talkmagic.co.uk

Hello,

This might seem an incredibly stupid question, but why exactly do people have close-up mats? I can see why you'd use one if you were working on a table which didn't have a tablecloth, as there wouldn't be enough friction to ribbon spread cards, etc. But if you have a table cloth, surely you don't need one? Please could someone be kind enough to answer what is possibly a ridiculous question.

Thanks, cc100

Table cloths an wrinkle up under a spread.

Also the mats make it easy to lift things like coins because they are soft and press down under the coin to get under and lift it.

-Stacy

Ah ok, thanks Stacy. I only do card magic, so didn't know about its use in coin magic and things. Makes sense though. It was just that some card magicians like Derren Brown (well, a former magician) just seem to use a tablecloth, which was why I was curious. Thanks for answering.

Oh I forgot to ask, do you think it is worth buying one?

I bought one because our tablecloth is covered in crumbs half the time (not me, I swear, the kids are messy eaters...) but the best use I got out of it was when I went on a narrow boat holiday with my parents, because the table there was old varnished wood with the grain texture peeking through and a tablecloth would have just skidded all over.

I'd say that's the biggest advantage of close up mats, they can be used on a small table and they stay still.

They also cushion sound (the drop of a final load under a cup for example), I didn't mention that before.

For card magic alone I'd say it depends where you're performing. Table hopping they'd be useless unless you could convince every table to scooch their plates aside while you lay your mat out, also one spilled glass of wine and it's ruined. I am at the stage where I perform mostly for practice and for relatives, where it helps to mark a space as "Stacy is doing magic here. Watch it."

I'd say if you find that the table cloths are sufficient for where you're working, don't worry about a mat.

oh, or one other use for a close up mat - hide a prediction for a force or an impossible location reappearance under it.

-Stacy

Tables in pubs are covered in beer and crumbs and all sorts of stuff.
My close-up mat protects my cards. I can wash it in hot water and it comes up clean, ready for the next night.

I can't wash my cards !

Whilst we're on the subject, can anybody who uses a mat recommend their version?

What size do you use (and why)?

Where did you get yours from?

Would you buy the same again?


Cheers for any input!

Rob

I use one because gambling magic is a lot nicer with one. The shuffles are better and easier and dealing cards is much nicer coupled with all the reasons above about dirty tables

I use one simply because the kind of magic I do requires a soft surface and most of the time there isn't one.

Fournier mats from Cards4Magic are big and cheap.

Lenoir wrote:I use one simply because the kind of magic I do requires a soft surface and most of the time there isn't one.

Fournier mats from Cards4Magic are big and cheap.

Is it a case of 'the larger, the better' with CU Mats, or do some of you chaps and chapesses' prefer small and neat...and if so, what are the pros and cons?

Checking the Fournier mats now, thanks, Lenoir

Completely depends on what you intend on doing on the mat and where you intend to put them...

I have the largest fournier one at home that just acts as somewhere I can sit and practice and a smaller one that I have in my bag no matter where I go.

My personal prerequisites are...I have to be able to spread the cards out into a decent size spread, I have to be able to riffle shuffle comfortably and be able to cut the deck into multiple piles without feeling cramped.

However, I know a few mentalists who carry very small circular mats just to put props on etc...all depends on your own magic repertoire.