talkmagic.co.uk

hmm, i've been reading a few big names switching their acts around to poker demonstrations, but mixing it with psychological methodology as a performance framework...

jermay and hollingworth im especially thinking of...

do you reckon that this is the new/old way forwards - given the popularity of poker these days too, it seems appropriate...

im just wondering, and semi-hoping that we're slowly turning full circle, and seeing a return of the "old ways" but with lovely new/old psychological twists and turns added...

is this the latest bandwagon to be jumped upon do you think? will ellusionist for example, start bringing out poker based magic soon?

I think it's all a bit of a fad. Everyone seems to be playing poker at the moment, it's a fashion thing. I couple of friends couldn't believe that I couldn't play until I reminded them that they didn't know the difference between an ace and a joker six months ago. 'Oh yeah' they said.

It's only natural that magic would follow a tred like that, but how long will the poker craze last? And when it fades away, I think poker type magic will fade away too.

I hope coins in cans and bottles fades soon too

seige wrote:I hope coins in cans and bottles fades soon too

i refuse to buy any of them on principle...

plus with the right loose change, bob's yer uncle...

Just about every book / DVD I have on card magic has some Poker based trick in it. I have only the vaguest idea of how to play so I avoid all poker tricks like the plague

I believe the point that's trying to be made is that we are watching Mentalism wane in popularity (thank the gods!) and the gambler bits are coming back into popularity due to cultural interests... gambling has always been a fascination of folk but to watch magicians do what they (the public) think the card sharks do... well, it's just one more fantasy being fulfilled.

Bear in mind that Whit Hayden has been doing this kind of program for a while now and he's likewise seen a recent resurgence in popularity e.g. his influence could be a big part of this "trend" as well."

I'm just looking forward to those days when we have fewer fools thinking themselves "Mentalists" so those that really are and have been for a good long while, can stop dealing with all the insanity...

every body at the moment seems to be going in the direction of a "cool dude" magician with the effects on ellusionist etc.

i've took an approach more of a con-man/comedian style. poker and gambling based patter will obviously be encorparted in some of my routines, such as the invisible palm and monte routines.

i quite like the gambling theme. it can add a whole lot more to a performance

I'm wondering whether if/when it takes off, would that mean the circle would continue...people start peforming the classics more...

ring/rope/cup and ball/jardin ellis ring...maybe start seeing more big illusions too?

i wasnt thinking about the mentalist arena really, more along the lines of street magic dying out, and a slightly more theatrical and/or elegant performance coming through?

abraxus wrote:is this the latest bandwagon to be jumped upon do you think? will ellusionist for example, start bringing out poker based magic soon?

As long as they don't rip off Poker Faced...

i am the reverend abraxus and i couldnt possibly instruct people to go and buy Poker Faced, as it is both a mightly strong effect, and very reasonably priced...

...that would go against all my morals as a man of the cloth...

abraxus wrote:i am the reverend abraxus and i couldnt possibly instruct people to go and buy Poker Faced, as it is both a mightly strong effect, and very reasonably priced...

...that would go against all my morals as a man of the cloth...

Indeed. I'd have to rip out your eyeballs and stuff them in my ears to stop the screams as I killed you for daring to suggest it!