How to Get Started with MemDeck Work

Have you ever wanted to get started in memorized deck work, but been too intimidated or unsure of where to start? This is the video for YOU!

In this video, Erudite Magic will go under the hood and explain what a memdeck is, what benefits it offers, how to get started, and further resources to help you on your journey, including a few FREE resources!

Below are links to some of the resources mentioned in the video to help you:

Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:54 - What is MemDeck work?
1:30 - Isn't it too much work?
3:07 - What is a MemDeck not?
3:40 - What are the real advantages?
4:12 - What are the different stacks?
7:46 - How do you memorize a deck?
8:34 - What resources exist?
11:33 - What things are possible with MemDeck work? FREE SHOW
12:39 - Resources cont'd
18:28 - What's my stack?
19:19 - What's my recommendation?

#EruditeMagic #mnemonics #memdeck #cardmagic

[TheRealWinsletFan]

I have learned Mnemonica, I got it more or less in 4 days (1 hour per day), with another 4 weeks to get it properly embedded. Now I practise it for 2 minutes every other day to keep it fresh. All I need now are MemDeck tricks!

[jmathai]

Thanks for the great video, Jeff! Easily the best introductory overview of mem deck I have seen on YouTube! I learned Mnemonica during the early lockdown phase of COVID, and you’re right - the possibilities are endless. I few thoughts I have (as the new guy to this concept):
1. I used Rick Lax Mnemonica Trainer and learned about 5 cards a day, but it took me much longer to recall everything instantaneously without spending several seconds for mental gymnastics.
2. “or forgo shuffling because no one cares” is so hysterically accurate - why magicians think it adds to the entertainment value to open a show by doing multiple perfect faros with great focus is beyond me.
3. Maybe I am missing out but I don’t plan to perform any tricks that are stack-dependent (gambling themed magic isn’t my thing) - so I don’t think either stack is better than the other, but to each their own.

[tyronejucaban]

Awesome video! Very insightful. Thank you for making it.

[MurshidIslam]

I finally took the plunge and started learning the Aronson stack. I'm using "Aronson Stack for Everybody" by Geoff Williams to memorize it.

[jakelundgren]

Fantastic overview for mem deck work! Wish I had this when I stared out! I learned mnemonica about 2 years ago, but never really explored its full potential beyond a couple basic tricks... however, in the last couple months, I’ve really been making in effort to learn it, back abs forth, even and odds, high low, the whole nine yards! And wow the possibilities that have opened up are limitless! (And in regards to simons anecdote of practicing while you brush your teeth, I’ve been doing sit ups in sets of 52, counting reps with the stack, so hopefully when we all get back to performing I will not only have some killer magic... but killer abs too... 😉)

[MondoNifty]

I started the Aronson stack around 2 years ago, using memory arts book as my guide. It opens up so much possibility, i also love Woody Aragons idea of the Partial stack idea that he incorporate in his instant memorized deck dvd its absolute genius

[maxlattanzi]

Thanks for this very useful review! As an amateur and a beginner, I was interested in memdeck work but I was afraid it would be too difficult for me (or better, not worth the time investment given that I am, as I said, an amateur). After watching this video, I finally resolved to try and in fact I found it is much easier than I thought - I was able to memorize the Aronson stack in a reasonably short time. Thanks for giving me the necessary "push" to try this!

PS I have recently discovered this youtube channel and I am slowly going through all the videos. I am finding this a great resource for a beginner. Thanks Jeff!

[Genethagenius]

Another awesome video! I originally used the “Memory Arts” ebook for Mnemonica to memorize that stack, but I am unable to use that stack b/c it required a few perfect Faro shuffles to get into it from new deck order. Which is one thing I do like about Redford’s stack, it is EASILY gotten to from new deck order w/ overhand shuffles! I just found a copy of Aronson’s books w/ the stack in it used, so going to start exploring his stack also.

[jennifermagic]

3:30 My main memorized deck I call "Red Stebbins". It's Si Stebbins with the QH as card location 1 and 9C at location 52. It shares 12 card locations with the Redford Stack which is my second memorized deck; Redford also has QH as card 1and 9C as card 52. I know both well and you can transform between them in 15 seconds, covertly with a sequence of overhand shuffle runs. By having both stacks handy I can do ANY memorized deck / stack routine. I can get into Red Stebbins from a brand new sealed pack of cards in front of spectator in 30 seconds after opening the card pack and taking them out of the box. Redford is random looking, easily convertible to red/black alternating, easily transformable to stay stack and even memorized stay stack. Also if I transform to Si Stebbins, I then have access to mathematical/circular based routines (e.g. lie detector, caandy, etc).. also have access to tetradistic routines with Si Stebbins like Acrobatic Anything (see Allan Ackerman video for this on youtube). Also with Si Stebbins you have access to two built in stay stacks at once since it is tetradistic. Also si stebbins allows for easy quartets (13, 13, 13) -- see Quartets in "In Order to Amaze". Redford/Si Stebbins combo is really lovely. Also I worked out a quick transformation to / from si stebbins /faro-4 and shared with Woody ARagon. He already made a 2 minute tabled routine with the idea and shared with Juan.. they love t.. Woody is going to put the routine in his next book Memorandum 2. Woody is a genius! So with Si Stebbins you can jump to and from the faro-4 realm w/ Woody's routine. So imagine openign a pack of cards and get into faro-1 then do a 1415 stack routine (see woody's book 1415), then 3 more faro.. do somethign in faro-4 (say memorandum or mnemonica routine).. then do woody's transformation routien and end in si stebbins. Do a routine there and then transform into Redford and do somethign there :) With Aronson, Nikola, 8 Kings and other stacks which don't allow you to get into them via NDO, you area really lacking a lot of ability that you have with Si Stebbins / Faro-4 memdecks.

[mathieu]

I have always been fascinated with memory techniques and the use of a MemDeck is really usefull. I use mnemonica for 2 years and I discover new usages every day.

[hiddevaneijsden]

Great guide on mem decks, Jeff. Really appreciate the work

[rubenlie]

The Memory Arts is not expensive. It is worth every cent. Actually one of my favorite books I bought in 2020.

[TunaOddfellow]

Thank you that was wonderful.

My goal is to be bilingual in Mnemonica and the Redford stack for starters and visit Simon’s stack later. I learned Si Stebbins some 40 years ago. One of the interesting things about Redford is it has Si Stebbins and reverse Si Stebbins built into the stack and many routine for the unmemorized stack.

I put some work into learning both stacks a while ago but life put it on pause. I am about to get back to work Om learning them again.

[SpencerRaybourne]

This is great, I started learning Osterlind's stack right before the pandemic, but there was no one to practice on. I think now I will move onto Mnemonica or Aronson

[jasonm]

Very good video...now it’s time for me to tackle Mnemonica

[scottadams]

No mention of Mike Close or Darwin Ortiz?

[jlebowitz]

Thanks so much for a wonderful review!

[pasipiispanen]

I use Osterlind-stack, which isn´t originally memorized stack. But I started to use different techniques to memorize it: pegs, visual etc.
I know I can´t do tricks that use a particular stack (ex. Aronson or Tamariz), but positive side is, that I can calculate the next card if i have a little memory lapse ;)

[tommarquette]

Thanks for pointing out Don's book. He had a copy of the originally (maybe a reprint) of the Nicola System. Looking forward to the deep dive. Question: Do you believe the public interest in poke is less prevalent today, thus diminishing tricks centered on the poke hand reveal ?

[shahn]

Great guide to get started with MemDeck Work. I understand that this is a beginners guide, but still think Pits book „In Order to Amaze“ should be mentioned.