At The Card Table - Darwin Ortiz [long]

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At The Card Table - Darwin Ortiz [long]

Postby SpareJoker » Jul 12th, '11, 23:32



Darwin Ortiz - At the Card Table
Kaufman & Co., 1988, 3rd edition
Hardcover, A4 size, 168 pages
160 b&w photographs, 55 line drawings.
Currently out of print.

Introduction
This is my first review for TM, and hopefully the first in a small series of in-depth reviews of the three card books written by American performer Darwin Ortiz.

Modern-day card magicians have available to them a vast amount of printed material. Virtually every week, a book is published in English on the subject of card magic. It could be an embarassment of riches. Unfortunately, a lot of the time it's just an embarassment (what can I say, I'm tough to please!). Yes, we have some gorgeously formatted, full-colour hardbound volumes available at £30 a pop (and upwards), but I feel the quality of a lot of the material being published nowadays is terrible.

Because of this signal/ noise ratio, it can get very expensive to discover which are the books worth investing in (both money and time), and which are best to be avoided. It is important to find those authors who will not waste the readers time and money. I firmly believe Darwin Ortiz is one such performer and author.

This is the first book to be written by Dawin Ortiz when he was still heavily influenced by The Expert At The Card Table and to some degree it shows. Most of the the routines are technique-heavy (in that a lot of different card techniques are used in a single routine), and some routines use heavy technique (e.g. Zarrow Shuffle riffle Stacking). Later books provide illusions accomplished with less 'brute-force' methods. It is not a book for kids or beginners. The reader is expected to have done their homework over the years, and have (at the very least) a solid foundation in basic to intermediate card technique.

It is comprised of two sections: Card Table Atrifice, and Legerdemain (from the Middle French "lygarde de mayne", literally, "light of hand"), echoing the format of Expert At The Card Table. The material in the book adheres to the principle of 'Strong Magic' as expanded upon in Darwins' therory book of the same title. The effects contained within are far from trivial. It is also a book of 'practical' magic, in that the effects can be performed virtually surrounded. There is no lapping or 'angle'-palming. All the items are either impromtu, or completely self-contained, and all the items allow the performer to end clean. This greatly facilitates their insertion into any point of an act. Most (but not all) routines require a table surface to perform.

The greatest value of the book are the 'Performance Tips' at the end of every routine. It is in these seemingly innocent paragraphs that Darwin imparts his considerable performace experience. Details such as when to perform a particular routine, when not to; how to handle boring sections of tricks (e.g. when dealing cards). These invaluable insights are gained from the years spent perfroming the routines for paying audiences.

The effect discriptions are largely the authors own words. Fear not, given relatively decent presentational skills on the part of the performer, there is zero hyperbole. The difficulty scores presented in this review are relative to the material in the book. So a 1/5 would be the easiest in the book to perform, 5/5 the most difficult. As it is this roughly corresponds to the usual TM scoring system, in that the easiest routines in the book are virtually self-working.

A lot of the routines published in the book have also appeared on VHS/ DVD. Items marked * do not appear anywhere but in the book.

Card Table Artifice
This is a collection of routines focusing on gambling. Not all routines require the audience to have any familiarity with card gambling (e.g. Poker), athough the impact of some of the routines would be greatly increased if performed for an audience of card-players (e.g. Bridge).

Most material in this chapter does require advanced card technique such as second/ bottom dealing and riffle-shuffle run-ups. The routines are structured to get the maximum amount of impact and entertainemnt from these advanced techniques. As the man himself says: "...if one wants to convey an impression of great skill, it is advantageous to actually posess great skill". All in all, a great reason to start work on your second dealing!

The Pinky Count
The Card Table Artifice section begins with a thorough treatment of the Pinky (U.K. - little-finger) Count. This invaluable tool is used extensively in Darwin's work. It is a method for secretly and invisibly getting a break under a number of cards on top of the deck. It can also be used to add polish to many other techniques, e.g. getting ready for multiple-lifts, and as a method of getting into tilt/ depth illusion one-handed.
Difficulty: to acquire the knack:4/5, once you've got the knack: 1/5

The technique, whilst looking straight-forward, can take time to master. Initially the little finger will be too weak, and the other fingers of the hand will be pointing in all sorts of weird directions. Stick with it, and you'll have a technique you'll treasure for the rest of your life.

The first part of Card table artifice is a series of false dealing demonstrations involving the jacks:

Jacks Open*
EFFECT: The performer demonstrates how a card cheat can control two desired cards into any poker hand he wishes by means of dealing seconds and thirds.
Techniques tought: Braue Secret Addtion handling.

A relatively short effect that would serve as a great opener to a gambling act. Requires a good/ deceptive second deal technique.
Difficulty: 3/5

Jackpot
EFFECT: The performer gives an exhibition of master-level false dealing, dealing seconds, thirds, and fourths!.
Techniques tought: Larry Jennings' Stud Bottom Deal.

