talkmagic.co.uk

Hi all

There are numerous threads on this and other forums discussing packet effects. It seems self-evident to me that personal preference is clearly in issue: what works for one magician may not work for another, (taking into account style, usability in the "real world", whether you're a paid perfomer or, like, me a hobbyist and so on) etc. However, it seems equally clear that the same effects will crop up repeatedly: for instance Twisted Sisters, NFW, Colour Monte, Skinners Ultimate 3 Card Monte, Jon Allen's Double Back, etc. However, as I peruse the suggestions, whilst these staples in particular have almost unanimous support, as further examples are cited down the lists, there seems to be less agreement and consensus.

Cliches and platitudes in magic as a whole have a tendency to exist for good reason. The old "the classics are the best" school of thought, for instance, is justified. Put simply, when showing magic to a spectator, it is often the case that they will not have seen magic perfomed before, so whilst something may be viewed as old hat by the knowing magic community, it is to all intents and purposes pure magic to them; something fresh and exciting in their minds (and because of that it takes on that mould when you perform it).

With this in mind, and not just because I enjoy playing devil's advocate, but rather have an ulterior motive in establishing what in fact ARE the classics so that I can make an informed decision as to what to consider buying, I'd be interested in what your thoughts are on the classic packet effects. To narrow the parameters (other threads discussed what is and what isn't a packet effect), I suppose my definition of a packet effect is a marketed effect that uses a few cards, gaffed or ungaffed, or otherwise uses some other gimmick in the packet effect. Gaffed decks, for example, the ID, would, in my opinion, not count as a packet effect. Similarly, cards simply taken from your card stock to make a packet would not be a packet effect - that is, something that is not marketed. However, whilst some packet effects could be achieved by doing a DIY approach, you are paying for a marketed secret, so this would still be a packet effect. In short, a good defining rule of thumb is that the packet effect is marketed, and is not simply an effect taken out of a book or video such as RRTCM.

In the lists I'd expect the timeless classics, and perhaps it would be useful for these to be pointed out and agreed on, no matter how seemingly well established and obvious. Of course, manufacturers will strive to self christen their effects as "classics" in a marketing ploy to invoke moments of CUPS impulsiveness, but it would be interesting if the magic buying public (i.e. we magicians) adopted such thoughts.

I would say that a decent packet effect is a three card monte (or does that count?).

Rufio,

I've done an awfull lot of packet tricks over the years. Some for a long time and some for only a short time.

The only one that I still do, from being a beginner nearly 20yrs ago, is Card Warp. Others have come and gone, but Card Warp will never go.

I've seen the demo for Card Warp and it looks exactly like an effect out of Gerry Griffin's Complete Card Magic (I can't remember which volume, but the handling and even the time machine patter appears identical). I personally wouldn't use that patter myself, however. My qualms about the trick when i first learnt it several months ago was that it destroyed cards - this was a time when i had just one Bicycle deck and revered each playing card to the extent that i was hesitant in palming. I am now more brazen with cards, and have amassed several decks, so I may rediscover this - looking at the demo i'd forgotten how magical it looks, and i might just start using it again. Assuming Card Warp is the same as the Gerry Griffin effect, I'm not sure whether for my purposes and definition it would count as a packet effect, although it is a great effect that I will probably incorporate into my repetoir, as it's really visual.

I think 3 Card Monte would count as a packet effect. Although interestingly there's loads of marketed versions of it available, ranging from the cheap Ebay versions to Temptation, Skinner's version, Monte 3.0 etc.

When I worked on the ticket barrier (London Underground) I used to perform Card Warp all the time, using old tickets, and it was always very well received. Bit hard to do it with an Oyster card, mind.

I do quite a few packet tricks, the main reason I like them is because it's just a few cards so there's no fumbling with the rest of the deck,
it's easier to follow and they're really fun to do. The most popular ones are the afore mentioned 3 card monte and card warp,
but I'd like to add a few more, for example oil and water, twisting the aces, jumping gemini.
I can't help but feel that I've forgotten one, I'm sure there's other popular packet tricks.

