talkmagic.co.uk

**Editted**

Hi there,

So as a first post I have a question for you all. I was given some vouchers for a fairly well know online magic shop (not sure if I’m allowed to say which?!..) and am wondering if anybody had any suggestions what I should spend them on?

I would say i'd be intermediate level, have quite a few years experience in magic, but only at a level to friends and family, purely for the love of magic. Have read quite a few books over the years, the most recent being the "Street Magic" book by Paul Zenon... which is surprisingly good!

the most recent tricks i have bought are the "Wow" gimmick ,"Kids Cards," ID, brain wave deck, stripper deck etc for card tricks... Also have quite a few coins in my collection now. I also have recently re-bought a nice set of cups and balls as it's been a while since i performed this one!
Someone recently performed "Spell bound" to me which i thought was great recently but wasn't sure if this was a gimmick or just slight of hand etc??.. couldn't find any info on here about that one.

I have looked through some reviews etc on here of specific products but i just wanted some ideas if anybody had any suggestions. Maybe if you've recently bought a great trick etc?...

I am interested in all magic but card and coin magic mainly and wondered if you’d had any suggestions for a great trick/s to purchase – total of £50 to spend.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Stu

A few questions...

Are you a complete beginner or do you have any experience at all?

Do you already own anything?

And you'll undoubtedly be asked - do you currently own any books?

Hey up, yeah apologies... as soon as i submitted i realised i'd missed off a lot of rudimentary stuff! consider the above post edited, will sort it now.. cheers!

Stu

You might want to have a look at some of the books suggested in the thread 'Getting started in magic'. As you say you're intermediate, you might have read some of them...but all the great magicians started with books (citation needed ). With a bit of sleight of hand you can perform loads of tricks, whereas with gimmicks you can generally only perform one, and can't let the spectators examine the equipment.

That said, I really like the Raven gimmick. Although I haven't got it myself, the illusion is absolutely perfect.

cc100 wrote:You might want to have a look at some of the books suggested in the thread 'Getting started in magic'. As you say you're intermediate, you might have read some of them...but all the great magicians started with books (citation needed ). With a bit of sleight of hand you can perform loads of tricks, whereas with gimmicks you can generally only perform one, and can't let the spectators examine the equipment.

That said, I really like the Raven gimmick. Although I haven't got it myself, the illusion is absolutely perfect.

Not sure what's in Zenon's book as I've not seen it, but can recommend Royal Road to Card Magic which you can use to learn many tricks with a standard deck - no gimmicks or deck switches needed. It's about £7 on amazon, pack of bikes for £2 and you're away. If they stock that it's worth a lot more than the cover price and gives you more than any one-trick-pony.

A lot of people are suggesting Jeff Kaylor's 'any signed card to any spectators wallet' for around £28 is one of the best buys for 2011:
ftopic41214.php

personally I much preferred David Stone's Tool:
ftopic39630.php

However, if I was spending that kind of money,which I did yesterday as it happens and I bought a card clip, wax, IT, couple of nice bike decks (i.e. not blue/red), can't remember what else til tomorrow's post arrives. Oh I got a load of balloons too.

So in summary, as it seems you're into cards, I would get yourself a copy of Royal Road maybe get a gimmick like TOOL or ASCTASW and some bits and bobs that you fancy. Check out the reviews section for more help.

BOBO modern coin magic is a great book.

Stephen Ward wrote:BOBO modern coin magic is a great book.

Did I read somewhere that there is a free shortened version of this available?

Not sure mate but it is so cheap now that i would have the full version.

ACE T wrote:

Stephen Ward wrote:BOBO modern coin magic is a great book.

Did I read somewhere that there is a free shortened version of this available?

It's free on the Learned Pig Website if you join up.

Thanks for all the help people! I'll check some of the above out. I have read some books and started learning standard deck card tricks before I even knew what a stripper (as an example...) deck was, hopefully will get to know some of you now I've joined this forum.

I hope I didn't give out the wrong impression, I am into learning magic the old school way reading books etc. And practising over and over again for that satisfaction when you pull it off for the first time! but I also do like the odd self working gimmick - who doesn't? Haha

My first post was an introduction to myself which gives a bit of brief background etc... But basically, I've been out of touch for a long time and am in a position to get back into it now.