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I'm sure this has been discussed before. I did a search for key words, but I could not find this one exactly. I will attempt to describe my specific problem, but remain vague enough to hopefully prevent any exposure. Those of you who know how to do the pass will know what I am talking about.

In the classic pass, my pinky finger seems to take the top card of the bottom stack with it.

I've performed the pass for a few spectators (3-4 times) so far with no problem in misdirection or making the pass without suspicion. However, in practice it happens quite a bit (about 30%). My thinking is it is a matter of time before the odds catch up to me. Any advice on squeezing tight enough to make the appearance of a normal stack and yet at the right time make the pass without taking additional cards? Or is this a matter of the need for much more practice.

I would ask one of the local magicans, but I'm currently on a three -week business trip in Kuwait and won't see them for a while.

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archimage wrote:In the classic pass, my pinky finger seems to take the top card of the bottom stack with it.

Yeh this can happen. Not always a bad thing though - remember, the chosen card will have been controlled to the bottom!!

But its a matter of practice and maybe even a slightly tighter grip. Im sitting here doing a pass without a deck just to see what I do - I must look a little silly! Make the move quick and definite, and maybe for a while bring the top stack away from the bottom stack a little more than you would normally (upwards and to the right-effecticely making the space between your hands larger), in order to bring your pinky finger away from that sticking card. Then with time it should get cleaner!

Its hard to describe, but I hope thats some help!

Thanks,

That is very good advice. Actually, that is the technique I used during performance specifically because I am so self concious during the performance. I wanted not to separate the stacks as much, but so far it works, so maybe that was the answer all along.

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The pass should be practiced slowly.

For my tuppence, I actually pass the deck with a ridiculously light grip. I almost let the card stacks dance around each other—releasing the pinky from the equation entirely.

As suggested before, my advice with the pass is LEARN THE MECHANICS fluidly before attemting to learn the angle problems. i.e. get the move down smoothly, and THEN sit and do it in front of a mirror, THEN you are ready for spectator trial.

seige wrote:The pass should be practiced slowly.

For my tuppence, I actually pass the deck with a ridiculously light grip. I almost let the card stacks dance around each other—releasing the pinky from the equation entirely.

As suggested before, my advice with the pass is LEARN THE MECHANICS fluidly before attemting to learn the angle problems. i.e. get the move down smoothly, and THEN sit and do it in front of a mirror, THEN you are ready for spectator trial.

Yes I agree. Doing the pass slowly is vital. This way you can make sure the pinky doesn't stick, and with time it'll come automatically.

I have just started learning the classic pass, as I used the Hermann pass before but want something different

I find that if you make the break bigger then this doesn't happen.

seige wrote:For my tuppence, I actually pass the deck with a ridiculously light grip. I almost let the card stacks dance around each other—releasing the pinky from the equation entirely.

Hmm yeah I found out that a lighter grip worked for me; when I'd been practicing after a few drinks I found that I could do it smoothly everytime. I later found out that the drink had loosed my muscles up a bit so I had a looser grip.

Well that's what works for me, but I'm still learning the pass.

All the advice is great! I've been practicing slowing down and using a lighter touch. I've been getting 10 out of 10 without catching the card as well as making the pass quieter and more subtle.

If I could get away with the pass before, watch out now! Thanks for the tips!

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