A slightly more skillfull demonstration than Jacks Open.Requires a good/ deceptive second deal technique.
Difficulty: 4/5

Jacks Or Better*
EFFECT: The performer offers to demonstrate how a card shark can cheat in a game by dealing seconds, thirds, fourths, and fifths!

The pinnacle of false dealing demonstrations with the jacks. Requires only two second deals!
Difficulty: 3/5

In One Deal*
EFFECT: After cleanly losing the four aces in the deck, the performer asks a spectator to name a small number. The performer deals off that many cards and finds an ace at that number. This is repeated three more times to locate all four aces.
Techniques tought: Ed Marlo's Unit Control (for dealing thirds)

An alternative presentational approach for false dealing. Requires knowledge of a third-deal technique.
Difficulty: 5/5

Mexican Poker
EFFECT: The performer offers to play a game of Mexican Poker with a spectator. This, he explains, is a form of poker that uses only ten cards, the number needed for two players, in order to minimise opportunities for cheating. Despite allowing the spectator ever-increasing control over shuffling, dealing, and distribution of the cards, and even allowing the spectator to cheat, the performer wins every hand.
Techniques tought: Waving (card marking technique).

One of my favourite routines in the book. The impact is exponential to the effort. Excellent opportunities for audience interaction and humour. Excellent performance tips cover every single eventuality concievable.
Difficulty: 1/5

Darwin's Three-Card Monte
EFFECT: The performer gives an authentic demonstration of the three-card monte (U.K.:Find-The-Lady) con. Includes the 'bent-corner swindle'.
Techniques tought: Monte Throw.

A major lesson in routining. One of the best non-gaffed Monte routines out there. Includes an alternate 'torn-corner' finale.
Difficulty: 3/5

The Estimation Routine*
EFFECT: The performer gives a demonstration of his ability to determine the number of cards in a packet purely by feel.
Techniques tought: Hindu Shuffle Glimpse.

As the author states, this effect is not intended as a program item. Requires the ability to pinky count up to fourteen cards.
Difficulty: 4/5

Grand Slam*
EFFECT: The performer demonstrates how he can deal himself and his partner all thirteen spades at bridge when his opponents shuffle the cards and how he can stack a grand slam hand when he shuffles.

A powerhouse routine, no knowledge of bridge on the part of your audience is needed to appreciate this demonstration of skill. Requires a solid second deal technique.
Difficulty: 4/5

The Vegas Shuffle
EFFECT: Despite constantly mixing all the red cards with the back cards (using increasingly thourough shuffles), the cards constantly and miraculously separate back into reds and blacks.
Techniques tought: Larue Ireland's Red/Black Shuffle, The Zarrow Shuffle, Ed Marlo's Key Move.

This is a good example of Darwin's presentational approaches, in that it is a gambling-themed routine that requires no knowledge of gambling on the part of the audince to appreciate. A good routine for brushing up on your Zarrow work.
Difficulty:3/5

Fast Shuffle*
EFFECT: The performer stacks a poker hand using four, then two, then a single shuffle.
Techniques tought: Four-Shuffle/ Two-Shuffle Riffle Stacking, Gambler's Double Deal.

This is an advanced routine employing very difficult technique. With sufficient practice, you will get full audience impact from the work you will have to do.
Difficulty: 4/5

The Twofer Shuffle*
EFFECT: The performer stacks a poker hand in only one shuffle, dealing himself the four kings. Explaining that many card hustlers prefer to deal the winning hand to an accomplace, he also deals the four aces to his accomplace.

An extension of the Fast Shuffle routine. Involves slightly more handling of the deck, but to greater impact.
Difficulty: 4/5

Greek Poker
EFFECT: A Triumph style effect, with a gambling theme and a colour-change kicker!
Techniques tought: Strip-Out Shuffle with Block Transfer.

Ideally requires ringing in a cooler to get maximum effect.
Difficulty: 4/5

The Ultimate Cardshark
EFFECT: A tour-de-force of crooked dealing. Ends with the performer dealing out all the suits, in numerical order.
Techniques tought: The Benzias Cut, Up-The-Ladder Variation, Zarrow Shuffle Riffle Stacking.

Alongside God of Gamblers (from Scams & Fantasies) this routine is one of the most hardcore routines in print. I mean, c'mon, Zarrow shuffle riffle stacking?!. Monster routine gives monster results. Ideally requires ringing in a cooler to get maximum effect. Perfect closer and reputation-maker. Not for the feint-of-heart.
Difficulty: 5+/5

Legerdemain
It is in this section that we see Darwin's 'Strong Magic' approach in action. The pillars of this approach are clarity of presentation, deceptive methodology, conviction, and most importantly a solid understanding of the psychology of laymen.

