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I have about £10 - £20 to spend on any magic trick or DVD. What would you recommend me buying?

Thanks,
Ludders

Hi, Difficult to say really. Depends on what you have bought already and your level?

Rather than spending your cash on a packet trick etc, I would recommend the obvious "Royal Road to Card Magic" About a tenner in paperback, and use your extra cash to buy some more Bikes! You will learn a lot of effects for your £.

If you have that already and are not keen on spending your cash on a book! I have found the Michael Ammar DVD's some of the best. Not just card stuff, his ITR stuff is great.

Just take your time with your purchase. I have draws of stuff full of things that I have never used, either not convincing or poor quality.

I was thinking about getting myself a "Mercuring". I have no idea how good it is, anyone know if it's worth it? I can't decide! Oh yea, do you need a close up mat to perform a 3 shell routine? What surfaces can it be done on?

Hope I'm not asking too much!
Thanks,
Ludders

Ludders -

Sounds to me like you're looking for close-up effects, more than anything. That's cool. You're going to want to get an effect that's strong and something that isn't just a quick trick that hits and then it's over.

a 3 shell game is good for this kind of thing. You can perform a shell game on pretty much any surface, really - but I believe the optimum surface has a little bit of "give" to it. Depending on the quality of your shells (for instance, vernet shells don't have a smoothed wide bottom, so they catch on certain kinds of material) you can perform a routine right on a closeup pad. Some have even recommended using mouse pads.

If you're new to shells - I'd say pick up the vernet shells. They're cheap, they get the job done and more importantly, they're the perfect price for your first foray into shell techniques. I'd also recommend picking up the manual called Supershells by Gary Ouellet. It's a great primer, and gives you all the tools of the trade. This is the perfect start for the shell game - as it will give you everything to build up your chops and then get you set up for the more advanced work by guys like Whit Hayden and the School for Scoundrels material. I'm not sure of exchange rates, but I know your money is better than mine, right now - and the vernet shells and supershells book will cost you about $20 - so it's in your budget.

I wouldn't go with something like Mercuring (and that's saying a lot, as I love pretty much EVERYTHING Sankey puts out) - it's a cool effect but it's just one shot. Yes, there are a couple phases, but overall it's just the one trick and that's it. Do it too often and people can catch on.

The shells you can do over and over again - and if you're good, no one will catch on.

That's my 2 cents.

Sadly, I can't think of a single must-have book for under £20. So I would go for something strong and routine based (so not a packet trick).

how about RRTCM or bobo's coin magic?? you can get both for about £5 each, and worth every penny if you ask me

I have deleted all content of my posts (the rest of the usual silly stuff has been deleted by Mods.)

I'd agree with Gary. I've had RRTCM for some time but have never even been tempted to read it. The layout just looks too dated and uninteresting for my own taste.

However, as a reference source i've found it usefull from time to time, even for the sake of cross referencing with other material.

i think everyone says RRTCM because it is a great book, i only said it cause i thought, IMHO, it IS an essential book, but oh well we all have are opinions

I also have RRTCM, never managed to motivate myself to read it, looks so dull.

I don't have RRTCM because lots of people tell me that it's dull to read and that the illustrations need to be better. I can't make my mind up what to buy... all your replies have been useful but they all point in different directions I gues I will have to really think about this.

Thanks,
Ludders

Does anyone know where I can get Supershells by Gary Ouellet..

I've looked at the usual places but can't seem to find it.

Thanks

First of all, Royal Roads is incredibly boring. Second, it is indeed a must have--however, I firmly believe that it is a must have for someone who has a little time invested in cards to begin with. Not a good book for novices.

All of the aforementioned shells and shell routines are terrific. I'd like to throw my two cents in, though, and recommend buying a set of shells made by The Boston Man. The only place you can get them from is my home-town magic shop, called William's Magic. They have a website with all pertinent contact and ordering information.

As far as these shells go, I suggest them because they are designed like a set of cups and balls--with one chop cup. So, you get two regular shells, a "chop shell", and a "chop pea". The effect becomes exponentionally better with this simple addition.

Take it or leave it.

Kard!

Sounds like an interesting 3 shell set. What was the website? I couldn't find it on a search engine...