Magic Roadshow #182
MAGIC ROADSHOW 182
December 2016
Well Hello there! It’s certainly good to be back after a little hiatus.
Before I go any further, I want to Welcome all you first time readers. The Magic Roadshow isn’t about me, it’s about MAGIC.. and the performance of magic. Sometimes I feel like I owe you guys an explanation, and I let my fingers do a little too much talking. Forgive me.. đ
I’ve been on the mend from surgery and ‘thought’ I’d jump right back into the thick of things.. but it didn’t quite work out that way. I’ve been on a medication that really made my vision a wreck. Thankfully, it was a 30 day thing.. but it kept me away from my computer.. and the Magic Roadshow. I’m back.. and although this issue isn’t my longest, or my very best, it IS a good start. Accept it for what it is…
I hope every one of you had a Blessed Christmas season. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not.. you should take advantage of the cheer and goodwill that prevails. I have friends who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and many other wonderful holidays and celebrations in December, and I salute you all..
I would like to personally say a big âThank Youâ to Ed Besselman, David J OâConnor, Michael Lyth, Paul Lelekis, Mindpro, and Jason McMurrian for helping make this issue of the Roadshow possible. Remember, if YOU have something to share.. send it to me!
Questions, comments, and submissions: Email me at [email protected]
MAGIC ROADSHOW 182Â Â Â (Read, print, or save as a PDF.. 29 pages )
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-Table of Contents-
FIVE COINS – An Effect from Paul A. Lelekis
iPhone Magic – Effect by Jason McMurrian
Marketing Your Entertainment Business – Mindpro
Powerful Poker Routines (for Magicians) – A Review by R.Carruth
Ed’s Impromptu Rainbow Deck Variation – Effect
Any Shuffled Deck – Self Working Impromptu Miracles DVD – A Review
Magic At Your Fingertips – Milbourne Christopher and Hen Fetsch – Free PDF
The Magic Of Dedi The Magician – David O’Connor
Secrets of Street Magicians Revealed – Video Tutorial
3 Incredible Pen Magic Tricks (Vanish, Production & Shrink) – Tutorial
PENetration Card Trick – Tutorial
Bend Over – Card Trick Revealed
Floating Pen Magic Trick Revealed! – Video Tutorial
‘X-Ray’ Magic Trick With Finger Ring Revealed – VideoTutorial
Apparatus Magic Revealed – Tutorial Videos
Four Magic Effects and Tutorials for Your Christmas! – Tutorials
Magic Trick Reviews⊠Free to Everyone Facebook Group
Other Important Stuff..
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Fate whispers to the warrior, “You cannot withstand the storm,” and the warrior whispers, “I am the storm.”.. Â Unk.
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science.”
Albert Einstein
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FIVE COINS – An Effect
Paul A. Lelekis
This is an effect that Iâve been using with great success for over 25 years. This routine can be used as a âcoins acrossâ routine, which is the way I normally perform when table-hoppingâŠhowever, when table-hopping, Iâm standing, and I canât âdoâ that something extra that makes this routine so much stronger.
If Iâm seated, I do a âcoins-thru-the-tableâ routine that allows me to bring this routine to a new level! It increases the level of amazement for the spectatorsâŠeven though they donât know exactly why! This effect is VERY STRONG!
I also want to tell you that this routine is NOT for childrenâŠnot because itâs dirty, but because if you perform it for kids, the children will âdiveâ under the table to watch how the coins pass through the tableâŠitâs just what children do. Also, the strength of the included subtlety can only be performed with a âcoins-thru-the-tableâ routine – not with a âcoins acrossâ routine.
EFFECT: Five coins are introduced, four half dollars and one English copper penny. Two silver coins are placed into each hand and the right hand gets the copper penny. First, one silver coin passes through the table – then, VERY OPENLY, both coins in the left hand pass through the table!
PREPARATION: Place a napkin or hankie or anything that will hold a couple of coins in your lap without worrying about the coins dropping to the floor. You can do this without any type of cloth by keeping your knees together tightly.
METHOD: The copper coin is not necessary, but it will add motivation and a psychological advantage.
Phase 1: One silver coin through the table â
I begin by arranging the coins in the shape of an inverted âVâ (capital lambda if you are Greek!). The copper coin will be at the apex (away from you) and the silver coins will make up the two sides of the inverted âVâ.
âI really like coin magic! People seem to love the sight and sound of shiny, clinking coins! But I noticed that this table has a weak spot in itâŠI planned on a different kind of coin trick, but let me see what I can do with this.â
As you say the patter above, pick up one of the coins and tap it in the area where you plan to make the coins pass. What your next move will be is to place this coin into your right hand and into classic palm, THEN, PICK UP the two silver coins on your left, with your left hand!
Next, your right hand picks up the other silver coin into your right hand. Lastly, pick up the copper coin with your right fingers as you say: âThis copper coin will attract a silver coin from my left hand and make it pass right through the table to join the coins in my right
As you recite the patter above, both hands tap together, suspiciously. In other words, it should appear as if there is a possibility of coins, exchanging hands. Your right hand then moves beneath the table (left hand on top of table at the supposed âweak spotâ) as you glare at the spectators as if you saw someone give a
âlook of doubtâ in your direction. This may or may NOT happenâŠbut still act as though it did.
