talkmagic.co.uk

Hello everyone, I'm a new user here, but I've been scouring these forums for quite some time and finally decided to register.

I've been checking out the "Bicycle Gaff Ghost Deck" offered by ellusionist and not only am I impressed with the beauty of the standard deck itself, I am also dazzled by the feats accomplished using the gaff deck and implementing sleights.

I'm just writing to enquire a good source of material (book, video, internet) where I can begin to learn such sleights as shown on the video, so I can begin conjuring my own tricks using a gaff deck as such.

Thanks, your help is valued.

Have you ever considered starting with a regular deck and a book such as the Royal Road to Card Magic. To use gimmicks so early on may not be the best idea. You can produce some stunning effects with a regular deck and some effects are easier than you think.

Learning some basic skills first may be a good idea you will build up some good skills and save money.

I'm not inexperienced when it comes to magic; however, I am not experienced either. I don't know what to classify myself as, but I'll try. I've dabbled in magic A LOT a few years ago (I'm 19 by the way), then it just kind of faded out. For whatever reason, I'm rekindling that old flame.

During the years I was in-tone with my magic abilities, I've accomplished such feats as Ed Marlo's snapchange, a very technical card sleight (this was when I was 16, mind you). Having trouble with it now (presently), however...

In other words, I know my way around a deck and consider myself an intrigued and fast learner. The titles you suggested may be a good idea, I don't know, because I'm not really looking to start at square one again, but perhaps I should. Similarily compared to Tom DeLonge and his new band Angels and Airwaves. It's a new project: new people, new music, basically a fresh start. But it's not really considered as a totally fresh start, because he still has a fan base and sells out crowds when they have rarely even been heard.

How about this. What path would you recommend me taking right now? And perhaps post a title where I could learn those sleights (detailed well), when the time arrives.

Thanks, again.

i recommend you to buy a dvd, like "Daryl's Encyclopedia of Card Sleights" or allan ackermans "Advanced Card Control Series SET 1-8 DVD", or "born to perform". it´s much more easier to learn with a dvd instead of reading a book.

it´s much more easier to learn with a dvd instead of reading a book.

I will have to agree, seeing something visually done and taught before you step-by-step is indeed a great method to learn anything, as compared to lines of text and illustrations found between the covers of a book. However, I like the fact that with a book, you can study certain parts of a trick, eventually mastering the anatomy. It's always a quick reference (grabbing the book and immediately falling into practice within seconds). Very nice to cross-reference and incorporate deifferent methods all at once. And is great for grabbing a volume for a dedicated sit-down study session of a certain thing.

I don't know, all of the above of course can be accompished with a dvd, but I just can't picture myself pressing pause a million and one times, and trying to cross-reference other parts of the video to sturdy a currently building foundation.

margera wrote:i recommend you to buy a dvd, like "Daryl's Encyclopedia of Card Sleights" or allan ackermans "Advanced Card Control Series SET 1-8 DVD", or "born to perform". it´s much more easier to learn with a dvd instead of reading a book.

That is your opinion.

A book lets you take your own pace, make your own assessments and learn in your own style, rather than imitating others. Sure, once the basics are down, DVDs are great for refreshing and learning new effects.
Plus, books are cheaper, easier to backtrack, more convenient, and easier to cross-reference at a later date.

That is my opinion.

Get Bobo and Royal Road and you've got enough material to last you quite some time. They both offer tricks that range from beginner to difficult and you can pick the pair up for about 30 quid.

£30! where do you shop more like £12 - £15.00

Hi have to agree with the other posters - I would steer clear from Gimmicks for the time being - like you (and many people), I used to do a few card tricks as a kid. When I was at university, I was wandering around a market, and somebody was demonstrating and selling gimmicked decks of cards (stripper and svengali) - I brought these, and impressed a few mates, but quickly fell flat on my face at parties when somebody would ask me to do a trick with a borrowed deck...

Since then, I have not touched gimmicked decks (I do have a couple of gimmicked packet tricks - double back, ricochet, twisted sisters), but don't use them.

