talkmagic.co.uk

Hi again -

Often, when I show a friend some card tricks, I get asked to teach them something basic. Now, generally I would say no to that but I know a couple of people that I think would actually be interested in learning some card magic. I've passed on my Born To Perform recommendation but does anyone have any ideas for a very basic trick that is still somewhat good (i.e. not the 21 card trick )? Or is it a better idea just to refer them to Born To Perform and not reveal anything myself?

Kati

my dad was asking me this a couple of weeks ago, so he can show off to the kids he teaches. so i taught him a self-working ace location trick and one where you put (say) the 5 of hearts and 7 of diamonds randomly in the deck then produce the 5 of diamonds and the 7 of hearts and no-one ever picks up on it. then extended into a bit of self-working mentalism, and some simple forces. i plan to start him on the "real" stuff sometime

Tough one! I get this a lot also. My feelings on this are.........always recommend (royal road, bobo ETC.) If someone is willing to hand over the readys then they MUST be eager. It's a bit like this site if someone comes here saying "how do I do coin in the can?" no one will tell them, and rightly so but if they seem genuine and willing to learn they are recommended books ETC or even a link to where there requested effect is sold. If someone has to pay for knowledge they will guard it better.

Thanks guys

When that question comes up, here is what i do. (And I am probably an *rse for this ) I basically do one of those tricks where it looks like you are teaching them how to do it, but that is just a ruse for a greater trick. I came up with a routine that is actually fun todo with amateur magicians around. I have it so it looks like I do certain basic sleights but everything just gets confused. The card keeps running away from me no matter how hard I try to find it. Stuff like that. I have found if you do this with the right finess, they will get the idea, be entertained, and not have too much of a grudge.

Just don't do it with the attitude... "Ha, silly mortal. I will not teach you my wondiferous amazingness! You will burn in the firey pits of hades for the rest of your pathetic existance while watching me do my ambitious card! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA" You know. nothing like that.

Or you could just do as said before. Direct them to the proper books. I have been known to teach really simple self working tricks when asked, but usually if they are younger kids.

I usually teach them one of the first tricks I learnt - it was shown and taught to me by my cousin while I was quite young.

It's the one with the four Jacks who are actually "robbers" who go to rob a "bank" (the deck of cards.) When the "police helicoptor" arrives to catch the "robbers", it can't because the "robbers" have risen to the top of the "bank" and run-off!!!

I always do the Ultimate Poker deal where I tell them that I'm dealing the 4 aces off the bottom. I then put the deck back together and deal out a royal flush which usually silences them.

I teach them 'bank robbers' too, several different versions of that.

that's very funny...i read this post at work and nearly posted a reply but waited until I got home....I was going to suggest the bank robbing jacks too. The first trick I was taught at a very young age!

I teach them (depends if I like them ) that trick where ou cut that pack and look at the card above where there card is going to be, then spread out the pack there car is to the right of it.

Just the basic keycard principle

(Oh, and if this is counted as exposure, please delete )

Now guys you MUST be careful over passing on magical knowledge. magicians are so in love with this wonderful Art of ours they seem to open up, often far too much, to anyone interested. Look at the Magic Club situation. We tell each other practically everything we've learned by hours of practice, research, performance etc., at the drop of a hat! I heard magicians do the same thing to lay people NEARLY giving away the technical Secrets Of Magic and sometimes inadvertantly the actual secrets. Some magicians cannot stop themselves iring their knowledge. It's very marked when they (and often the sheer amateur) criticise other Magic Acts. I might add, not ALWAYS constructively; confusing their personal rancour with their 'critical' judgement!
Be careful. IF you MUST give away some of our Secrets, then look at books which give away SIMPLE Party Stunts and use those.Check out Martin Gardner's HUGE Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic book or the first serialisation of it in Hugards Magic Monthly;Volumes Vols 8 to 15 Again be careful of revealing CLUES to magic's principles.
Allen Tipton

Well said!! I used to teach "the bank robbers" but then realised that this gives away almost the equivelent of a DL! although it's more of a setup, its still the same PRINCIPLE! ( hey I've only got one card here! ) if everyone knew about DL's where would we be?.................stunts, tricks and bar bets are the easy answer to this!

1. If someone asks me to teach them a card trick, a streak of evil comes over me and I comment:

"OK, when you are at work on Monday, can I come around to your garages and you can teach me how to change a head gasket? That way, I won't need to pay you to do it ever again"

... or somesuch, which is basically a 'touche' moment.

2. If someone is GENUINELY interested in magic, I'd advise them to go get a decent deck of cards and buy The Art Of Magic and Sleight Of Hand" by Nicholas Einhorn, which to me is probably the most comprehensive and interesting—plus true to magic history—book available. It covers not just card magic, but a full spectrum of stuff. And they'll thank you a lot more than giving them a link to 'Born To UnderPerform'.

3. The fact that you are a magic pupil doesn't really give you the right as to whether or not you share your hard-earned secrets. And your friends should accept this. You can give them pointers, but sharing what you know is undermining your own hard work, and also against the grain of magic's art.

4. REAL magic, such as that you learn by sleight of hand and skill as opposed to what you can buy in Woolworths, is something which you shouldn't share freely. After all, if it's all out in the open and everyone gets to know how it's done, where is the mystery?


Morals and respect for magic aside, you should consider this:

Do you REALLY want to show people what you've spent hours learning, and share it with them freely—or do you believe that keeping something back as secret is what keeps magic and illusion alive? In which case, by sharing it, you're surely killing the art...

Again, very well put! love the "garage" analogy! I'll have to remember that!!