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...each month, i always return to the basics and run through them just to keep my fingers limber and occasionally work out easier training methods for myself...

when i practise my lifts, i found doing the following is a nice n simple method of keeping track of my progress...

place the ace, two, three and four on top of the deck, and practice all the different lifts,hitting 3 for a triple and so on and to get some thumb and/or finger memory for the lifts...

quad lifts i've found helped me with block turnovers...

it works for me anyway, you might well have your own methods, share them here...

That's a nice simple method. I recently have found that I've been able to get doubles and triples without having to thumb count or thumb off. It is this I have been trying to develop to a higher standard and that will help it along I reckon. Thanks Abraxus

That's a great practice routine... and it opens up a whole discussion!

Don't you find when practicing multiple-offs that the less you THINK about it, the more accurate you are?

I do!

When performing, and doing impromptu card stuff—which for me is my 'forte'—I find that I can do doubles/triples/quads with total fluency.

But when I'm practicing or getting ideas together, I get proper stumped.

Maybe instinct wins over technique here?

yeah, I'm always keen on brushing up on the basics, keep them in check and you're sorted...

im like that too boba, i can hit doubles and triples with no breaks or get readys all the time now...quads, 9/10...but a simple spread across as you talk lets you count and catch a pinkie for that doesnt it...

EDIT: ah seige, you popped up whilst i was typing...filthy man...

yeah, i find that, if im working, no problem, hairs on the back of neck are up, im buzzing inside, some kind of weird serenity takes over my fingers and thumbs...weird innit...

as naughty as it is, i even occasionally practise the lifts and passes with a tarot deck to stretch my slightly dainty hands...

I've never tried it for quads as it is something I've rarely if ever come across but it does open up the idea and possibility for doing this with any number of cards with enough practice.

Just yesterday I was reading Paul Harris Art of Astonishment and a great routine called whack a pack which comprises almost soley of DL's and push offs to get a break and have been using this to practice. Not wanting to via off at all but whack a pack may have leaped into my current favourite to perform as the scope to play around is enormous. Anyway back to the discussion in hand....

What is your guys preferred lift after catching a FB? Or do just lift without a FB?

My problem at the minute is lifting the cards naturally without arousing suspicion after I have obtain a FB. I personally don't like the lift in RRTCM by just lifting the card, turning it over and placing it on top of the deck.

This sleight has been giving me the most bother but I'm determined to crack it.

there's some lovely sadowitz and bannon stuff that require quad-lifts or block turnovers...i was scared of block turnovers for ages...

wierdly, what helped me immensely with fighting the fear for performing, was giving cards a break (pardon the pun), and slipping into mental magic/mentalism...once i had a few successes with just pure verbal suggestions, i just thought "meh...why am i so scared of these little pasteboards?"...

not in a disrespectful way, i love my cards to death, but it gave me that added kick to have a bit more faith in myself...

dont get me started on palming though...i've had to adapt every single method to suit my hand proportions...i've an earth/fire hand for the palmists out there...but considering im quite a big tall lump, my hands are a bit small and dainty...damn you genetics!

i very rarely use the pinkie either, when i started off, i used the "open trap" method i believe its called...and occasionally my third finger...

Wills wrote:What is your guys preferred lift after catching a FB? Or do just lift without a FB?

My problem at the minute is lifting the cards naturally without arousing suspicion after I have obtain a FB. I personally don't like the lift in RRTCM by just lifting the card, turning it over and placing it on top of the deck.

This sleight has been giving me the most bother but I'm determined to crack it.

kinda my own, but its an obvious one, and it felt natural to me when i was first learning...

after you catch the necessary, i lift up and pivot off my left thumb, right thumb at nearest short end, fingers at the far short end as i lift up..it has a nice little turn to it...plus, you can continue to revolve it in that manner too, and subtley drop one of "them" back on top as you turn again for a quickie colour change...

as long as you're consistent and lift ALL your cards in the same way all the time...its fine, whatever the look of your lift(s)...

Duffie also kicks a fair few mulitiples in for fun...

If time allows, I still prefer doing a pressure-count with the pinky, from a dealer's grip.

I used to practice it like crazy, until I could count down any number of cards accurately.

But now, cos somehow my weird old brain and fingers seem to have a double-act going, I find I can catch a pretty accurate multiple probably 19/20 times. Oddly, I still find a regular D/L to be the trickiest!

ever read seventh heaven seige/anyone else? one of my absolute favourite card books ever...some beautiful routines in there...

anway, he has a different version of a d-lift there...its called the OH! move...all one handed...thats a nice convincer...

i just thought, another thumb memory thing i used to do, is to place the deck on a table and riffle up to the top, and catch a double that way too...that can be quite useful if dont in an off hand manner...you can branch your index and little finger either side of the deck to steady it while learning...

abraxus wrote:...each month, i always return to the basics and run through them just to keep my fingers limber and occasionally work out easier training methods for myself...

when i practise my lifts, i found doing the following is a nice n simple method of keeping track of my progress...

place the ace, two, three and four on top of the deck, and practice all the different lifts,hitting 3 for a triple and so on and to get some thumb and/or finger memory for the lifts...

quad lifts i've found helped me with block turnovers...

it works for me anyway, you might well have your own methods, share them here...

That's a great method to have a quick check of the result and to help "memorize" the sleight! Thanks!

Please excuse me if there's exposure here. In that case just delete the message. I use the pushover d/l (Dai Vernon's I think) and the d/l and turnover explained in RRTCM, but I perform the last one differently. Instead of protruding the cards inwards after performing the d/l , I protrude them outwards. This way I can square them with my left index finger and the getready for next d/l is easy as I just have to push the cards towards my body pressing the index finger lightly downwards. Or even just press right outer corner of the cards as this will make the wanted corner to move upwards.

dont get me started on palming though...i've had to adapt every single method to suit my hand proportions...i've an earth/fire hand for the palmists out there...but considering im quite a big tall lump, my hands are a bit small and dainty...damn you genetics!

My word it's a plethora of coincedence today. My small hands have always meant that even a two handed top palm is a struggle for me as the width of my palm is pretty much identical to that of a poker card so I have always refrained from trying any palming whilst performing but at a gig last thursday I was at a table and for some reason after getting a card picked and returning it to the top I asked if anyone could shuffle and during the misdirection top palmed rather sloppily. It wasn't noticed and they were all amazed when I pulled it out of my pocket.
It goes to show the power of mis-direction. Same goes with DL/TL's when they from time to time slip. One can always cover with a well timed question.

7th Heaven rocks. (Not cos it's written by a guy called Jones, either )

I totally agree. There are more ways to skin a cat. But eventually, we all find our own method which suits best and we stick with.

yeah, i know what you mean boba..sorry i call you boba dont i quite a bit now...

yeah, top palming is a wierd one for me for the same reasons...though i steal it like lennart green does, or use ed marlo's deliberate side steal quite alot, which is pretty much the same really...

im always too aware of flashing the card between my pinkie and third...thats why i top steal more, prefer the cover...

It is nice to practice and to try to achive the perfect DL, Pass, Palm etc. but at the end of the day it is what works in real conditions that counts.

I am going to try the rest of the day the 'abraxus top stack count method' as described in the first post. Is it ok to name it that? I think it sounds pretty good

Call me boba no worries. I only use this avatar because it's the only one I could find online that was the correct size. Well that and I am a ruthless bounty hunter and killer of jedis