Once you have a good routine of non-gimmicked card tricks that you can perform anytime, anywhere and with any deck of cards, then (and only then), you could consider building in an effect or two with gimmicked decks to further blow your spectators away.

Of course, if you, like many of us on here suffer from CUPS, you will end up buying every gimmick you come across, and I almost guarantee that after playing with them a bit, most will sit in a drawer unused.

A good book/dvd is worth a thousand gimmicks...

Just my tuppence worth.
Gopes

Dammit! I bought Bobo from Alakazam for the princely sum of 18 pounds. It is a rather nice piece of work mind you, hardback expanded edition etc. I'd still say it's excellent value for money bearing in mind Self Tying Shoelace is 20 quid in the same shop. The only problem I have with Bobo is the number of tricks that require handkerchiefs or sleeving, I don't know anyone that uses hankies any more and I hardly ever wear anything long sleeved. Not to worry there's still more material in there than I'll ever get my head round.

BOBO expanded edition in hardback is always going to cost a few £ more. And it will stay looking newer and last longer than a tatty paper back copy. It will look smarter on your book shelf aswell.

Talking of which, where does everyone keep there books? I keep mine in a bookcase in the lounge. Its mainly so I can grab them at a moments notice, but I also like to see my mighty collection on display. (238 books at last count) But I sometimes get concerned when we have friends relatives over and they look at the spines, and say something along the lines of "Ooooh Derren Brown! I love his shows!" and start thumbing through my copy of "Pure Effect" or "Absolute Magic" Im fairly sure that most will not understand terminology used in these books but I am giving serious though to keeping my books in a more private place. Am I being paranoid?

(Apologies if this has gine off track a bit. Its a hot summers night and the Magners is nice and cold!)

To answer your original question, mafiosoromano, the "Royal Road to Card Magic" is good and cheap.
The 5 volume set "Card College" is excellent but fairly expensive.

MagicAL wrote:
Talking of which, where does everyone keep there books? I keep mine in a bookcase in the lounge. Its mainly so I can grab them at a moments notice, but I also like to see my mighty collection on display. (238 books at last count) But I sometimes get concerned when we have friends relatives over and they look at the spines, and say something along the lines of "Ooooh Derren Brown! I love his shows!" and start thumbing through my copy of "Pure Effect" or "Absolute Magic" Im fairly sure that most will not understand terminology used in these books but I am giving serious though to keeping my books in a more private place. Am I being paranoid?

(Apologies if this has gine off track a bit. Its a hot summers night and the Magners is nice and cold!)

Iv thought about this too, some of my magic dvds and books have been stolen after being within reach of my housemates and their guests

seige wrote:

margera wrote:i recommend you to buy a dvd, like "Daryl's Encyclopedia of Card Sleights" or allan ackermans "Advanced Card Control Series SET 1-8 DVD", or "born to perform". it´s much more easier to learn with a dvd instead of reading a book.

That is your opinion.

A book lets you take your own pace, make your own assessments and learn in your own style, rather than imitating others. Sure, once the basics are down, DVDs are great for refreshing and learning new effects.
Plus, books are cheaper, easier to backtrack, more convenient, and easier to cross-reference at a later date.

That is my opinion.

Very True, Very True. Plus it also depends on the type of learner you are. Im a more visual learner so i learn better when watching DVDs, however my mate who is also a magician like to learn from books. Im not saying im totally useless when it comes to reading books, i just sometimes think that seeing the trick performed, for me, is easier. My friend also thinks from time to time that books dont give much of an idea sometimes, thats when he consults to visual aids, like DVDs

Card College looks mighty slick, but the pricetag says otherwise to me. I think I will pick up a copy of Bobo, even though I don't have a taste for coin tricks, I think it will be well worth it to learn the sleights, refresh old ones, and add at least a few tricks to my arsenal.

What site can I pick up a copy of the expanded, hardcover a few of you have mentioned? The only one I've seen around is the paperback for about $9.99USD.

Thanks for the help as always.