Butterfly Workers Edition vs Refill Deck: Key Differences

By Marked Playing Cards for Magicians | Butterfly Playing Cards ... | Published: 2026-10-17

Category: Comparisons

Compare Butterfly Workers Edition V2 decks with refill packs to find the best value for your magic practice and performances.

Quick Answer

The Butterfly Workers Edition V2 decks come as single or multi-deck packs with a bordered design, marking system, and one-way back, while refill decks are typically bulk packs of the same design for replenishing your stock. If you need a few decks for practice or performance, single Workers Edition decks are ideal. If you perform regularly and go through decks quickly, a 12-deck refill pack saves you money and ensures consistency.

What Makes the Workers Edition V2 Different

The Butterfly Workers Edition V2 is designed specifically for magicians who prefer a standard white border on the back design. This bordered version was a success among magicians because it allows for easier palming and concealing of cards. The deck includes a marking system in all four corners, a one-way back design, large center pips on all four Aces, two identical Jokers, and a double backer. It also comes with a nearly 30-minute instructional video, which is a bonus for learning new techniques.

You can buy the Workers Edition V2 as a single red deck, a 12-deck pack of all red, or a 12-deck mixed pack of six red and six blue. The single deck is great for trying out the design or for occasional use. The 12-deck packs offer a significant discount—20% off the single-deck price—making them a smart choice if you know you like the deck and plan to use multiple decks over time.

Refill Deck Options and Value

Refill decks for Butterfly Playing Cards are essentially the same high-quality decks sold in bulk to save you money. The catalog facts show that the 12-deck packs of Workers Edition V2 are described as saving 20% compared to buying individual decks. This is the refill model: you get a case of identical decks (all red or mixed red and blue) at a lower per-deck cost. There is no separate 'refill' product line—the bulk packs themselves serve as the refill option.

If you perform regularly or teach magic, going through multiple decks per month is common. A 12-deck pack ensures you always have fresh, consistent decks on hand. The mixed pack (six red, six blue) is useful if you use both colors in your routines or want to offer variety to spectators. The all-red pack is ideal if you prefer one color for consistency.

Tradeoffs at a Glance

Single Deck vs. Bulk Pack: A single Workers Edition V2 deck costs about $8.13, while a 12-deck pack brings the per-deck cost down to roughly $6.90 (red only) or $6.90 (mixed). The tradeoff: you pay more per deck for the flexibility of buying one at a time, but you save significantly if you commit to a case. If you're unsure about the deck, buy one single deck first. If you already know you like it, go for the 12-deck pack.
Color Choice: Red vs. Mixed: The mixed pack gives you six red and six blue decks, while the all-red pack gives you twelve red decks. The tradeoff: the mixed pack offers variety but forces you to have blue decks if you never use them. The all-red pack is more efficient if you only perform with red. Choose the mixed pack only if you actually use both colors. Otherwise, the all-red pack is better value.
Instructional Video Included: Each Workers Edition V2 deck comes with a nearly 30-minute instructional video. This is a bonus for learning sleights and routines specific to the deck. Bulk packs include the same video with each deck, so you get multiple copies—useful if you share decks with students or friends. The video adds educational value, especially for newer magicians. Bulk buyers get multiple copies, which can be a nice perk.

Product Facts at a Glance

Butterfly Playing Cards Workers Edition V2 (12 Mixed Decks): Save 20% on six red and six blue decks of Butterfly Playing Cards Workers Edition V2! The red and blue Butterfly Workers Edition Playing Cards are back with the second edition! And they are more affordable than before, even more than we intended… This version of Butterfly Playing Cards was a success among magicians, who prefer decks that have a back design with the standard white border. They are now available again… This mixed pack gives you both colors at a bulk discount, perfect for magicians who use red and blue decks in different routines or want to offer a choice to spectators.
Butterfly Playing Cards Workers Edition V2 (12 Red Decks): Save 20% on twelve red decks of Butterfly Playing Cards Workers Edition V2! The red and blue Butterfly Workers Edition Playing Cards are back with the second edition! And they are more affordable than before, even more than we intended… This version of Butterfly Playing Cards was a success among magicians, who prefer decks that have a back design with the standard white border. They are now available again with a… If you only use red decks, this all-red bulk pack gives you the best per-deck price without paying for blue decks you won't use.

Which Should You Choose?

Best for

Magicians who perform regularly and go through decks quickly—buy a 12-deck pack for the best per-deck price.
Magicians who want to try the Workers Edition V2 for the first time—buy a single red deck first.

Not for

Collectors who want limited-edition or foil variants—consider the Butterfly Workers Edition Silver instead.
Magicians who need a deck without a border for certain tricks—the standard Butterfly deck might be a better fit.