talkmagic.co.uk

Another question for you all. I'm learning card magic and am training to force cards using sleights rather than use a gimmicked deck. I feel I would rather be able to create effects with any deck of cards rather than needed to carry a gimmicked deck and make some elaborate deck swap when needed.

What does everyone else think, should I do it the hard way or are gimmicked decks respected amongst the magical fraternity? Just to add in no way do I intend to cause any offence to those who use a gimmicked deck, after all it is all in the performance.

It's well worth you learning sleights as you can then perform with any deck, any time. If a spec hands you their own deck (which doesn't happen often, but if you are doing a party at someones home it could happen) they will be more amazed that you managed these miracles with their dog-eared deck.
Gimmicks do have their place, but it's not a good idea to be solely reliant on them.

I always used some gimmicks and some effects with pure sleight of hand. It is worth learning a bank of sleights as you will be able to do so much more and without having to spend lots of money on packet tricks. After thinking i had retired from 'regular' magic i am now going to be offering it again (due to a very good offer), and i shall be using a combination of regular cards and the odd gimmick (just pre-ordered iContact).

I agree with Freddie and Stephen on this. By all means dabble with gimmicks - they can be fun and there are some good effects which use them in one form or another. But dont neglect your sleight of hand. Many beginners make the mistake of thinking a gimmick will make the effect work automatically, when in fact in most cases the gimmick is there to enhance the magical effect rather than make it easier. In some instances sleight of hand is required to conceal a gimmick. What you will notice is that a background in sleights will also let you get the most out of your gimmicks - some of the strongest effects use a combination of both.

jim

I agree with sentiments above. I'll be continuing with my sleights and perhaps if something specific appeals I may have the odd gimmick. Think best if I could do a few tricks with a borrowed deck.

What are your favourite ungimmicked card effects then?

As a professional performer my effects need to strong and entertaining, i also like to keep things simple whenever possible. So for me you cannot go wrong with anything by Lee Smith and James Brown. This is material that i shall be using when i start performing magic again. Lee has his STEP system DVDs and they are packed with magic that is highly commercial and easy to master (i really like icebreaker and walkabout 2 cards to pocket). He also has a stunning DVD with Gary Jones that has some amazing routines that you will easily master. When you gain more confidence and experience you may wish to check out the James Brown DVDs. I used and will use much of that material. Good solid worker material that gets great reactions.

When I first started performing to people I would always pluck an ID or SV and perform something nice for them...I got a bit flamed on here actually lol

But Oz Pearlman's "Born to perform" arrived at the weekend and after seeing that I am now more interested in doing some impromtu stuff with ungaffed decks, BUT some gaffed decks will always have a time and a place imo

All about the reaction after all

I love my gimmicks as well as loving normal card work (i could watch Michael Vincent all day) so i'll use anything and everything if it gets the right reactions

I only have a SV, which gets a good reaction. I want to get into gambling and card sharp routines, so I am severely restricting my use of gimmicked decks.

Tjex

I don't think how you achieve the effect matters at all, but I have worked tables were people (usualy drunk) have taken cards off me, so I allways use an ungaffed deck. I can then just walk away and they are non the wiser