Each of the routines in this section show how the above pillars can be utilised to produce effects with scope. Primarily known for his mastery of card technique, Dawin also presents routines using gaffs and props, including an outstanding wallet routine.

The Dream Card
EFFECT: The performer shows a red-backed card in his wallet. The spectator freely selets, then signs a card from a blue-backed deck. The red-backed card is then removed from the wallet and is shown to be exactly the same card as that selected by the spectator (replete with their signature on the face).
Techniques tought: Erdnase Top Palm

A great alternative to the usual card-to-wallet plot. Description contains a full script for the routine. Requires a p**m-l*****g wallet and a single, easily obtained gaffed card.
Difficulty: 3/5

Hitchcock Aces
EFFECT: A one-at-a-time ace assembly with a surprise ending in which the aces vanish from the leader packet and assemble in the lst follower packet under the spectators hand, the four cards in the packet having changed to the four kings.
Techniques tought: Dai Vernon's "Slow-Motion Four Aces" Add-On Move, J.K. Hartman's Multiple Count Change

The first of several four ace effects. A relatively traditional four ace routine with a nice kicker.
Difficulty: 3/5

Nine Card Location
EFFECT: Nine spectators are each asked to remember a different, randomly selected card. Despite continual shuffling and cutting of the deck, the performer succeeds in effortlessly cutting to each spectators card, using a different flourish cut for each one. The last card is produced from the performers wallet.
Techniques tought: Riffle force, Roger Klause's Multiple Control, Skinner/ Fletcher Spring Card Revelation, Neal Elisa' Cutting Discovery, The K.M. Move, Cyprian/ Ortiz Revelation, Ortiz Pop-Out Cut, Eddie Fletcher's Hindu Reveleation, Marlo/ D'Amico Toss-In Location.

At just over eight minutes, this routine is almost a full act in itself. Again Darwin shows his routining skills to the full with this piece. Requires a p**m-l*****g wallet.
Difficulty: 4/5

Regal Aces
EFFECT: A spectator freely selects a card which is then buried in the deck. The performer shows he has a duplicate of the chosen card on the top of the deck, a second in the middle, a third on the bottom, and a fourth duplicate face up in the middle of the deck. Removing these four cards, he once again shows them to be duplicates of the selection. Finally, he produces the selected card from his pocket and shows the four cards consist of the four aces.
Techniques tought: The Cover Pass, Slip Cut in the hands, J.K. Hartman's Catch Switch, Larry Jennings' Multiple-Lift Sequence, Ken Krenzel's Pressure Hide-Out, Ortiz Packet Palm, R. Gordon Bruce's Pocket Load.

A fairly sophisticated routine, pretty much continuous technique from start to finish.
Difficulty: 4/5

Slick Aces*
EFFECT: The performer offers to cut to the four aces. After cutting to the first three aces he has a spectator place her hand on them. To conclude he causes a transposition; the ace of spades changes with the three aces under the spectators hand.
Techniques tought: Derek Dingle's Bluff Shift, Bernard Bills' Palmed-Card Addition.

A slightly easier four ace routine. The kicker always surprises people.
Difficulty: 3/5

Deja Vu Jokers*
EFFECT: A one-at-a-time four ace assembly using the Jokers with a dissassembly kicker.
Techniques tought: Dai Vernon's Add-On Move (Derek Dingle Handling), The Altman Trap, Variation of Larry Jennings' Multiple Lift Sequence, Bro. John Hamman's Flustration Move.

A very deceptive routine, with some nice patter suggestions. Pretty much non-stop technique from beginning to end, this routine is a good use for all those spare jokers you have lying around.
Difficulty: 4/5

Modern Jazz Aces
EFFECT: A one-at-a-time ace assembly is performed using only four aces and four indifferent cards.
Techniques tought: Ed Marlo's Orlam Sublty Improved.

A modern classic, this is an ace assembly stripped right back to the bare bones. A joy to perform.
Difficulty: 2/5

The Lucky Deck
EFFECT: The performer takes out a deck of cards and shows that the faces are completely blank. a moment later he prints faces on all the cards. the deck can be completely examined at the conclusion of the effect.

A good routine for walk-around/ table-hopping.
Difficulty: left-handed performer: 2/5, right-handed performer: 3/5

Darwin's Wild Card
EFFECT: Classic "Wild Card" plot in which a group of duplicate cards are transformed by contact with another card so as to match that card. Each card is changed in a different way, and the backs and the faces of the cards are shown repeatedly both before and after the transformation.
Techniques tought: Ed marlo's Glide Variation, Ken Krenzel's Drag DL, Side Steal Colour Change.

