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with so many different ways of controlling a card to the top, im struggling to decide which one(s) to use - especially for use with table card magic .

At the moment im using a reverse breather, or an impromtu crimp of half the deck when a card has been selected.

just wondering what you would use, so it can spark up my brain again.

thanks.

Here's just a few to "spark your brain up":
Marlo Tilt,
Pass
.... and the obvious one - shuffle cards (overhand shuffle), tell spec to tell you when to stop, return the card to the deck, get a break, shuffle it to the botton (or the top)
..... I nearly always do a false cut, no matter which control I've used, just to totally convince the spec that the card is lost

Like many of these types of questions much depends on context. Are there specific effects you'd like us to offer suggestions for ?

The best control to use at any given time will depend on many factors - is the selection removed from the deck first or remain in the deck (peeked or "flashed"), what happens immedietely before and after the control, the position you are in or how the deck is held at that moment may suggest an appropriate control.

The crimps you mention are very good ways of keeping track and controling cards. I use a few different controls - side-steal, spread cull, crimping, jog shuffle and probably others I can't think of. As I mentioned the particular force I use for an effect is dictated by context.

The jog shuffle, while probably considered basic, should not be overlooked. It is an exellent way of controlling anything from one card to a full deck. The use of a single injogged card can be very nice for table work as the control can be broken up. The selection can be freely returned to the deck which can immedietely be placed on the table. When you return to the deck a cut at the injog will bring the card to the top or bottom (deppending on what card is injogged). There is an idea in "Constant Fooling" that can be used where the deck is dribbled fairly and genuinely onto the table, yet you can keep track of the chosen card in the deck.

I also use Mike Close' Spread Double for the first phase of an Ambitious card effect (amongst other things, its a lovely move with many applications). It can be used as a control to the top - if you're not familiar with the move in this context here's how it looks - the cards are spread slowly from hand to hand face down whith the request that the spectator touch any one he likes, he can change his mind. The card is cleanly out jogged, removed and placed face-up on top of the deck for display (or to be signed). It is turned face down and cleanly iserted inbto the centre and the cards briefly spread to show everything as it should be, and the cards are squared. The card is secretely at the top of the deck.

I had other things in mind but as my wife keeps blethering in my ear while I'm trying to write I've now forgotten what they were.


Jim

moonbeam wrote: I nearly always do a false cut, no matter which control I've used, just to totally convince the spec that the card is lost

I usually always cut after a shuffle, regardless of whether the shuffle is genuine or not. I use a false cut if the card is in position, or genuine to move them to position.

Here's a little subtlety I always use when cutting to a table or other surface (whether false or genuine) - dont place the upper portion flush with the lower half. Place/drop in such way that the seperate halves can clearly be seen, then square the cards with the thumbs and middle fingers of both hands.
It seems to have an air of fairness about it and, I feel, adds a nice touch to a false cut.


Jim

jim ferguson wrote: The jog shuffle, while probably considered basic, should not be overlooked.

.... that's the last one in my list - I couldn't remember the name for it hehe

moonbeam wrote:.... and the obvious one - shuffle cards (overhand shuffle), tell spec to tell you when to stop, return the card to the deck, get a break, shuffle it to the botton (or the top)

...... a bit of a poop description, I must admit

jim ferguson wrote: Here's a little subtlety I always use when cutting to a table or other surface (whether false or genuine) - dont place the upper portion flush with the lower half. Place/drop in such way that the seperate halves can clearly be seen, then square the cards with the thumbs and middle fingers of both hands.
It seems to have an air of fairness about it and, I feel, adds a nice touch to a false cut.


Jim

..... I like

thanks for the suggestions gyus,

my style with cards is quite sloppy, almost drunk hustler style.

i would kind of just say " ahh just grab a card out there", in terms of patter.

and i do think the crimp looks probabaly the most fairest for this type of style - especially for sit down situations.

maybe a sloppy overhand shuffle would then work best for stand up moments then.