Art of Magic - Ambassador Exclusive - Deck Review!

Product Reviewed

Art of Magic playing cards (Art of Magic / Dan and Dave Buck from Art of Play), distributed as an exclusive deck via an “Ambassador program” associated with arttomagic.com. The video focuses on the deck’s design, materials/finish, handling, and practical use for magic.

Key Features Mentioned

Luxury Packaging

• Very thick blue matte cardboard case.
• White and gold paint design:
  • Gold elements are slightly embossed and feel tactile.
• Front artwork includes multiple “magic” motifs:
  • Logos forming “Art of Magic” (including a circle logo where letters form A/M/O).
  • A central all-seeing-eye/triangle motif with “Art of Magic” built into it.
  • Subtle embossing patterns in the background.
• Side panel details:
  • “Art of Magic” embossed in gold.
  • 2016 (founding year).
  • Keyhole symbol, framed as “unlocking” the ambassador path.

• Quote inside the box (Einstein):

  “The most beautiful thing we can experience is mystery. This is the source of all true art and science.”

• Interior is blue cardboard for a simple, premium presentation.

Card Backs (Shirt Design)

• Clean, symmetrical design—mostly dots with intersecting triangles.
• Hidden word pattern using typography:
  • Letters form “abracadabra” (repeating across the design).
• Includes the text:
  • “There is always more mystery.”

Card Faces

• Custom Ace of Spades:
  • Portal-like center image:
    • Triangle with “Art of Magic”, a keyhole, and an open door.
  • Monochrome and uncluttered.
• Remaining pips described as standard (possibly slightly larger icons).
• Figure cards: slightly updated via dark blue repainting.
• Minor but noticeable gold metallic paint accents.

Jokers

• Two identical jokers.
• Word-search-like design:
  • A field largely populated by letters forming “abracadabra.”
  • “Joker” appears in the two corners (noted as an exception).

Extras Included

• Art of Magic promotional card (logo + marked areas + website).
• Message card from Dan and Dave welcoming “ambassadors” and describing the project.
• Another promotional card referencing magical thinking and an Art of Magic podcast.

Materials / Manufacture (As Stated)

• A USPCC deck (the video states: “This is a deck from USPCC”).
• “Manufactured by Art of Play, made in the USA.”
• Branded cards are claimed to be thinner than typical stock:
  • The deck is said to be Dan and Dave branded thin cardboard, but still:
    • Fans and holds up well, implying good handling.

User Experience / Handling

• Described as very pleasant to handle.
• Fanning and handling performance: “fan and hold up very well.”
• Visual design is not distracting:
  • “Nothing too bright that could distract attention,” supporting use in magic.

Pros (As Stated)

• Luxury, high-end look and feel, especially the packaging.
• Crisp, elegant, clean design, particularly:
  • The Ace and key portal motif.
• Functional for magic:
  • Called “simple,” “concise,” and having “all the elements” needed for practical use.
  • Face cards are very familiar, which helps usability.
• Works for multiple purposes:
  • Recommended for both magic tricks and gaming.

Cons / Limitations (As Stated)

• Harder to find:
  • Tied to a now-closed ambassador program, so availability may require secondary markets.
• Positioning/critique:
  • The reviewer says it is “definitely not an art deck” (i.e., not in the style of decks like Third Way or Jackson Robinson), though it remains premium and versatile.

Comparisons Mentioned

• Compared to “art decks” such as Third Way and Jackson Robinson:
  • Art of Magic is framed as functional/usable rather than a true “art deck,” but still suitable for everything.

Availability / Buying Notes

• Mostly available through secondary markets (e.g., eBay).
• Prices can be higher than originally.

Overall Verdict / Recommendation

Recommended as a premium, functional magic/gaming deck—especially if you want clean, not-too-flashy Bicycle/USPCC-style handling with custom themed courts/face design.

Not recommended if you’re specifically seeking an “art deck” aesthetic, and availability may be inconvenient because the original distribution was through a closed ambassador program.

Unique Points (Consolidated)

• Luxury blue matte thick cardboard box with gold embossed tactile details
• Einstein quote included inside the case
• Back design is symmetrical with dots/triangles and hidden “abracadabra”
• Ace of Spades designed like entering a mysterious portal (triangle + keyhole + open door)
• Gold metallic accents on parts of the design
• Figure cards slightly repainted with dark blue
• Jokers use a word-search style abracadabra with “Joker” in corners
• Multiple promo cards (Dan & Dave message, podcast/magical thinking, logo/website)
• Handling described as very good despite thinner stock
• Best use: magic tricks and gaming
• Not an “art deck” (more functional than design-art focused decks)
• Hard to find; likely only on secondary markets and may cost more

Speakers / Perspectives

• Single main reviewer viewpoint throughout (with references to Dan and Dave), rather than multiple distinct presenters.