What's the easiest stack to memorize? I'm dyslexic, so memorizing word/number combinations are difficult - to put it mildly.

Are there any easy systems? I've wanted to explore this avenue, but the task always seemed too daunting.

Any suggestions?

The Si Stebbins stack is mathematical, so if you're better with math that might 'suit' you. And the 'Eight Kings' stack only requires the memorization of a single sentence to remember the order. Both of these stacks repeat the same card order four times, so you only have to remember the order of 13 cards, not 52.

Where can I find the Eight Kings setup?

John,

PMing you with the Eight Kings stack.

--Josh

JohnCressman asked:
Word/number combinations (classical mnemonics) are only one of the four common ways to learn a stack. The others are: rote, rules, and algorithm. Hard to know what John might find easiest, but this topic is discussed at some length here.

Words are easier than numbers for dyslexics in general, since your mind will unconsciously descramble a word that doesn't make sense, whereas, a number really never makes sense... 321 makes as much sense as 123 or 231 or 213... At least, that's how my mind works.

Needless to say, I don't do my own taxes... =)

The easiest stack is Ace to King...
The problem is not to learn the stack but the possibilities that the stack may give you. Better to learn a good stack (like S Aronson or Tamariz) than one with few possibilities. The main goal is the effect you perform, not the stack !

Eight Kings and Si Stebbins are not necessarily the BEST stacks, but they certainly hit that fine balance between 'easy to learn' and 'effective'. Lots of magicians have learned one or the other and never bothered to learn another that is theoretically 'better', simply because they work.

Does anyone here know the Aronson stack please PM me.

Is it difficult to learn.

Magicah123,

Go to http://www.simonaronson.com and click on the "Magicians Only" link on the left side of the page. Once you've entered, follow the "Memorized Deck Magic" link to the free download of "Memories are Made Of This." It gives you the whole Aronson stack, plus information about memorizing it (or any stack) and a lot of terrific information about memorized deck magic in general.

--Josh

Thanks Josh, for the link. I find it very informative! Also thanks to Simon Aronson for the free pdf download.

In response to John:
Dominic O'Brien, who has memorized 54 decks of cards and is the 8 times world memory champion is also an dyslexic. I would suggest you to look into his books. He is using the same system (DOMINIC system) for both numbers and cards.

I personaly like the JOYAL STACK. Get the book "The six hour memorized deck"

I am interested in Joyals Stack. Where is the best (cheapest) place to find this book?

I'm having trouble locating the Joyal stack. According to his website, the book is now out of print. Anybody have any ideas where I might be able to pick up a copy?

Perserverence in any stack is the key. Richard Osterlind's BCS is an excellent math based system. Much better than Si Stebbins or Eight Kings in my opinion. Spend 20 min. per day while in the car going to a show or work and you will have a system learned faster than you would think. Or if you want to be safer, practice in the shower, when learing a stack the cards are not actually necessary.

Use your favorite stack but do the shank shuffle to keep the stack intact.go to youtube and look up brick tilley look out, cleveland to see the shuffle.there is a manuscript out there by marlo/racherbaumer that teaches the shuffle.it's not easy and requires some time at the practice table but worth it.