talkmagic.co.uk

Hello,

I cannot single handedly close a card fan. Does anyone have any tips on this? Any advice is appreciated!


Thank you!

Michael Kras

Michael Kras wrote:Hello,

As experienced as I am with cards, I cannot do something as simple as single handedly closing a card fan. Does anyone have any tips on this? Any advice is appreciated!


Thank you!

Michael Kras

Sorry I'm not really into flourishes. I think they prove to people that you are good with cards and then when you show them a trick they know you're just good with cards. Anyways. I think I need to blatantly point out what others have only alluded to. Your above post would have been much more effective if posted as:

"I cannot single handedly close a card fan. Does anyone have any tips on this? Any advice is appreciated!"

See the difference?

Hello Michael Kras,

One of the major secrets is first to get the cards to slide well. Baby Powder or some similiar type powder works great for that. Get some, put it on the cards, and there you go. Now they will glide like melted butter. Well, as well as cards can glide like melted butter at any rate.

Then, from there, you have to practice. Start small. Now I know most of us want to do a full deck or even two right away but really, take just two cards and practice with them. Then, do three. Then four. Sure, it takes time but if you want your Flourishes to be perfect, then the practice of the chops is where it is at. Besides, if you're into Flourishes, practicing is what it is all about.

You do have the Encyclopedia of Playing Card Flourishes, right? If not, oh my gosh, you just SO have to have that book.

Once you get good at your Flourishes, oh the fun you can have. Sure, most see this art as a show-off art, but it has its advantages in the prestidigitation of cards for even cardsharping or card tricks. Of course, in cardsharping, you want to be SO good that you can play sloppily with perfect control.

Good luck with this Michael. Stick with it and soon you'll have perfect fans. Once you do, of course, then you'll start thinking of all kinds of things to do like tossing a fan into the air, letting it flip, and catching it and so on. Okay, maybe it is a bit of a show-off art, but some people would say it's even funner than base ball.

Love,

Amanda Angeli

Thank you very much to everyone! Especially Angela. Thanks for being such a great addition to the TM community.

Hello Michael,

Oh, and by the way, with the powder, whatever kind you use, put it in something like a bag, a box, a sock or whatever and then put the cards in. It's a really quick way to get an even spread. You could also use really really fine sand like the white sand of Hawaii or even ashes though with those, you don't want them to smear, unless, of course, you're using black cards like Black Tigers or something.

Remember, start slow. And, the key is finger pressure. Try using different amounts of pressure with your fingers and you'll quickly get the right feel for this fun art.

Love,

Amanda Angeli

and buy Xtreme Beginners...2 hour fanning workshop with none other than a Mr Gerald P Cestkowski!

...

..you *do* know who he is...right?

XB by De'vo. Disk 2 should have all you'll ever need to know about fans.

Mike, I'm not a flourish man myself, but I've got a buddy who plays poker extremely well and he could show you different flourishes for an hour. I've seen him do one handed card fans and I notice that when he closes them he does an odd snapping, almost whip-like movement with his hand. It looks in control, and it might be you just need to give a little jerk to get the cards started for you.

I'm a firm believer that if your cards need fanning powder, then what they really need is replacing but, hey, if it works for you.

Anyway, closing the fan is similar to creating it in that the quicker it's done the better the result is likely to be. When you've got the fan in your hand, bend back your index finger so the pad contacts the bottom card nice and squarely and push up. As it reaches full extent start moving it to the right (assuming the fan is in the left hand) and start to close your hand into a fist. Do it slow and pretty much nothing will happen bar moving the bottom card. Do it at speed and they'll all collapse up. A slight 'flick' to the right as they're closing might help to get them moving while you learn it but once you've got it down pat it won't be needed. Obvioulsy if the fan is in your right hand substitute 'right' for 'left' in the above description.

It's a definite 'knack' thing but it's not difficult so practice in front of the telly and after a few hours and some sore fingers you should have it.

Hope that helps.

use your tongue to close the fan.. it is technically a one handed close and you can turn on the ladies at the same time

Oh I love this move. Just recently I taught myself to do it with my right hand. So now I am able to retract the fan with both my left hand and right hand (separatly). IT took awhile longer to get it down with my right hand, but it was worth it.

So if you still have problems I will be glad to help.

I.D wrote:you can turn on the ladies at the same time

I wouldn't be so sure about that!

TheWickedWitchOfTheWeb wrote:

I.D wrote:you can turn on the ladies at the same time

I wouldn't be so sure about that!

You havent seen my tongue babe

I.D wrote:You havent seen my tongue babe

That made me chortle!

s'what I do best that is

And they say romance is dead