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I am working on a "certain trick" and i need to have them pick a card...then bring their card to the top...i am horrible at breaks....anyone have any tips and pointers

any help?

Firstly, I'd say...work on your break! Always good to focus on weaknesses, and the break is an extremely versatile technique for your arsenal.

Now, as to the type of help that you're actually looking for...
Controls that you might consider alternatively are the side steal or the turnover pass. Also PMing you a third possibility, as I don't recall the name and can't describe it without exposure.

Tip top tip:

RRTCM - Hugard and Braue (this will cure your "certain trick" problem)

That'll cost ya $12.00 outta that 50 you're looking to spend.

Next up, "Magic and Showmanship: A Handbook for Conjurers" (Nelms). It can be found for 10 bucks.

We're at $22.00.

To add to the potpourri, pick up Wilson's Complete Course - what I would call a heterogeneous conglomeration. There's 20 bucks, and you still got 8 left of your fifty to buy flash paper, just to play with.

Fifty well spent.

Mike.

Michael is dead right, grab a copy of Royal Road, everything you need to know is in there.

My favourite methods would be to use a hindu shuffle control or an injog.

Personally I'd use a Pass, but maybe a Hofinzer Spread cull or overhand shuffle would suit you till you feel comfortable. You could also just use a jog and undercut, or a backslip as a control.

I have a feeling that if you're having trouble with holding a break with confidence then it's either too big, or you're not covering the deck properly in Mechanics Grip. It's also possible that you're using new cards with crisp edges that just need breaking in.

Lastly, if you want the no skill option just pick up a Stripper or Svengali deck. I'm really tempted whenever I'm feeling lazy.

Injog and overhand shuffle control. Royal Road basic as has suggested above

You can't go wrong with Royal Road, you will, with a bit of study and practice, have many methods at your disposal to acheive what you require.
If books aren't you thing, the 5 disc (much more expensive) DVD option would be worth investing in too. With both of these you will find your card work improving rapidly.,

thanx for all the of replies and help...this really helps me out

What is a break?

If he is struggling with a break how the hell is he going to cull/pass/side steal? As someone said in a previous post, you REALLY need to get some books. All the books I would recommend have been said already, but if you want to buy a set of books that will last you the whole of your magic life, then get Card College by Roberto Giobbi.

The hindu shuffle pass.....easy and doesn't require much skill at all.

yeh hindu shuffle, double undercut or pass..... i mainly use pass but its up to you! but i recommend the royal road...

yeah i was thinking about hindu shuffle but i really wanted someting good.....i am doing a certain "window surgery" trick

Bluff pass? Then a nice little in-jog shuffle?