Bring your right hand back into view on top of the table in preparation for performing Han Ping Chien as follows:
Begin by saying, âThings are just as they should beâŠsee there are two silver coins in my left handâŠand two silver coins and the copper coin in my right hand. RememberâŠthe copper coin is what does it!â In accordance with this patter, first open your left hand and dump the coins onto the table. Use your left fingers to pick up the coins making sure one of the coins is close to the pad of your hand, closest to the table top. Close that hand.
Open your right hand, palm up, as your left index finger comes close to the right fist and points to the coins as you open your right hand, showing the three coins. Remember that one of the silver coins is basically in right hand classic palm.
You will now turn your right hand, palm down, dumping two of the coins, retaining the silver coin in classic palm. At the same time, your left fist turns palm up, actually tossing the coin at the edge of your palm to your right, to join the two coins dumped from your right hand.
As your left hand secretly âtossesâ its coin to the right, it moves to your left. There will be three coins on the tableâŠtwo silver coins and one copper coinâŠone silver coin is in classic palm in the right hand. All appears copacetic.
The right hand picks up the coins on the table and moves below the table. The left hand then moves to the âsweet spotâ on the table and raps the table with your knuckles.
Suddenly, you slap your open left hand onto the table as you ârapâ the table, once, underneath, with one of the coins in your right hand. Keep your left hand flat on the table and then bring out the right hand and toss three coins onto the tableâŠthree silver coins and one copper! Then lift your left hand to show only one coin! A silver coin has apparently passed through the table, into your right hand.
After the spectators have praised you for your magnificence, place the coins back to their original positions on the tableâŠinto the inverted âVâ position with the copper coin at the apex. Mention that youâll do it againâŠonly this time ââŠI will do it the hard way!â
Phase 2: Two silver coins pass through the table â
Begin with the five coins back in the inverted âVâ shape as in Phase 1. First, pick up the two silver coins on your left, into your left hand. Then pick up the two silver coins on your right, with your right handâŠbut this time do NOT place either coin into Classic Palm. Hold the coins loosely in your right hand.
Pick up the copper coin with your left thumb and index fingers (left hand is in a fist!) and place it into the thumb-hole of your right fist, but STILL sticking out where all can see it. The copper coin will be clipped by your right thumb.
Use the butt of your left fist to âsuspiciouslyâ tap the exposed copper coin into your right handâŠtry to make it look like something âsneakyâ has just happened. Pretend as though nothing has happened and say âNow Iâm going to repeat what I just did a moment ago⊠but THIS TIME you know what to expectâŠwhat?â
Your right hand now goes under the table just as you sayââŠTHIS TIME you know what to expectâŠâ You have supposedly done something fishy. Act as though the spectators are suspicious of your actionsâŠwhether they are, or NOT!
As soon as your right hand goes under the table and you say ââŠwhat?â quietly place the two silver coins in your right hand, onto your cloth-covered lap, keeping the copper coin in your right hand – but held loosely.
Now, say, in response to your âsuspicious moveâ, âOh no, no! I havenât done anything funnyâŠwell at least not yet!â
Now perform the Gallo Pitch as follows:
Toss the two coins in your left hand to your right, at a 45 degree angle. The left hand then picks these two coins back up, but both coins are kept close to the left thumb-hole within that fist. The right hand then apparently tosses three coins (actually only the lone copper coin!) in the opposite direction at a 45 degree angle, to your left.
Actually, as the left hand is returning to the left side, it secretly turns counterclockwise and tosses its coins from your left thumb-hole, in the same direction as the copper coin coming from your right hand. It will appear as if you had two silver coins and a copper coin in your right hand!
The tossing of both handsâ coins will form the shape of an âXâ shape on the table. Show your right hand completely empty and then pick up the three coins on the table. The right hand then retreats back under the table as it secretly picks up the two coins on your lap! Now you have all five coins in your right hand!
Tap your left hand on the âsoft spotâ on the table and then slam your open left hand onto the table. Tap the table underneath with a coin, twice, indicating the passing of the two coins. Remove your right hand and toss out all 5 coins! Lift your left hand to show NO COINS!
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You can view ALL of Paul’s dozens of effects in ebook format at: http://Lybrary.com .. They are, undoubtedly, some of the best values in all of magic.. Many are considered underground classics and several NEW publications are climbing the ladder.. Look for two of Paul’s latest .. ‘Powerful Poker Routines (for Magicians)’, which I’ve reviewed in this issue.. and Magic Variety Pack.. a very nice collection of original thoughts and classic effects.
http://lybrary.com/paul-a-lelekis-m-163788.html
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iPhone Magic – Effect by Jason McMurrian
I did this at a Wedding a couple of weeks ago and it played big, and only required some banner paper, (you can find at your local office supply store) and some spray paint.
A couple of notes.
I had seen someone else perform this a couple of weeks earlier and spoke with him after the show and he set me up.
First this was the performance. After borrowing someone’s iphone, you go to 3 or 4 people in the audience and have them key in various numbers (birthday month and day, childhood address, favorite number, etc.) After each person keys in their number, you have them hit the multiply sign (x) and after the last person you have them hit the equal sign (=) You have the last person read out the answer, while you spray paint it on the banner paper, while two volunteers hold it up. Using whatever patter you want, you explain how these 3 or 4 people just happen to be here on the the same night, with these random numbers came up with this answer. Here is the significance of that answer.
