Q: Why cardstacking?
A: I have had at least some interest in building card houses for as long as I can remember, but I distinctly recall the first time I saw the structures of Bryan Berg on Ripley's Believe It or Not in 1999. I was so amazed at the types of buildings he was able to construct with ordinary playing cards, and I became determined to do something similar.
A: I have had at least some interest in building card houses for as long as I can remember, but I distinctly recall the first time I saw the structures of Bryan Berg on Ripley's Believe It or Not in 1999. I was so amazed at the types of buildings he was able to construct with ordinary playing cards, and I became determined to do something similar.
Q: What is the tallest card tower you have built?
A: Currently, my personal record for height of a card tower is 20 feet, 6 inches (6.25 m).
A: Currently, my personal record for height of a card tower is 20 feet, 6 inches (6.25 m).
Q: Is that a world record?
A: Not quite. The current world record is 25 feet, 9 7/16 inches (7.87 m) and is held by Bryan Berg of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
A: Not quite. The current world record is 25 feet, 9 7/16 inches (7.87 m) and is held by Bryan Berg of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Q: But you were so close to the record, why didn't you just build the 5 more feet needed to break it?
A: The simple answer? I ran out of height on my ladder. However, even if I had built to 26 feet, the record would not have counted because there's a bunch of formal mumbo-jumbo that you need to follow in order to qualify for a Guinness World Record. Of course, I will be sure to follow all the technicalities when I actually attempt the record.
A: The simple answer? I ran out of height on my ladder. However, even if I had built to 26 feet, the record would not have counted because there's a bunch of formal mumbo-jumbo that you need to follow in order to qualify for a Guinness World Record. Of course, I will be sure to follow all the technicalities when I actually attempt the record.
Q: How many decks of cards do you own?
A: As of this writing, I have about 5000 decks (270,000 cards) at my immediate disposal for cardstacking. I order more decks as necessary when my supply level depletes.
A: As of this writing, I have about 5000 decks (270,000 cards) at my immediate disposal for cardstacking. I order more decks as necessary when my supply level depletes.
Q: Do your hands shake?
A: Absolutely - especially after I've had a few cups of coffee.
A: Absolutely - especially after I've had a few cups of coffee.
Q: Why don't you cardstack more often?
A: I wish I had the time! Having a full-time job is a bummer, but a necessity...
A: I wish I had the time! Having a full-time job is a bummer, but a necessity...
Q: How mad would you be if I sneezed right before you were done?
A: Not very. These things are more robust than they appear. A sneeze would barely do anything, if it even dislodged any cards all!
A: Not very. These things are more robust than they appear. A sneeze would barely do anything, if it even dislodged any cards all!
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Q: When and how did you start stacking?
A: I can't exactly pinpoint when I started cardstacking, because I have been building things with cards for as far back as I can remember. I used to build with old decks of cards at my grandparent's house and around my home. I would build all types of small structures, either to create cities for my Matchbox cars or as "palaces" for my stuffed hedgehogs. I would build with whatever type of cards I could rummage up around the house, including playing cards and cards from card based games such as Skip-bo and Uno. |
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Q: How can I get started learning cardstacking?
A: In 2003, Bryan Berg published a book entitled "Stacking the Deck". I very quickly bought a copy and was dumbfounded to find out that the "secrets" were so amazingly simple. I became obsessed for a time with building some of the smaller structures from the book. Before I knew it, I was easily building 10 or 15 card stories, far taller than I had ever built before. This book is still great for anybody looking to learn the basics.
A: In 2003, Bryan Berg published a book entitled "Stacking the Deck". I very quickly bought a copy and was dumbfounded to find out that the "secrets" were so amazingly simple. I became obsessed for a time with building some of the smaller structures from the book. Before I knew it, I was easily building 10 or 15 card stories, far taller than I had ever built before. This book is still great for anybody looking to learn the basics.