Marked cards can be used to perform mind-blowing tricks and mentalism. You can concentrate on your performance and audience. You can also do things with them that would be impossible with a normal deck of cards. They are therefore an essential tool for any serious magician.
Traditionally, people used to mark playing cards by bending the backs of them or adding visible marks. Manufacturers now create sophisticated marking systems that are hidden in the back pattern design. These systems are almost impossible to spot unless you know what to look for. You may need special infrared or contact lenses to read the markings on some of these decks.
The best marked cards can hide the markings to the point that, even if the deck is held in front of you, it looks like a normal deck. A good deck of marked cards will also be able to tell you which card is which, even if the cards are face up. The most advanced decks will even come stacked in mnemonica order. This will make it easy for you to perform memory work.
The top 12 best marked cards on the market are as follows.