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Hey guys, it's been a while since I've posted here! I've been working my way through RRTCM, and have enjoyed it a lot. I even used a couple of techniques to come up with my own trick (I say that, but it turns out it was not an original at all - I'm clearly not an innovator yet!). However, I'd like to make a card routine. I am not completely ready technique wise, but with a routine to practise, I'll have a clear goal to achieve. Are there any texts out there which can:

a) teach me more advanced sleights, and b) help me write a routine?

At the moment, I know several illusions which work well on their own, but they're either too similar, or so completely different, that they won't really 'link together' in a routine. I was thinking of getting the second RRTCM, but not sure if this is what I really need? Any help appreciated!

The Royal Road to Card Magic teaches you how to put a routine together. There is a whole chapter on it. Perhaps you missed it. As for "Advanced Sleights" they are all in the book. You really need little else. Nothing wrong with learning more difficult stuff except that there is a danger of becoming so skilled that you neglect presentation. Besides you only NEED around 5 sleights in card magic anyway! By all means learn more but 5 is all you actually NEED.

Learn the art of showmanship and your time will be better spent.

Seconded.

mark lewis wrote:The Royal Road to Card Magic teaches you how to put a routine together. There is a whole chapter on it. Perhaps you missed it. As for "Advanced Sleights" they are all in the book. You really need little else. Nothing wrong with learning more difficult stuff except that there is a danger of becoming so skilled that you neglect presentation. Besides you only NEED around 5 sleights in card magic anyway! By all means learn more but 5 is all you actually NEED.

Learn the art of showmanship and your time will be better spent.

Our of interest what do you recommend as the five most important? I've seen some lists but opinions vary.

Kevmundo

Okay, sure thing! You're right, I actually completely missed that chapter. That'll be my bedtime reading I think. I'm really struggling with the presentation aspect of performing though, which is sadly the most important bit. I have a natural sense of humour, which works in my favour, but I get a bit stuttery and shakey - general lack of confidence. I guess just practise practise practise should help with that though.

I'll lay off more advanced sleights for now then. There is one that I REALLY want to do well, but presentation is the most important part of it - it's a very 'ballsy' thing to do, which RRTCM points out. Is it okay to name sleights on this forum? I don't see it should do harm, but I don't want to lose my membership here or anything!

I don't think any layman reading this will know what the hell we are talking about so I think I will name a few necessary sleights in card magic. Matt Schulien said you only need a force and a palm for card magic. Chan Canasta only used a force and a stacked deck. You don't need much at all. Still I will go a little further than the two examples quoted. I think you need a control, a force, a palm and a DL. That really is about it although I will stick in the Glide move as an extra. Perhaps the top change.

Now I am not saying you should limit yourself to these moves. I am saying you have a vast repertoire available to you with them. You should certainly learn other moves besides those as it gives you versatility and authority to your work. But you don't NEED them. And don't forget that many of the greatest card tricks of all time are self workers. You have to concentrate on the presentation but the technique is something you do not have to worry about with the self workers. And mixing in strong self working card tricks with the more technically challenging material throws laymen off track very well.

It is also a very bad idea to throw your skill at people showing all sorts of silly flourishes all through your work like many young magicians do. Flourishes should be used sparingly otherwise layman will dismiss your tricks thinking to themselves "he's clever with his hands" but that will be about it. The effect of your work will be diluted in their minds. Skill should be hidden not thrust at people. "Art that hides art" is the way to go.

With regards presentation I may pontificate on that in another post. For the moment I would recommend to you another book on card magic by the same authors of The Royal Road to Card Magic. It is called "Expert Card Technique". It is full of difficult tricks and all the advanced sleights that you were looking for but I am not recommending it for that reason. In fact I do hardly any material from it. However, in the back you will see the most brilliant chapter on presentation of magic that I have ever read, particularly applying to close up and card magic.

First, what on earth is a 'more advanced sleight' don't answer, there is no such thing. If your spectator is unaware you are using a sleight than it doesn't matter how advanced it is. Done correctly no sleight is better than another. One is not more deceptive than another. It depends on you, yup, hate to break it to you but you are the one responsible.

I'll list the sleights I use.
One control
DL/Top Change
Force
Palm

Just for my own fun and in no way do I feel is needed. But I have to admit I can't remember the last time I legitmatly shuffled a deck. I just love a false shuffle. Overhand and riffle.

Another I enjoy is the gamblers cop. Not sure why when I can just as easily palm a card. Probably because I learned it first.

Why not practice your presentation skills with some 'self working card tricks' that way you are forced to concentrate on presentation rather than method. You won't believe this but the spectator doesn't know that its self working. Doesn't even know if you are using a gimmick. Worse. Yes it gets worse! Provided they are amused...they simply don't care.

mark lewis wrote:I don't think any layman reading this will know what the hell we are talking about so I think I will name a few necessary sleights in card magic...

You would do well to heed this advice. the Royal Reverend Lewis has many years performing experience.