by Bcfaigg » Oct 21st, '04, 15:04
Hi m8, your question has been answered pretty exhaustively.
I tend to use the fleshy part of my thumb to count off two cards. By rolling the ball of the thumb slightly as I lift the first card, I pick up the 2nd one separated by a couple of mm. I then roll the thumb backwards, and the top card drops onto the lower card. This may seem a bit visible, but it is such a small movement, that it is virtually invisible.
The advantage of this move, is you can equally well pick up three cards (e.g. if you are doing the 2 card monte from the ellusionist Ninja videos).
Tips:
Rather than lift the top cards off, let the rest of the deck fall away very sleightly. This way, your left hand does not move - this makes the move more imperceptible. Also, as mentioned in some of the other replies to your post, bevel the cards sleightly with your right forefinger. This makes it easy to feel each card you are lifting off.
Practise whilst not looking at your hands, so you can do it completely by feel. If you are looking at your hands, so will your spectators. By looking in their eyes whilst delivering your patter, you will deflect most of their attention from the cards (obviously this goes for any sleight).
I have pretty much mastered the one-handed pushoff DL taught by Brad Christian in his ellusionist Ambitious Card video. This DL is very good, but takes a lot of practise and is IMHO more fallible, but when well done is indetectable. Especially good for performing in front of people who know about double lifts (e.g. other magicians).