First of all, hello to everyone here in United Cardists. My name is Ruben. I am from Indonesia, and had been studied abroad in Singapore for 5 years - 3 years Bachelor in Interior Design and 2 years Advanced Diploma in Animation and VFX. Just a guy who tries to enjoy life to the fullest ;3
INTERESTS
I love magic. It begins with me watching magic shows and competitions on TV, then see Youtube videos of magic tricks. I try to learn card tricks by myself, and try to be good at it. Because of lack of time, I haven't managed to mastered any skills regarding of card tricks. Nevertheless, that won't stop me
Later, I begin to have an interest in Cardistry after I saw several videos of it (especially from Virtuoso). If I can learn a few of the card flourishes tricks, I can impress people with it and do an unique art performances.
I am certainly interested in cards, both poker decks and tarot cards.
For the tarot cards, I love the way the illustrations are made, rather than owning them for sake of fortune telling (though I like to try it out a few times). I only collect Tarot card with the design that interests me very well, especially the illustrations. Of course, I would obtain the original Tarot, which is the Rider-Waite Tarot.
As for the poker playing cards, there is a short story for it. At first, I though it is just a stack of 54 pieces of paper, all the same pips, all the same courts, just ordinary stuffs. I firstly begin with the very cheap playing cards, made of plastic and strong stench of glue. I used them to play card games with friends at school, try to do magic tricks with playing cards. Later, when I receive Bicycle Playing Cards, it starts my passion with playing cards (and heck, once I handle that Bicycle, I start to love using it). The passion for playing cards is getting stronger when I see Bicycle Black Tiger and Ghost from Ellusionist - when I realized, playing cards are more than just white color paper, with standard red and blue back color. Even more, after I watched "Now You See Me" movie, then I get to look into Monarchs by Theory11. These three decks starts my journey in collecting playing cards. I collect more and more playing cards while I am studying in Singapore - buying from card retailers and magic shops, eventually growing the collections. I try to obtain decks which I found very interesting in design on my view, and those which has been reviewed by card enthusiast in Youtube (notably TheGentlemanWake). Throughout the journey in playing cards, I met a few friends who also collect playing cards, magicians, playing cards designer, cardists, etc. I am so amazed, of how a playing card, a simple tool for entertainment, can be a unique hobby.
COLLECTION
My collection consists of standard playing cards, such as Bicycle, Tally-Ho, Bee, Aviator, and the new Copag310 to Premium and Limited Decks - from Kickstarter Campaigns and custom made by Magicians. If my wallet is available, I tried to back a few playing cards campaign in Kickstarters. I managed to backed The Parlour Playing Cards by TGW and S17, and EPCC Jerry's Nuggets Revival, also with Testament Deck by Ben Green
My collection is approximately 200+ decks, those including Gaff Decks, Magic Decks, etc.
My collection can be found here (updated as soon as I acquire new decks) - https://www.portfolio52.com/profile/16212/collection
In my collection, all the decks are opened, with the decks still retaining their cellophane wrappers and seals. I also end up to open limited decks, which is quite a sin, though to quote Chris Ramsay - "Cards are meant to be played with". From these opened decks, some I break the decks (shuffled and held multiple times) and some I retain (just see and keep the order - i.e. decks that comes in a specific stack). Only a few decks I own are still sealed and wrapped in cellophane - duplicate decks - ready to be sold (hope it won't happen) or to see the decks in it's original state.
PRAISES AND FAVOURITES
Favourite Designers - Stockholm 17/Lorenzo Gaggioti & Jackson Robinsons
These two are exceptional designers. They both managed to have playing cards as their canvas, and the artworks they produce are simply amazing.
Shoutout to Jackson Robinsons for his design of Maduro and Kings Wild Tigers, producing very unique playing cards tuck boxes.
Shoutout to Stockholm17 for exceptional overall designs of his playing cards, especially his magnum opus - House of the Rising Spades, which won UC's Deck of the Year 2018 Best Overall Deck. It has become my favourite decks amongst my collection (I provide Carat Case especially for these decks)[and it's a bummer I didn't managed to back these decks before]
Favourite Magician - Chris Ramsay
Inspirational, Cringey, and passionate about magic. He also collects playing cards (and mooooore decks I ever imagine). I managed to own the decks he designed - Memento Mori and 1st Playing Cards. He has a Youtube Channel, which he used it to explain bits of magic tricks, tutorials, etc. (He even has a video that explains what is playing cards collecting about). He also does puzzle videos too, since he loves puzzles.
GOALS AND DREAMS
Someday, I like to have a studio where it keeps my playing cards collection, and do magic stuffs in there. With my knowledge of Interior Design, I hope to create a custom display case for playing cards, which in turn, I try to promote the furniture to other playing cards collection.
I want to try making custom playing cards. This goal is inspired by Jacksons Robinsons. Though I have no idea of where to start. I hope there is a discussion here that discuss about being playing card designers, as I like to learn from them, and probably start a career in it.
I also looking forward in trying to learn more card magic tricks and card flourishes.
TOO MUCH INFORMATION
I am a part of a fandom called Furry Fandom - a fandom of anthromorphic animal lovers. My fursona is Laito Starr, a blue wolf magician. I decided to design the sona in such way as it is to associated him with myself.
ENDING
Nevertheless, I hope I can contribute much to United Cardist, try my best to give feedbacks and discuss about playing cards. I am so glad to be here
