Smoke & Mirrors v8 Green vs Relaunch Edition: Key Differences
By DAN & DAVE: Products by Dan and Dave | Published: 2026-10-23
Category: Comparisons
Compare the Smoke & Mirrors v8 Green Edition and the v2 Relaunch Edition. See how back design, stock, and scarcity affect your choice between these two limited releases.
Quick answer
Choose the Smoke & Mirrors v8 Green Edition for a modern cardistry-focused feel with an updated back design and thin stock. Choose the v2 Relaunch Edition if you want the closest reissue of the original 2007 look with a slightly modified back and a 17-year anniversary connection.
Back design and visual lineage
The v8 Green Edition updates the original 2008 back design, making it feel fresh while keeping the minimal court cards, custom jokers, and intricate ace of spades that define the Smoke & Mirrors aesthetic. The v2 Relaunch Edition deliberately stays as close as possible to the 2007 original with a slightly modified back design, preserving the nostalgic look that collectors remember.
If you started collecting after 2010, the v8 Green Edition will feel like a natural evolution. If you remember the original release or want the purest vintage vibe, the Relaunch Edition delivers that connection.
Stock and handling differences
The v8 Green Edition is printed on USPCC’s proprietary thin stock developed specifically for cardistry. That makes it snappier and more flexible for fans, cuts, and aerials. The v2 Relaunch Edition does not specify a special stock, so you can expect standard USPCC crushed stock typical of limited Smoke & Mirrors decks.
For cardists, the v8 Green Edition’s thin stock is a clear advantage. For magicians who prefer a slightly stiffer deck for traditional sleights, the Relaunch Edition may feel more familiar.
Scarcity and collectibility
The v8 Green Edition is described as an extremely small batch, the first print of this design in nearly 10 years. The v2 Relaunch Edition is a limited edition commemorating the 17-year anniversary of the original. Both are limited, but the v8’s longer gap since the last print may make it harder to find after the initial drop.
If you want a deck with a longer scarcity window, the v8 Green Edition is the pick. If you value the anniversary milestone and the direct link to 2007, the Relaunch Edition has stronger historical appeal.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Back design: v8 Green Edition uses an updated back design based on 2008; v2 Relaunch Edition uses a slightly modified back design that stays as close to the 2007 original as possible. Choose v8 for a modern twist; choose Relaunch for vintage accuracy.
- Card stock: v8 Green Edition is printed on USPCC’s proprietary thin stock developed for cardistry. v2 Relaunch Edition uses standard USPCC stock (no special stock specified). v8 is better for cardistry; Relaunch feels more like a classic deck.
- Scarcity: v8 Green Edition is an extremely small batch, first print in nearly 10 years. v2 Relaunch Edition is a limited anniversary run. v8 may be harder to find after launch; Relaunch is more milestone-driven.
Product facts
- Smoke & Mirrors v8, Green Edition: Back in print for the first time in nearly 10 years, featuring an updated back design based on the original 2008 edition. Printed by USPCC on proprietary thin stock developed for Cardistry. This thin stock makes the deck more flexible and snappy, ideal for cardistry moves like fans and cuts.
Smoke & Mirrors v8, Green Edition - Smoke & Mirrors, v2: Relaunch Edition: Commemorative Relaunch Edition of Version 2, featuring the return of minimal court cards, joker and ace of spades with a slightly modified back design, as close to the original 2007 release as possible. If you want the most authentic vintage Smoke & Mirrors experience without hunting down an original, this is the closest you can get.
Smoke & Mirrors, v2: Relaunch Edition
Which deck fits you?
Best for
- Cardists who want thin, snappy stock and a modern back design
- Collectors who missed the 2008 edition and want a fresh take
Not ideal for
- Purists who want the exact 2007 back design and stock feel
