talkmagic.co.uk

Hi guys.

I am currently working on two card tricks and trying to get them really down before i start Uni. As i have found from a lot of sources, when choosing what you practice and perform as a beginner, it is best to stick to only several solid, simple tricks so that you can work on your performance, patter and presentation more than trying to cram a tonne of effects into your repertoire.

Therefore i only want to work on three card tricks at the moment. As mentioned before, i already have two i am comfortable with, but i would like to see what you guys suggest as i want a really good, simple, solid and traditional trick that is perfect for a beginner but also works really well. There are so many that i want to see what you guys suggest first.

I have Mark Wilsons Complete Course, RRTCM and a couple of other good magic books. So preferrably sourced or relating to those sources and/or levels of magic.

Just so you know, i have my double lifts down relatively well, and am currently working on my false shuffles and basic sleights.

Cheers for any help.

If You've not already then definitely work on your own Ambitious Card routine, Great for walk about magic as it is hit after hit and is fairly lengthy without being dull.

Gemini Twins (Fulves)

Daleys Aces,Ambitious card,and as stated earlier Gemini twins.
Get all three off to a tee,work on your patter and presentation,its all part of the magic,they will remember this as well as the outcome.

Deano

Cards Across is the king of card tricks. That's the one to go for.
Another thing (and this is ambitious) is a good multiple selection routine. I wish I had started out on this, as it is a joy to watch in the hands of a pro.

RRTCM?

If it's not already one of the two you mention, I'd highly recommend 'Design For Laughter'; one of the most visual sucker effects you're likely to ever see

Rob

Take a look at Mark Wilson's Four Card Assembly and see what you think. Also take a look at the short card section.

What are the two you already have?

Have a look at Card College Light, if you can. The tricks are presented there as routines instead of single tricks, and there's a lot you can pick up about routining in general. (The same might be true for the sequels, but I haven't seen them yet.)

From Mark Wilson, I really love his torn and restored card. It's one of the only card effects that I do.

Cheers for all the suggestions guys, they are all so tempting to choose from haha! Im going to keep the list of every one you have suggested and gradually expand my repertoire to encorporate them once i have progressed with the first few.

@Robbie - You may disapprove, but when i first started magic those several (nearly 5 i believe) months ago, i bought Witness, an effect by Lee Asher from Theory11. It involves making a spectators selection appear to transpose from the deck into a sealed ziplock bag in which was originally a joker. It is very simple and so i have found great ease in performing it, alongside simple DL routines. The second trick i am experimenting with/working on is one by Daniel Madison, which i got from his DVD Dangerous, it is called Angle Zero and involves tearing a corner of a randomly selected card and making it dissappear and reappear in a location of your choosing. It is also very simple and i find it relatively comfortable to perform. I know that both of these tricks are contemporary and not as traditional as i suppose some of you would suggest to be more suitable at my level. But because of their simpleness and impressive reactions i think they are great for me to start with.

Cheers guys, great advice as usual.

Just Steve wrote:I know that both of these tricks are contemporary and not as traditional as i suppose some of you would suggest to be more suitable at my level. But because of their simpleness and impressive reactions i think they are great for me to start with.

The old and new tricks pretty much all use old methods. The contemporariness is down to presentation. Those flash Blaine-esque top-changes you see on YouTube? Erdnase (1902). Torn and restored cards, card to wallet and so on - all ancient. But you can make them new, of course. Don't assume that high prices and posh packaging means that the contemporary card effects are anything other than re-branded classics in many cases

So very true Ted, so many of the new, super duper, flashy tricks can be found in books from way back.

Classic example is Nana's Necklace which was popular a little while back. One way of doing it can be found in Reggie Scot's Discoverie of Witchcraft!

Steve. I am so glad that you are not attempting card tricks galore!
3 is a great number to start with.
I have so often recommened to my magic students & others that you arrange,especially your Card Magic into little Acts.
Not just perform one card trick after another ad nauseum.
As I have already written today on another Forum; about one young magician I took to task , who went into his local pub EVERY week and did 2 hours--yes two hours of card tricks.

So with the 2 you already have you need to decide:
1. Which is the most impressive to the lay people.
That will be your climax to the Act.
2. Will either of the two provide an opening to the Act?
If not, you will have to have an opening.

The easiest and one which would put your audience on your side is a simple, take a card. replace it. you shuffle.Palm. Hand the deck to the guy and ask him to find his card. As he looks you , slowly & quietly stick the card onto your forehead. The others will see this as you point out various cards of a similar number but --oh dear different suit. Sometime he will see his card stuck there.
Then into your No. 2

This is so short you could even use it as an opener and then do your 3.

Allen Tipton

Thanks Allen!

The way i look at it im doing more harm than good to my magic by trying to learn a dozen tricks at once, it just cripples my ability to focus on probably the most important thing i can do, which is my performance skills.

I shall try and incorporate a small act in which i can link all three like you say, as i too believe that it will provide much more entertainment than just one off tricks.