talkmagic.co.uk

Here's another "uncooperative-spec" question.
I just picked up the ID and it's working great, got some good reactions from my family. I can't wait to try it on friends/strangers. But I'm worried about people asking to inspect the cards, which of course they can't. There are endless jokes that might help skirt any awkward questions, but better still would be something that completely gets around the trouble. Any suggestions?
BTW I don't use the "here's an ID - shuffle it, etc." routine. Instead, I give the spec a deck of cards, have them reverse one, and produce the second deck with that card reversed as well.

Learn some crowd control. That will solve the problem right there.
Dont make it seem like its a gimmicked deck, presentation will fix that.


A deck switch also works.

The In The Pocket Switch works for that kind of thing. Jay Sankey uses it extensively. The object is switched when both hands fish into their respective pockets for another object, such as a Sharpie.

I am no expert magi but I would say a) go with the ID patter, at first people are like 'wtf is this' but I have found it to make the end that much more incredible, and b) no one has ever asked to inspect the deck as a result. If you do a well enough job in the patter, people will just assume 'it worked' and not that it's a trick deck. I have had people accuse me of actually managing to locate and switch the card face down in the 2 seconds it takes me to spread through, but no one has assumed it was a gaffed deck. This could be controversial, but I'd say that most lay people (your average person) aren't real aware of gaff decks anyway, so something as simple as this wouldn't come across as special enough to require a gaff.

my two sense.

Thanks for the advice. I'll explore the deck switch idea.
KingJeux, I have to disagree. The most common accusation I get (that is when I get one - thankfully not very often), no matter what the trick, is "yeah, but you used a trick deck". Normally this can be useful because I hand the deck over and that debunks the notion, and often once one spec's theory is disproved the rest of the audience stops questioning, seemingly believing the case is closed. But when I actually am using a trick deck...

Thats why a stripper deck is nice.. unless your performing for a fellow magician. nobody will know.

gravytrain wrote:Thats why a stripper deck is nice.. unless your performing for a fellow magician. nobody will know.

That deals with this how? This helps him how?

In all my years of using an ID, I cannot remember the last time a spectator asked to examine the deck, so I really don't think you have anything to be concerned about. Just make sure your handling is up to scratch and natural and you shouldn't have anything to worry about. There is no reason why a spectator would suspect you were using a gaffed deck unless you give them a reason. Don't be conscious of the fact that you're handling a gaffed deck of cards and it won't come across in your performace. Just be confident and spread through the cards like you would a normal deck. Trust me, you'll be fine.

If you want a bit of insurance, just switch it out using one of the multitude of methods out there.

i am sure this has been said before. i would never use the ID as the first trick. always start with a regular deck, fair, pick a card shuffle the deck trick. then switch out for the ID later. once they've handled the regular deck there is no suspicion about decks later.

As has been said already, alot of this comes down to your handling of the specs.

The time that you're most likely to be asked for the cards is either right at the start or end of a routine. I always try to start and finish a routine with a clean deck and have never had a problem.

You quote 'the most common type of accusation is that I am using a trick deck' (in roundabout terms).

You simply MUST build your routine on letting your spectators believe you are using only regular inspection-friendly items.

It's not rocket science. It's actually a hell of a lot easier than you think.

It's also a common fear/misconception of the amateur magician.

Presentation and handling will discard any idea or preconception that you are using 'trick decks'. In the case of the ID, an amateur will use it to death, and even repeat the trick. Plus, sloppy handling of the deck combined with clumsy fumblings point immediately to foul play.

Don't be put off by this. Work on it.

Switching decks is not such an incredibly good idea, as it means that you're taking up what I call 'pocket time' by returning to your pockets for apparently no reason (a Sharpie in an ID routine???)

Much preferable is the PREVENTION is better than CURE method, which is, in this instance, to condition your spectators into seeing you use only regular cards.

Ergo, when you use the ID, why would they assume you'd switched with another deck?

Here's how this can work in this instance...

1. Start the effect with two REGULAR decks of cards... a blue deck, and a red deck.

2. If your ID is blue, you spread out the blues in front of you, and have your spectator spread out the reds in front of them (or vice versa)

3. Both take the decks and gather them up with the box in one hand. Both turn your backs to each other.

4. Ask the spectator to select a card and reverse it. Tell them you are doing the same.

5. Secretly switch the regular deck with the ID (I use the waistband of my jeans rather than a pocket)

6. Ask the spectator to place their deck on the table in the box. You do the same (except yours is now the ID)

7. Ask the spectator if they remember which card they turned. Either way, get them to open the box in full view, and spread through until they find the reversed card.

8. At fingertips... take your ID from the table and mimic the spectators moves. Of course, you will both have done the same card.

In the presentation above, the deck you are using is shown to be normal BEFORE the effect, not after.

You need to always think credibly, and reduce the amount of moves to a minimum. Less moves=less suspicion.

And no matter how much you are tempted, don't immediately repeat effects like this unless you are confident that your repeat performance is different enough to provide a conclusive finale.

Nice post seige. I think this point is worth emphasising, because it relates to presentation in general.

seige wrote:In the presentation above, the deck you are using is shown to be normal BEFORE the effect, not after.

This section of presentation relates to what is termed a "convincer". The spec is convinced it's a regular deck (coin, or whatever) in advance so that the possibility of it being a gaff doesn't even enter their head.

This is NOT done by saying "I take this perfectly normal pack of cards", since this draws attention to the cards and implies the opposite.

There are two main methods of doing this: one is by subtle implication, and the other is by indifference, which is a massively underated skill know well by those use the Classic Force.

Darwin Ortiz has a section on convincers in Strong Magic which is excellent and a recent example in a trick DVD I saw was Gobsmacked.

Seige is spot on.

I nearly aways start my routine with the ID on the table and use a magicians force / choice so that I end up with the normal deck. The spec holds onto the ID whilst they watch the performance. I offer them the ability to change theor mond before I open the first deck and when I get to the ID, remind them that it was their free choice and that they could have selected either.

Using this method I have NEVER had a spec want to inspect the ID and it's by far a simpler method than switching decks.

Here's another idea. When you find the card face down, square the cards you pushed off into your other hand and flash the back of the bottom one as you point to the one face down card in the deck and ask the spec to take it. The spec will see the back of the card above the one you've just found and is likely to assume that they're all like that.

Use it sparingly and NEVER use it as a standalone effect.

If someone asks ' Got any new tricks? ' then dont even think about pulling this deck out. This will imply 1) its a new trick and 2) its a trick. A lot of the impact will be lost.

I will always perform a few card effects and then place the deck in the same pocket as my I.D while I go into other routines. I try to steer the routine down the mentalism route. Then at some point I can go into the ID presentation. Or I may imply that I turned over a card before I put them away and have spent the last 10 minutes pyschologically implanting that card in their mind. Have them think hard and deep about a card.. then reveal.

Theres over 100 ways to present the I.D, but the point is however you decide to present it, it should never be about the deck.. or the cards.. I try to avoid ' One card turns itself over ' as pyschologically that may implant the cards are gaffed. Instead make it about you, something you acheived or something you was able to get the spec to pick up on.