talkmagic.co.uk

(Thanks for advice on asking questions. This has been approved by PM.)

What is your preferred method of receiving a card from a spek assuming you then want to control it. I've been using the "start shuffling and then offer a spot and continue shuffling", and also a "riffle and say 'stop'" but it neither seem as spek choice oriented as a "spread and break" (RRTCM).

The problem I have with a spread and break is what to do if they insert too high. My pass is not good enough at them moment.

I'm just wondering where I'm aiming for the future.

I usually start a hindu shuffle ask them to stop me at any time and then control their card to the top. Always follow this with an overhand shuffle or two to control the card to where I want it. Even if I want the card at the top of the deck because a hindu shuffle looks odd to most specs but they're used to seeing an overhand shuffle and quickly forget that you did something strange.

I normally do a fan and let them put it in where they want, close the fan and control the card.. or spread the cards out in your hands.. ask them to put it in anywhere. As they go to insert their card, just pull the deck away with their card protuding. continue with card control

i usually just break the pack - ask them to replace, hermann pass, then riffle...

nicely mixed and you can catch a glimpse of their selection...

Maybe this is another case of me thinking about it too much.

i like to use the dribbling cards til they say stop, card goes in, drible the rest, secure a PB and control to the top with a DU or a pass if I'm feeling daring (still work in progress)

I always use the KISS method.

I break the deck in half, extend the lower half, and have them replace their card on top. Then I put the other half on top and bring it to the top via undercutting. Once there, I give a few false riffle shuffles, maintaining the top stock, or I T** P**** and have the spec shuffle the cards. Then return the card to the top.

I play all of this off as a formality, not a part of the trick itself. I act as non-chalant/uninterested as possible. Once it's done, then I start to focus on the effect.

I found that if you don't bring attention to what you're doing, the spec won't be suspicious.

i usually riffle through or dribble the cards down and ask them to say stop. they place they're card in. and simply control it to te top via a false cut which is part of the trick. or a T.O.P if there isn't to many people.

I'm also a dribbler by preference. There are reasons for this, but they're a bit too long-winded and a bit too revealing to mention here. Anyway, once it's returned and I have a PB I never, ever do a DU; as I hate the DU for reasons I mentioned elsewhere, when I was hating the DL. You can do a simple cut - that's fine, if it seems a natural thing to do at that point. I generally do a P*** or a T******* P***, as I'm very comfortable with that control (by comparison, I wouldn't trust myself to 'shuffle to' the B). A really good thing, and one I'll often do - esp. when you have one of those 'I'm just going to stare unblinkingly at your hands the entire time whatever you do' specs - is to use an inhand riffle shuffle (with waterfall finish, natch). This (a) isn't suspicious - you're just shuffling the cards: if anything, you're 'making it worse for yourself', (b) is very, very easy indeed (if you can do an inhand riffle, which itself isn't difficult) and, (c) bonus! - makes a peek no trouble if you want to get one at the same time.

I generally shuffle twice, by the way. It just seems right. Once only, to the very churlish, might provoke a, 'Why did he shuffle the cards there? There was no need.' Twice - and I'm not looking at my hands, just doing it absently as I'm talking about whatever - is more, 'He's idly shuffling the cards. He's probably not even aware he's doing it. It's like a nervous tick or something. The poor, dysfunctional freak. I see nothing suspicious at all: I merely pity him.'

I do many different methods. Whatever feels most comfortable for the person I am doing for. I try and see what kind of stuff they look for and work around that. I usually just cut it and have them place it in the middle and then pass it to where I want it. Or if they are a more critical person I will fan it and then hold a break and double undercut.

If they are super critical I glimpse it or use other techniques I know to find the card it is and then cull it. But ONLY if the effect permits such activities, or if I find a break in their guard.

Be aware of who you use a hindu for as a control.
In many parts of the world it is the standard method of shuffling, not overhand, and will quite often raise an eyebrow if performed to many people of asian origin.
A word to the wise is all

I use a RF then a P**S sometimes i do a hindu shuffle but its not natural, after the P**s i some times control the card to the bottom then back up to the top. I really dont like a DUC i find it quite awakard and to my eyes its easy to tell whats going on.

I think I have a nice psycological solution to your problem!

Technically I usually (when untabled) use a p**s to preserve any s***k. My p**s is not thay good, but I do it relaxed a bit on the off beat at I have never been caught.

On the psycological level if they percieve a trick as a "pick a card then I will find it" there is a serious possibilty that the spectator persive the situation as a challange. The setup it is almost like a competition and some spectators might be a bit difficult while asking them to put the card back.

Here is what I have done the last few years. When I do a pick a card trick, I usually patter like "Ok, pick a card". "The idea is that you have to find your own card by magic". This patter line is pretty universal! Any effect where you find their card can be presented as IF it is the spectator who find it by magic. Simply ask the spectation to wave her/his hands over the deck etc.

The point is that by suggesting that the spectator have to find their own card, they never question the way you take the card back in the pack. I suppose you could (though I do NOT recommend it) simply cut it to the top and shuffle!!! They do not mind since after all they have to find the card and would not mind you making it easy!! This patter has completely change the spectators perception and responce.

As an added bonus the spectator might appreciate that they get a bit of the credit for the magic!!

A dribbler here too

There's something about dribbling the cards in the specs eyes - it just looks totally random, no-one EVER spots the outjog and it's also a nice flourish to watch.

I normally have them inserting the card into a random place in the deck. Before the card gets pushed flush with the deck, I casually move the cards away from them and (apparently) push the rest of the card in with my right hand. What I do is a simple anglejog that allows me to secure an imediate break. All this is done in a second and under the cover of my right hand.

I also go with the dribble a lot and sometimes I just toss the top half of the deck on top of the selection, which will create a step and allow for a break.

After that, I either cut/shuffle to control the card. I practically never do the pass - it's unnecessary.