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I perform two different Follow The Lady routines. I perform one where the cards are bent like so:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f869AeEb ... ed&search=

and I perform one where the cards are straight. Depending on how I am feeling and the area I am in decides on which routine I perform.

However, recently I have encountered a number of problems with both routines. Firstly the bent card version. A lot of people have been asking why the cards are bent. Why are the cards bent? It's a very unusual thing to do and I think it causes suspision (sp?) I don't know what to say to this comment.
Secondly, the regular straight card version. I perform the effect a number of times (2 or 3) to let the spec get the feel of the game. Then I gather the cards in and ask if they mind me speeding up the game a bit. I then perform a D.L and apparently place the ace of diamonds in the middle. (I use two jokers and the ace of diamonds) I then mix them up sleightly faster then previously. I then do two other stages where there is only two cards used and then i do a section where their finger is on the ace. The problem with this routine is the D.L at the begining, I'm not entirely sure it is the D.L or the spec starts to guess randomly. But instead of picking the card which is apparently the ace they actually pick the ace, which is meant to be a queen.

So two problems there which I need to overcome. I've always been a fan of my 3 Card Trick routines until recently.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mike.

Mikey.666 wrote:Why are the cards bent?

It makes them easier to pick up, of course!

First routine with the bent cards... You can tell them the cards are bent so they are easier to pick up

Second routine: If the spectators know you are a magician, they may often suspect trickery and pick a random card which in the end could be the money card. A good way to get out of this is if they choose the money card, pick up one of the flop cards and exectue a Mexican Turnover Switch to revel that they were incorrect. I recommend you pick up Sal Piacente's Monte DVD... has a lot of useful tips.

THope this helps!

Michael Kras

Like it's been said of the first routine, tell the specs the cards are bent so they are easier to pick up. With that said, I'd say you should do the routine with the bent cards more often. When you do the routine with the flat cards and must perform the DL, do it at a time when people wouldn't suspect an "magic" taking place. For instance, say you're playing cards with your friends and doing a bit of gamibling. I'd say then would be the best time to do that effect simply because it's a betting effect in a betting atmosphere. If you're doing it in a magic show, people will get suspicious and might guess the money card. Therefore, I would say it would be a much safer bet to do the bent routine in a magic show or something of that nature and the flat routine in a betting atmosphere.

Michael Kras, you took the EXACT thoughts right out of my head. I was going to suggest the mexican turnover also. It is a slightly fragile move, you need to be able to nail it every time without detection. Also, for the first problem, like they said, just say that it makes it easier to pick up and grip the cards.

Thanks for the help

I don't know why but the thought of saying they are easier to pick up never crossed my mind

I think I'll work on my classic Follow The Lady routine a bit more now.

As for the Mexican Turnover, that has been in the working for a number of months now, and is getting better

Thanks again.
Mike.

Mikey.666 wrote:I don't know why but the thought of saying they are easier to pick up never crossed my mind

???
But that's why they are bent. Or am I missing something?

Mikey, if you get hold of the School for Scoundrels DVD on 3 Card Monte, you'll learn a HUGE amount - not just about the magicians' routines, but the real-life street working, which is a very different ball game.

Chef Anton produced this along with Whit Haydn. Gazzo and many others make guest appearances.

I've been browsing over a number of DVDs on the subject as a wish to expand my knowledge of the game.

I've found a few: Sal Piacente's Street Monte, Daryl Does The Full Monte and you have mentioned the School for Scoundrels DVD.

I'm spoilt for choice

I like the Daryl vid myslef. But if you see the old street hustlers thats how they do it bent cards easy to pick up. One tip make sure the backs of the cards are clean as a whislte.

I've got the Sal Piacente DVD and it's very good, if a little short. It will teach you how to play the game, the hype, the bent corner scam and the mexican turnover, but doesn't go into any entertainment routines or anything. It basically (and perhaps worryingly) just gives you a good ground to practice and go out and scam people.

Not that any of us would dream of doing such a thing...

One thing the School for Scoundrels DVD has is a staging of the actual street game with Gazzo, Paul Wilson, Chef Anton, Billy McComb and others.

It shows the psychology involved in the serious game and is one of the scariest things I've ever seen.
You can easily imagine getting caught up by this scam yourself, if you didn't know better.

Eg I think there's only ONE hype in the entire game!

The other DVD's are good too, but are strictly the magic side of the game.

beeno wrote:

Mikey.666 wrote:I don't know why but the thought of saying they are easier to pick up never crossed my mind

???
But that's why they are bent. Or am I missing something?

Well it also makes it easier for the 'toss'. When they are bent, the "trick" of 3 card monte is easier to execute.

I lost over 100 euros on a monte in my younger days... I saw some other guy winning 50 euros (who I now foolishly realise was his partner) and thought it couldn't be that hard, so I bet 50 euros, lost obviously, then paid attention while his partner won again and then bet my second 50 euros.... Then just went home pi**ed off

Bananafish reviewed Daryl's Monte DVD just a second ago and gave a raving 10/10 review.