1017160630 is actually 10/17/16 06:30
“Folk this number is actually today’s date and if you will all look at your phone or watches, the current time.
Since I wanted to do this for the bride and the groom, I wanted it to equal their wedding date and the current time. As I did my walk around magic, I looked for someone to leave their cell phone out on the table to locate an iphone and after performing a trick for them, asked them If I could borrow their phone later for a trick for the bride and the groom later in the show. This takes away from asking to borrow someone’s “IPHONE” Then later, I borrowed the phone.
When performing this trick the phone will most likely need to be turned sideways to see all the numbers in the answer, so you might as well start out that way.
Also the instructions below say you need to set up the phone ahead of time, I just ask the person for the phone just before going up to do the trick and then make a point of saying that I had borrowed the phone from said guest. I also downloaded an app for my phone which would show a full display of clock so as to end the trick within the minute range of the time that I want to make the number to come out to. I just set it up near the band stand as to keep an eye out to make sure that I ended it on time.
https://snapguide.com/guides/do-a-psychic-magic-trick-with-iphone-calculator/
How to Do a Psychic Magic Trick With iPhone Calculator …
http://snapguide.com
This is a actually a great trick you can do with your iPhones calculator app. It’s also very easy to do. First I’ll explain what happens when you perform this trick …
Jason McMurrian..
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Marketing Your Entertainment Business
Mindpro
One of the topics most performers constantly ask about is marketing. What they usually ask is âwhat is the best way to market to get bookings?â
First, let me say marketing is only one way to get bookings. The best way of course to get bookings is though a fantastic performance. Nothing will generate more interest and get people thinking about their own booking possibilities than experiencing a great live performance. They can envision you performing at their next event, perhaps their work or companyâs holiday party, PTA moms thinking about having at their kids school or at the local city festival of which they may be on the board or committee. Seeing and being part of a live erformance that connects, appeals to and engages audience members can quite easily lead to future bookings. And best
of allâŠitâs free!
However all marketing isnât that easy. In reality there is no one âmagicâ pill that is the answer to unlimited new bookings. Rather there are many methods, techniques and resources that can allow you to market to spread the word to the world that you are available for their entertainment needs.
In my previous articles we discussed creating the foundation for your entertainment business by addressing and determining a series of foundational questions. I stated that by answering these questions honestly and properly that they will allow you to operate more efficiently as we move forward saving you time, effort and money. Marketing is one of the areas where you will see the results of your previous efforts in the foundational process you created.
In that process you determined the performance markets and area that your performing business would be targeting. This now will allow you to streamline and define how and where you will market. This is much better than just doing general, blanket marketing and hoping for any kind of results.
By determining your targets, you now know who to direct your marketing towards. Because you defined your targets, you have created marketing and promotional materials that are directed to and speak to this specific audience. Now is the time to put all this into action.
When approaching marketing you must first realize that marketing is quickly broken down into two categories – free and paid. I prefer to break them down into free/low cost or greater paid categories. Remember, marketing is an investment in your business. So many performers look at marketing as an expense. It is one of the few areas of your business that offers opportunity for RIO, or return on your investment.
Ask most successful entertainers about their marketing and what works best for them and you are likely to learn a simple truth. Successful marketing usually consists of several to many different and individual marketing methods, techniques and resources each working together to their own level of results, that combined get the successful results the performer desires. There are literally dozens to hundreds of ways to market your entertainment business. Some easier than others, some producing better results than others. Some producing no results at all. It is the simple truth.
Some ways are popular, others trendy and yet others unconventional. I have seen performers have success with all of these. One of my favorite stories is with someone I coached who was young but with all of desire and entrepreneurship. They were not yet old enough to drive and had little or no money of their own that would be considered any kind of budget. While they would have loved to do direct mailings, magazine and directory advertising, having booth exhibit at local events and business fairs, it simply was not possible due to budget and the fact that they were a minor.
The challenge was to find marketing resources available on a teens budget or no budget at all. As a occasional real estate investor I operate on the rule that in order for me to invest I will only do so based on price or on terms. Meaning Iâll only invest if there is an appealing below market price with built-in equity, or if the seller is offering some kind of terms such as little or no down payment or self-financing. A similar approached was utilized here. The teen had little or no money but was more willing than ever to put in the effort, to do whatever legwork possible to make up for the lack of financial resources.
We discussed options and I came up with the following plan. We would do a three part marketing plan. The first consisted creating a one page flier with a coupon at the bottom. It was created and targeted to their specific market. It was nicely designed and printed on neon paper which could be done on their home printer or taken to a local printer. Luckily dad offered to take the paper to work and use the companyâs Xerox machine to make 1000 copies. We also created a 2-up flier, which was two side by side vertical fliers, similar in size to a rack card. This was a
condensed version of the full page flier, again with a coupon at the bottom. These were designed to go in an acrylic or cardboard brochure holder. These 250 sheets were also printed courtesy of dadâs company. To print these would have been about $25, which was in the budget but saved for better use. That better use was the brochure holders. We went to the office supply store and bought 12 of these holders. Then went to the local printer to have the 2-up sheets cut… which cost $1.50
We created a small network of 12 area businesses that would let us put up these âtake oneâ displays in their stores, usually near the checkout register. This included three popular family restaurants, the local bowing/sports center, the celebration and party supply store, the drug store, the arcade, two beauty shops/salons, a tanning store, a candy and dessert shop and the printer we used for the cutting. Each was provided with a brochure holder filled with take one fliers. We checked on them every two weeks to restock as necessary.
