talkmagic.co.uk

Hi, I confiscated a normal poker deck from my workplace and started handling the cards around. After a few amazing video clips and moments of frustration I decided to order a Bicycle Poker deck and the Royal Road to Card Magic book.

Ok the question is, is there any fundamental training I could do while I wait for my order (and come up with the cash for it, hehe) ?

I know this is probably asked a lot around here but I really don't know any good way to get myself to contribute to the community any otherwise for the time being.

First tip is to post an introduction in the relevant section. It helps if you include your age and the code for what level you are at (although that's clearly brand new to magic).

Second, who did you order the stuff from? Most magic suppliers send things out the very day of the order.

Third, good luck with the RRtCM. Some people thing it's fabulous and it's certainly stood the test of time. It's a bargain price too. However, I don't like Hugard's style, so have never bought a copy and I know I am not alone in that view. I am sure some of the people here will be more than willing to help you work through it, though.

Fourth, welcome.

Alrighty then, born 1985, and if someone didn't realize, I'm a beginner.

Sorry I didn't post this in the right section, must've slipped my eyes (or mind).

I ordered the stuff from a local magic dealer, it will probably take a few days atleast.

Ok I'll elaborate a bit, what I was looking for is some very, very basic hand/finger training and getting the "feel" of the deck.

You haven't exactly posted in the wrong section, as you were asking for some tips. You should just make a post in 'Introductions' too, so we know more about you.

If your local magic dealer takes a few days to get RRtCM and a Bike deck out to you, change dealers!

No, don't do that if you are happy with the service, but I think it's safe to say that most magicians use more than one dealer.

S to finger exercises, that isn't covered much in many magic books. I have a fantastic book by Ali Bongo (in fact, I have two), one of which had a few suggestions. One thing he mentioned was to get a small rubber ball (one of those super bouncy balls will do, not necessarily genuine rubber) and to practise rolling it between your fingers.

Start with it between index finger and thumb, then roll it to between index and middle fingers, then middle and ring, ring and little, then roll it back the other way.

Try going under your fingers and also going over them.

Try to do it with both hands (not simultaneously, well, not at first).

As to getting the feel of the deck, may I suggest waiting for the deck to arrive, then handling it? That might sound sarcastic, but some things are best learned by doing.

One of the 'cardy' people here might have some more useful suggestions.

I will assume that you know basic card handling techniques - not sleight of hand, but the basic shuffles, like a riffle and an overhand shuffle. While you are watching TV, have a deck in your hands. Shuffle them.

Now, I know this sounds pretty simplistic, but the fact of the matter is, if you want to do card magic, then you should be very comfortable with your tool i.e. the deck of cards. So, sit and watch the television and get very, very comfortable with shuffling the deck without looking at your hands.

Hold the cards in your left hand (assuming that you're right handed) and deal the cards onto your knees. The grip that you are using to hold the deck while you deal is called, "The Mechanics Grip." Get used to that feeling and get to know the grip. Further, spread the cards from one hand to the other and get good at it. Try fanning the deck by holding (with left hand) the deck and putting pressure on the lower, right corner with the middle finger and thumb - use the right thumb to push the cards in a 180 degree spin, with the left middle finger and thumb being the pivot point. Don't feel bad if it looks poor, it takes time and technique to get this down - this is called a "Thumb Fan."

Continue to shuffle and get very, very comfortable with having a deck of cards in your hand. The simple fact of the matter is that ease of use in the basic and beginning steps - the various simple shuffles - is the key to getting good with cards. If you can't do the basics effortlessly, you'll not be doing more advanced work worth a damn.

Mike.

Hi Codek and welcome.

First thing to remember, we all had to start somewhere so keep at it. The best advice that anyone and everyone will give you is to practice, practice and then practice. This advice is given because it's FACT!

I'm a cardy and have always loved cards from being a nipper. Whilst the majority simply play with cards, I was always intrigued, fascinated etc. when I saw a good card trick and this fuelled my desire to learn. It's probably the same for most of us cardy's.

First, everyone uses Bicycle cards, or 'bikes' for short. Most of us use these exclusively. When your cards wear out, get a new pack as the feel of new cards is different from a well used deck. Never throw the old ones away though as they will always come in handy for something else when you're more experienced.

I'm not too keen on RRtCM but I know many are. The important thing is not to try and run before you can walk and don't try tricks out on people before you're absolutely ready. Start with the basics, shuffles, cuts, breaks etc.

I would recommend you read this site from back to front and then inside out as there is some wonderful information contained within, a real Aladdin's cave. You'll also find a good selection of online magic dealers mentionned in the pages who generally rate the tricks that they sell, from beginners level to advanced level so you will know what you're buying.

Good luck and I'm sure we'll all watch out for your posts.