I've always (well, OK, the last 25 years) had a fondness for Alex Elmsley's 'Four Card Trick'. 'Doctor Daley's Last Trick' is another classic, as is Nick Trost's 'Eight Card Brainwave'. I liked 'NFW' too.

One that I don't do that gets mentioned a fair bit is 'Rainbow Cascade'.

Rufio, if you're really serious about this, how about getting a copy of 'Small but Deadly' by Paul Hallas?

The blurb writers wrote:This book is the ultimate consumer's guide to packet tricks. As such, it can save you both time and money. It will point you in the direction of some of the greatest packet tricks ever created. If you are interested in close-up magic you will find this book an essential reference.

In fact, if you are simply interested in magic, who invented what, or magical history, you will find this book a great read.

If you want some new packet tricks to perform, you will find some fully detailed within these pages, along with different presentational suggestions for tricks you may already do!

Whatever packet trick theme or plot you can think of, it is discussed within these pages. Including packet tricks for cabaret performance with normal or jumbo sized cards.

Small But Deadly is a great reference work that will become a valuable addition to your magic library. You will take it off the shelf again and again!

Part-Timer wrote:...One that I don't do that gets mentioned a fair bit is 'Rainbow Cascade'...

Rainbow Cascade! I love that trick and so do the spectators. It's a cracker.

I second Small but Deadly - excellent book. I reviewed it ages ago, but still managed to find a link

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic5799.php&highlight=deadly

Though I haven't actually used any in a long while, I am a huge fan of packet tricks/effects.

Some of my favorite packet tricks are:

Presto Printo - Daryl
Entourage - Gordon Bean
Twisted Sisters - John Bannon - One of my all-time favorite effects
Ultimate 3 Card Monte - Michael Skinner - a classic
Color Monte - Great, fun little routine
Compact Compass - Jay Sankey's brilliant take on the Color Monte Plot
Bruce Cervon's Dirty Deal
Strange Travellers
Wild Card
NFW
Bicycle Built for Five - Ton Onosaka
The Whole Thing - Larry West - Very difficult to find, and the cards are not the greatest quality - but it's a great effect, lots of fun to perform
Alex Elmsley's Dazzle - a bit demanding and difficult to get smooth - but this is an absolute killer. As long as you have more cards to pull out of your pocket, this effect can go on (and still be entertaining) forever.
Capitulating Cards - Outstanding effect, another of my all-time favorites

Some of my favorite small packet effects are:

Card Warp - As others have said, this is a stunner
Twisting the Aces - Dai Vernon
Oil and Queens - Roy Walton
Oil and Water effects
Reset - Paul Harris
Daley's Last Trick
Peter Duffie's Hellraiser. Actually, Peter Duffie has so many incredibly small packet effects, I will just say buy anything with his name on it, and you're getting more than your money's worth.

There are books and DVD's from Aldo Colombini which offer great impromptu small packet effects that are outstanding.

There are so many I'm leaving out, but since it's 3 am and I'm incredibly tired, that's all I can remember at the moment. I might have to dig through the old magic drawer to see what else is in there.

is there a single source that teaches Twisting The Aces, Oil and Water and Dr Daley's Last Trick? I'm contemplating buying Mark Wilson's Cyclopedia of Magic once i've finished RRTCM - would that have these classics? Alternatively, is there anywhere else that teaches them? If I'm correct, Dr Daley's Last Trick often has the patter which is along the lines of "try and compare these cards. Does one feel slightly heavier? The Ace of Spades has a lot of ink on it: if you notice it is slightly more heavier... " etc. The reason I'm interested in one source is because I am currently frugal and don't want to pay for numerous books in chasing a particular trick. Also, who manufactures / designs Wild Card? Questions, questions.... !

The Paul Hallas book DOES seem interesting, and I'm grateful for the pointer, BUT for my purposes it does seem slightly too in depth for me, as I'd imagine that i would only want a max of say 5 more packet effects to perform, although I appreciate it would be interesting to read. Anything more, however, and pocket management will become difficult.

