# \#shadow-system **URL:** https://forum.artofmemory.com/tag/shadow-system/27.md [Latest](https://forum.artofmemory.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.artofmemory.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.artofmemory.com/tags.md) --- ## [A Revolutionary 2 cards system (only 676 images) using only 3 digit system](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/a-revolutionary-2-cards-system-only-676-images-using-only-3-digit-system/90175)
**Author:** [@Honje](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Honje)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2026, 11:03pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/a-revolutionary-2-cards-system-only-676-images-using-only-3-digit-system/90175 "2026-07-21T23:03:13Z")
I was inspired by Maike Anthony’s 3-cards system article at 3-Card System (64-block card system) The first thing to understand is that Lance’s shadow system was reduced to 1352 images by folding the 2704 images in half,… --- ## [TIM SYSTEM: development and training journal](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/tim-system-development-and-training-journal/96858)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/tim-system-development-and-training-journal/96858 "2025-04-12T13:31:07Z")
EDIT: I think I’ve settled on a name… The “Translated Index Method,” or “TIM” System. Kinda rolls nicely off the tongue, eh? I’ve created a document in google sheets listing the complete method and instructions, along w… --- ## [2-Card System Questions](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/2-card-system-questions/101167)
**Author:** [@Astrema](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Astrema)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 10:50am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/2-card-system-questions/101167 "2025-03-22T10:50:58Z")
Are there any 2-card systems besides Shadow and Ben system? Preferably a true 2-card system based on a variation of the major system. I’m in the process of filling out images based on the Ben system but am used to the … --- ## [Resource: Shadow System - Anki template deck (Can also be used for learning any other 2-block or full 2704 card pair system)](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/resource-shadow-system-anki-template-deck-can-also-be-used-for-learning-any-other-2-block-or-full-2704-card-pair-system/83873)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2024, 8:41am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/resource-shadow-system-anki-template-deck-can-also-be-used-for-learning-any-other-2-block-or-full-2704-card-pair-system/83873 "2024-10-20T08:41:43Z")
I want to share a resource with this community that will hopefully make things easier for those aspiring to learn the Shadow System (or a 3-digit number system, or really any 2-block card system.) One of the most daunti… --- ## [Adventures with a 2-card system](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/adventures-with-a-2-card-system/93536)
**Author:** [@CakeForBreakfast](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/CakeForBreakfast)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2024, 1:03pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/adventures-with-a-2-card-system/93536 "2024-09-30T13:03:08Z")
Hi all, I thought I’d start a wee thread about my progress in creating and using a 2-card system, similar to what @TheHumanTim has been doing for a good while now. The aim is just to have fun with it, ultimately I’d like… --- ## [The First 4-Card System](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/the-first-4-card-system/90233)
**Author:** [@Mike4](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Mike4)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/the-first-4-card-system/90233 "2024-09-28T17:27:49Z")
Yes, I’m posting a card system, again… After my first 3-card system, I came up with a second one, and then a third one (the best so far), and now I’m going to share the first 4-card system ever created. I recommend you t… --- ## [New Two-Card System: 2-block (1352 element), Simple Phonetic Structure](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/new-two-card-system-2-block-1352-element-simple-phonetic-structure/89482)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2024, 12:18pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/new-two-card-system-2-block-1352-element-simple-phonetic-structure/89482 "2024-09-05T12:18:23Z")
After a recent thread discussion between @Mike4, @fred2, and myself about a new double2block card system idea, I’ve been thinking about the different structures of large card systems, namely the Ben System (by @Zoomy) an… --- ## [A New 2-Card System (Shadow System)](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/a-new-2-card-system-shadow-system/28633)
**Author:** [@LociInTheSky](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/LociInTheSky)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2024, 11:15am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/a-new-2-card-system-shadow-system/28633 "2024-08-26T11:15:41Z")
A note from the author, five years later: The text at the bottom of this post, which is stricken out, has been left in for historic and informative completeness. It is stricken out because it should not be applied, and… --- ## [Shadow System Worksheet](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-worksheet/55446)
**Author:** [@BradenExplosion](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/BradenExplosion)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2024, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-worksheet/55446 "2024-06-18T16:55:29Z")
As some of you may know, I am a big fan/believer/user of the 2 Card system known around here as the Shadow System. I also use a 4-3-3 binary system that the creator of the Shadow System, Lance Tschirhart, developed to go… --- ## [Number of loci needed for shadow system?](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/number-of-loci-needed-for-shadow-system/93849)
**Author:** [@CakeForBreakfast](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/CakeForBreakfast)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2024, 9:35am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/number-of-loci-needed-for-shadow-system/93849 "2024-06-08T09:35:17Z")
I’m just wondering if people with experience using a card shadow system, have an idea of a “practical maximum” number of loci needed to memorise one deck of cards? The theoretical maximum is 26, which would only occur i… --- ## ['Shadow system' final image - how to remember?](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-final-image-how-to-remember/93610)
