Harapan Magic Playing Cards
The Harapan Magic Playing Cards by Harapan Ong in collaboration with Creator Playing Cards, designed by Mike Davis, is a personalized deck that has quickly gained a following among card enthusiasts. With its unique marking system, gaff cards, and recognizable faces, it is definitely a deck worth considering.
Staring with the tuck, we find a standard matte finish that features Harapan's logo on the front and sides. The back of the tuck is adorned with a cross-stitch pattern and a red sticker sealing away all of the goodness inside. While the tuck may be plain, it gets the job done and keeps the deck safe.
Moving on to the cards themselves, the back design features that same cross-stitch pattern as the tuck, as well as the Harapan Magic logo. While some may find the design too busy, it actually helps hide the deck's marking system. Yes, you read that right – these cards are marked for both suit and value. This marking system is subtle and can be confirmed with a standard riffle test. It may take a minute to pick up on, but it's definitely a useful feature.
The faces of the cards are standard USPCC faces, making them immediately recognizable and perfect for performances. There are no jokers or blank face cards, but instead, we get three gaff cards and one double backer. These gaff cards are where the deck really shines – they're fun and creative, and they add a unique touch to any performance. Plus, since they use standard faces, they can be used with any other standard faced deck. At least, the Ace of Hearts / Seven of Spades can be -- the others have elements of the Harapan Magic deck in them.
Overall, the Harapan Magic Playing Cards deck is solid. While the tuck may be plain and the back design not everyone's cup of tea, the marking system is useful and the gaff cards are a lot of fun. If you're a fan of Harapan Ong's work or just looking for a unique deck to add to your collection, this one is definitely worth considering.
The deck consists of 56 cards:
- 52 playing cards
- One Double Backer
- One gaffed Ace of Spades / Ace of Diamonds Double Facer
- One gaffed Ace of Hearts / Seven of Spades Double Facer
- One gaffed Ace of Clubs / Three of Hearts Monte (mis-pipped) Card
Deck Review
Where to buy?
Last I checked, you should be able to pick up Harapan Magic Playing Cards at Amazon.