talkmagic.co.uk

by **CArlight1958** » Jun 16th, '11, 08:32

I'm struggling to peel off card's from my right hand to my left.

I'm trying to learn the Luck Seven's routine, but no matter how I try, my thumb will just not peel off the cards.
I've tried holding them very gently, & quite firm, but without constantly licking my thumb, there just doesn't seem to be any grip......
Hope I'm making sense?
Is there something the slight of hand guys use to get a better contact?

Regards.

Carl...

by **Heckler** » Jun 16th, '11, 08:33

What kind of cards are you using?

by **CArlight1958** » Jun 16th, '11, 08:35

Heckler wrote:What kind of cards are you using?

Bicycle.

by **Heckler** » Jun 16th, '11, 08:38

Okay that's a start, how old are they?

Reason I ask is one of my big problems is I'm so tight I won't pay for new cards (even though they are only about £2) so I make things doubly difficult by trying to learn sleights using old bent sticky cards.

by **CArlight1958** » Jun 16th, '11, 08:40

New cards, & thanks for trying to help me out. :cry:

by **CArlight1958** » Jun 16th, '11, 08:46

As you will probably no, with the Luck Seven's routine.
One has several cards in the right hand, with an overhand grip.
Cards then have to be peeled off using the left thumb, into palm grip, & without giving too much away, cards are taken back using the middle finger.
No matter how I try, & using a new deck, my thumb just slips off of the cards, & I cannot get them to part smoothly.

by **Pickman** » Jun 16th, '11, 15:59

It's difficult to know if the problem is with your technique or possibly because your hands/fingers are too dry or 'shiny' to get a proper grip. If dryness is the problem you could try 'SortKwick' or 'Elite Magician's Hand Lotion' from The Card Collection. http://www.cards4magic.co.uk/acatalog/P ... ories.html You'll need to scroll down the page a bit to find them.

It's worth a try I suppose.

by **Grimshaw** » Jun 16th, '11, 16:51

Forgive me but I'm struggling to understand the problem.

Peeling off cards from a deck or packet in your right hand to your left is best achieved using a biddle grip. I've tried the grip and peel with a light pressure and a heavy pressure and it works fine. As Pickman says, perhaps some kind of lotion might do the trick but it sounds like a weird thing to me.

Perhaps its just a practice thing? Does it feel un-natural to you?

by **bmat** » Jun 16th, '11, 17:43

Grimshaw wrote:Forgive me but I'm struggling to understand the problem.

Peeling off cards from a deck or packet in your right hand to your left is best achieved using a biddle grip. I've tried the grip and peel with a light pressure and a heavy pressure and it works fine. As Pickman says, perhaps some kind of lotion might do the trick but it sounds like a weird thing to me.

Perhaps its just a practice thing? Does it feel un-natural to you?

Me too not really understanding, I'm not familiar with the effect so that is probably part of my problem. But Grimshaw is absoutly correct. If the cards are in the biddle grip and you are using your thumb to slide the cards from the deck/packet into your palm then you should not be having too much of a problem. If you can post a vid or something so we can see exactly what you are doing we may be of better assistance to you.

by **CArlight1958** » Jun 20th, '11, 08:52

Many thanks for the replies chaps.

I have to agree with the above comments.
My main problem was bad handling, but also very dry hands.
Thanks Pickman, the SortKwick helped :wink:

Things are improving, & the move's is becoming more natural.

I have another question.
Is there a way to keep the cards in tip top condition?
The moves do become more difficult as the cards become more worn.
Well they do for me.

I have read a little about fanning powder. Would this help to keep the cards more workable.
Also, something called a card press.

All new to me guys, so please have patience.

Regards.
CArl...

by **Heckler** » Jun 20th, '11, 09:28

Fanning powder will put a waxy coating on the cards that makes worn out cards fan better but to be honest it doesn't help much with handling. Blow a couple of quid when the cards stop handling well, get some new ones and keep the ropey ones for torn & restored or mercury folds (though don't use the ones with fanning powder on as the zinc powder is toxic!).

by **bmat** » Jun 20th, '11, 15:56

I don't recomend fanning powder. Great if you are on stage doing a manipulation act, (but then you really want to use manipulation cards).

I found what works best is practice and rehersal. I know it sounds trite but it really does work. When the cards become to worn spend the money on new. Every hobby has its cost. or switch to coin magic. Coins of course last a lot longer.