A common activity used in memory competitions and among Guinness World Record holders for memory is to recall all the cards in a randomly shuffled deck of playing cards. If you’d like to challenge yourself, here is the best way to memorize a deck of cards according to Ron White, two-time USA Memory Champion.
Best Way to Memorize a Deck of Cards
The best way to memorize a deck of cards is using a 2-step process.
The system consists of two main ingredients:
1. Creating a mental map
2. Creating substitute images for each playing card…
1. Select 5 rooms in your house (i.e., bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, garage).
2. Memorize 10 pieces of furniture in each room. Stand in the doorway of each room, and looking around the room, number 10 large items in a clockwise direction. For example, the first piece of furniture on your left may be a desk. Going around the room clockwise, #2 might be your bed, #3 could be a dresser, #4 a mirror, #5 a TV, etc. It really doesn’t matter which items you select, but if you use a television in one room, avoid using a television in another. And choose large items over small ones (e.g., the desk, not a pencil on the desk).
3. Repeat these 50 items over and over in your head until you can close your eyes and say them flawlessly and rapidly.
4. Now add 2 more pieces of furniture at the end—maybe in a new room or even 2 landmarks in your yard.Create Images for Every Playing Card
This next part is where you use your creativity, and it is 100% up to you how you create the images. But every card needs to be turned into a noun (person, place, or thing).
You can learn the entire memory technique here.
Do you think this is the best way to memorize a deck of cards? Tell us about your experience in the comment section.
This is an ‘industry standard’ when it comes to memorizing a deck of cards. It’s the simplest method in my experience… but the benefits of practising it are much more far-reaching than a simple party trick. Periodically memorizing decks of cards helps improve your all-round memory and comprehension! That’s why, in your spare time, keeping your mind busy with things such as this is a great way to pass the time. Such as on a train, on the bus, or while inside a casino plotting to steal a million dollars in Las Vegas!!! (Hey, at least you’ll look cool while you’re doing it)
Although there are much more complex methods out there, such as some of the methods Tony Buzan talks about in ‘The Memory Book’ sometimes, the simplest method is also the easiest method. The Journey System (This method) is quite a lot of fun and a great starting point for anyone wishing to follow Mnemosyne… Good luck everyone that tries it!