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hi there, I dont knwo if this is the right secion, but does anyone know where i can find me a good quality, CHEAP close up mat? fairly large too!!

kind Regards

have a look in an art shop, you can usually pick up the same sort of material that they use for next to nothing

I know Mark at JBTV sells them

The Search Function will show several previous threads on this topic as well.

http://www.nothingupmysleeve.co.uk/mark ... large.html

Just got these in stock

Not 'huge' but pretty good.

Ah nice, thanking you:)

my close-up pad cost £20... And I dont even use it. Oh well live and learn.

Here's a little idea. This is one I use regularly.

Buy a large piece of baize from a fabric shop. Exactly the same type that you would use to cover snooker or card tables. Green is my favourite.

I bought a metre square of it for under a fiver if I remember, and that was from a very expensive place. I've since seen cheaper elsewhere; £3.00 to be exact.

Now, this can be rolled up (don't fold it!) and laid out on any flat surface. It can be tacked or pinned or even blue tacked to hold it in place. I have even used heavy props on either side. It works perfectly for practising and I have even used it for a perfomance, where the baize was big enough to fold over the edges of the table and be pinned to the underside. This actually looked quite cool and recieved some compliments.

Im going to straight to the fabric shop tomorow!

Thank you!!!! :):):):)

magicj wrote:Im going to straight to the fabric shop tomorow!

Thank you!!!! :):):):)

You're very welcome Mr J.
I hope you like the feel of it, I actually prefer the feel of it to a close up mat.
It's larger too - well actually it's as large as you like.

Try to buy more than you think you'd need. It can always be cut back if needed.

The only trouble with baize is that it lacks the sponge qualities required for coin work and some card work... if you're going to try 'on the cheap', ask for neoprene backed felt.

Lovely stuff, Ill pop in the on my lunch tomorow, I wont have to pay, ill just play a little monte and win the cloth!

lol im thinking about a mat but wondering if i really need one yet... :/

seige wrote:The only trouble with baize is that it lacks the sponge qualities required for coin work and some card work...

Yes that is quite right - make sure you like the feel of it first.

It does have benefits though - a lot of gambling sleights may only ever be used 'for real' on baize. And a swanky friend of mine has his own card table ( ). It's excellent for impromptu card magic and having a bit of a practise on my own baize helps.

And since it's cheap it's nice to have a large piece anyway.

And another thing (sorry about this), how many laymen assume that since you're good with cards you instantly make a good dealer?
I've had a few friends who've had private games and have wanted me to be a guest croupier (ie non-playing). This is something I'd be terrible at. I don't even know which direction to deal in or anything. The etiquette at these things always leaves me very confused.

This is something I'd be terrible at. I don't even know which direction to deal in or anything. The etiquette at these things always leaves me very confused.

I have the same thing, however, when i play card they usually like to to deal, cus ill 'do it properly' and do some 'fancy stuff' when i 'mix the card in different ways with one hand' ..... On the other hand, the don't like me dealing Because i 'know the order of the whole pack' even after everyone has shuffled it, mixed it, cut it, put there own cards in, put them in a bag, covered them in petrol and burned them....It's a shame im not trusted.

Back to the main thread, The Matt is really just to perform one trick i have (diminished returns) which was wonderfully posted to me by a fellow TM member. - Magicdiscoman. For a bargin of £5!!! (i recomend him.)

I will pop into the fabric shop tomorow to have a look, if nothing comes of it then i will have to Purchase one from a magci shop. But your comments have been really helpfull - thanks again!