A solid wild card routine. Optional(-ish) ending requires a H*****r wallet.
Difficulty: 3/5

Darwin's Aces*
EFFECT:Three selected cards having been lost in the deck, the performer takes the four aces and causes them to vanish one at a time. Finally, the aces materialise face up in the center of the deck with three face down cards interlaced between them. These are of course, the three selections.
Techniques tought: Larry Jennings' Ace Steal, J.K. Hartman's AFTUS Variation.

A nice variation on the famous Roy Walton routine, the name of which temporarily escapes me. :oops:
Difficulty: 3/5

The Card Warp Deck*?
A handling/ presentational approach for performing Card Warp by removing cards from a deck.
Difficulty: n/a

The Si Stebbins Secret
A method of setting a newly opened deck into Si Stebbins order under the guise of a series of shuffles.

One word: invaluable, and quick (o.k., that's two words). Can be used to perform some of the great SS deck tricks out there, without the need for a deck switch.
Difficulty: 3/5 (perfect F**o shuffles needed)

Do As I Did*
EFFECT: The performer demonstrates that he has previously predicted a card freely and fairly selected by a spectator.

I think a lot of people overlook this effect. Don't let the simple description fool you into thinking this is rather trivial . It's the conditions under which the effect takes place that make it so strong. The performer commits to his selection well in advance of the spectator, and most of the action (including the selection of their card) happens in the hands of the spectator. A great application of the I*******e deck. As you can probably tell, one of my favourites.
Difficulty: 2/5

Jumping Gemini
EFFECT: An ambitious card routine is performed with a four-card packet, the two of hearts continually rising to the top. Just when the spectators begin to suspect that all four cards must be twos of hearts, the packet is shown to consist of four tens of spades. For a final climax, the cards are shown to have changed to the four kings.
Techniques tought: Bro. John Hamman's Gemini Count.

Another early Ortiz piece that is set to become another modern classic. Makes a great opener, and is refreshing to perform in that it is a four card trick that actually only uses four cards. One of Dawin's most YouTube'd routines (not quite sure what that says about the effect, I just thought I'd mention it nonetheless).
Difficulty: 2/5

Back Off
EFFECT: Four playing cards are shown to be misprinted with backs on both sides. One by one, the performer prints a face on each of them. The four cards can be handed out for examination at the end.
Techniques tought: Dai Vernon's Through The Fist Flourish, Bernard Bilis' Unloading Move, Dai Vernon's Alignment Move (First Handling).

Darwins' first version of the 'Back Off' plot. A superior version appears in Scams & Fantasies With Cards.
Difficulty: 4/5

Mindbender
EFFECT: Two spectators each freely cut to a card and note it. The first spectator shuffles his cards and hands them to the performer who goes through them and succeeds in finding the spectators card. The second spectator shuffles all the cards together and places the deck aside. Without ever touching the cards again, he succeeds in naming the second spectators card.

Personally, I think this is one of the weakest effects in the book, but that may be because the effect doesn't quite chime with my performing persona. YMMV.
Difficulty: 2/5

Ultimate Interchange*
EFFECT: Four red-backed aces change places one ata time with four red-backed kings which were previously buried in a blue deck of cards.
Techniques tought: Dai Vernon's Two-Card Pushoff, Dai Vernon's Alignment Move (Second Handling), The Steranko move, Tabled Slip Cut.

Another wall-to-wall technique piece. The contrasting backs during the changes add an extra layer of impossibility.
Difficulty: 4/5

New Tens Routine*
EFFECT: The performer displays a short series of magical transformations in which the black tens keep changing into the red tens and vice versa.
Techniques tought: The Elliot Change, John Cornelius' Flicker Change

Short and punchy, ideal for table-hopping/ walk-around. A fair amount of pinky counting on-the-fly involved.
Difficulty: 3/5


Conclusion
Well, that's it folks. Details I wasn't able to find in time for this review included the g/cm2 paper used, the type of paper, and the exact composition of the ink used in the printing process.

For those that are interested, my score for the book would be 8/10. As mentioned in the introduction, I feel that some of the effects are 'over-slighty' (if you know what I mean), especially when compared to later books (Cardshark, Scams & Fantasies). Back when it was originally printed (1988) I would have rated it a solid 10.

Hope this review was of some use. Thanks for taking the time to get this far :). Apologies for splelling slips, I can't seem to get my spellchecker to work with the latest version of Firefox :roll:

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SpareJoker
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Postby CArlight1958 » Jul 15th, '11, 11:03

Thank you for taking the time to write this review SJ.

As you no, I am fast becoming a fan of Ortiz.
I now have the moves firmly planted in my head for"Jumping Gemini"

The Pinky Count is going to take some time.

Thanks again.

CArl..


:oops:

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CArlight1958
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Postby sneeka » Jul 19th, '11, 19:31

Excellent review - I have the book and it is indeed essential reading if you're looking for a challenge :shock:

Looking forward to your other Ortiz book reviews :)

sneeka
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