The fliers were going to be distributed door to door in each homes mailboxes, until we discovered that was illegal. So instead we went to the office supply store and bought 1000 plastic bags printed with the words âthank youâ on them. Fliers were stuffed into the bags and a group of friends were gathered to take these to every front doorknob at each house in several communities, all close to schools.
These two methods generated 8 bookings including kids parties, a scouting event, a recurring booking at the bowing alley/sports center among others. After a couple of months of this we approached the bowling center and convinced them to host a entertainerâs showcase as part of their kids and family day on a Saturday afternoon. We contacted other teen or young adult performers, which included a teen band, a disc jockey, a karaoke company, a youth acting/ theater company and of course the magician. It was a 90 minute showcase with each act performing a showcase set, open family bowling and drinks and hotdogs were part of the package. Attendance was 180 (kids and parents) and it led to the bowling alley/sports center creating a kids birthday party package featuring the magician (my student) that featured two games of bowling, a party room with a 20 minute magic performance, followed by food, cake and drinks. This too became a regular source of ongoing bookings.
So we ended up with three great marketing efforts each yielding very decent results for very little costs other than the willingness to put in the physical effort and take the action needed. Of course, while these are marking methods, most think of other common marketing approaches such as some of the following:
Social Media – utilizing social media is a great way to generate followers, announce upcoming performances, remain in touch with interested followers and to market for bookings. This can work better for some type of entertainers than others as well as in some performance markets better than others, but is a great way to create visibility, awareness and engagement.
Website – all of your lead generation can direct interest to your website where you have the opportunity to inform, educate, market and promote. Photos and videos help to engage and perhaps even sell the prospect on your services. Website can be one of the best promotional tools possible is you have a pre-planned and determined call to action and method of execution.
Adwords – many performers have had good results with Adwords campaigns. This is another way to target a specific market or prospect to lead to your call to action.
Market-Specific Target Marketing – local kids/family/parent magazines or newspapers, marketing in family entertaining and dining hotspots, party stores, wedding or bridal shops, teacherâs supply stores. Also special directories with good distribution and readership can work well.
Cable T.V. – I still hear performers say that they generate interest advertising on the local cable t.v. station. While this can be having your own produced commercial, some communities still have the âcommunity bulletin boardâ style of text ads in a rotation that can still draw interest and bookings. is has worked well for kids performers and around holiday season planning time.
Online Lead Generation Services – these include the popular Gigmasters, Gig Salad and several others that are subscription services that try to match performers with buyers seeking entertainment. The mistake many make with these types of services is they mistakenly think they are online agencies. In reality the are simply a source of lead generation and your level of success will greatly depend on how well you understand their services, the mindset and mentality of the prospects searching these services for entertainment, and most of all how you choose to respond and work the leads that you receive. These can be very lucrative for the investment if you know how to respond and utilize these systems.
Of course there are many, many other marketing methods, techniques and resources as well that can all offer opportunity and some type of success. However, regardless of current technology, which performance markets you choose to specialize in, what geographic are you decide to cover in your marketing, the still #1, absolute best source for successful marketing is still word of mouth. I can not stress this enough. I would suggest creating efforts and campaigns around this specific proven concept. And again, it is absolutely free. Personal interest or referrals from your audience members will be the easiest presentation and booking you will ever make. They donât have to be âsold, â your performance has already done that for you. These are and have always been the most preferred by most performers.
When it comes top marketing there truly are many more possibilities than we have time available here. I have always believed when it comes to marketing you will only get out of it what you are willing to put into it. Do research, become creative, and incorporate a variety of methods and techniques to create your overall marketing program. You will eventually see which approaches work the best and yield the greatest results.
The one thing about marketing I can not stress enough is it is a process. A continual process. âOne and doneâ types of marketing rarely yield the result you will be expecting. Marketing is an on-going continual process that should gain momentum as you progress. ABM – always be marketing!
Next month I will share with you an entertainerâs secret weapon for marketing. Something that will change the way you look at marketing and promotion, while generating interest and credibility for your entertainment business.
MIndpro is an professional entertainment business specialist that has been coaching and consulting entertainers in entertainment business, press and media for over 30 years. He has enjoyed success as a full-time entertainer, owner of three entertainment agencies, as an international talent broker, producer and promoter, as well as being a press and media coach and consultant after 20+ years in radio and television. He has helped many start, grow and master the art of entertainment business.
He has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, ABC-TVâs All My Children, CBS, ABC, CNN and FOX News as well as being a frequent guest on many various television and radio shows throughout the country.
