talkmagic.co.uk

Hello,

I've been doing card magic for a while now (only as a hobby though) and I got to the pass, which seems to be a really neat effect to do. After practicing a few days I noticed my top pack always dips too far, so that you can easily see it being put at the bottom. This occours even though I lift the bottom pack while transferring it, and it's getting on my nerves.

I have got big hands, so the covering shouldn't be a problem, but it is. I tried the Riffle but I can't get it work fluently, so I guess that's not an option either.

What do you prefer to use? Classic, Riffle, Herman? Are any of these easier/harder to execute than the other? Your opinions are greatly welcome.

Thank you.

I like the classic pass, but it does take time to get smoothly. Don't worry about getting it totally invisible because you won't very manage that, that's where a little misdirection comes in. My pass is terrible but I can always pull it off with well timed misdirection.

I agree with that, misdirection works wonders for my pass too

A small tilt off the hand could do the trick. The Deck is held horizontally, and as the packet is taken from the top to the bottom, tilt the right hand fingertips downwards and the right hand wrist upwards. Try to think of it as showing the audience the top of the pack. This should provide cover.

However, you must remember that the most valuable thing when performing the pass is misdirection. A quick hand-on-the-shoulder and a look up to ask what was their card is all that is needed. As soon as your gazes meet, Pass!

I always thought that a casual misdirection is better than a super quick invisible pass, since it will still arouse suspicion.

One last tip: stand in front of a mirror (or record on a camera if available) and spread out the cards. Then square them up again. Repeat this over and over. Now all you have to do is try and incorporate the pass into your natural squaring-up motion. Keep alternating between just squaring and squaring with a pass. Change it step by step. Soon your pass will just look like your normal squaring up of the cards. Less misdirection will be needed in performance if you can achieve this, since the spectator knows you aren't doing anything funny with the cards. Or so they may think...

Try doing the turn-over pass first, it is slightly easier in terms of dexterity and it also helped me learn about when you can and can't get away with a pass.

In my opinion nobody can do a pass when there hands are being watched like a hawk, just learn when and where you can do it. There are many other options for controlling the card which aren't as difficult.

Good Luck.

im strictly a hermmann pass kinda person...with occasional added jiggle...

though not a pass, if we're talking single cards only, im rather fond of the marlo side steal...invisible and ridiculously lovely...

A tip that probably can help. I am practicing the pass described in Dai Vernon's Ultimate Secrets of Card Magic. He's got a very good solution to the problem encountered. I'm not sure whether I can describe more, so I stop here.

i use the herman pass. in my experience i can make the herman pass pretty darn invisible, simply by good angles and how it works.

but at the end of the day it's trial and error.

I like to use the spread pass and also the backstage pass from greg wilson in action dvd. I agree misdirection does play a big part for me when using the classic pass. Although i have seen it done undetectable before. But I'm not quite there yet

you could try marlo's fingertip pass too....

randy wakeman has a great dvd that covers just about every pass known...with decent "behind the hands" angles too...

dont be put off by the price, well worth it if you are struggling with your books...

I thought Richard Kaufman's "On The Pass" was good, though you can still see my pass from space. My hands simply won't allow me to do it no matter which version I try!

I struggled badly with the pass trying various books and the Kaufman DVD. Then I picked up a copy of Pass With Care by Peter Cassford. Everything became simpler (note - simpler not simple!). One of the most important items on the DVD was showing that this does not have to be a rapid or hurried move; he shows his 10 second pass. An excellent purchase if you're determined to master this.

James

The footage which literally turned my pass from 'passable' to 'beautiful' is the Ken Krenzel tape.

A fantastic purchase if you're looking to sort this out once and for all...

Alas, I believe the PAL VHS version to be discontinued, but if you can find a copy of this video, you'll never ask a question about the pass again...

Covering the Classic pass, jiggle pass, Hermann turnover pass, Jack Miller pass, Marlo Dribble pass and the LePaul Spread pass to name a few.

Something for everyone in it.

Ok, as a beginner at the pass myself, I did a short little effect using the pass on my friend today and I can say that a little misdirection can work wonders!

Before I tried this I always figured that if I use misdirection it would make the trick less effective, but it was just as good. all I did was get him to pick a card, put it back in the deck and while he was misdirected, I did the pass and palmed his card and produced it.

So coming from a fellow beginner at the pass, misdirection=good.

My pass is far from invisible but I have managed to get it silent.
I usually riffle the pack and ask them if they can see there card in there and then ask them to look my in the eyes whilst they think of their card. Then I do the pass. Misdirection, I know but when combined with a mind reading themed card trick you can get away with it without suspicion.