talkmagic.co.uk

I accept that I’m getting older and less tolerant but why, oh why, oh why does almost every email I get from the main magic suppliers always seem to push something which starts, ‘a card is selected, signed and lost in the deck’ or similar? Why is it always bl**dy card magic, does nobody perform magic with anything but cards? OK there are some truly great card workers performing and the disciplines of card magic are well worth mastering but there’s also a whole world of wonder out there, other props galore just waiting to be used in a magic routine of some sort.

OK, rant over.... for now.... but my point is that newcomers to the art must surely feel that the only way to do magic is with a deck of cards and it’s a big shame because it’s a very blinkered attitude and automatically excludes anything else. There again, perhaps I am just old and miserable……

Only just seen this post.

As I think I recently added elsewhere, this modern-day trend of Magicians having to get a card signed every time a bloody card is taken, gets on my nerves as well.

Okay, for Card to Wallet, I do get it. Signing a card is also useful if someone forgets their card. However, I honestly don't think that the positives outweigh the negatives. If I get the feeling that someone I'm working to is particularly dense, then I'll just force the Ace on Spades on a bloke and the Queen of Hearts on a bird. You've then got half a chance.

Another reason I detest signed cards - to paraphrase Paul Gordon, "signed cards cheapen the prop". I believe this to be true. I always use new packs of Waddi's when working that look clean and smell fresh - afterall, they're cheap enough - particularly when getting a decent fee.

It does indeed appear that there is a never-ending raft of (supposedly) 'new release' card tricks along these lines. If it isn't writing on a card, then it's drawing on the card box itself. Sharpies appear to have taken over the Magic world - in the same way that UK coin magicians appear obsessed with always using American Half Dollars. British Half Crowns are a superb coin to use if visibility is a problem. In fact, their additional weight make some things easier to expedite - the superb Himber Vanish springs instantly to mind.

Unfortunately, we seem obsessed with using all things American. As again I think I mentioned before, I even once had a Magician say to me "I didn't think that you were going to be very good as you use Waddingtons".

Back on track - the fact is, that all of these brainfarts appear to suffer from one major pitfall - namely, they aren't overly visual. Particularly if working large tables, or for older folk in less than ideal lighting, etc. if they can't see what you are doing, then just give up. Moreover, the vast majority of these effects that I have seen advertised, clearly need a reset; which is the last thing I'd EVER want working the tables commercially.

Oh I know, maybe they're good for 'parlour shows' - another bullsh!t term that appears to have infested modern-day Magic. Well I must have missed out on something over the past 40 years. I've worked from outdoor events standing in a field of mud; on planks of wood placed over a skip (at a builders merchants); through to a sinking boat in Ipswich Dock (it was actually two barges poorly welded together!) - but do you know what - I have yet to ever work in a 'parlour'! Maybe it's because I don't use American Half Dollars, use Phone App Magic.......or use a Sharpie to get cards signed.

As for Magic releases, you are quite right - the vast majority are card tricks.......followed closely nowadays with a raft of poxy Rubik Cube tricks. The vast majority of these appear to conclude with the Magician 'solving the puzzle'.........YAWN!

Yes I adore Card Magic and, blowing smoke up my own @rse, I know that from previous experience, I can keep an audience entertained with just a pack of cards. However, I believe that you do need variety. To this end, I always carry a packet of Rizlas for my favourite effect - T&R cigarette paper. Add into the mix sponge balls and an 'I'll Start Again' Paddle and along with some Palm/Character Reading and a string of one-liners, I find that's really all that I ever need these days to entertain people commercially.

Rant over.

I somehow missed this post too.

Here's one of my favourite quotes:

'"Do you like card tricks?"
"No, I hate card tricks," I answered.
"Well, I`ll just show you this one."
He showed me three.'

W. Somerset Maugham

As I see it, most card tricks just aren't magical; they are demonstrations of digital dexterity. There are exceptions, of course - colour changes, for example. I do sometimes use playing cards for mentalism, but I don't "do card tricks".

A few particular bugbears:

"Deck". In England it's a "pack".

"Bikes". The last ungimmicked pack of cards I bought was WH Smith own brand. If I need any more they will be Waddingtons (I do have a few packs of those too.)

I would never have a playing card signed; it's not necessary and it ruins the pack. As an amateur I can't afford the luxury of a new pack for each performance. Have a look here for further comments and a suggested solution (the password hint is on my Home page):
https://barrydcooper.wordpress.com/2020/08/28/a-test-of-clairvoyance/

Thanks guys, glad I'm not in my own!!

(it was actually two barges poorly welded together!)

Sounds like a car I once had......

Mandrake wrote:Thanks guys, glad I'm not in my own!!

(it was actually two barges poorly welded together!)

Sounds like a car I once had......

Incredible to think that ever happened.....but it most certainly did! A car dealer in East London back in the early 80's, was even known locally as '2 for 1'. Amazing how these people ever managed to trade.

It's like the old joke of the car dealer in the dock for clocking back motors. In his defence he denied all knowledge, saying "I couldn't have done it........I was 90,000 miles away in Wales at the time".

Barry - what a superb blog! That's my weekend reading sorted out - many thanks.

I've got through so many cards over the years by getting them to double up as Business Cards. A tip I learnt from Joe Riding many years ago, has always raised a smile. Instead of normal business cards, I use large gold labels, printed via Able-Label in Northampton, with my details. I put a sticker onto the back of a card and keep a dozen or so in my top pocket. When someone asks "have you got a card" I'll take them out, spread them and say, "yeah look, I've got the three of hearts, the six of spades, the nine of clubs........which one do you want?". They always chuckle and say "no I meant a business card". So you just get them to take one and turn it over. This has ALWAYS raised a smile/laugh, never a groan - despite the idea possibly reading naff.

At other times, I have put my sticker on the card case and handed the pack to the booker at the end of the night as a thank you. Wherever possible, performing a final trick for the booker subliminally confirms that you've 'done your time' before leaving the venue. Moreover, it's surprising how many people are seemingly quite grateful for a pack of free cards; plus obviously, they will have your contact details always on hand for the future.

Casting my mind back, for many years there was a stall in Leather Lane Market; it was just along from the side entrance to International Magic; when they had the nice basement studio; instead of the cramped shop upstairs that they use now. Anyway, this stall used to sell tools, cleaning stuff, etc AND used packs of ex-casino cards - these were either Waddingtons Number 1 or Waddingtons 'Maro' - the usual Waddi's fronts but a nicely-designed back. The packs were almost as good as new - they must have had minimal table use during play. I must have been one of his best customers for a few years.

These days, buying Waddingtons is relatively cheap. If purchased directly from Winning Moves (who now own Waddingtons) they charge £1.99 per pack - and its free UK postage for orders over ten quid. They are now printed in Austria, to a good quality/standard. Bargain bricks on ebay are often Chinese fakes - I've fallen for this once. The print and card quality was horrendous, so I donated them to my local working mans club, for behind the bar.

Despite getting through so many cards, I just cannot bring myself to either sign them; not tear them up for T&R card, Time Warp, etc. I was born into the pub game; my parents werent minted and I was fortunately raised to value things.

Anyway, have a great weekend gentlemen.