Throughout his career Mindpro has worked with a virtual whoâs who in the world of entertainment including Tom Jones, Willie Nelson, Phyllis Diller, Don Rickles, Steve Allen,
Michael Jordan, Tony Danza, John Stamos, Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, Tom Petty, Billy Joel, The Monkees and The Beach Boys. His Entertainerâs Success Series of professional business resources for entertainers and entertainment business owners are available at http://www.EntertainmentSuccess.com .
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Powerful Poker Routines (for Magicians) – A Review
R.Carruth
I’ve quietly sat on this ebook for the past few weeks… Had to take a little writing hiatus. All the while I couldn’t wait to review Paul’s latest ebook, in part because it’s so different from what we’ve become accustomed to reading.
Paul’s latest is exactly what the title implies.. “Powerful Poker Routines”. These are demonstrations of your superior shuffling and dealing skills, which you don’t actually have to possess. It’s all about the fine print, and Paul spells it out in a way any of us can grasp and duplicate.
The public views gambling demonstrations differently from magic. They know there are card sharps that can pull the wool over their eyes.. right under their noses. They ‘know’ it’s all about fine tuned manipulation. They also don’t readily associate this manipulation with magic. Magic is trickery, and a good gambler doesn’t use trickery.. he uses skill. For whatever reason, they elevate the gambler and his second deal a notch above the magician and his gaffed cards. Little do they realize how much the two have in common…
To quote Paul…
“When a magician performs poker demonstrations, people perk up because they feel that a close-up magician is supposed to be able to deal winning handsâŠand if you do so, they feel that they are getting an inside look at the âmysterious world of Card Mechanicsâ! ”
And Paul is right.. If a magician can demonstrate skill via seemingly complex poker deals, then he is no longer simply a magician.. he is a real master of the pasteboards and someone you would never play poker with.. (although chances are the two of you will never play poker anyway!)
STRONG OPENER FOR POKER DEMO
All that’s required is a good false shuffle.. Paul tells you how to produce four Aces from a (seemingly) shuffled deck. Then, after inserting the Aces in defferent parts of the deck, he produces a royal flush.. Simple and straight forward, but very impressive if you follow the instructions. Paul also includes three videos of false shuffles that work well with the patter.
A COOL POKER-BASED SCAM
The spectator is allowed to choose the number of hands he wants to see.. four, five or six. Then, the performer deals himself a royal flush. Despite the ‘randomness’ of the selections, the dealer always wins..
An Excellent Poker Deal..
Paul says:
“The performer removes the four Aces from a deck of cards. He explains how some card cheats will casually âgain controlâ of the Aces when playing cards, lose them back into the deck, and then deal the Aces to his
own hand! The performer then places the 4 Aces, together in the middle of the deck, claiming that he can also perform the most difficult of all dealsâŠthe legendary Center Deal. The performer deals out another 5-handed game, and, at the end he has dealt himself a Royal Flush in Spades!”
There are more videos included to help get all the cards in the proper position. This deal will not happen impromptu. You are going to have to read the instructions and practice.. but it’s well worth the effort.
Lelekisâ, Spectator Cuts The Aces Routine – Twice!
This is a combination of two previously published routines. They have been combined into one nine to ten minute routine that will have your audience totally convinced you are an absolute master. The results are exactly as it reads… the spectator cuts to the Aces.. Twice!
This is Paul’s description of the remaining effects. I’ve quietly worked on the last two effects for the past week, and it’s not fair for this review to wait any longer on my perpetual slowness.. Although I’ve read them all, I’ve not tried to perform them. That said.. I have no doubt they are exactly as described.
Poker Mental
This amazing routine can be used as mental or Poker demo!
The Broken Packet Bottom Deal – Learn an easy way to perform a rapid bottom deal! Plus two
ideas are included for routines using this terrific sleight!
10 Card Poker Deal – Learn a cool 5-part routine that is designed to make the spectator the winner!
Comedy Shuffles – Learn this cool six part comedy shuffle routine that will make them howl!
Hand Shake 2 – This is a very clever effect by J.K.Hartman uses a very old principle that I re-discovered!
Add a new twist to your magic and let Paul show you these personal favorites. I’m working my way through them all.. slowly but surely.. and I’m confident I’ll add a different dimension to my magic. Recommended…
http://www.lybrary.com/powerful-poker-routines-p-890617.html
$10.00 Instant Download..
R.Carruth
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Ed’s Impromptu Rainbow Deck Variation – Effect
A classic card effect, and one of my all-time favorites, is performed inpromptu after a spectator shuffles the deck.
-Have volunteer shuffle a deck of cards.
-Secretly notice top & bottom card. (should be different colors and different values) – You will need to find a reason to glimpse these cards as part of your patter. Cut or reshuffle if needed..
-Find the mates of these two card & remove from the deck. (Same value and color – different suit)
-Have volunteer name a number between 10 & 15
-Count that many cards face down on table
-Place the match of the bottom card, face up, on top of the counted stack
-Re-stack deck (uncounted cards on top)
-Have volunteer name another number between 15 & 25
-Count that many cards down on table
-Place the other card that you removed (face up) on this counted stack.
-And re-stack (uncounted cards on top)
-Spread cards & remove the first turned up card & the card directly beneath it
-Lay them on the table.
-Spread the deck further & remove the next turned up card & the card directly beneath it
-Lay these four cards on the table.
