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How many different forces do people use?

A lot of tricks just seem to call for a force and any one will do.

I have three that I can do competently and one of those is a favourite. I am concerned that it will become a bit obvious if I use the same one too often.

I realise that you can never know too many sleights but there must be a limit to what is useful

I don't have much experience of performing but suppose it depends upon whether *every* effect that you perform in a particular session requires a force. If so, then a variety of forces would be appropriate. However, I suspect that you perform a number of effects which don't need a force and, in that case, I would suggest that a limited number (maybe 2 or 3) would be acceptable.

For the last 6 months I have been using the hindu shuffle force and never had anyone query this!

I know a couple of others, but this is simple, works every time and no one seems to think it is odd.

I like to use the Topsy Turvy force, Hindu Shuffle force and Riffle force.

If you want to be really good, clean and safe, use the classic force. I but I find it hard to do.

StEvEbO!

My favourite at the moment is the backslip force. I had trouble with the sound it made to start with but I have come to the conclusion that I could hear the sound because i knew what was happening, specs didn't so couldn't hear

The fan force is the most natural looking to the "pick-a-card" crowd.

Wizards (who almost NEVER say "pick-a-card") have developed a different style for Tarot forces where the spectator just slides the cards around on a table and then slides one out to the edge with a finger.

Make sure you alternate between tricks that require a force and tricks that do not. Also, a good rule is to include a card selection that does not require a force, but use the same style as when you force a card to have the card randomly chosen... for example, if you like the Hindu Shuffle, use the same shuffle but in such a way that a card can be randomly chosen by it (don't want to give away too many secrets here!).

Is the fan force the classic force?

If so, the technique I've heard before is to try to force a card even when you don't need it - lets you practise and see how well you do.

Kati

katrielalex wrote:Is the fan force the classic force?

Strictly speaking, no. The Fan Force involves you showing a card fan to the spectator and asking him to look at the cards and to think of one.

However, as the Classic Force uses a fan, it is occasionally referred to as the Fan Force.

Part-Timer wrote: The Fan Force involves you showing a card fan to the spectator and asking him to look at the cards and to think of one.

Just to clarify without revealing secrets, the Fan Force I referred to involves spreading the cards out in a fan for the spectator and having them touch or push down on the card of their choice. It seems very fair and free choice, but they always seem to end up with the carte du'jour. No thinking required!

i like to use one of Sankey's forces, no idea what the name of it was. Basically you thumb off cards and say touch one, then to make it fairer you say, in fact, I'll fan and then you pick one. Then you outjog it and the cards above and including the outjogged card are turned over to show 'their' card.

Spellbinder wrote:Just to clarify without revealing secrets, the Fan Force I referred to involves spreading the cards out in a fan for the spectator and having them touch or push down on the card of their choice. It seems very fair and free choice, but they always seem to end up with the carte du'jour. No thinking required!

Is it different from the Classic Force?