**Author:** [@CakeForBreakfast](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/CakeForBreakfast)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2024, 10:18pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-final-image-how-to-remember/93610 "2024-05-29T22:18:35Z")
Hi, quick question for anyone using a ‘shadow’-type system for cards. How do you remember whether the final word/image in your entire sequence represents a ‘black-first’ or a ‘red-first’ pair? Along the way, you can det… --- ## [Eclipsing the Shadow System, or, "Iambs Get All the Glory"](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/eclipsing-the-shadow-system-or-iambs-get-all-the-glory/92173)
**Author:** [@LociInTheSky](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/LociInTheSky)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2024, 2:13pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/eclipsing-the-shadow-system-or-iambs-get-all-the-glory/92173 "2024-05-29T14:13:39Z")
Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry? -William Blake Today, we’ll consign the Shadow System to oblivion by rendering it irrelevant. I… --- ## [Eclipse System: A new 2-Card / 2-block (1352 element) development and training journal](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/eclipse-system-a-new-2-card-2-block-1352-element-development-and-training-journal/92820)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2024, 1:07am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/eclipse-system-a-new-2-card-2-block-1352-element-development-and-training-journal/92820 "2024-05-15T01:07:32Z")
Figured I’d start this thread up so that its ready to go when I make the inevitable switch to my new system… :stuck\_out\_tongue: Not sure if I will stick to Lance’s exact layout for his Trochee System or if I will dive i… --- ## [All-In-One System: Two-Card (2704 Unique Images), 3-Digit 000-999 P.O., 2-Digit 00-99 P.O., and 10-Digit Binary. An Experimental Learning Journal](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/all-in-one-system-two-card-2704-unique-images-3-digit-000-999-p-o-2-digit-00-99-p-o-and-10-digit-binary-an-experimental-learning-journal/89658)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2024, 9:21am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/all-in-one-system-two-card-2704-unique-images-3-digit-000-999-p-o-2-digit-00-99-p-o-and-10-digit-binary-an-experimental-learning-journal/89658 "2024-05-11T09:21:52Z")
Wellllll… Lets see where this goes. (BTW, thanks to @Mike4 for some great discussion and thoughts on big systems and giving me some good reasons to go in this direction.) In a nutshell, I want to see how it would go to… --- ## [Efforts to learn the Shadow System and memorize a deck of cards in under one minute](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/efforts-to-learn-the-shadow-system-and-memorize-a-deck-of-cards-in-under-one-minute/79239)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 260\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2024, 2:02am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/efforts-to-learn-the-shadow-system-and-memorize-a-deck-of-cards-in-under-one-minute/79239 "2024-05-11T02:02:31Z")
I started working on applying the Shadow System tonight! I finally finished selecting my starting image/words for every card pair. That took SOOOOO long, hahaha, but it was actually kind of a fun brain melting puzzle. T… --- ## [The Best 3-Card System (1,352 images)](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/the-best-3-card-system-1-352-images/90213)
**Author:** [@Mike4](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Mike4)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/the-best-3-card-system-1-352-images/90213 "2024-04-04T16:37:07Z")
Ok, I know I already made two posts on this topic, but bear with me. This time I promise it’s something truly usable. In fact, I believe I’ve finally found a 3-card system suitable for competitions. My first 3-card syst… --- ## [Single-Card split P/O system based on Shadow System Phonetics and Techniques](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/single-card-split-p-o-system-based-on-shadow-system-phonetics-and-techniques/92111)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2024, 12:30pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/single-card-split-p-o-system-based-on-shadow-system-phonetics-and-techniques/92111 "2024-04-03T12:30:09Z")
For those who are interested in learning a bit about how the Shadow System works or are looking for a relatively simple but effective single card system that could help prep you for the leap into classic or expanded Shad… --- ## [3-Card System (64-block card system)](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/3-card-system-64-block-card-system/90117)
**Author:** [@Mike4](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Mike4)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2024, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/3-card-system-64-block-card-system/90117 "2024-03-01T18:30:26Z")
After developing a 4-digit system, I was wondering if it would be possible to create a 3-card system to accompany it. I’m not talking about a “fake” 3-card system where there are actually 2 images (one for ranks and anot… --- ## [A second 3-card system (2,197 images)](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/a-second-3-card-system-2-197-images/90195)
**Author:** [@Mike4](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Mike4)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/a-second-3-card-system-2-197-images/90195 "2024-03-01T18:23:15Z")
A few days ago, I made a post showing the first 3-card system. It may work if someone devotes years to master it since it requires really many images, 8,788 more precisely. Later, @Honje (Jedidiah Benedict) made a post s… --- ## [Alternative to variable image stacking](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/alternative-to-variable-image-stacking/90156)