My tuppence worth is that although I love books, videos, dvds etc. are much easier to learn from. I can't give you specific tips as to exercises you can do whilst waiting for your bicycles and RRTCM to arrive.
Personally, I would suggest using any old deck, and practise shuffling. It always amazes me how badly ordinary people shuffle cards (even regular card players).
So many people handle cards as if they were wearing a pair of mittens. Also, if you can overhand and riffle shuffle well, it will make it easier, when you start to learn to control a card or packet of cards whilst shuffling.

If you want to get into the nitty gritty of magic basics, the ellusionist website enables you to download (for a somewhat inflated fee) lots of useful material. Although some people don't like Brad Christian's style, and he is definitely bad at giving credit where credit is due to the inventors of some of the moves, his excellent (IMHO) Ninja series are a great introduction to some classic effects.

Just to reiterate, practise, practise again...............and then practise some more.
Bcfaigg

Hi Codek, As you are not thet much older than me I think we went through the same kind of thing when we started out. When I started I never knew where too start on cards and sleights ,which is one of the reasons that I now do stage. RRtCM is a good book and is good for begginers but if you are a complete begginner(as you are ) self working books sond good for you.

... I found a lot of books very hard to follow. But I started to buy DVDs and these have helped alot. I think its better to see the sleights and shuffles in action, and this can help with getting the moves right.

Check out MagicBox and I think they still have Kaufmans DVD on basic card moves. Also a few of Ammar's Easy To Master Cards DVD will help as well.

Good luck and enjoy the world of Magic

DVD's appear to be a popular choice but you need to be carefull when buying and research the product as much as you can before ordering.

It's all well and good buying DVD's that claim to show you the basics but many only show you the ones needed to perform the routine that is usually included on the DVD and these moves often tend to be the magicians own variation, so you don't always learn the basics anyway.

Also, some of the DVD's that are produced to demonstrate and teach a particular trick or tricks, don't necessarily include all of the basics that you need to know. Many ASSUME that you will already know the basics so may concentrate on more advanced handlings like double lifts which you don't need this soon. It can all get too confusing.

Finally, once you've opened your new DVD and played it it's usually too late to return it. I'm not knocking DVD's as they're great and everything has it's place in the whole scheme of things. Just think before parting with your hard earned cash!

Hey! Read that again!

dat8962 wrote:DVD's appear to be a popular choice but you need to be carefull when buying and research the product as much as you can before ordering.

It's all well and good buying DVD's that claim to show you the basics but many only show you the ones needed to perform the routine that is usually included on the DVD and these moves often tend to be the magicians own variation, so you don't always learn the basics anyway.

Also, some of the DVD's that are produced to demonstrate and teach a particular trick or tricks, don't necessarily include all of the basics that you need to know. Many ASSUME that you will already know the basics so may concentrate on more advanced handlings like double lifts which you don't need this soon. It can all get too confusing.

Finally, once you've opened your new DVD and played it it's usually too late to return it. I'm not knocking DVD's as they're great and everything has it's place in the whole scheme of things. Just think before parting with your hard earned cash!

Yep, good stuff, man!

Mike.

Heyy, thanks for the input folks!

I got the bikes and RRtCM on friday, unfortunately, my car amp and installation gear arrived the same day so I was away at my dad's place for the whole weekend. I tried to learn the overhand shuffle a little while I was there though (damn it's hard and simple, hehe).

The guys who made RRtCM really seem to know what they are writing about, almost too well. The illustrations aren't too exciting though. The hard part is to start practicing the shuffles when you don't really know if you're doing it right. For example, I always seem to do a 'run' with the cards while I overhand shuffle. Is it supposed to go that way at all?

Top of it all the bikes are really slippery when comparing to cards I've used of handling to. Well, gotta keep working stuff out I suppose.

If the cards all stay in your hand then you're not doing too much wrong!

Oh by the way, what DVDs would you recommend then?

Hi there Kodek,

Pleased to meet you.

I'm a relative new comer to the site, and asked some similar questions a few weeks ago.

I ordered the RRrCM, and Richard Kaufmans Basic Card Techniques DVD. Both are excellent.

The DVD shows you every move you could possibly wish to know when setting out - and for more experienced magicians too. However, the DVD contains NO tricks to learn. This is just the moves. I started trying to learn moves from it, one at a time, but I wondered if the best way to learn is to follow the RRtCM, and then cross reference the moves in the book to the DVD - to see the move in action. RRtCM is a little heavy on the the text at times, and could benefit from a few more pictures I think.

What do the rest of you think? - What is the best way to use the RK DVD? Learn a move, one at a time, or try and learn tricks and access the DVD to see the moves in action?

Anyway, Kodek - I have a few queries about things in the RRtCM, so I'm guessing you will too. Currently I'm on Chapter 3 - Flourishes. Feel free to drop me a line with queries or comments - and keep me posted of your progress, as I'm at a similar stage I guess.


Cheers!