I think.  'Cept the Players bein' marked and all... 

[sway]

Nice review and thanks for sharing that.

The decks really looks good and will go all Ying and Yang along with Players.

I just hope it's an unlimited released 'cause my wallet is telling me not to stockpile this time around.

[Don Boyer]

Nice review and thanks for sharing that.

The decks really looks good and will go all Ying and Yang along with Players.

I just hope it's an unlimited released 'cause my wallet is telling me not to stockpile this time around.

Yeah, I feel that.  But E doesn't do strictly limited editions like some of the other houses.  The majority of their offerings are continuously restocked as long as we keep buying them!

I merged this topic with the previous topic on this project - before we knew the name and design of the deck.

[agera94]

Here's to hoping Don gets a deck in the mail 

[MrMollusk]

Wow!
I really like these cards. The back design isn't too flashy, and the same can be said for the ace, court cards, and jokers. The box texture also looks very similar to the Bohemia deck's box.

[vmagic]

Here's to hoping Don gets a deck in the mail 

Here's hoping I get one in the mail!

[Shade]

I think it is pretty sweet that he sent these out unsolicitied with a hand written note and signature to play with them and leave feedback on the E facebook page. Their of course looking to create some free marketing and hype, but cool that they sent out some early decks to bribe us.

I also think the simplicity and lenin looking finish on the tuck box gives it a really unique look.

Don't know if I want to open this one, might wait until I get another couple decks when they go on sale. Wonder if he has printed the entire print run already, I assume so. Anybody know or have an idea if they are limited like the original Players?  It also seems odd that USPCC would produce a deck without requiring their name on the tuck box at least on the bottom flap, which only has the Ellusionist Info and logo.

Don you should have gotten them today, unless your mailman is slow or into cards.

[Don Boyer]

I think it is pretty sweet that he sent these out unsolicitied with a hand written note and signature to play with them and leave feedback on the E facebook page. Their of course looking to create some free marketing and hype, but cool that they sent out some early decks to bribe us.

I also think the simplicity and lenin looking finish on the tuck box gives it a really unique look.

Don't know if I want to open this one, might wait until I get another couple decks when they go on sale. Wonder if he has printed the entire print run already, I assume so. Anybody know or have an idea if they are limited like the original Players?  It also seems odd that USPCC would produce a deck without requiring their name on the tuck box at least on the bottom flap, which only has the Ellusionist Info and logo.

Don you should have gotten them today, unless your mailman is slow or into cards.

I would open them - you've been asked to comment back on the design, performance, etc., none of which you'll learn with the cellophane still in place!  I get the feeling they'd like that comment BEFORE the official release, don't you?  (It's safe to assume that the print run is complete, since I doubt USPC is making the deck order in stages - it would be one print run, over and done.)

The hype/marketing you mentioned isn't free - it's probably costing them a good couple of bucks per pack, though they are (apparently, though it's not yet confirmed) sending them to Black Club members and not the entire customer roster.

I have seen USPC decks that lack USPC markings on the box - especially when the AoS is clearly marked with the manufacturer's name.  They just aren't very common - and I'm sure they're willing to be a bit flexible when it comes to a big customer like E.

"Lenin looking finish?"  So the cards look like Vladimir Lenin, the Russian communist revolutionary?    I think you meant "linen", which in this case is easily described as "having a textured surface", which technically is no longer an aspect of the finish but instead is an aspect of the paper.

I may or may not be getting them in the mail - it has yet to be established that all Black Club members and not just selected ones are receiving this deck.  It's less to do with my mail being slow, more to do with my mail being two counties away in a post office box... 

[therealmackay]

Sweet looking deck!

Interested by why Caveat Emptor is on on the Ace. Caveat Emptor means 'let the buyer beware', must be some secrets in the deck.

[Paul.Middleton]

A very clever marketing ploy for the Black Club, a few of these pop up for 'feedback' and everyone is talking about them.

I'd hazard a guess that they won't be changing too many things based on feedback, more it's a way of building some hype a little differently than in the past. It also gives them the disclaimer that they can say they aren't building hype as such, rather asking for opinions.

[Xntrix]

I'd hazard a guess that they won't be changing too many things based on feedback, more it's a way of building some hype a little differently than in the past.

Red Artifice Public Release. Artifice Second Editions. Purple Artifice. New Fathom box (coming soon). New Sultan Republics (also - coming soon). Blue LTD. Thinner Bordered Shadow Masters.

These are all items that would not exist/have been changed had it not been for Feedback. In fact, probably 60% of our decks (and plans) change -usually in very minor ways- because of customer Feedback. We've scrapped entire print-runs and told USPC to fix things because of early feedback on two decks that I can recall. Just saying - when we ask for feedback, or say that we're listening to feedback - we actually listen. It's much easier to sell something to someone when they're entirely happy with the product, rather then them thinking it's 'so-so'. We like Win-Wins. (Also, Wynns.)

Interested by why Caveat Emptor is on on the Ace.

Revealed shortly. Watch for it.

The hype/marketing you mentioned isn't free - it's probably costing them a good couple of bucks per pack...

And then some. It's a few bucks just for shipping. Plus those Bubble-mailers, plus Daniel's time individually hand-signing each note, plus of course the decks themselves. We could have accomplished similar by just posting some pics on Facebook and making people drool and get themselves in a frenzy over them... but where's the fun in that?

Don - as a Black Club member, yours is undoubtedly sitting in that post box 2 counties away.

Victor - we couldn't remember whether Canada was North or South, so took a punt. Your package is apparently sitting in a small town in Mexico. Looks like the coin-flip failed. North. Who knew? Sorry, you get nothing.

 
-Jake

[Paul.Middleton]

Red Artifice Public Release. Artifice Second Editions. Purple Artifice. New Fathom box (coming soon). New Sultan Republics (also - coming soon). Blue LTD. Thinner Bordered Shadow Masters.

Whilst I take your point, I meant I don't imagine the feedback is going to change the design of the deck (as is right now) too much as I was (admittedly guessing) it was already in print. Most (maybe all?) of those examples you mentioned above were not based on feedback given pre-release.

In a nutshell, i'd imagine it may chance the second edition but not this one.

[Strag]

Victor - we couldn't remember whether Canada was North or South, so took a punt. Your package is apparently sitting in a small town in Mexico. Looks like the coin-flip failed. North. Who knew? Sorry, you get nothing.

 
-Jake

Admittedly you might be joking but... is it true that International Black Club members are not also getting this free deck?  Is that what you are hinting at?

[Shade]

Red Artifice Public Release. Artifice Second Editions. Purple Artifice. New Fathom box (coming soon). New Sultan Republics (also - coming soon). Blue LTD. Thinner Bordered Shadow Masters.

I am assuming along with JPMiddleton that this print run is done and feedback would only effect later decks?

The hype/marketing you mentioned isn't free - it's probably costing them a good couple of bucks per pack...

And then some. It's a few bucks just for shipping. Plus those Bubble-mailers, plus Daniel's time individually hand-signing each note, plus of course the decks themselves. We could have accomplished similar by just posting some pics on Facebook and making people drool and get themselves in a frenzy over them... but where's the fun in that?
-Jake

Agree my earlier "Free" comment was grossly under stating it, and of course the decks weren't free for us either since they were theoritically part of our club membership fee. Don't take us wrong, I at least think this is a great marketing idea and fun way to include at least club members in the release and generate some authentic hype & "Frenzy". As apposed to artificially generating the hype by other means. I also think the hand written note was an excellent personalized touch, we appreciate the sore hand Daniel.