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Hi I tried the search function to search for anything that already answers my post but couldn't find it. If I overlooked it then please lock this topic.

I am a bit ashamed to ask this because I think it's one of the basic card-magic moves, but even while practising cardmagic for a couple of years I still can't do it

I don't know how I should explain what I mean but let's give it a try.
And I don't know if there is an 'official' name for this thing, but my question is:

How can I properly spread the cards out on the table in a straight row (or with a little curve in it)?
I mean something like this:


When I try to do it I get something that looks like it, but much shorter and a lot of 'chunks' in it

When the deck is placed on the table (before the spreading) is it supposed to be straight or beveled a bit?
Where should I place my fingers and which fingers do I use?
Where do I put pressure?

Could somebody please give me some tips?

Thank you already...

Hello!

This move is called the ribbon spread, it's a very basic move so you should definitely learn it.

The correct position, or at least the position I use, is a modified Biddle grip with the first finger at the centre of the long edge. You then put the deck down on a grippy surface (carpet is good, smooth table is bad) and just, well, spread. The first finger regulates the cards so they are even.

If you get a short spread with a lot of clumps are you using a USPCC deck? If you use one of the cheapo Tesco plastic-coated deck you won't be able to do a ribbon spread; it's just not slippery enough. Try a new deck of Bicycles or Tally-Ho (available @ magicbox)...

Kati

Thanks.
No I use Bicycle cards (Poker sized)...

I always try to use the way you suggested.
Gonna try it right now... be right back here...

*5 mins later*

Man how stupid can this be? I just tried it and it works better then it ever was.
I guess I just always was a bit 'over-cramped' or something with my hand. Too much in some fixed forced position.
And the surface on which I spread made a difference too.

Hey thanks man

This is known as the ribbon spread.

you will have to start with the deck face down, (or face up, depending on what way you want it to be), in either your right or left hand, depending on your preferance.

The thumb is at the inner short end of the deck, and fingers at the outer end. The forefinger is placed on the middle of teh deck, across the top (I hope that that made sense)

When placing the deck flat on the table, apply a small amount of pressure and draw it to the left, (or right, once again, depending). If on a close-up mat (or a bed, which is what i practiced on ), it will drag the cards out from the bottom of the deck in a line, or a curve if you angle your hand and draw it around in a shape - many a time I make an "s" curve with it .

The forefinger controls the escape of the cards, allowing them out one by one, until none remain.

This does take practice, so start off slowly, as with all sleights and, in this case, flourishes. Take your time, and gradually speed up. I was always unable to do this until a specific time - when i just managed it. I guess it is a knack.

After mastering the ribbon spread, you can do a turnover move - you must have seen this . once the cards are spread, take the lowest card at the end you started from, and bring it upwards. Slide this card over the spread. Keeping contact, move it along the spread. This turns the whole deck over, the single card riding the top. do ths to the end. If you wish, you can square up all the cards together by pushing them in one direction from underneath the lowermost card.

hope this helped lol

and in the time it has taken to type a reply, 2 other people have posted. lol - ah well :S

Another cool thing to learn if you have got the ribbon spread down is to practice turning them all over with the edge of just one card.

What you do is simply use the first card that touched the table when you began the ribbon spread (If you are trying to use the card where you can see the entire back, you are using the wrong card). Just pinch it between your first finger and thumb and flick the other cards up on their ends with it. if you then use the card to push the cards in the direction that you made the ribbon spread, you will see something resembling a wave. Its just a simple little trick that looks cool as well.

Let me know if you didnt understand that and i'll try to explain further.

As already mentioned briefly, surfaces make 110% difference to spreads.

A decent 'close up pad' will cost peanuts. It's just a mat, with a nice velour finish, which is PERFECT for card work. It's something you buy, and won't look back from.

Aside from that, nice clean cards and a gentle touch will work wonders

and practice

*whistles*

What you do is simply use the first card that touched the table when you began the ribbon spread (If you are trying to use the card where you can see the entire back, you are using the wrong card). Just pinch it between your first finger and thumb and flick the other cards up on their ends with it. if you then use the card to push the cards in the direction that you made the ribbon spread, you will see something resembling a wave. Its just a simple little trick that looks cool as well.

Or guide the cards, as they turn over in a wave, with your finger along the top. To me, this is even more marvelous to watch, as the wave flows better. If you stop the last card with your other hand, you can take over the movement from there, and run back in opposite direction. It has close to no function in the sense of a routine, but it is certainly entertaining.

I practiced the spread with a used deck. The advantage is that the cards are a bit more 'loose', and their tendency to form clumps of cards will be less present.

This is easy for me because I messed around with cards when I was like 5 when my grandma played blackjack with her friends lol. So now, the ribbon spread is just natural to do.

I think a little pressure to the cards also helps. Also, before you start spreading the cards, bevel the deck then spread. It makes alot of difference. Fanning powder helps spreads alot too.

Also, I don't think you should say anything's VERY basic. Maybe it's fairly easy to do, but saying it's very basic and when you can't do it just puts you off as well. Think of it as a kind of fundamental move that you'll have to take some time to practice with. You can always get better and better at "basic" moves like the DL and in this case, the ribbon spread.

Practice until you're absolutely smooth with it... then practice some more! Everything takes time to do and practice!

Anybody got any tips for doing a spread in the hands? (eg. for pick a card tricks) I don't mean a Le Paul spred, just an ordinary one as mine looks horrible

ace of kev wrote:Anybody got any tips for doing a spread in the hands? (eg. for pick a card tricks) I don't mean a Le Paul spred, just an ordinary one as mine looks horrible

Curve the cards in as you spread.

Thanks I've tried this a few times in the past 2 mins and it looks much better

Sorry for bringing up this old topic but no point in starting a new one, I guess.

I just have one question about the spread - are smooth surfaces a no-no? Everywhere I've seen it performed it's done on a rough surface and I was wondering if it's even possible on a smooth surface like polished wood (school tables and the like)?

It is possible to perform this in a smooth surfice. I think its much more important to have better quality/condiiton cards for that though.

You may wish to "dribble" the cards instead, which with practise will give a similar display whereby surfice does not factor at all