Sticking Tarot Cards
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Feb 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Little Baron |
03 Feb 2005 |
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I have had my Rider Waite for about ten years.
It is still in good condition, even if the sides of the deck are a little dirtier in colour than they once were, which doesn't bother me at all.
What does bother me is that the cards kind of clog together when shuffling and do not move with ease. Rather than one falling from hand to hand, a group of about seven or so remain together; in little groups.
Does anyone know of how I could try to rectify this? Cleaning of some kind, perhaps? Has anyone else had this problem? It is one of the decks that has been used more often, so I imagine that it is probably a little greasy as so many hands have touched it over the years.
LB
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| tarotbear |
03 Feb 2005 |
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It could be that over the years there is a build-up of skin oils on the cards, but other than wiping them gently with a damp cloth and letting them dry, I would think that it's more the edges where there is no laminate that is causing the problem. Just don't lay them out and spray them with Fanastic or something chemical! LOL!!
Have you tried sprinkling them with a little talcum powder and shuffling them over and over?
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| Little Baron |
03 Feb 2005 |
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Thankyou Tarotbear.
I will try those suggestions.
LB
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| Michelle |
03 Feb 2005 |
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Another thought might be to try using a small amount of baking soda - then shuffle them.
Baking soda should absord any oils on them.
Good luck ~
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| Bacchus |
04 Feb 2005 |
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In his series of articles titled "The Process" Umbrae suggests using fanning powder. I've used it and it works great.
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| Little Baron |
05 Feb 2005 |
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I'm on to it guys!
LB
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| tarotbear |
05 Feb 2005 |
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Fanning powder - now I have heard everything!
I always thought they sprayed their decks with silicone or something...
Will have to ask the casino dealers if they ever use it - although the life span of a casino deck is very short as they get replaced quickly for security reasons.
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| Bacchus |
07 Feb 2005 |
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I'm a former blackjack dealer, and you are correct. The cards come out of the box nicely powdered. They are retired before the powder has worn off, usually within an hour, so they never have to be re-powdered. The corners are shaved off, or a hole is drilled in the middle, for security, and the deck is is often given away as a prize to a patron.
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| tarotbear |
07 Feb 2005 |
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Yes, Bacchus -
I conferred with a dealer friend of mine and she states that the longest lifespan of any deck of cards in a casino is only 24 hours. Our casino changes all decks each morning at 9 a.m.
According to Mindy - (no - her husband's name is Frank) decks that get handled by the patrons - such as poker or baccarat- get retired the fastest. People bend or crease them, try to mark them, spill their drinks on them - stuff that impedes play - for those non-casino people out there who are wondering. Cards where the dealer-only touches them - have a longer playtime. Decks removed from play are given to patrons after rendering them incapable of being used in slight-of-hand deceits or used in the table games training rooms.
Still - this fanning powder thing is interesting! One site I looked at even had a 'Powder Putter' that you slide the cards through to get an even coating of powder!
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| Niomi |
08 Feb 2005 |
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If your cards are laminated you could use a cotton ball to clean your cards with a rubbing alcolhol. That will remove a great deal of oil and skin. You could also re-laminate your deck, which will make the edges smoother. I wonder if lightly sanding the edges with a fine grain (or a wet sanding spounge) would polish the edges so they didn't stick?
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| Umbrae |
08 Feb 2005 |
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Fanning Powder was designed by magicians for use on fanning decks. You know the guys who make fans of cards appear and disappear? A lost art these days.
It takes months to break in a deck. And once you’ve got a deck just right, you want it to stay that way. Fanning Powder was designed to allow the cards to slide, keep them clean, clean them if dirty, and prolong the life of the deck.
It’s a compound used by folks who make their living with a deck of cards.
It’s why I trust it and use it and shun all other approaches. I’ve been using it on Tarot decks since 1972…
Look for your nearest Magicians Supplies store.
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| Grizabella |
08 Feb 2005 |
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I have to disagree with the one who suggested the rubbing alcohol. I tried that and I don't recommend that method at all. It made the surfaces just look smeary and I think added to the problems. I also didn't think using baby powder was a plus. I haven't tried fanning powder, but from now on, the only thing I'd ever use on cards would be that. The reason I tried the rubbing alcohol is because my son is a photographer and he uses it on photos safely, but for cards I badly regret having tried it.
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The Sticking Tarot Cards thread was originally posted on 03 Feb 2005 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.
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