Day 6: Madison Players vs Madison Rounders

[john]

This was suggested by Joker and the Thief

Hello everyone, welcome to day 6 of deck vs. The prize for today is to be randomly chosen from the list of prizes in the "How To Play: Deck Battles!" thread. As usual to win the prize you must comment backing your choice, but you don't need to comment to vote

Deck Name	Company	Release Date	Stock	Finish
Madison Players	Theory 11	2012	Bike	Air Cushion
Madison Rounders	Ellusionist	2013	Bike	Magic

[flyers3003]

I like the box for Players better, but for Rounders I prefer the backs, the Jokers and there is more customization of the courts.  I like both AoS equally.  For me, the winner is Rounders.

[Nurul]

rounders. Simplicity at its best

[Don Boyer]

Hmm...  Madison v. Madison...  Sounds like a divorce trial... 

I like the Players a lot.  The back is quite unique.  It's also marked - versatile for magicians and hustlers alike.

But the Rounders have a more classic style to them - and the courts look pretty cool (most of the courts in the Players are USPC standard).  I like the linen-finish box over the matte finish on the Players.

[Fanofyankees13]

This one really tugs at my heartstrings...I love both of these decks. As Don said, the Players have the added value of being a marked deck, but the sheer clean simplicity of the Rounders, plus the linen finish box just puts those over the top for me. I voted Rounders...barely.

[John B.]

Never saw much of the players, but I love the Rounders. The trailer is great. Also I have friends I play poker with and am considering buying a few of these for our games.

[Siegismyname]

And i am the only one who voted for players. I definetly prefer the the players for their marked back. Another reason I prefer the players is because I don thave the rounders yet 

[MrMollusk]

Gotta go with the players.
The courts looked a bit better imo, and the marking system was fantastic. I also thought the back was a bit more inspired (though I loved the Rounder's minimalist back).
Plus, the Players had an awesome box.

[sway]

Both decks are among my recent favorite ones, really hard to pick just one up.

It may look a little unfair, because Rounders doesn't have the same features... still, I'll have to choose Players because of that VERY well-thought-of marking system.

[Don Boyer]

Both decks are among my recent favorite ones, really hard to pick just one up.

It may look a little unfair, because Rounders doesn't have the same features... still, I'll have to choose Players because of that VERY well-thought-of marking system.

Check out a Bicycle Maiden Back Gambler's Deck, Mandolin Back GT Speedreaders or Ultimate Marked Deck and you'll realize that marking system isn't all that and a bag of chips.  It's nice, I'll grant you - even hides well under a riffle test - but you have to memorize a system.  The decks I mentioned can be read without memorizing anything other than where to look on the card, and the marks are well-enough hidden to pass inspection by most people - magicians and gamblers that know wehre to look would spot them, but no one else.  Furthermore, you can read the marks on a UMD with the cards held in hand, and the GTs can be read in a tight table spread.  Blaine's "Mind Reading" deck is easily read, though to my eyes it's easier to detect.

[sway]

Check out a Bicycle Maiden Back Gambler's Deck, Mandolin Back GT Speedreaders or Ultimate Marked Deck and you'll realize that marking system isn't all that and a bag of chips.  It's nice, I'll grant you - even hides well under a riffle test - but you have to memorize a system.  The decks I mentioned can be read without memorizing anything other than where to look on the card, and the marks are well-enough hidden to pass inspection by most people - magicians and gamblers that know wehre to look would spot them, but no one else.  Furthermore, you can read the marks on a UMD with the cards held in hand, and the GTs can be read in a tight table spread.  Blaine's "Mind Reading" deck is easily read, though to my eyes it's easier to detect.

Thanks, I'll take a look at Speedreaders and Blaine's Mind Reading. I'm familiar to the other two decks you mentioned.

I'm not - under no circumstances - saying that Players' got the best marking system ever, it sure doesn't. I'm just saying that the presence of a marking system is the criteria I used to choose between Rounders and Players, cause I like them both equally under other aspects.

[Don Boyer]

Check out a Bicycle Maiden Back Gambler's Deck, Mandolin Back GT Speedreaders or Ultimate Marked Deck and you'll realize that marking system isn't all that and a bag of chips.  It's nice, I'll grant you - even hides well under a riffle test - but you have to memorize a system.  The decks I mentioned can be read without memorizing anything other than where to look on the card, and the marks are well-enough hidden to pass inspection by most people - magicians and gamblers that know wehre to look would spot them, but no one else.  Furthermore, you can read the marks on a UMD with the cards held in hand, and the GTs can be read in a tight table spread.  Blaine's "Mind Reading" deck is easily read, though to my eyes it's easier to detect.

Thanks, I'll take a look at Speedreaders and Blaine's Mind Reading. I'm familiar to the other two decks you mentioned.

I'm not - under no circumstances - saying that Players' got the best marking system ever, it sure doesn't. I'm just saying that the presence of a marking system is the criteria I used to choose between Rounders and Players, cause I like them both equally under other aspects.

The Gambler's Deck is a particularly powerful weapon in a magician's arsenal.  I use it to tell me the bottom card of a deck without ever seeing it.  It has a stack order and it's also a stripper deck.  The original was in the Rider Back design, but they can't make that one anymore thanks to USPC Legal.

I do like the markings on the Players, but they're not very easily read at arm's length.  The fact that they'll stand a chance of passing a riffle test is impressive, though.

[sway]

I do like the markings on the Players, but they're not very easily read at arm's length.

Yep, particularly when you are nearsighted 

[Don Boyer]

I do like the markings on the Players, but they're not very easily read at arm's length.

Yep, particularly when you are nearsighted 

Yeah, I'll be rockin' glasses soon enough.  Having trouble with small print and distant objects, one eye is already at 20/30.  But it's important for a marked deck for the magician to be able to see the markings easily at that kind of distance.  A close-up performer will have his audience about that far away from him, and you don't want to be squinting at the card back or something foolish like that; it's a wee bit too obvious that you're trying to read markings... 

Now, I think you and I have sucked enough air out of this topic.  If you want to continue the discussion, there's got to be at least one subject in the Magic/Cardistry board on marked decks...

[Nurul]

Hmmm r there no more deck battles?

[john]

Hmmm r there no more deck battles?

Sorry about that... The new one will be up in about 10 minutes.

ITS UP: http://aethercards.com/discourse/deck-battles-(alpha)/day-7-bicycle-actuators-vs-bicycle-steampunk/

THE WINNER IS ALSO THE ROUNDERS

[Don Boyer]

Hmmm r there no more deck battles?

Sorry about that... The new one will be up in about 10 minutes.

ITS UP: http://aethercards.com/discourse/deck-battles-(alpha)/day-7-bicycle-actuators-vs-bicycle-steampunk/

THE WINNER IS ALSO THE ROUNDERS

But who was the randomly-selected poster who wins?

[Don Boyer]

Since I'm filling in for John, I'll select the winner, courtesy of Random.org

Poster number 5 - John B. is the winner!  PM John to claim your prize.