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I think thats the correct name..I cant find any information anywhere on how to fan packet of cards with one hand. I can do it in a fashion, but it doesnt look slick and there is no method to how I do it, I just sort of 'do'.
Many thanks,

Dave

I'm pretty sure it's in Mark Wilson's book and I'd expect Royal Road too.

Thank you very much, theres not a good explanation in RRTCM but ive not read Mark Wilson. Does anyone know if there is an explanation in it and if so, is it any good? Might stop me dropping them all on the floor at last!!

There is also a description of this in Card College, volume one. (And if you haven't got Mark Wilson's book, buy it!)

The one-handed fan in RRTCM isn't very good. I've not looked elsewhere since it's not something I'm bothered about perfecting.

Are you talking about just a regular one handed fan, though, or one of those faffy "carnahan" fans?

Just a regular one-I dont want to be TOO flashy!! Ive read a few reviews of it on this site and will get it next time I get to my dealer ..Dont like to waste money on too much-spent a fortune unused packet tricks or very poor magic books-yes there are some: for a comprehensive list do ask- im sure ive gone through too many. Generally use RRTCM book, and ETMCM DVD as the mainstay of my resources among an old Simon Lovell book.
Cheers again!

I've just checked Mark Wilson and there is an explaination of it in there. That's where I learnt to do it and I think the explaination is good.

The description in RRTCM isn't great, I had a lot of trouble trying to learn it from there. However the description in Mark Wilson's book is far better- it goes into detail about the small movements needed, which help greatly.

Having said that I don't ever use this flourish anymore, I didn't really find any uses for it (apart from oh look what I can do). I find a two handed fan and a one handed close works well as a nice subtle flourish during an effect.

thebigcheese wrote:how to fan packet of cards with one hand.

Are you trying to fan a full packet of cards or just a packet?
You see, a one handed fan with about half the deck is very easy. Doing it with a full deck is really bloody hard (albeit a simple method) and I'm still not happy with mine after about 18 months. Pah.

Anyways, I second the Mark Wilson explanation.
Oh yeah, but practice stood over a desk. That way you won't be playing one of my favourite games every time you drop the ba****** on the floor.

Mark.

Its just a packet-anthing from a quater to a half a deck. I haver the Mark Wilson book on order now though, so will try when that arrives! Will keep you updated with my progress, or how many less times I have been playing your favourite game!!

thebigcheese wrote:Its just a packet-anthing from a quater to a half a deck.

Ok then, here's a quick one to get you going. It'll work for anything up to half a deck. It's dead easy.
I can't do pictures, but I'll try my best to explain.

Firstly, click your fingers a few times (as in clicking along to music - thumb and middle finger). Get a feel for the pressure needed to produce a good click.

Then try clicking with an extra finger - your index finger. You won't get such a good click but that's not the point. Try to keep both of the fingers together and use exactly the same pressure as before.

Now try three fingers - ring, middle and index. Start with the thumb at the ring finger and click. keep it nice and smooth, and keep the three fingers together as if they were all glued. I hope that makes sense. You probably won't be making a clicky noise but the action and pressure should be the same.

Lastly (and this is the move) click with all four fingers. Start by placing your thumb at the tip of the little finger. Keeping your fingers together, Do a nice smooth action, just as you did in the previous three steps. The pressure and action should be just the same.

To make a fan, take a fair few cards. About a third to half the deck is perfect.
This bit is important. Put your hand out flat, fingers together. Place the cards in your hand PARALLEL to your fingers, so that the cards point in the same direction as your fingers.

Move the packet of cards up so that the BOTTOM of the packet is level with the topmost joint on your little finger. This is, of course, where your thumb starts when it does the move. All set.
All you do now is the four-finger click. Pretend that you do not have cards in your hand and just do the move.

Good luck!

That really helped me! Thanks!

that's really good advice - Cheers Marvo Marky!

I'm really struggling with fans, so I've been watching the 'fanning workshop' section on the XCM beginners DVD. It helped with the theory, but as far as a short, consice, helpful answer, I think Marvo Marky got it down there.

All I'd add is to practice fanning with just two cards to find the pivot point of the fan - I know that helped me a lot.

Still truggling though!