Haines' House of Cards

A Magical Legacy in Norwood, Ohio

Nestled in the heart of Norwood, Ohio, Haines' House of Cards stood as a beacon for magicians for nearly a century. Located at 2514 Leslie Avenue, in Norwood, a neighborhood of Cincinnati, OH, this unassuming concrete building was more than just a shop—it was a hub for innovation in card magic, supplying gimmicked decks that enabled performers worldwide to execute astonishing tricks with ease. From its origins in the 1920s to its closure in the early 2020s, the store played a pivotal role in the magic community, blending craftsmanship, secrecy, and a whimsical touch.

Early History and Founding

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The story of Haines' House of Cards begins in the 1920s with John Snyder Jr. (1888–1946), a Cincinnati native and avid magician. Snyder, who started his magic journey at age 15 while working in the office of U.S. District Attorney W.E. Bundy, he  balanced a career in mechanics and auto parts before retiring in 1934 to focus fully on illusion. He established a factory in Norwood, Ohio, to manufacture magical apparatus and partnered with the U.S. Playing Card Company to produce high-quality gaffed (tricked) decks based on their Aviator Bridge design. Naming the line after his summer retreat in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, Snyder's Fox Lake Playing Cards quickly became favored among magicians for their durability and precision. By 1927, the magic shop was formally established, specializing in card decks that allowed even novices to perform complex illusions.

Snyder mentored young talents, including future magic legend Don Alan, whom he began teaching at age 12. His innovations included exclusive rights to designs by R.W. Hull (1883–1943), such as the Svengali Deck (originally attributed to Burling Hull in 1909, though origins are debated). The factory's location in Norwood, a suburb of Cincinnati, placed it near the U.S. Playing Card Company's operations, fostering a symbiotic relationship in card production.

The Fox Lake card sets were sold with instructions, so even young kids could start their magic presentations. The print shop used blank Fox Lake cards as well as US Playing cards to print their gaffed cards and die cutters to prepare other card tricks.

Owners Through the Years

The ownership of the business evolved over decades, reflecting the passion of its stewards:

• John Snyder Jr. (Founder, 1927–1946): As the originator, Snyder built the foundation from his Norwood factory, emphasizing quality gimmicked cards.

• Ronald Haines (1947–1974): During Snyder's final illness, Ronald Haines (1906–1974), a University of Cincinnati engineering graduate and World War II veteran, managed the operations. After Snyder's death in 1946, Haines purchased the company in 1947 and renamed it Haines' House of Cards. He expanded production, acquiring rights to Hull's mechanical decks and effects by Hen Fetsch, and compiled the influential booklet 36 Tricks with Fa-Ko Cards (1962). Haines, a prominent figure in magic circles, served as president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM), Society of American Magicians (SAM), and Magicians' Dealers Association (M.D.A.).

Haines also started to sell costumes, both for magicians and for Halloween. After a few years, this was stopped and the bottom portion of the lighted signs outside the store were blacked out as can be seen in the image at the top of this page.

• Betty Winzig (1974–unknown): Following Haines' death on April 9, 1974, Betty Winzig (born 1934) took over, maintaining the store's legacy by producing classic decks like the Svengali, Stripper, Don Alan's Invisible Deck, Pop-Eyed, and Split Deck. Under her stewardship, the shop continued as a go-to resource for magicians.

• Joe Farag (until 2022): In later years, the business was handed to Joe Farag, who operated it until his passing on November 22, 2022, at age 59. Farag, born in Cincinnati, preserved the shop's traditions, hosting events and serving as a mentor to aspiring magicians.

After Farag's death, the shop closed permanently in 2023, marking the end of an era. Although Betty Winzig's granddaughter expressed interest in acquiring it, no revival occurred.

Although not an owner, Bill Pryor (d. 2018) played a significant role as a key contributor. A veteran Cincinnati magician and inventor known as the "Dean of Cincinnati Magicians," Pryor worked for Ronald Haines for ten years, developing numerous magic tricks and effects. Later, he rented space at the Haines' House of Cards location in Norwood, where he continued creating and performing. Pryor was celebrated for his comedy magic, lectures at conventions, and appearances across the region, leaving a lasting imprint on the shop's creative output.

Influence on the Magic Community

Haines' House of Cards profoundly shaped modern card magic through accessible gimmicked decks that had a following both in amateur and professional magicians. Products like the Svengali Deck, which allows cards to "change" mysteriously, the Stripper Deck for secret card control, and the Invisible Deck for mind-reading effects, were shipped in thousands globally—more than any other supplier, as noted by magician George Schindler in 1976. These tools empowered both novices and professionals, from street performers to stage illusionists, to perform feats that appeared impossible.

Haines House of Cards had a small stage where many magicians performed for the first time, as well as professionals who visited the store. Magic meetings were held at the magic shop and many attended practicing, demonstrating, and learning deep into the night. The last show in this stage was a full house, on May 7, 2023.

The shop's Fa-Ko Deck and accompanying booklet introduced 36 tricks, inspiring generations and featured in publications like Genii Magazine, The Linking Ring, and M-U-M. Its Norwood location became a pilgrimage site for magicians, fostering community through workshops and sales. Influential figures like Don Alan trace their roots to Snyder's mentorship, while Haines' leadership in magic organizations amplified the store's reach. Even after closure, its decks remain collector's items, preserving a slice of magic history.

Legacy and Closure

Though Haines' House of Cards shuttered its doors in 2023 following Joe Farag's death in 2022, its impact endures in magic lore. The shop's windowless facade and neon signs evoked a portal to enchantment, as described by locals. With the closure of Haines' House of Cards, a beautiful chapter in the history of Magic in Cincinnati closed for good.

Today, collectors seek vintage Fox Lake and Haines decks, and the site's spirit lives on in Norwood's evolving landscape, near developments like Factory 52. Haines' House of Cards reminds us how a small Ohio enterprise conjured global wonder.

Today, the store is empty, the building closed and the places where the two lighted signs sat, are now bare. 

 A new lease at the Sub Rosa Magic Museum

On Saturday May 13, 2023 the main sign of the magic shop, which was stubborn and would not want to come down, was bought by local  magician and cardiovascular surgeon Randall K. Wolf, MD. and with the help of his friend, Efrain Miranda, PhD, they took the sign down and  repairid it, uncovering the "Costumes" lettering and installing multi-colored app-controlled LED lighst. Other items were also secured, such as display cases, magic items and cards, photos, etc.

All of these are now at the Sub Rosa Magic Museum. A display and  homage to Haines' House of Cards is being prepared. The following images are part of the work in progress that will show the history of this magical shop as well as showcase some of the magicians that started their career in the tri-state (Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky).

References

1. That Magic Of Norwood's Haines' House Of Cards - 91.7 WVXU. 
2. Not a home but still a huge part of history! This beauty is the U.S Playing Cards Building  - 
3. Cardtopia on Instagram: "The history behind Factory 52"  
4. Ronald Haines - Magicpedia - Genii Magazine. 
5. Haines House of Cards | Norwood OH | Facebook. 
6. Fox Lake Playing Cards — The World of Playing Cards. 
7. F. Joseph Farag Obituary November 22, 2022.