Magic Bong

Watch and learn Wesley.

2013-05-24T05:53:00.003-07:00

Even this woman can do a better Charlier than Wesley James.

Paul Gordon's new book

2012-12-01T05:29:00.002-08:00

Is it just me or does it seem a little distasteful to use endorsement quotes from the recently deceased to promote a book you've released after their demise?

How soon is soon?

2012-11-23T04:33:00.000-08:00

It's depressing when you see your previous entry ending 'coming soon', then realise you wrote it 3 months ago.

Don't worry though! New content, 'coming soon'.

Can't think of a snappy title.

2012-10-16T11:50:00.002-07:00

17 Years in Magic. Never heard of Roy Walton. Welcome to the Magic Cafe!

Thoughts on the Elmsley count

2012-09-10T12:02:00.001-07:00

In a similar vein to the Erdnase change post from some time ago.

Coming soon...

The Christian viewpoint.

2012-06-17T03:34:00.000-07:00

And Hofzinser would not care. He's not only dead, he had all his stuff burned... so screw him. - Steven Youell.

ACR sequence for practicing the Multiple push off.

2012-06-02T03:53:00.001-07:00

This is a quick two phase ACR sequence I use to practice triple and double push offs in context. Start with contrasting cards third and fourth from the top. I'll assume you're using the Ace of spades and Queen of hearts, with the Ace being third from top.

Triple turnover to show the Ace. Flip the triple face down and insert the top card into the centre, apparently burying the Ace. Triple turnover again to show the new top card is the Queen. Flip the triple face down and riffle the cards. Now,
double turnover to show the reappearance of the Ace. Flip the double face down and, again, bury the top card in the centre. Double turnover to show the Queen. Flip the double face down, riffle and single turnover to show the Ace has returned. You can now cleanly show the Queen is still second from top.

An easy way to remember the sequence is to think 'triple, triple, double, double'.

Stupid trick with the pass no. #1

2012-05-24T08:09:00.003-07:00

So, it's been a while since I posted something other than a face palm link. So here's something I just thought of five minutes ago while getting heat stroke from sitting in the sun.

The effect is reminiscent of Daley's Acrobatic Aces, in that it uses the pass to change the relative location of cards. See also Roy Walton's Happy Wanderers (a variation on a Marlo theme) for a much better idea using the same sort of methodology.

Anyway, take out the ace two and three of whatever suit you like; as long as it's clubs! With the deck face down, place the three cards face up in numerical order, one on top, one in the middle and one on the bum (haha, bum!)

Spread to show the situation, catching a break above the face up 2 as you square up. Say, 'with one riffle I'll make the three cards change places'. As you say this, perform a top card riffle pass as if to demonstrate the 'riffle'. A patronizing, and therefore magical ploy! This leaves you with the 3 in the middle and the 2 underneath the Ace.

To finish. Say, 'watch!' as you riffle pass the top card to the bottom. Immediately spread the cards between the hands to show that the three cards have magically changed position.

Apologies in advance for the inevitable credit updates.

Words fail me

2012-03-18T07:22:00.002-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcVsyqcW_Jk

Sigh

2012-01-01T04:46:00.001-08:00

"I know I'm about to commit heresy, but I'm not a huge fan of Elmsley's stuff. Mostly it's a style thing. He was certainly a brilliant man, and of course, where would we all be without the Elmsley count, but overall, I just haven't been overly moved by his material. I will admit however, that I've only studied a small portion, so there could be tons of stuff out there from him that I'm unfamiliar with.

I am, however, a huge regal fan."

People....

Butchering the Elmsley count

2011-06-22T13:56:00.001-07:00

Try pushing the lower three cards to the left whilst your thumb pulls the top card to the right, thus separating the top card and making it easier to draw it away.

No, no, no, no, no!

Handling idea for a Dan & Dave trick!

2011-06-06T02:42:00.000-07:00

I was meditating under the protection of Jonathan Townsend's moustache recently and the moustache gods vested upon me a great insight, or something. For it is written...

This is a small handling change to Dan & Dave's excellent 'Hedberg's Peak' from their 'Trilogy' DvD. It removes the need for the intial displacement and the double lift and makes the transposition a visual one. It's actually a very small handling change but it condenses about 4 moves into only 1 so I think it's worth mentioning. Anyway, if you don't know the original trick these notes wont be of much use to you as I'm not going to bother explaining the trick or the effect.

Rather than doing the intial displacement, simply start with the top card face up. Turn the deck over to show the other card. Now as you turn the deck over execute my 'instant inversion' move from 'More Derivative Pish' (apologies if you don't know this, if you're interested send me an email). Now, simply finish as per Dan & Dave's original, though I feel the Paul Curry handling of the move they use here is more fitting.

I'm actually not a fan of their style of card magic but I think this is a brilliant trick, you should definately have a look at it.

This just in..

2011-05-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

Apparently Vernon had big ears!

More to follow...

