As a practicing magician, playing cards are just one of the many tools in our "magical toolbox." For the causal card player any pack of cards will most likely do. But for anyone who practices card magic or just plays a lot of card games, cards might be a subject of interest. If you're looking for quality long-lasting budget playing cards, I highly recommend Tally-Ho cards. They're inexpensive and can be subjected to being bent and abused, while maintaining their ease of handling. Tally-Hos' durability can be attributed to its linoid finish, which also helps prevent the cards from sticking together. Unlike most other playing cards such as Bicycles or Bees, Tally-Hos are rather resistant to warping after heavy usage. In fact, a pack of Tally-Hos I own for five years and counting, still springs and fans just like it did first out of the box. — Jefferson Deng
[The magicians who hang out at The Magic Cafe message board seem to agree that Tally Ho cards are more durable than Bicycle cards. Another interesting thing about these cards is that the Circle back design is slightly asymmetrical, which makes the cards useful for mentalism tricks. The one negative thing about Tally Ho cards is that spectators are usually more familiar with Bicycle cards and unfamiliarity raises suspicions about whether or not a deck is gimmicked. — Mark]
Tally Ho Circle Back Playing Cards ($6)
