talkmagic.co.uk

Hi all,

Been a while since I posted here joys of work lol

was just wondering about slights I have small hands for a guy so card slights dont work very well what advice can you guys give me to get these slights right as there is one trick I am learning that use's one slight but as I cant slight it right, the effect is lost.

any advice will be great thanks you
Andy

Firstly, look for bridge cards, they're slight-ly smaller heh heh, that might help when you're practicing. Secondly, and I'm sorry that this sound dismissive or patronizing, but practice, that's all the advice anyone can give you right now, if you tell us specifically what slight you're having trouble with someone can help you more, but I promise you, you can do it, your hands are not too small. If Matthias Buchinger could do card tricks, so can you.

Again I really don't mean that to sound as condescending as I know it does, I understand how frustrating it can be when you're struggling with something and strangers shrug off your problem as nothing. It's simply that, like I said, without specifics on the slight troubling you, there's no other advice to give.

Use a short card. There's a cracking DVD called 'miracles with a short card.' There's some stunners on there and it virtually eliminates the need for any sleights at all.

K

What sleights are you attempting that your hands are too small for, and what particular sleight do you need to learn for your effect ? Without knowing this its impossible to answer.

I can think of very few sleights in which hand size is a problem, and there are always substitutions.

Jim

I've only got small hands but haven't found any sleights that aren't do able. You might have to think a little more about angles and misdirection but there shouldn't be anything that you can't do. One example is, I can't conceal an entire card in a palm buut have found that I can cover the bit poking out by tilting my hand downwards slightly.

Which sleights are you having trouble with, someone might be able to offer some tips?

it is the card slight where a person picks any random card then you make the card they pick appear on top of the deck an easy basic trick.

What is the actual name of the sleight you're trying to learn ? What you've written above is the effect, which can be achieved numerous ways, and tells us nothing about what sleight your attempting.

Where are you learning the effect from ?


Jim

It is simply called Palmimg a card I am learning the slight from "The Creative Magicians Handbook" by Marvin Kaye and the effect I got shown by a Co-worker who does basic tricks like that for his kids

I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. The effect sounds like the Ambitious Card plot. If this is the case and palming is used I'm assuming its a side-steal to palm sort of thing - which is not really a sleight for the beginner.

Does it not name the actual sleight in the description in the book ? There are many different techniques for palming cards.

Without a better description of what exactly you are trying to learn its going to be difficult for any of us to give any technical advice - unless someone else has the book.


Jim


PS. I've just realised something - is the palming taught in the context of the effect you mentioned, ie is the palming the method to the effect. OR, are you yourself associating the method with the effect ?

looking though my book the only names it shows is the palm do you want me to write what it says about the palm?

Depending on what it actually says it may be seen as exposure. If you want to quote the book it may be better to send the post to a moderator for approval first. It may help us to understand what you're meaning.

Or you could PM me if you prefer.


Jim

Thosse who saw David Williamson's lecture at Blackpool will remember that he doesn't advocate any sneaky offbeat stuff with palming, just do it! Distract everyone with a larger (and louder!) move elsewhere and get on with the trick or whatever you're doing. Worrying about small hands and other stuff makes the performer nervous - nobody knows what you're doing, just make sure they don't get chance to focus intently on the 'dirty hand' and all will be well. Best of luck!

Mandrake wrote:Thosse who saw David Williamson's lecture at Blackpool will remember that he doesn't advocate any sneaky offbeat stuff with palming, just do it! Distract everyone with a larger (and louder!) move elsewhere and get on with the trick or whatever you're doing. Worrying about small hands and other stuff makes the performer nervous - nobody knows what you're doing, just make sure they don't get chance to focus intently on the 'dirty hand' and all will be well. Best of luck!

mandrake do you think that I am worrying too much

Strong misdirection can cover many evils.

Is it possible to successfully palm a Lemon? How about a Pot of Jam?

Are those items bigger than a card?

Yes - to all of those questions! Quite simply, hand size really isn't that important

The key secret to any sleight is to keep your audience's attention away from what you're really doing or 'strong misdirection' to quote the good gentleman above. With misdirection it is a wonder what can be achieved, I often produce a gentleman's pocket watch from between two playing cards, a feat impossible without some good misdirection.