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I am finding that I could do with a bit of polish with my card handling. I don't need a lot of fancy flourishes and cuts but my handling is just a bit too basic I think.

Is there a good book, or probably better for something like this, a good DVD that would put me on the right path?

http://www.xtremehandz.com/catalog/item ... 120683.htm

I had one of these once, there hard as nails....

I'd recommend just watching some professional card magicians in performance and note how they carry the deck during the various moves.

Not that I'm suggesting my handling is any good, but I picked up on handling techniques that way - nice ways to spread the cards in the hands, nice ways to turn over a selection or cut it into the middle - just by watching people like Bill Malone. You can pick up some nice looking handling habits from watching Dan & Dave Buck, too. Even if their effects are an acquired taste you can't fault their smooth subtleties when handling the deck.

Are you sure that it's really a problem, Johnny? You're an experienced performer, so why do you now think there are problems? Have these isssues arisen from your paying gigs?

Its things like a good pressure fan that I struggle with. I have read descriptions as to how to do one, I have watched Oz Pearlman show how to do one, I just don't get it. Also my riffle shuffle is a bit ropey and I couldn't tackle a Faro or even a decent dribble. I don't think I am having problems performing but I would like to be a bit slicker (is slicker a real word???!!??)

I can't do a pressure fan either, and I've got various DVDs that explain it and also a book. I just can't do it, so I don't.

I only learnt the pressure fan because I absolutely forced myself to. An effect of Harry Lorayne's requires it and I loved the effect.

Johnny, my advice to you, if you don't already do so, is just use your cards a hell of a lot. When watching TV have them in your hands, dribbling as best you can, overhand shuffling, swing cutting etc. It's with time that naturalness will be achieved.

Although the DVD is a bit poor and it's basically full of moves stolen from other magicians and "cunningly" renamed, Showoff with Cards will give you a lot of bang for your buck. Yes, some of the flourishes and moves on it are pretty poor and yes, some of them are taught pretty poorly but for £15 you get quite a few useable and showy moves that will give you some of the handling skill you are looking for.

If you do buy this make sure you look at the atrocious 'crack shuffle'. Apparently a false riffle shuffle with waterfall finish that, in my opinion, would not get past a child. I assume they called it the 'crack shuffle' because you'd have to be on crack to believe th cards get mixed!

But, as I said, if you're looking for quite a few useable moves without forking out £50 for D&Ds Trilogy, you could make do with this.

That said, if you have got £50 to spend, get Trilogy!!!

Johnny Wizz wrote:Its things like a good pressure fan that I struggle with. I have read descriptions as to how to do one, I have watched Oz Pearlman show how to do one, I just don't get it. Also my riffle shuffle is a bit ropey and I couldn't tackle a Faro or even a decent dribble. I don't think I am having problems performing but I would like to be a bit slicker (is slicker a real word???!!??)

Yes, it's a real word!

I wouldn't worry too much about a pressure fan. If QoS can't do one, it can't be as easy as it looks (I found that revelation hugely reassuring, as I can't do a pressure fan either, and I am nowhere near her standard with cards).

You can also do without a Faro, although there are some good tricks that use the shuffle.

A good riffle shuffle, though, is worth the effort, as it's such a common thing to do, and mixes cards so much better than the overhand shuffle.

Part-Timer wrote:I wouldn't worry too much about a pressure fan. If QoS can't do one, it can't be as easy as it looks (I found that revelation hugely reassuring, as I can't do a pressure fan either, and I am nowhere near her standard with cards).

You're far too kind. I'm not really that good - it's all talk really

If you want to see someone handling cards immaculately check out Stevebo's videos or Jordan Lapping!

queen of clubs wrote:You're far too kind. I'm not really that good - it's all talk really

agreed

wierdly, i can pressure fan all day long (baby) - but can i do a standard straight forward fan? noooooooooooooo.....

i never fan cards though to be honest, not as one of those frightful mentalist types...i prefer a clumsy spreading of the cards onto a table-top...

I'm glad someone started this thread and saved me the trouble. I can one hand fan if I use my right hand, but I can't do any kind of fan at all.

And if you want a nice flourishy(is that a word) false cut, Joel Paschcall has a great one available at the 1-on-1 section of Theory11.com called Static. Its very easy and fun to do. And it works great for people who need to keep thier deck set up in a certain order because the cut doesn't move a single card.

I also have trouble with the pressure fan. In any vid I've seen the technique seems to need you to "follow the line of your hand" rather than just go in a circle. That seems to be the knack (and the tricky bit!) to making it work. Oh yeah, and lots of practice.