-Turn over the face down cards & lay them next to their matching card.
Ed Besselman
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Any Shuffled Deck – Self Working Impromptu Miracles DVD – A Review
Murphy’s Magic ($30.00 )
I got my start in magic with the purchase of ‘Scarne on Card Tricks’. From that moment forward I approached almost 
every effect wondering -if- there was an easier way to perform it. Liam Montier’s and Big Blind Media’s ‘ Any Shuffled Deck Self Working Impromptu Miracles’ required no effort and no tedious thought on my part. Since I’m a firm believer in the magic being in the performance, this DVD from Big Blind Media constantly stressed the intricateness and subtle handling of ten well-chosen self working card tricks. It also stresses that all ten effect can be performed with a borrowed deck.. shuffled by the spectator. That ‘..shuffled by the spectator’ part… that’s the kicker. I wanted to see for myself whether that was possible.
Let’s face it.. the majority of magicians do not spend endless hours at the practice table mastering a Marlo move only a handful of others can perform convincingly. We look for workarounds and short cuts to make us ‘feel’ magical. That’s why DVD’s like ANY SHUFFLED DECK are wildly popular among the magic majority. Each effect included some level of personalization from Liam, making even those effects that used classic techniques seem new.
I measure any magic dvd and book purchase by the number of effects I glean from it. If I get one or two, I consider it money well spent. Unfortunately, I have many a book and dvd that didn’t allow me to pry a single, workable effect from its content. To set the tone for this review.. I found four effects that will go into my little Book of Secrets. I’m not going to tell you which four, because someone will no doubt purchase this dvd and call me an idiot for not selecting THEIR four favorites.
That said.. here’s the lineup:
Interstellar OOTW
Mates
Gemini Location
Silly Questions
Wheel Of Fortune
Jack’s Poker
Salto Triumph
Last To Turn Up
Invisible Dice
One Over The Eight
Insterstellar OOTW â Everyone is familiar with Paul Curry’s wonderful Out of This World. Liam is true to his word, and teaches a method that doesn’t require a set-up deck. The deck is actually set up during the performance, using a very effective and very easy method. I’m NOT going to say this is one of my four favorites.. but it’s going in my Book of Secrets.
Mates – God Bless Karl Fulves. Trying to explain this would only complicate my review. But, after a card is chosen, and found, by the magician, three prediction cards selected by the magician are used to count down to the three mates of the card selected by the spectator. Got that? This is one of a few effects that relies on a very subtle move to bring the universe into alignment. This is going in my Book of Secrets too..
Gemini Location – Bless Karl Fulves again. Liam utilized one of Karl’s most popular effects to make this effect work. Updating it to highlight a Derren Brown approach, he used three spectators, each picking a card from different locations in the deck. Then, using sensory powers, Liam found all three cards in varying ways. Although a very solid effect, I’m unsure about adding this one to my BofS. It’s not the method or technique.. it’s that I seldom use three different spectators at once. Liam also says this is based on an Annemann technique. I can’t pinpoint it.. but I don’t doubt it.
Silly Questions – This is probably the most original effect on the dvd. Although based on John Carey’s plunger principle.. ( not to be confused with Tiny Plunger by Mathieu Bich, Jon Armstrong and Garrett Thomas) this effect offers a ton of latitude to the performer. You can easily customize this trick to suit your specific needs. Going on page one of my BofS..
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Wheel of Fortune – A Card is picked by the magician and placed in an empty card case. A random number of cards are aligned in a circle by the spectator. . After a bit of a story, the spectator selects a random number, more or less than the total of cards on the table, and they count to that number. A second card is picked by the magician, and after a bit more gypsy talk, the magician counts backward around the circle. Ultimately, both cards selected by the magician are revealed to be pairs to the cards revealed by the spectator. This is based on a Steven Tucker effect.. which was based on a Martin Gardner principle. I believe half the folks who see this effect will be floored.. and the other half will be perplexed. Your performance will be everything.
Jack’s Poker – No self working dvd of magic tricks would be complete without a poker deal. That’s just a rule the Professor, or someone, came up with. The magician deals through a shuffled deck until the spectator said ‘stop’. The spectator receives the next five cards. After returning the cards to the deck, the spectator is asked to name any one card that would most improve their hand. After cutting the deck, the spectator discovers she has cut to precisely that card. A couple of very well timed ‘moves’ align the necessary cards on top or bottom to facilitate the reveal.. This is probably Liam’s favorite trick and will certainly go in a number of Book of Secrets.
Salto Triumph – Technically, this is not a true Triumph.. but everyone will think it is. This is one that will fool magicians. Both you and the spectator select a card. You separate the deck, reverse one half, and shuffle the two halves into one another. The deck is then ribbon spread to reveal the two selected cards face up.. and all others face down. It actually happens so quickly the spectator is caught off-guard and doesn’t have time to reverse engineer what they saw. This one definitely found its way in my now-famous BofS…
Last To Turn Up – This is almost a demonstration. It uses a Monge type shuffle and a precise alignment of three stacks of cards. Cards are dealt. Cards are eliminated. And ultimately one card remains.. the Spectators. I like this because it can be performed over the phone, on the radio, or on Skype. If the spectator can follow simple directions.. it works.
