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World Memory Champion Ben Pridmore can memorize a deck of playing cards in under 30 seconds. Sometimes he imagines elaborate, on-the-fly tales of absurdity to aid his memorization. One such story was brought to life by DJ Shadow (way previously) and a cast of thousands: Scale It Back (bonus, helpful recall of entire story at end of video)
posted by obscurator on Nov 25, 2011 - 15 comments

Most cards in North America are made by United States Playing Card Company (USPC) which owns Bicycle, Bee, Tally-Ho (favored by Penn and Teller), Hoyle, and KEM(notably 100% plastic). USPC helped the WWII war effort with its production of playing cards with hidden maps. [more inside]
posted by el io on Dec 4, 2010 - 26 comments

How many ways can you shuffle? Here are some to get you started (along with how to manipulate them): the Overhand Shuffle, the Riffle Shuffle, the Hindu Shuffle, the Faro Shuffle, the Pile Shuffle, and the Mongean Shuffle. If you can't master one of those, I suggest the Wash Shuffle, a shuffling machine, or the ever-popular 52-Card Pickup. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee on Sep 15, 2010 - 45 comments

Card Throwing. Can ordinary playing cards be used as deadly weapons? Well, no, that myth was already busted in 2004 (but it inspired some self-confessed nerds to build their own card-throwing machines and stage a contest). Even though it's not lethal, card throwing (also known as card shooting and card scaling) is still an interesting and multifaceted skill. Check out some YouTube videos of card throwing champs Ricky Jay and Rick Smith Jr., as well as other efforts.
posted by amyms on Jan 15, 2010 - 17 comments

Soviet-era Mayan-themed playing cards.
posted by Rumple on Dec 27, 2008 - 16 comments

In 1684, the French Crown didn't send Quebec its yearly allotment of currency. Yet, the soldiers needed to be paid. [more inside]
posted by QIbHom on Oct 3, 2008 - 18 comments

Take a card, any card, from the Anti-religious pack, or the insufferably cute Our lovers (kittens!) deck, or the utilitarian Cards that talk (Japanese, Korean and Chinese phrases) and many, many more.
posted by tellurian on Apr 12, 2006 - 12 comments

Magic trix. With pix!
posted by WolfDaddy on Feb 9, 2005 - 7 comments

It's all in the cards: an interesting look at the development and design of playing cards.

Despite their global origins, playing cards are a uniquely American art form. Looking at a deck of cards provides a glimpse of social, economic, and advertising history.

posted by jazon on May 25, 2004 - 6 comments