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Hi there, I'm new to here and fairly new to magic/card tricks. I just started to get really interested in it and was wondering about some learning tools, was thinking about getting the Ninja series from elusionist but I'm afraid it might be ahead of me? I can do DL's snapchanges and so forth. Any advice would be much appreciated.

now that I read it my post sounds semi-retarded

Now, we've all got to begin somewhere!

Do you want to specialise in card magic? Erm.. most obvious choice that comes into mind would be Born to Perform Card Magic by Oz Pearlman. You can get that off Penguin Magic.

Although gimmicked decks such as ID and Svengali Decks are very popular and simple to use, I tend not to use them. In fact, I don't have any. The only gaffs that I have are double sided cards which I use for one trick (Satisfaction Guarenteed). I like sleight of hand magic because (a)it shows more skill than relying on gaffs, although many gaffs require skill to use, (b) I just find them much more fun to do! Most important things in magic include entertaining yourself, not only the specs!

If you know the DLs and stuff, I'm sure you know a few tricks here and there. Maybe you know stuff like the ambitious card routine. I suggest buying Born To Perform for a few effects and master the fundamental moves (DLs...).

I think the Ninja series also has an ambitious card routine and I've heard that it's alright. I'm just not fond of Brad Christian (sp?) so I never bought it. Also not fond of Ellusionist but sometimes that's the only place to buy stuff.

Anyways.. hope this helps!

Edit: oh, and why not post an introduction? Would be nice!

stevebo wrote:most obvious choice that comes into mind would be Born to Perform Card Magic by Oz Pearlman

Nooooooooooooo! I'm losing my touch!

Sorry, in joke. I second that recommendation!

Kati

thanks alot for the advice, and yea card magic is my main intrest.
I'm not really into gimmicked decks would just like to be able to shock and awe with a normal deck at a moments notice

An introduction.. hmmm where would I post this.

An introduction.. hmmm where would I post this.

First page, third section down - have fun!

In the Introduction sectiion!

I third the Born To Perform dvd

I thought we were in the Introduction page. Alright, whos been doing mentalism on me again?

If you like the look of the stuff on Ellusionist, I would recommend starting off with either the Crash Course package or How to do Street Magic, although the Street Magic package teaches other things like coins and money tricks and flourishes, not just cards.

Oh, welcome to TM.

trickyricky wrote:Alright, whos been doing mentalism on me again?

Not me! I'm not a mentalist! I know only one two tricks involving mentalism and both need cards. It might've been Paul Mckenna! He's been known to hypnotise people (Richard Hammond lol).

I you want to do card tricks, don't bother with a DVD. You could get a book for a fraction of the price.

There are many good card tricks that don't require sleight of hand, or only need limited handing.

copyright wrote:I you want to do card tricks, don't bother with a DVD. You could get a book for a fraction of the price.

You'll end up with a DVD: books have their place and are certainly useful, but having a decent visual tutorial makes a huge difference. While it's certainly cheaper to just visit the library or tactically use the google book search to understand card tricks , you just don't get the "ah, that's what they mean" moment that the visual demonstration gives you. Maybe I just lack the cogitive skills to turn words into images, or maybe my first book shouldn't have been Erdnase ...

Can anybody else hear the sound of a can of worms opening?

Heard the can opening and im afraid im not going to do anything to help matters!

Both books and DVDs are good. In fact i think i may prefer books. The reason is a good book include everything you need to know down to how to hold the deck they normally have pictures, as well. On DVD such fine detail is not always included because the teacher asumes it is obvious to you as you can see it on the screen.

Also, it is harder to put your own personality into the tricks from a DVD as you have seen them performed and you have that in your head.

Obviously there are bad books and excellet DVDs. Before you buy anything try and find a review of it.

Born to perform is meant to be excellent (I don't own a copy) and The Royal Road to Card Magic is meant to be Born To Perform in book format.

Pitto

PS Oz Pearlman who is the magician on Born To Perform is an excellent teacher from what ive seen and if you dont like reading dont get RRTCM.

I would have to disaggree with this

Born to perform is meant to be excellent (I don't own a copy) and The Royal Road to Card Magic is meant to be Born To Perform in book format.

1. Born To Perform is RRTCM in DVD format
2. Born To Perform is excellent, and so is RRTCM, but RRTCM is much more in depth and teaches you much more than Born To Perform IMO
3. Buy them both