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Hi, im having trouble with my Elmsley count, counting 7 cards as 4. Im doing the block push off, but im not managing to "push-off" the cards properly. Instead im sliding them over, showing the hidden cards. Im trying differant amounts of pressure, but its not happening?? Any tips please?

Try straightening your thumb more as you push them off. I find that it reduces the surface area of skin touching the top most card (putting weight on the rest) and makes it easier to release the block.

morrowsean wrote:Hi, im having trouble with my Elmsley count, counting 7 cards as 4. Im doing the block push off, but im not managing to "push-off" the cards properly. Instead im sliding them over, showing the hidden cards. Im trying differant amounts of pressure, but its not happening?? Any tips please?

You doing at fingertips or in the hand?

If at tips, then one thing is you kind of pull back the bottom card with your fingers, as you push with your thumb, you need quite a bit of pressure to get the block off as one. Practise with older, stickier cards to increase your confidence.

As mentioned in the above post it depends which one you are using.[/list]I dont use the fingertip one, which I believe was Vernons take on the move. I use the in the hand version, which In my opinion is the more natural looking of the two. If you are using this one try just pushing the cards slightly with he right thumb, then reach over with the left thumb (contacting the right edge of the cards) and pull the cards across. As you pull bend the left thumb inwards.

I hope that makes sense, im sure if you try it youll get what i mean

jim

Thanks!

This might sound harsh, but...

Please delete that link (exposure is a no-no, here) and never watch that video again. Whoever this is, his technique is awful - and as a result, any "tips" he gives you will only hinder your progress.

Your best bet is to seek out the source material. Start with Alex Elmsley's original count - which is not the fingertip count (a variation created by Dai Vernon, which I believe Alex Elmsley said was developed for jumbo cards).

I believe the count is shown in-depth in the Collected Works of Alex Elmsley, and it's also taught by Mr. Elmsley himself on the Tahoe Sessions DVDs (Volume 1).

Demitri wrote:(a variation created by Dai Vernon, which I believe Alex Elmsley said was developed for jumbo cards).

Got a citation for that?

I've always preferred the Vernon approach to it, as I learnt it for twisting the aces, as it looks so graceful and impossible to cheat.

I'd love to know if it was just for jumbo cards!

I'll feel stupid!

On the Tahoe Sessions DVD, volume 1 - he mentions Dai Vernon doing the count "at the fingertips". I remember him saying either he, or another performer performed the effect with jumbo cards. I'll have to toss the dvd in and verify it, later.

Elmsley himself doesn't use the fingertip handling.