I have been playing with the same 5 decks for the past 2 months and just yesterday I bought a pack of 12 NEW decks! There was A HUGE difference! My fans were more even and a lot more smooth, but when I try to do a one handed shuffle, a giant fan or an out-faro, it just doesn't mix well! Is it because I'm not used to new decks or because old cards are better for weaving?
Thx

I would imagine your assumption is correct, you're just not used to the new decks. I think most people would argue that a new deck faros almost effortlessly compared to older decks. But the decks you use are a matter of personal preference and performing style.

Personally, I would recommend getting used to those slippery new decks.

Actually, "brand new" decks can be rough on the edges making Faro weaves difficult to start. Through use, the edges get a little wear and smooth out, making the Faro weaving itself more smooth.

The rougher new decks require a light touch to Faro; and, whereas a broken in deck can be forgiving as to recovering a Faro that starts to go bad, new decks are not. If the Faro starts to go wrong with a new deck I have found it just gets worse due to the rough edges.

I guess it also depends on what kind of cards you are using Aby9. I can't faro most Fournier decks very good, new or broken in. I just get hung up on that plasticy feel.

Bikes, even seconds, are great right out of the box, as are Tally-Ho.

And, of course, the more practiced you are the easier your faros will be with all types of decks.

If I open a new deck and find that the edges are too rough to faro smoothly, I bevel the deck and run a nail file along the edges (each end, each direction). This resolves the problem for me.

Paul M.

I think a deck has to be properly faro-trained. See Steel and Silver by Paul Gertner, he talks all about this.

I disagree. I opened a new deck of cards for the first time in a month yesterday, and I could faro it no problem. (Sizzling the cards afterward didn't go over so well.) You just have to practice with all decks and eventually you'll get it right.

I have found that there is a sweet spot when it comes to cards. Not too new, not too old. I think the best way to get there is to just break them in the old fashioned way. Just play with them. Fan, cut, faro...

I had to work a party the other night, and I cracked open a new deck and spent the afternoon breaking them in. They were perfect for me by the time I hit the gig.

Good luck!

Wow, that was pretty gutsy! I wouldn't do a gig with a new deck, even if I spent the day breaking it in. I find that they're just a little too slippery for certain moves, like BRS and others. Not to mention they're terrible for one handed shuffles. LOL. I guess if you can work a fairly new deck like that for a paying audience, go for it!! New decks look so professional.