**Author:** [@Mike4](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Mike4)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2024, 10:22am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/alternative-to-variable-image-stacking/90156 "2024-01-28T10:22:45Z")
Yesterday I posted on the forum what I believe to be the first 3-card system. To encode three cards per image, I created a few methods, one of them being what I named the Sublocus Strategy. It consists of dividing every … --- ## [Resource: ZIP File containing all 2704 Card Pair Images as .jpg's](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/resource-zip-file-containing-all-2704-card-pair-images-as-jpgs/79808)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2023, 10:31pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/resource-zip-file-containing-all-2704-card-pair-images-as-jpgs/79808 "2023-12-19T22:31:51Z")
Hi All! I’ve been working on learning the Shadow System and part of that process has been using digital flashcards via Anki to learn the associations. It was easy to find images of single cards on the web, but not so m… --- ## [3-digit Person/Object list help? (10 entries left)](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/3-digit-person-object-list-help-10-entries-left/86064)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2023, 7:19pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/3-digit-person-object-list-help-10-entries-left/86064 "2023-09-01T19:19:21Z")
While I’ve been progressing with my Shadow System project, I’ve also started a side quest to try to fill in a person and object for all the entries in the list. This is sort of a prep for eventually learning a 3x2x3 PAO… --- ## [Shadow System](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system/84961)
**Author:** [@bjornxyz](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/bjornxyz)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2023, 3:25pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system/84961 "2023-07-19T15:25:11Z")
So I have spent this last week learning the shadow system, and It’s gone quite well until I stumbled upon the face cards. I can easily memorize a deck of cards without the face cards using the shadow system in under 5 mi… --- ## [Shadow System / 2-Block Cards - Variable Image Stacking Simulator](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-2-block-cards-variable-image-stacking-simulator/83078)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-2-block-cards-variable-image-stacking-simulator/83078 "2023-05-12T16:01:21Z")
(Disclaimer: I have zero background or experience with coding!) I wanted to find a program that would simulate random deck configurations and determine how many loci would be needed to memorize the deck via the variable… --- ## [Why the Shadow System? Shijir Bat-Enkh memorized a deck in 12.74 seconds. He used PAO](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/why-the-shadow-system-shijir-bat-enkh-memorized-a-deck-in-12-74-seconds-he-used-pao/82395)
**Author:** [@iOSDeveloper](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/iOSDeveloper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/why-the-shadow-system-shijir-bat-enkh-memorized-a-deck-in-12-74-seconds-he-used-pao/82395 "2023-04-13T19:33:53Z")
In 1997, Dominic O’Brien memorized a deck in 41.43 seconds at the 1997 World Memory Championships. Back then, he was placing just one card per station in a memory palace. (He later started using two cards per locus wit… --- ## [Shadow System: modifications](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-modifications/81754)
**Author:** [@watermeleon](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/watermeleon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2023, 8:56am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-modifications/81754 "2023-03-26T08:56:58Z")
Hi everyone, After finally having overcome the initial troubles of the shadow system + two block method, I was wondering if people had made their own modifications? For me the only modifications where the scenarios whe… --- ## [Shadow System / Major System help! 6 "SM blend" images left to fill! EDIT: Got 'em!](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-major-system-help-6-sm-blend-images-left-to-fill-edit-got-em/79170)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-major-system-help-6-sm-blend-images-left-to-fill-edit-got-em/79170 "2022-12-22T18:58:40Z")
I’ve only got 6 more images to create to complete my Shadow System list! My brain has been melting out of my ears all week trying to come up with words that fit the confines of the system. I’ve managed to come up with AL… --- ## [Hybrid Shadow System with single card "adjective" descriptors?](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/hybrid-shadow-system-with-single-card-adjective-descriptors/79022)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 6:02pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/hybrid-shadow-system-with-single-card-adjective-descriptors/79022 "2022-12-14T18:02:28Z")
Ok, maybe this is just the winter tiredness and white russians talking, but I’ve been thinking over the Shadow System all week, thanks to some great thought provoking responses and posts from @bjoern.gumboldt and @Braden… --- ## [The Single Card Shadow System (a transitional system for the beginner to intermediate level)](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/the-single-card-shadow-system-a-transitional-system-for-the-beginner-to-intermediate-level/78971)
**Author:** [@bjoern.gumboldt](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/bjoern.gumboldt)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2022, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/the-single-card-shadow-system-a-transitional-system-for-the-beginner-to-intermediate-level/78971 "2022-12-12T13:13:21Z")
Continuing the discussion from Shadow System details and document: Introduction It’s one of those “forest for the trees”-situations. I just realized that only because it’s obvious to me doesn’t mean that it will be ob… --- ## [Shadow System details and document](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-details-and-document/78956)
**Author:** [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2022, 2:44pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/shadow-system-details-and-document/78956 "2022-12-11T14:44:05Z")
I recently found some posts about the Shadow System here on the forum. I was fascinated by it, and knowing that a lot of you top mem folks use it, I wanted to check it out. Like many others have found, it was a lot to ta… [Next page](https://forum.artofmemory.com/tag/shadow-system/27.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=shadow-system)