The third edition Butterfly Marked is the flagship deck of the Butterfly Playing Cards family, created by Czech magician Ondřej Pšenička. This blue version is, together with the red, the best known in the series, and it returns with new card stock and handling improvements over previous editions.

• PublisherOndřej Pšenička (Butterfly Playing Cards)
• PrinterCartamundi
• FinishSlimline card stock
• Contentsmarked deck with a double-backer, instruction card, access to video tutorials and 15 stickers

Design

It is a marked deck: the back hides a system of discreet markings that lets anyone who knows it identify the cards without seeing their faces, which is very useful in magic. The markings are integrated into the back design so that they go unnoticed by the audience. In the third edition, the aces have a large central pip decorated with a floral motif.

Manufacturing

The third edition was self-published by Ondřej Pšenička and came out at the end of 2021. Like the previous ones, it is printed by Cartamundi, this time on its Slimline stock, thinner and with more “snap” than that of earlier editions, with smooth edges.

Contents and use

The deck comes in an outer sleeve with a butterfly-shaped closure that includes a card explaining the marking system, so you can start learning right away. It comes with more than two hours of videos in which Pšenička explains the fundamentals, well over a dozen effects designed for this deck and tips he has developed since the first edition. It also includes a double-backer (a double backer, with a back on both sides) and 15 stickers from eight deck designers to customise the tuck box. It is the go-to edition for anyone who wants to get started with Butterfly decks.