The Joy of the Self Worker

Can't find a suitable category? Post it here!!

Moderators: nickj, Lady of Mystery, Mandrake, bananafish, support

Dude That's Cool Magic Aeternum Servare Secreta Best prices around! Web Design for Magicians UK's Online Magic Tricks and Jokes Shop offers kids and beginner magic tricks and jokes. Visit Magicbox for all the latest and best effects!

Re: The Joy of the Self Worker

Postby magicofthemind » Mar 24th, '18, 09:59



Not all "self-workers" are card tricks, of course. Karl Fulves wrote a whole series of "Self-Working" books with other items - although in some cases the title is misleading. I don't really think that you can describe any rope effect as self-working, for example. But there are no sleights as such required.

Also have a look at the "Varied Head Magic" chapter of Henry Hay's Amateur Magician's Handbook.

Barry

User avatar
magicofthemind
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1197
Joined: Nov 28th, '06, 19:27
Location: London, England (SH/CW)

Re: The Joy of the Self Worker

Postby Mandrake » Mar 24th, '18, 10:30

For those who haven't heard, Automata On The Cards is a new DVD of card self workers by Full 52 Productions which is available in advance as a download.

User avatar
Mandrake
'
 
Posts: 27494
Joined: Apr 20th, '03, 21:00
Location: UK (74:AH)

Re: The Joy of the Self Worker

Postby EndersGame » Mar 25th, '18, 07:07

magicofthemind wrote:Not all "self-workers" are card tricks, of course. Karl Fulves wrote a whole series of "Self-Working" books with other items - although in some cases the title is misleading. I don't really think that you can describe any rope effect as self-working, for example. But there are no sleights as such required.

True enough. The three Karl Fulves titles that especially stand out as worth of recommendation for card tricks would be:

- Self-Working Card Tricks (1976)
- More Self-working Card Tricks (1984)
- Self-Working Close-Up Card Magic (1995)

Image

I'd be interested to hear from others what they consider to be the top tricks in these books, or their favourites. Mine would include:
- Gemini Twins
- Calculated Cut
- Color Flite
- Mind Mirror
- Quick as a Wink
- Ultra Coincidence

User avatar
EndersGame
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 222
Joined: Mar 21st, '18, 02:07

Re: The Joy of the Self Worker

Postby Fortunato Luchresi » Jul 18th, '19, 20:55

This is a great thread, and the subject material is close to my heart. I enjoy writing and scripting routines that use the simplest of mathematical principles to produce some of the most powerful effects in my repertoire. It's amazing the amount of mileage some of these age old principles can provide.

Fortunato.

Fortunato Luchresi
New User
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Jul 18th, '19, 19:46
Location: UK

Re: The Joy of the Self Worker

Postby EndersGame » Jul 20th, '19, 14:52

Also fantastic is the Ultimate Self Working Card Tricks series (by Big Blind Media).

The tricks in these videos are not your standard "21 card trick" type of effects, because some wonderful, strong, and powerful magic has come out over the years in the self-working category. This series of DVDs from Big Blind Media is among the best you'll find, with super high production values and clear instruction. Volume 1 was released in 2012, and several volumes came afterwards in the following years.

Each DVD contains about a dozen different tricks from various creators of magic, with each trick first being performed to spectators and then taught. You'll find quite a few performance videos from this series on youtube, so you can get a taste in advance of what you'll be learning - and it's good stuff!

Other recommended books and videos can be found in this article: https://playingcarddecks.com/blogs/all- ... card-magic

User avatar
EndersGame
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 222
Joined: Mar 21st, '18, 02:07

Re: The Joy of the Self Worker

Postby Barry Allen » Jul 21st, '20, 09:58

Whilst I'm more than happy to present card magic that involves sleights, there are some extremely powerful tricks that can be achieved simply with the (correct) use of a simple key card principle. By correct use, I mean by sighting the Key Card well in advance; then keeping it controlled via a simple overhand shuffle, etc. to keep it in position.

An example of this is 'You Do As I Do'. There are a number of methods and effects outlined within the (these days) much overlooked 'Encyclopaedia of Card Tricks' by Jean Hugard; in fact, Chapter 3 contains a number of great ideas and methods for achieving this effect.

'Out Of This World' is also a stunning example of card magic - particularly useful if you convincingly switch in the stacked pack. I still use the Paul Curry routine (from an instruction sheet produced by Kaymar magic in the early 1950's). Harry Lorayne also has a superb version - 'Out Of This Universe' from Close Up Card Magic 1962 (pages 80 - 86). Both methods of course can perhaps be heightened with a simple overhand shuffle; just shuffle normally then run cards singly as you approach the centre cards of the pack. A quick fan check afterwards will ensure everything is in place; or if one or two cards are out of place, they can easily be removed as your red and black 'guide cards'.

Another incredible self-working card trick is Harry Lorayne's 'The Equalizer' - from his 1990 book Trend Setters (pages 171 - 178). Based upon Simon Aronson's Shuffleboard principle it is a truly unbelievable effect; that can be performed instantly with any shuffled pack. Quite how this trick has flown under the radar is beyond me. It's up their within the Miracle Class to my thinking.

Barry Allen
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 123
Joined: Jul 16th, '20, 08:24

Re: The Joy of the Self Worker

Postby EndersGame » Jul 22nd, '20, 08:35

I heartily agree with you, Barry!

I ended up compiling a list of what I'd consider to be among the very best self-working card tricks of all times. Several of the ones you mention are included in the Top 10 lists I came up with in the two articles that resulted:

10 of the Best Self-Working Card Tricks in the World

10 More of the Best Self-Working Card Tricks in the World

User avatar
EndersGame
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 222
Joined: Mar 21st, '18, 02:07

Re: The Joy of the Self Worker

Postby AJ1 » Jan 9th, '22, 13:48

That top 10 list is really good. John Bannon's Timely Departure is close to being self working. It is very good. Paul Harris' Unshuffling Rebecca is also worth looking at.

AJ1
Junior Member
 
Posts: 32
Joined: Jan 9th, '22, 05:19

Previous

Return to Miscellaneous

Sorcery Shop - Home of the ITR Best prices around! Playing Cards for Magicians MagicWorld Magic Shop for Magic Tricks World-Of-Magic, Suppliers of quality Magic Worldwide Manufacturer of modern & unique magic apparatus! A web site set up to sell my book, THE STRIPPER DECK, and future magical/mentalism titles.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

cron