How not to cite reference/credits

2011-05-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

When you're giving credit for inspiration or a move you are using, it's common practice to cite the original source. If the move/idea is lost to antiquity then cite the most accepted classical source material for learning. (eg, when referencing the overhand shuffle controls you could cite Erdnase or The Royal Road). Whatever you do, under no circumstances cite your own published material as a credit/learning reference for someone elses work. This is rude, unethical, disrespectful and perhaps worst of all; confuses the magical record. In addition, don't put the credits at the end like a begrudged unwanted afterthought, put them at the start, or in the body of the text in whatever context demands their inclusion. And another thing! Try not to insult the originator by saying their creation was crap, hence the need for your 'improvement'. Eg, 'Vernon's routine though brilliant was repetative and the method too overly transparent to be believable, my new handling elevates the antiquated humdrum routine into a modern masterpiece.' Fuck off!

To highlight how not to do this, I've spent a brief couple of minutes flicking through a couple of books (and I use that word loosely) by Paul Gordon. Here are some examples below.

'Whilst Fiddling with the deck, reverse the 8C to third from top using Harry Lorayne's RTP move. (See Protean Card Magic for more detail)'

'This is reminiscent of Psychotronic Rides Again from Nocturnal Creations' (cite the original source not your own variation of it!)

'Using the James/Ellis Unloading Move (see Nocturnal Creations for a fuller description)'

'using J.K. Hartman's Secret Subtraction; described elsewhere in this book'

'Strip them out using Dingle's No-Lap Switch (I've described this many times. See, for instance, Eureka in Protean Card Magic.)'

'Using J.K. Hartman's Secret Subtraction. (See Protean Card Magic for a full description.)'

'Using Vernon's Strip-Out Addition. see Jim Swain's Don't Blink (1992) for a good and complete description of this move.' (what?)

'I believe Jerry Sadowitz has a similar routine which may, or may not be, in print.' (oh really, so you didn't think to, I don't know, maybe ask first before sending the book to the printers? How do you know it even adds anything of merit if you've never seen it?)

'False shuffle (see the Complete Jog Shuffle)'

'My handling irons-out a couple of problems which, if you think about it, are quite blatant in Jennings' original'

This post was brought to you by Jonathan Townsend's moustache and the number 4!

In the hands running false cut idea

2011-04-30T08:58:00.001-07:00

While playing around with Jeff Semels 'Pirandello False Cut' from Frank Simon's 'Versatile Card Magic' it struck me that you could use similar mechanics to extend the sequence so it gave the appearance of a multiple running cut. This idea relies more on the rhythm of the cut than the optical illusion of the Pirandello.

Hold the deck in the right hand in preparation for a swing cut. Swing cut the top half into the left hand. Continue by swing cutting half of the remaining packet onto the left, holding a break as they coalesce. Now apparently swing cut another packet on top but actually Hamman switch the packet in the right hand with the cards above the break point, catching a new break beneath the switched in cards. Drop the remaining cards in the right hand on top of all.

From here, you essentially repeat the sequence by beginning the initial swing cut at the break point; although on the repeat, there is no need to maintain a break after the Hamman switch.

It's essentially an up the ladder cut, done in the hands. Apologies in advance if it's in a book I don't possess.

How exploitative

2011-04-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

is this

say no to misinformation

2011-04-20T11:44:00.001-07:00

'Anyway, great to see that Euan is at least getting more 'up to date' with his reviews. After all, he reviews a booklet in November 2010 - that was produced in 2005'

Originally written and posted in 2005, reposted in 2010 out of boredom.

Paul Gordon credit anthology.

2011-04-19T01:47:00.000-07:00

This one will take a while, a list of credits for published work plus commentary.

PS is anyone has a copy of 'cause and effect' or 'the card magic of paul gordon' I'd be interested in taking them off your hands to make this post complete.

Multiple push off notes.

2011-04-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

these are just place holders to jog my memory for when I can find the time to write these.

Erdnase Bottom Palm notes.

2011-04-17T15:39:00.001-07:00

Coming soon!!

2011-03-09T04:23:00.000-08:00

My new MUST HAVE indepth 2 DVD set, How to take a deck of cards out of the box! Featuring insightful authortative commentary by Jelly Lames. With Jelly's 30+ years of experience This will be a steal at half the price of whatever the actual price is!!

Please note, no DVD's will be included and you must supply your own deck of cards, offer limited to 50 copies until we can find a way of extending the offer so noone notices it was a limited offer in the first place!

Retarded quote of the year award...

2011-03-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

Mr. Lorayne is one of the legends of our art to be sure. In fact, I would place him alongside Vernon, Marlo, and Hofzinzer as being the most influential card magicians of the modern era. - Vlad_77

Excuse me while I spit my tea all over my desk

2011-02-12T04:44:00.001-08:00

Aaron Fisher's magic ethics are of the highest order. Additionally, his concerns for exposure are well thought out and come from deeply caring about magic. - Steven Stool

Ha, ha, ha!

And here's how it should look

2011-01-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

By contrast. It does work when the focus is on the magic, and not the production.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVWUHwLw4vc

TV Magic never works

2011-01-08T02:15:00.000-08:00

Watched the Penn and Teller special, what a load of shite. How did Jonathan Ross ever get on the TV? He's the human equivalent of sliding your nails down a blackboard!

The whole thing was awful, mostly because of the production. But the magic was terrible too. The idea was to do a routine that would fool them, so why the hell is Michael Vincent coming on performing Daleys Acrobatic Aces? Or that other guy doing the invisible deck(!!) while trying to rip off Derren Brown? I'm too ill right now to be arsed writing anything interesting.