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I meant to say when you got really BIG hands people might think its easy to hide something in them too.

Paul Gordon wrote:The Pass is NOT the be-all and end-all of card magic. In fact, although I can do it (and I have small hands), I never use it. If you don't know, I've created hundreds of tricks (which I perform professionally) since the late 70's and all are pass-free. But, if you do use the pass - hand size is immaterial; it's 80% misdirection and timing. But, don't give up magic just because you can't do the pass. That'd be like not eating food cos you don't like the colour of the dishes it's served on!

Paul Gordon

I think it would be interesting for us all if you shared WHY you don't use the pass in any of your hundreds of tricks...

What do you think is bad about it, and what do you use that in your opinion is superior to the pass?

screwystewie wrote:

Paul Gordon wrote:The Pass is NOT the be-all and end-all of card magic. In fact, although I can do it (and I have small hands), I never use it. If you don't know, I've created hundreds of tricks (which I perform professionally) since the late 70's and all are pass-free. But, if you do use the pass - hand size is immaterial; it's 80% misdirection and timing. But, don't give up magic just because you can't do the pass. That'd be like not eating food cos you don't like the colour of the dishes it's served on!

Paul Gordon

I think it would be interesting for us all if you shared WHY you don't use the pass in any of your hundreds of tricks...

What do you think is bad about it, and what do you use that in your opinion is superior to the pass?

Technically, it's just not required for any of my tricks. My routines vary from Oil & Water to Ace Cutting and Lie Detectors to Red/Black separations. Imho, my magic is still very strong but simply does not require the use of The Pass. (And I don't use false deals either!) Please see my website from free video demos of many of my routines so you can see my thinking/style etc.

Yours, Paul Gordon

I agree with Paul, I haven't used the pass in 5 years and counting. I think of it in this way.
In most card tricks you are controlling one card. The pass controls one card from one location to another. The problem is it also controls another 25 or so for no reason and so is hugely inefficient. Shifts and Culls are much more useful and efficient and I think you'll find them much more useful.

Three things and they may have been mentioned.

1st, hand size has no effect on the pass. The pass like most sleights is designed to be used on the off beat. Spectators are not watching your hands. An invisible pass is only a name. And while there are those that can perform the move while being burned, they are few and far between, (no matter what they tell you).

2) The pass is really not a necessary move. A double undercut does the same thing. And amazingly enough is not suspect by the laymen.

3) Use a spread pass and I will tell you why:
A) Until you get comfortable with it you can use it as a flourish (yet it does what a pass does and you don't have to hide anything) You can even show it off Whooo! Hoooo!
B) After a while you will realize that if you don't point it out (even as a flourish) people don't notice what is going on. Even better once you get over the guilt it becomes as invisible as an invisible pass.
C) seeing as the fan covers the action, hand size doesn't make a difference. (not that it makes a difference in anycase).
D) It's a fun move.

You will have to find the mechanics elswhere, but here is what is seen. You spread the deck from hand to hand. Spectator picks a card from the fan, Right hand still has its spread in place, left hand portion is squared and the spectator place the card on top of that half of the deck. Right hand portion is placed ontop of the left hand portion closing the fan to square the deck. And once deck is squared the selected card is ontop of the deck.

A great book on the pass is Gary Oullet's 'The Pass' if it is still available. The book used to come with a Vid tape (gasp) yes I'm that old, that showed the effect in motion without explanation. The book gave the explanation.

I guess I am lucky and have long fingers which I am told is an advantage. Things are easier or an advantage until you have that thing.

As was said earlier, misdirection is a essential with the pass as with many other sleights you will learn.

When I was learning the pass initially I remember asking for some advice and was told "Why, you don't need it, what ever you want to achieve it can be done with other methods." This is true but with a little (or lots) of practice you will be able to accomplish the move.

Nic

Misdirection, this reminds me of a saying that was on the box of a game called Othello, "A minute to learn......... a life time to master"

The pass (or any of its variations) is a very personal move. Some don't like it, some cannot do it, some say they don't need it and others are working on it.

Although I am proficient with several different card controls, from culls and steals to shuffles and cuts, the classic pass is, 95% of the time, the most efficient method for me. It's faster than any other control, more easily covered and fits in with my body language well. I wrote about this in my MUM column as well as my eBook on the pass - it's all about conviction.

As I mentioned before, the biggest hinderance to learning the pass is poor instruction followed by poor practice.

Take care, Ian

Paul Gordon wrote:Technically, it's just not required for any of my tricks.

I can see, obviously, how you don't need a pass for oil and water. However, I imagine in some of your hundreds of tricks a card is taken, replaced and controlled.

It would be interesting to learn why you rejected the pass for this control.

Obviously someone with your experience at least considered the pass for a control in some effects and decided another control would be superior. For those about to embark on the years of practise needed to do a pass well, it might be interesting to understand your thought process.

Many many thanks to you all for your replies. They are much appreciated. I think that maybe I made the mistake of watching an Allan Ackerman video. His passes are quite amazing to me.
I love card magic and am just going to keep on going... Just a little in-experience showing.