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Hi,
I'm having a bit of trouble with the move 'Topper' which I saw on Jay Sankey's revolutionary card magic.

I've been practicing themove for a while now, but I still cant get it right, consistently.

I can do it very slowly, and it usually looks alright. But when I try and practice it a little faster, like the speed I would need to do it to use in a performance, most of the time I take too many cards and end up in a situation like THIS

Can anybody give me any tips?

To be honest I completely agree. I don't even think it is that deceptive especially when surrounded. If I were you I would not spend to much time on it.

Pitto

PS try holding the cards a little looser. Newer cards will also help.

Thanks for the replies.

But rather than just telling me that there are 'better forces out there' could you tell me of any books or DVDs where I could learn a good method of forcing the top card of a deck.

Ideally i'd like to position multiple cards at the top of the deck and force them to different spectators, which is why Topper seemed useful. But if you could let me know the name of some other forces that I could look into, it would be appreciated,

Thanks

Kiran wrote:Thanks for the replies.
Ideally i'd like to position multiple cards at the top of the deck and force them to different spectators, which is why Topper seemed useful. But if you could let me know the name of some other forces that I could look into, it would be appreciated,

If I need to do this I usually perform a control riffle shuffle followed by a false cut and deal. Repeat with different false cuts as required.

Of course you could do a straight forward criss-cross force and deal multiple cards straight from the "spectators cut".

If Katrielalex were on line he'd mention the Born To Perform DVD which apparently has forces amongst the gems. Theo Anneman produced a book of forces and a bit of Googling should locate a supplier for you.

To be honest there are so many different publications dealing with forces, even the basic card books cover the main ones, that it’s difficult to suggest just one or two. Try logging on to an online supplier and using their search facility to see what books/DVDs on forces are offered - you should find something suitable but you could always email the supplier to ask if a particular book contains something you really need. If it doesn't they're very likely to suggest something which does contain what you want. Best of luck!

Or just use Topper! It is a brilliant force, and I use it a lot in my ACR. Just keep practicing the move slowly until you can get it perfectly, then you should start to speed it up.

Um, forces.

• Riffle force.
• Bluff force (Smoke and Mirrors by John Bannon, one of the best forces I know).
• Slip cut force.
• Spread cull force, using the extra subtlety to take the card off the top.
• Classic force.

Should I continue?

Kati

Ace Of kev wrote:

Or just use Topper! It is a brilliant force, and I use it a lot in my ACR.

Would you care to back that statement up? We've heard a few opinions on here so far that don't appreciate topper. Why do you like it?

I use some of the forces Katriel mentions.

Spread Cull Force - I like this force alot but I prefer the top card version rather than the actual culling of the bottom card. I think this must have a different name.
Riffle Force - The tried and tested best force ever, if you weigh up how simple vs how convincing.
Classic Force - I always practice this force when I do a random pick a card trick that doesn't require a force. Most of the time I don't even know what the name of the card is that I'm forcing, but it's good practice and there's no pressure.
Slip Cut Force - I don't like this force. Maybe it's because I haven't practiced it properly and can't do it but I don't like the way you have to remove the cards to one side, rather than straight up like the riffle force. Also, I always get noise. Don't like it.
Bluff Force - I never use this technique as a force. I use it to have a card replaced but not for forcing. I think that's called the bluff pass.

A few others that I use.

Dribble Force - Maybe it's just me but this is quite fiddly to get right. I don't use it very often but it's pretty effective.
Criss Cross Force - I have to struggle not to giggle to myself when I use this force on someone. It's in the same league as doing a false cut by cutting the deck and putting the top back on the bottom. I find it really funny to do that in front of a spectator.
Multiple Cut Force - not sure of the proper name for this but if you can get the timing right you can cut right to the force card by cutting off small packets. The technique is easier than the riffle force but the timing will rake time to master.

I'm sure theres a few others I've used from time to time but I can't remember at the moment.

magic_evmeister wrote:Ace Of kev wrote:

Or just use Topper! It is a brilliant force, and I use it a lot in my ACR.

Would you care to back that statement up? We've heard a few opinions on here so far that don't appreciate topper. Why do you like it?

Ok.

I like this as it looks very fair, as with most forces. Now the great thing about this is that it looks like the card that is touched is in the center of the deck, so its an excellent 1st move for an ACR. (After Topper, I usually do a Le Paul Bluff Pass). Another good thing about this is that you do not need to hold any breaks or anthing like that.

This sleight took me some time to get right, but once you get it right it looks brilliant!

I'm filming a video just now with all different kinds of sleights (not just cards ) and I was going to put Topper in it, but I realised that I need to refilm it with a spectator, so here is the one without a spec: Topper

Edit: Oh a little tip that Sir Rawlins gave me, practice things slowly when you are watching the TV or are on the computer, then the speed will come naturally.

Kev:

Isn't that a variation?

You didn't show the card 'in the middle' before you took it out.

Also, just slow it down a little bit when you remove the card

It was good though

It is Topper, but I wouldn't call it a variation. The move is the same except instead of stopping it you pull it straight out. In my ACR I leave it in, but I pulled it out as the purpose in that demo was not to show a vcard jumping to the top

Thanks

In my oppinion pulling it straight out makes it much better

Pitto

Yes it is, but not for an ACR routine