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Book Review: Expert Card Technique: Close-Up Table Magic
Authors: Jeam Hugard and Frederick Braue
Published: © Dover Publication, New York; 1974 (org. 1944)
Format: Paperback,448 pages, 318 illustrations
Availability: Most bookstores including Amazon
Price: $10.95US
Difficulty Level (1-5): 4 overall (some easy to master moves, however)

I have to begin this review by stating I generally do not like books on sleights or manipulation techniques. My learning style is more suited to video, or even better one-on-one instruction from a mentor magician. That said I cannot begin to express my joy with “Expert Card Technique.” While somewhat dated, the material presented is still very much in use toady by any respectable card mechanic. The topics (lifts, palms, false shuffles, etc) are given excellent treatment by the authors and descriptions of moves are clear and easy to understand. Back this up with good illustrations and this book becomes a “must have” reference for beginner through intermediate card magicians. To further enhance the already great value of the book, the authors have also included a load of great card tricks (using your newly developed skills, of course) as well as chapters on presentation of your routine and misdirection of the audience. For the absolute beginner, a thoughtfully placed glossary of the conjurer’s lexicon explains some technical terms (i.e., break, job, crimp, bridge, etc.) used throughout the book – as well as the trade.

My only true gripe with this work is the conspicuous absence of an index which make cross-referencing difficult. I do understand, however, that the nature of magic books is generally not conducive to the inclusion of such. This is but a minor annoyance and is easily compensated by the depth of the work.

The book is broken down into six parts: (1) Sleights, (2) Flourishes, (3) Technique, (4) Tricks, (5) Miscellaneous, and (6) Misdirection and Presentation.

Part one, Sleights, presents chapters covering:
• Lifts
• False Deals
• Side Slips
• The Pass
• Palming
• False Shuffles
• False Cuts
• Changes
• Crimps
• The Spectator Peek
• The Glimpse
• The Jog
• The Reverse
• Sundry Sleights
• The Rear Palm
• Fargo Shuffle

Part two, Flourishes, contains information on:
• Color changes
• Fans
• Springing

Part three, Technique, gives treatment on how to correctly use and incorporate moves learned in other chapters such as:
• Covering a palm
• Secret counts
• Forces
• Pre-arranged decks

Part four, Tricks with Cards, includes:
• Rising Cards
• Birds of a Feather
• One-Handed Card Magic
• Ambitious Card (very well presented)
• The Stranger Card
• Spelling
• Using Double-Faced Cards

Part five, Miscellany, contains additional information/helpful hints on developing skill with the moves and also nice little “trade secrets” (such as using a matchbook as a card display stand).

Part six, Misdirection and Presentation, while short, contains great “nuggets” of information useful in developing your own routines. Topics include:
• Using Humor
• Patter
• Your Routine
• The First Trick
• Sleight of hand vs. Self-working tricks (thought this is short – two pages – this section is very insightful and valuable to beginning magicians!)

Overall I’d give this book a solid 5 (scale 1-5) and highly recommend it as a reference to any serious card practitioner. The price makes it a great buy and you can probably scrape up the money to purchase it from lost change in the couch cushions!

I thought the book was fabulous, for the money it was well woth it. I especially like the instruction on the DL. Very convincing.

I know William you probably don't even visit this site anymore (if you don't visit anymore, please post below letting us know) but that was one hell of a review! I have hared of this book before, and although I haven't bought any magic bits for a while, I am going to stop typing and go on line and buy it right now....

I bought this book when I was 12 and getting interested in card magic. It is the best book for people serious about card manipulations. I find myself picking it up often and always learn something from every reading.

You must own this book if you are into cards!

Old thread,

but do people have favourites that you use regularly ?

"Psychological stop" and "Lost Aces" often get mentioned on forums. any others that have become good working routines ?

Just been trying getting to grips with "A certain card trick". It fools me even now and I am the one performing it !

Its so good that I make sure im not so close to the deck to make it seem as if its a marked deck.

Anyone else given this a whirl with specs ?


.

Ive heard a lot about this book, but on the strength of that great review, I think I'll go and get it-if not just for the misdirection etc. section, though Im sure I'll find a lot more usefull things in there!!

It is understandable to say that the book may not suit learners who prefer to work by DVDs etc, but it was written for an audience that had no such help. I have found this book to be a fantasic source of information and find additional nuances each time I go back. It is ideal for those of us who spend much time on the road in hotels (for my day job!)

This is the book that Vernon got upset about. It seems that he was annoyed that virtually everything in the book had come from his repertoire and had been given away by Charlie Miller to the two authors.

He said it felt like he had written the entire book himself. To appease Vernon they gave him a special small section to himself in the third edition and also a lukewarm apology in the foreword.

One thing I will say and have said before. And I make no apology for repeating myself with this because it is so important. The chapter on Presentation in the back of the book should be studied thoroughly. It will be more use to you than any other part of the book. In fact if you threw away the entire book except for that one section you would be getting your money's worth.

Easily one of the best books on the art of card magic.

The stuff at the back is gold, i also bought Card College 2 for all the theory and recommend getting that as well.

It did seem like Vernon wrote the whole thing but they do mention him and a few other magicians that contributed.

Still working my way thru the book.
Absolutely fantastic resource!
Really good, although it does require work, learning from it is not a passive process.
Rewarding tho' and I love the40's style writing.

I have had this book for couple of years now, and have found it to be brilliant. However, one section I didn't like, was the "lifts" section, as I thought that it over-complicated what is a relatively simple magical sleight. I thought that section was really over-guilding the lilly. I also noticed that a simple "strike" DL isn't taught. Apart from that though, the book is very very good, and a must have in any card-magician's library. It also makes the perfect follow on from Royal Road.

Awesome book! I don't think theres a single thing in it that I couldn't think of a use for.

One sidenote; I would first read royal road
to card magic before this as it seems to
follow on where royal road left off and
having a basic knowledge of cards is
necessary to understand how to acheive
some of the more basic moves that aren't
explained in as much detail.