talkmagic.co.uk

Hi All,

Thinking of making my own brainwave deck after reading the effect in Annemans PMM.

I just have a few questions:

Can you reapply the stuff or do you need a new set of cards every so often?
How often do you need to reapply the stuff?!
Have spectators ever asked to examine the deck?

thanks,

Sea.

Yes you can reapply but how often depends on how you use the cards. I've got a deck using the same idea that I've been using for over a year now and is still fine.

As for specs asking to examine some cards, I've never really understood why people worry about it as much as they do. As long as you treat the cards as if they're nothing special then you shouldn't have a problem. I think I've only ever had one person ask to examine a gaffed deck once that I can remember, the easiest answer to that was to just say 'Nope!' with a smile.

You can re-apply, but I've not had to do that very often. Usually it's the cards that start to look worse for wear before I have to worry about re-applying.

I've never been asked to hand over the deck, although I tend to switch it (rather than ditch it) rather quickly.

T.

Thanks guys,

Ted, I was thinking the same. I'm sure I can think up a few more variations using the brainwave deck, do you have a few things you do with your gaffed deck or do you find it better to stick to the one effect?

I use it then switch it for a deck that can withstand examination. To be honest, though, I don't remember being asked to "hand it over". It's more about then being ready to do something else. For example, the new deck could be st*cked.

T.

There's a two deck coincidence effect that I do with an ID. By the end of the effect, they're left with an ungimmicked deck in their hands, and the ID is packed away. I've never had anyone ask to see the ID, but they always run through the one they're still holding. I think often the urge to examine something has more to do with access than anything else.

Ive got to say that, unless you are after something special on the cards, I wouldn't bother making a deck up. I would just buy one from a dealer.

It's a right faff, unless you get even coverage they wont work, and.. it works out more expensive, since you need to buy the cards, and the fluid.

Lady of Mystery wrote:Yes you can reapply but how often depends on how you use the cards. I've got a deck using the same idea that I've been using for over a year now and is still fine.

As for specs asking to examine some cards, I've never really understood why people worry about it as much as they do. As long as you treat the cards as if they're nothing special then you shouldn't have a problem. I think I've only ever had one person ask to examine a gaffed deck once that I can remember, the easiest answer to that was to just say 'Nope!' with a smile.

To answer this question. The only ones who worry are those who don't perform on a regular basis, or are just starting out. As long as the person keeps performing the question and worry about people examining any props quickly fades. It just comes with time.

Handing over a trick deck to a spectator?

IF you bet this then there will be something wrong with your presentation and/or performing personality.

After the card is shown the deck should 'disappear' on the applause and you are STRAIGHT into the next effect.

IF you are asked--say--'A magician's deck of cards are like the Tarot.They can never be handled by anyone else or the magic will not work.

My own version uses an ordinary deck--with one never suspected addition.
BUT the chosen card is not reversed in the deck--it is removed and has a different colour back.

One simple easy move and you and the deck are then clean!

Allen Tipton

Mr_Grue wrote:There's a two deck coincidence effect that I do with an ID. By the end of the effect, they're left with an ungimmicked deck in their hands, and the ID is packed away. I've never had anyone ask to see the ID, but they always run through the one they're still holding. I think often the urge to examine something has more to do with access than anything else.

Would that be Ortiz's 'Do As I Did'?

SpareJoker wrote:Would that be Ortiz's 'Do As I Did'?

That's not an effect with which I'm familiar, but the thing I do is of my own devising, so may well be the same thing!

The spectator taps the back of a card as I spread through them. The deck is turned around this one card, so that it ends up, still unknown at this point(?), reversed.

I talk about the nature of coincidence.

I then explain that I too reversed a card in another deck earlier. I retrieve the card from the ID and, as I'm doing this, ask the spec to remove their reversed card.

We turn them over, and the cards match.

Thanks everyone for the help!

I went out and bought some rustoleum in homebase on the way home from work, but it just all seems a lot of hassle to make the deck so I might just buy a premade set for a fiver on one of the online magic shops.

I was thinking along the same lines as ted and having a s*****d deck to replace my brainwave one.
I'm not too worried about it as a spectator has never asked me to let them inspect any cards or anything else for that matter.

thanks again for the responses,

Sea.

SpareJoker wrote:Would that be Ortiz's 'Do As I Did'?

Just reached a description of this in Designing Miracles, so yes, basically! Same plot. Not sure if the method's the same as mine.

I too use the ID for a two deck do as I do. I came up with it myself. I wonder if we have all came up with the same idea ? I suppose it is a logical thing to use it for. Mine uses (besides the ID) a st***ed deck - I assume others are the same ? My presentation revolves around how similar actions produce similar results.

As for the Brainwave deck. This is a great idea and as we all know a classic in card magic. However, the original method and routine has an inherant weakness. I use (and prefer) Michael Vincents Brainwave My Way. This is a great version of this effect and also has the added advantage of using a normal deck (with one extra card). The extra is gotten rid of during the routine and leaves you with a regular deck.

For those interested Michaels version can be learned from his Classic Magic set.


Jim