Invisible Dice – Technically speaking, this effect uses a.. ‘gasp!’ sleight. Well, maybe not a sleight, but more like a ‘move’.. After a prediction card is selected by the magician, the spectator uses an invisible die to arrive at a number. The prediction card is revealed and inserted back into the deck. Using Bill Simon’s Prophecy Move, the magician counts down to the spectators number.. revealing the predicted card. Whether you ever perform this effect or not, you’ll use the Prophecy Move. The move went into my BofS and I really want the whole effect to be added after I tweak the handling to suit my style.
On Over the Eight – .This is perhaps the most complicated effect on the dvd, although not overly so. The deck is divided into threes, shuffled by three spectators, and reassembled. A prediction card is selected from the deck and everyone, magician included, selects two cards from a stack of cards dealt out by the magician. After dealing down in the deck to a number garnered by adding the total of the spectators cards, the final card is revealed to be a mate of the prediction card. Although everything works as stated, it seemed to be a lot of work for a single reveal. That said.. there’s no doubt someone will find this to be their favorite effect..
Yes, I recommend ANY SHUFFLED DECK. There’s enough strong material on this dvd to keep you busy for some time. As I said, I measure each purchase by the number of effects I can potentially add to my resume. I found several, which is an anomaly. Don’t let the term ‘Self Working’ fool you. Salto Triumph and Silly Questions can easily go in any routine. I can promise you.. if you saw these two effects performed by your favorite magician, you’d be standing in line, waving a wad of cash, to purchase it.
Available from dealers carrying Murphy’s Magic products.
http://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=58740
R.Carruth
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Magic At Your Fingertips – Milbourne Christopher and Hen Fetsch – Free PDF
Two of magic’s most original performers teamed up to create Magic At Your Fingertips. I love the old illustrations in this image reproduction of an original edition. Don’t cut these older works short. Many of the most popular effects on the market are created using these classics as a blueprint.
http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/146034
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The Magic Of Dedi The Magician
History of Magic: Dedi the MagicianThe history of magic would not be complete without at least a brief mention of 
the ancient Egyptian magician called Dedi. Dedi allegedly performed before the Pharaoh Khufu known today as Cheops, the builder of the Great Pyramid at Gizeh. In 1823, English-born Henry Westcar discovered an ancient papyrus under circumstances that are rather unclear. After Westcar died, German Egyptologist Karl Lepsius obtained the papyrus from Westcarâs niece. It was determined that the Westcar papyrus was written in Hierac, a classical middle-style Egyptian script commonly used by early scholars and later religious writers and written in iron gall ink with a reed brush onto papyrus. The title of the papyrus reads âThe Tale of King Cheops Courtâ (from the German translation âDie Marchen des Papyrus Westcarâ). It has been established that the Westcar papyrus dates from the 18thâ16th century BC during the fourth Egyptian dynasty. The papyrus is said to contain 12 stories or fables but was in very poor condition when last seen. Fragmented and frayed, it was extremely delicate and fragile. Be that as it may, it gave some valuable insight into the lifestyle during the fourth Egyptian dynasty.
The Egyptian Pharaoh had heard rumours of a sorcerer named Dedi of Djed-Snefern who could make prophesies and perform other wonders. It was alleged that Dedi was 110 years old and that he could eat 500 loaves of bread and a shoulder of beef, drink 100 jars of beer each day, and resurrect decapitated creatures. It was also said that a lion was trained to follow Dedi with its leash trailing on the ground. Once when Dedi was presented before the king, Khufu suggested that a jailed prisoner be brought forward and be executed by having his head severed and then Dedi would reattach it. However Dedi convinced the Pharaoh that this would not be necessary, as it was never allowed to do something like that on the noble flock. Instead he used a goose. Dedi decapitated the goose, placing the head at the eastern end of the audience hall and the body at the western end. When Dedi uttered a secret spell, the head of the goose stood up and started to move, as did the body. The goose ended up cackling and waddling out of the hall. Dedi performed the same upon a water fowl (possibly a pelican), and then he had a bull calf beheaded for him to restore intact. Apparently even in those days, magicians never did the same trick twice in exactly the same wayâa cardinal principal in conjuring.
Throughout Egyptian history come many tales of magicians of the Nile and many stories refer to magic tricks that have a similarity to what Dedi performed. It is well-known that temple priests used various magical effects to bewilder and hold power and influence over the Pharaohâs subjects. They made use of the basic principles of physics, mechanics, and pneumatics to appear as magic. Typical was the use of sound chambers to make graven images speak, and fire or water to appear from the mouths of idols. The priests and deceptionists who were the first charlatans became the forerunners of later fraudulent occultists. Dediâs legend lived on and a potent legend it became, handed down by word of mouth. It was not till a thousand years later, after his royal command performance for Khufu, that the story of Dediâs powers was put into words and written down for Egyptologists and historians to ponder. It was an anonymous scribe who penned the tale well over four and a half thousand years ago, which makes Dediâs Cut and Restored Goose illusion something well over 5,000 years old. It is said to be the first written account of a conjurorsâ trick according to many experts. The papyrus was edited and translated completely in 1885â1890 by German Egyptologist Adolf Erman.
