The Orbit Black Hole is a special edition of Orbit, Chris Brown's deck brand designed mainly for cardistry (the art of performing flourishes and eye-catching moves with cards). The idea came from Joe Feldpausch in 2017 and was shelved for several years until they found a way to manufacture it; it came out in 2024 after more than a year of pre-production. What makes it recognisable is the hole that goes through the centre of each card.

• PublisherOrbit (Chris Brown)
• DesignDaniel Schneider, based on an idea by Joe Feldpausch
• PrinterCartamundi (Belgium)
• FinishSlimline with B9 true linen finish
• Print run10,000 units

Design

The hole is exactly the size of the inside of the “O” that identifies the back of Orbit decks, so the back keeps its usual look with the centre empty. All the faces are drawn as if they were warping towards that black hole, with the indices and court cards curved around it. The illustrations are by Daniel Schneider, the brand's regular designer.

Manufacturing

It is printed by Cartamundi in Belgium, on Slimline stock (thinner than standard, which makes for a slimmer, more flexible deck) with a B9 true linen finish, an embossing with a linen fabric texture that helps the cards separate and glide. The print run is 10,000 units.