Also, I don't want packet effects to dominate too much in performing; i love sleight of hand, flourishes and generally showing off with cards as I feel this can look like pure magic, and having too many packet effects distracts away from that. On the flip side, at their best, packet effects achieve the seemingly impossible, and it is these occasions where we magcians get into juicy territory. Obviously when routining I try to use them like peaks and troughs to add variety and spice to doing something with a deck of cards, but I am aiming to wean myself off packet effects, and just have a select few "killers". Although I have to say that filling a plastic wallet with effects is really satisfying. Incidentally, the plastic wallet you get in Twisted Sisters is really nice and sturdy: does anyone know where I can buy a plastic wallet like this, as opposed to the more flimsy wallet you get in Colour Monte for instance? The Jerry O Connell wallet for holding efects is similarly OTT for me, as space and funds are limited. Thanks for the pointers so far.

Rufio wrote:Incidentally, the plastic wallet you get in Twisted Sisters is really nice and sturdy: does anyone know where I can buy a plastic wallet like this, as opposed to the more flimsy wallet you get in Colour Monte for instance? The Jerry O Connell wallet for holding efects is similarly OTT for me, as space and funds are limited. Thanks for the pointers so far.

I find the sturdy card wallet you get with the "melt" trick is great to use to carry other packet tricks too and doesn't bend in my pocket. I got mine from International Magic in London for £15, but I've seen it on ebay for about £8 with postage.

Hope this helps

To come to think of it I don't use one packet trick in performance,although I like NFW but it just doesen't fit in. I however do do a couple of tricks one of which uses 5 card's and the other is actually twisting the aces but I just take the cards I need out of my full deck during performance, but then would that make it a packet trick, I suppose not because there are no gaffs and they are carried within my full deck who knows.

http://themagicwarehouse.com/acard2.html

Second one down from the top - .65 is a steal, I think.

I understand your pocket management concerns, and it is definitely something to consider. This is why I mentioned the Colombini materials, which you can find here:

http://www.elmwoodmagic.com/full/Magic-Tricks-Magic-Books-Magic-DVDs-22425-Impromptu-Packet-Tricks-DVD-Aldo-Colombini__4347.htm

Filled with "packet effects" which can be performed with a straight deck. Don't confuse packet tricks with packet effects - sometimes, you don't need gaff or special cards to make a strong small packet effect.

I don't know of a source that teaches all 3, but Ammar's Easy to Master Card Miracles Volume 2 has:

Twisting the Aces
Daley's Last Trick
Card Warp

In fact, the entire Ammar series is well worth it, and has many effects that fall under the small packet effects title. A few others in the series:

8 Card Brainwave
Between the Palms
Twins
Your Signed Card
Dunbury Aces
Ambitious Classic
Reset
Virginia City Shuffle
Hofzinser All Backs
Grasshopper
Close-Up Illusion
Oil and Queens
Jazz Aces

Volume 6 teaches one of the greatest packet effects of all time, in my opinion. Jumping Gemini (Darwin Ortiz) is an incredible effect that looks like it should be special cards, but only uses 4 regular cards. That effect alone is worth the price of the DVD.

That's a great review, Demitri; I'd have linked to it, had I known it existed!

Rufio, the point about that book is that, for the price of one book, you can find out detailed information on a large number of effects. You'll be able to decide which effects you like (rather than listening to us telling you what we like).

I'm guessing that the cost might be putting you off, but don't forget that (according to Demitri's review) you are also given enough information to make up a number of packet effects yourself.

As to the Wild Card effect, I think this was created by Frank Garcia (not sure though). There are many versions of this around. Go to a few magic dealers' websites and search for 'Wild Card'. The trick, not the TM member, of course.

Card Collection sell it, for example. It's almost at the bottom of their 'small tricks' section. http://www.cards4magic.co.uk/acatalog/c ... ricks.html

My personal favorite three packet tricks are - in this order

1. Twisted Sisters
2. Queens out of Control
3. Presto Printo