talkmagic.co.uk

Hi.

I'm not sure if this is in the right place (sorry if it's not), but I've been learning magic for a few months now (self working mainly) and I was wondering if anyone could suggest some effects, that aren't too expensive, that involve a few basic sleights.

Thanks

Twisted Sister would be one of the best.

Cheapest around is from http://www.penguinmagic.com/europe/product.php?ID=24

It can be done without any sleight but is more powerful with the use of an elmsley count.

Next I'd say a hot rod, always get's a good reaction and just a couple of quid.

http://www.penguinmagic.com/europe/product.php?ID=247

Maybe someone else can add to those, but they are both cheap classics that use fairly easy sleights, esp the hot rod.

In my case I was taught both sleights, not sure how easy to learn from DVDs or books, certainly less easy but I'd say both of the above would be a great place to start with a little bit of sleight.

Hi and welcome! If you spend some time scanning our Review Section, you'll see a lot of good recomendations but only you can decide if they're the sort of thing you'd be happy with - and this can be a bit hit and miss at times. Any of the good card trick books will contain excellent ideas and routines which can be done with basic sleights and you can check out the packet tricks like Twisted Sisters mentioned above, Double Back by John Allen and the rest of the array of miracles on offer. Best of luck!

Hi

Footprints - by Alan Astra -

An Invisable Deck routine with a very nice ending.

www.astramagic.co.uk


Email him.

Paula

I've just learnt NFW...

excellent trick and all you need to be able to do is an elmsley count..

I've found that even if I slightly much up the count (It sometimes happens on the odd occasion and they recon they see three face down cards which I show are only two !) it still stuns them.

Hope this helps

Slippery

mark wilson's complete course in magic m8, loads of tricks and illusions all under one cover.
a packet of cards a few coins and a hanky and you can set yourself up with a whole show, i did.

What was that you said, Magicdiscoman? Say it again please, I missed it (bit of a hearing problem, you know...).

magicdiscoman wrote:mark wilson's complete course in magic m8, loads of tricks and illusions all under one cover.
a packet of cards a few coins and a hanky and you can set yourself up with a whole show, i did.

Oh, yea, that's what you said! I'll second that motion!

Mike.

I'd agree with Happy Toad in that Twisted Sister is a superb trick, easy to learn and looks professional. I also use 'club sandwich' which you can get on a few online magic sites.

For beginning, I'd strongly recommend the ID and the Svengali deck is often overlooked but can be developed into some powerful routines once mastered.

Call me old fashioned but it really depends on the magic you want to do. Sounds like you could be a bit of a card person so I would recommend a couple of packs of cards (for obvious reasons) and either a copy of Royal Road to Card Magic (book), or a couple of Michael Ammar's Easy to Master Card Miracle videos or DVDs.

If you're a coin person then try Bobo's modern coin magic book or once again Michael Ammar's Introduction to coin Magic video or DVDs...

Then ofcourse there is mentalism and if you're any good then you should already know what you need for that (only joking)!!! For this, try Corinda's 13 Steps to Mentalism book and maybe Richard Osterlind's Mind Mystery DVDs.

All in all I wouldn't actually go for packeted tricks as you will get a lot more from the above for your money.

Hope this helps!!

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I've just managed to get my hands on a copy of Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic, so I'll be reading through that later (and for quite a while by the looks of it ).

I'm still fairly new at all of this so I'm not really sure what sort of magic I prefer (cards, coins etc.) I'm basically just trying out different types of effects. I figure that sooner or later I'll work out what I like doing and what I don't (maybe).

How did you decide what sort of magic you wanted to do?

How did you decide what sort of magic you wanted to do?

Try a selection and see what feels comfortable to you. I think many magicians are drawn to particular types of tricks which appeal and this can be almost subconscious. Someone who has skilful hands might be more inclined to coin or card work, those who like to move around a lot would find close up work a bit stifling and tend to go for cabaret/stage style where the props and tricks are larger. It's for this reason that I chose the sig line below: You will discover Magic - or Magic will discover you!

Going back to the original question, I remember when I was starting out and looking back, I not only learned new techniques with the gimmicked decks or packet tricks but importantly, I also learned confidence!

I don't think that this should be overlooked when you're learning the ropes - so to speak and therefore these decks have their place in the whole scheme of things.

I very rarely use packet trick and gimmicked decks these days, and concentrate on using ordinary decks with sleights and misdirection etc. However, I do still have all of those old decks and it's great to pick them up and use them once in a while.

Personally, I like to use cards and coins because I like the close up and the 'in the spectators hands' routines but to use a phrase from old Reggie Perrin, I wouldn't be where I was today without starting on the gimmicked decks!

I suspect that there are many others that share the same card magic roots.

same here and further i have never used a regular deck except for impromptu show us a trick thingies.
my regular deck now in bike format has always been a stripper from the humble marvins when i was a kid to as mentioned a nice but huge bike version and soon i hope an edge version.