History of Magic: Westcar Papyrus
There remains some mystery about the Westcar papyrus itself. It is believed that it was originally obtained from an ancient Egyptian tomb some 200 years ago and acquired by Henry Westcar who was visiting Egypt as an amateur Egyptologist. After Karl Lepsius died in 1884, the papyrus passed to the Berlin State Museum where its presence was known and acknowledged up till 1939. Then World War II came and museum authorities now declare that the papyrus is not a result of the aftermath of the war in Berlin. The late British magician Peter Warlock spent the latter part of his life investigating and researching the possible whereabouts of the Westcar papyrus and its story. It is the well-informed opinion of Magic Circle members in London that all papyri in Berlin may have been carried off to Moscow during the Russian occupation after the war. However Warlock wrote in The Magic Circular (organ of the Magic Circle) that British sources in Russia are unaware of the said papyrus ever having been exhibited or of the Russian government having admitted to having possession of it.
How was Dediâs trick done, or more importantly, was it ever done? Often when someone relates an account of something he has seen, particularly a magic trick, when he forgets the details, he exaggerates or he invents. And so the story is often taken out of proportion in relaying it. Is the story of Dediâs miracle performance before Cheops a figment of the imagination? Many magicians believe that itâs a fairly true account of what really happened so long ago and may indeed have been underwritten rather than exaggerated. Today magicians can easily make you believe that they have cut off a birdâs head and restored it again. They can show you illusions in which an assistantâs limb or head is severed and magically replaced. The decapitation of a bird is rarely seen these days due to ascetic reasons. Nevertheless we give credit to the scribe who recounted the story of the magician Dediâs performance at the royal court. One theory is that the beheading of the bull calf may have possibly been accomplished with some sort of guillotine similar to the apparatus magicians use today.
Recently on the Penn and Teller show Fool Us (in an updated version), English magician Ali Cook performed a dual decapitation of a duck and a chicken. When restored, the chickenâs head was on the duck and the duckâs head was on the chicken. It was quite a stunning magic trick similar to that which Dedi surely must have impressed those at Cheopsâs court, and which has been fortunately written down in the history of magic.
Also available, complete with pictures, at:
http://www.magictricksforkids.org/historyofmagic/dedi-the-magician/
David O’Connor
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David J O’Connor is a semi retired professional mentalist and children’s entertainer. He has performed throughout South Africa, New Zealand and aboard cruise liners. David is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and loves mentoring young people in magic.
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Secrets of Street Magicians Revealed – Video Tutorial
40+ minute video tutorial of street magicians at work. If you’re into street magic, this is well worth your time.
https://youtu.be/bCCBrNLn9XE
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3 Incredible Pen Magic Tricks (Vanish, Production & Shrink) – Tutorial
Oscar Owen
I thoroughly enjoy these quick videos that get to the point and makes the magic look simple. Not that it is, but I like it when it seems that way.. If you’re into quick, visual magic.. this is your video.
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PENetration Card Trick – Tutorial
Mismag822
A card trick that’s not really a card trick.. It’s more like a bit of close-up magic. Mismag teaches you everything you need to know, including how to easily create your own gimmicked cards. Watch the video and learn how to stick a pen through a hole in a Joker.. then pull the Joker off the pen.. and lastly restore the Joker on the pen with the hole intact..
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BEND OVER – Card Trick REVEALED
Mismag822
Another fine bit of card magic from Mismag. He always publishes effects that are very easy to learn.
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Floating Pen Magic Trick Revealed! – Video Tutorial
Walt Noon
A simple levitation idea inspired by a science fair project! Make it yourself or get the parts at:
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‘X-Ray’ Magic Trick With Finger Ring Revealed – VideoTutorial
Jay Sankey
Jay uses a finger ring thumb palm, very similar to a thimble palm, to fool the dickens out of a table of spectators. This quick trick is perfect for walk-around or table hopping and can be practiced at almost any time of the day. Perfect your moves and you’ll have a very nice, very quick ring effect.
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Apparatus Magic Revealed – Tutorial Videos
Standard Magic has produced a number of videos detailing Apparatus Magic and its secret workings. These devices are mostly over 100 years old and have served as the basis of magic for many years. Although they were standard fare for generations, there is a new generation of magicians who are clueless as to how these classics work. You will learn exactly how they works as well as the history and developers… Here are five of the ten or so videos available. Thanks to Michael Lyth for the links!
Block Vanish & Appear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyzB8kF8cgg
Jumbo Card Restoration Frame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9DSqISiN60
Glass Pedestral
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNSheUNhW1M
Visible Block Penetration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtx-HwuMpHg
Growing Ball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRWTB_13SP8
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Four Magic Effects and Tutorials for Your Christmas! – Tutorials
Liven up your Christmas with these four effects!
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Magic Trick Reviews⊠Free to Everyone Facebook Group
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/1755782251317278
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That does it for this issue. I hope you found something to help your magic along. Remember, if you have something you would like to share with the magic community, send it to: [email protected]
âVive Tus Sueños â Live Your Dreams â
Rick Carruth / Editor
Senior Professor â Camelard College of Conjuring of Chemmis, Egypt
âMagicâs Only Worldwide Honor Societyâ
http://www.camelardcollege.org/
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