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My friends - who have never seen me perform magic before - are holding a party which to my delight involves friendly casino games, which gave me the idea of how much close-up oppurtunities there will be.

I've looked through Bobo's book and thought up some things to do with chips, but I have no chips of my own and dont know if they are the same size as a coin.

Also, of course there will be cards. I have a few questions though. Firstly, I need some tricks which are impressive, preferably fairly impromptu (three or four card setup is okay) and one where people can watch from most angles (no l***ing ).

Also, I would like some ideas on how to start performing magic without seeming like a magician. Basically, I cant think of a way to start performing tricks which doesnt involve the "Ive got a magic trick" sorta thing. The thought of a three card monte trick with a more interesting climax came to mind (i.e. This 'n' that, or having the three cards switch and appear in different places). But I would love suggestions.

And finally, I need a deck sw****, for a good game of pok.... I mean for a trick I want to try out

Cheers

And note, I have Tarbell's course, Royal Road to Card Magic, Encyclopedia of Card Tricks, a lot of Lee Asher's stuff, Expert at the Card Table and Dai Vernon's More Inner Secrets of Magic, if anyone could make references, cause I dont have forever and would like to be able to just flick through these books rather than buy a new one

Thanks again

Hi there,
I asked a somewhat similar question a while ago and got a load of very helpful answers, perhaps you'd like to browse through that? You can find it here.

The best general advice is think of routines you already do and change the presentation to be something to do with casinos and gambling!

In addition, a few tricks you might want to consider are; 3 card monte, 10 card poker deal and spectator cuts the aces (or any other cutting "demonstration").

Hope that helps.

Gambling effects are great for non-magic effects. I usually start with them and build into more magical effects, I find them great for breaking the ice, so to speak.

They are very easy to make them non-magical. I've found that patter about card sharps and cheaters works well. The effect in royal road and easy to master card miracles is great at this. I think it's called the 'perfect poker hand' or something like that.

Other than that the link the Farls gave you has some great advice.

This has actually been more useful then you would expect - Just inspired me to rethink presentation all over, and realize how much presentation means. Ive got a classic three card monte trick and a "sequel" (David Stone's "Bonneteau + Hierling"), and I dont know if "This 'n' That" (which I admit to finding on youtube, though NOT the explanation) would be suitable - Ive often done this effect with a Queen for the "This" card, a Jack for the "That" card and an Ace for the "Other" card.

Also Ive got a brilliant (in my opinion) trick of Dai Vernon's where they think of any card in a bridge hand and it turns face up in the middle (Normal deck).

Cheers - you've got my brain working

Wills wrote:They are very easy to make them non-magical. I've found that patter about card sharps and cheaters works well. The effect in royal road and easy to master card miracles is great at this. I think it's called the 'perfect poker hand' or something like that.

A pokers players picnic for an easy one towards the start of royal road and then A poker puzzle a bit later for the same sort of effect taken a step on.

Sankeys Holy Moly with Casino chips..

Seige's Fifty Fifty effect is spot on.

Both above are fantastic effects!!


oooh oooh.. how about Brad Christians 'One hand pass' 'Vegas teachy thingy' routine??!!!!!!

PM'd you an idea.

I.D wrote:Sankeys Holy Moly with Casino chips..

One word of warning here...!

I thought exactly the same (or maybe it was I.D. who told me too), so I stole a few poker chips from a friend. They were just from some el cheapo set, I thought they'd be plastic.

Got my drill out (steady Beardy) and had a go (oh, come on!)... turns out they've got a thin but surprisingly hard metal plate inside them! And I've got a pretty mean drill.

Granted they weren't very expensive drill bits, but seriously - I tried a tiny leader hole and every thing - just couldn't drill the damn things.


So if you try this, and it would be a great effect, make sure the poker chips you use really are the cheapest of the tackiest of the cheap!

The easiest deck switch to do is after your last trick with the regular deck, just casually put it in your jacket pocket. Leave the box on the table. Next do something with coins that might need a few cards, look down to the table and act like you just realized you put the deck in your pocket. Reach back into your pocket and retrieve the other deck. It works very well and no-one suspects because you played it off like oops, Duh or you didn't mean to put it away just yet. La people and magicians alike get fooled if you have a disarming presentation. Most people want to see the magician mess up, so play to that and they won't suspect whst you have done. I watched a gentleman at the Magic Castle do a bold switch and got away with it because of timing. The deck is in his left hand and he announced he needed some coins. Both hands went into his trouser pockets, as he was searching his leftpocket, the right hand came out with the other deck, he then removed his left hand empty and said they must be in the other pocket. He then took the deck from the right hand and put his right hand into his pocket, found the coins and brought them out. The deck gets tabled for a moment as you display the coins and no-one remembers the sequence of events. It really works, I did not catch him the first time, but realized he must have done a switch, so I watched his second show just for the switch. I was amazed at how he got away with it. Try it but practise is important.
Best
Al