Magic Roadshow

 Look for another great selection of effects from my stand-up crew of world class magicians. Paul Lelekis, Mick Ayres,  David John O Connor, Jeff Hobson, and Werner Miller, and our first timers,  Dr. David Hanselman, Donavon Powell, and a special contribution from Peter Stammers (Alcar) and Michael Lyth. I can’t express enough Thanks to these gentlemen who have made a serious donation of time and effort to entertain Roadshow readers.

Remember, I am ALWAYS looking for articles and effects by you guys. The more the merrier. And never worry about spelling and proper English and all those mundane things. I have a staff of transient elves who help with the editing.

Anything related to the Roadshow, or, if you aren’t going to confession regularly, but you wish you were.. but your ledger has grown a little thick.. and you’re embarrassed.. and you really want to get a thing or two off your chest..  EMAIL ME

PDF Version.. Roadshow 165

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Table of Contents:

– CAAN TU TWO  –  A Two Card Miracle
– COMMON CENTS  –  A Mental Effect
– Taking the Heat Out of Close Up –  A Special PDF for Roadshow Readers
– BALLOON / BANG GUN SURPRISE –  A Treat for Children..
– Five Thoughts on Children’s Shows  –  Donavon Powell
– Dime Store Salt Pour –  A Classic, as Rendered by Jeff
– Tricks Without Names –  Another Medley of Semi-Automatic Tricks
– VIBE  –  A Special Deck from Bob Solari
– Pat Page Memorial Workshop –  Coincidence Effects (PDF)
– Amazing Interactive Mentalism Card Trick Revealed
– Suggestions for Making Gem Sticks –  A Working Tutorial
– Build a Kabuki Drop for $50 ..  Download a Blueprint
– Over One Hundred Card Tricks You Can Do! –  Free PDF
– Four Ace Card Trick –  Video Tutorial
– The Thirteen Paths  –  A PDF from R.Paul Wilson
– Hospital Clown Newsletter Archives
– The Magic of Magic – Shobi Dobi
– From the Red Carpet to the Sky.. A Magical Collage
– Ellen Degeneres and Magic –  Get on the Ellen Show
– Writing Tips from Writers Who Know..  –  A PDF for Anyone Who Writes
– 10 Stunning Images Show the Beauty Hidden in Pi..
– My Two Favorite 5 Letter Words…..  Magic and Music
-3 great items, including a free album download & a free 2 hour concert.
– Free eBooks For Subscribers….

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“We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn”
C. S. Lewis

“A great magician is not more magical than other magicians; he is just more magical in his presentation.”    Amit Kalantri

“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment.”  Mahatma Gandhi

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CAAN TU TWO  –  A Two Card Miracle
Devised by J.K. Hartman, rendered by Paul Lelekis

EFFECT: A double revelation by the spectator!  The spectator actually finds BOTH cards at the numbers given!

METHOD: Have a deck of cards shuffled by the spectator.  The magician then relates a story of how his father did an ESP trick for him when he was only 7 years old.

The magician then pretends to look through the deck as if he is trying to concentrate on one single card.  Actually he does nothing!  Then he lays the deck down on the table.

The performer says, “I’ll show you a trick that my father played for me when I was just a kid.  I will play the role of my father and you will play me as a boy of only 7 years of age!”

The performer “transmits his thoughts” of the card to the spectator so that she may “read” his mind!  The spectator thinks of a card and says, “…the Queen of Hearts!”

The magician bursts out, “Yes you’re right!  I don’t believe it!  You’re ESP is amazing!  Well…it was a just a couple of years later when I realized that my father was just messing with me!”

“But, you actually got the right card!  I really was thinking of the Queen of Hearts – that’s amazing!”
“I think you’ve really got ESP!  Let’s test your ESP…now I want to try a demonstration of ‘where’- instead of ‘what’!”

As you mention ‘where’ – instead of ‘what’, turn the deck to face you only, and look for the QH.  Cut the deck so that the QH is now, secretly on the bottom of the face up deck (top of the deck!).

Whatever card happens to be cut to the face of the deck is the card that you will use for the ‘where’ part of this trick.  However, I normally cull or arrange a contrasting card to be at the face of the deck, being sure that the QH is at the back (top of face-down deck).

Suppose you’ve cut the Two of Spades to the face of the deck.  Take the 2S into your RH and the deck in the LH, placing the 2S, unseen, face down on the table.

“Since this is not a ‘what’ trick, but a ‘where’ trick, I’m going to show you this card.  It is the Two of Spades.  I’m going to place the deck behind my back and place the 2S somewhere into the deck.”

Place the deck behind your back and place the 2S, secretly, on TOP of the face-down deck!  Now use your right middle finger to pull any card out from the middle of deck, about 1/4”.  This “dodge” is to imply that the slightly out-jogged card, in the middle of the deck, is in fact, the 2S!  Very strong!

Bring the deck out from behind your back and immediately use your fingers to push the projecting indifferent card, flush with the deck.

“Since you saw ‘about’ where the 2S lies, I’m going to give the deck two riffle shuffles to ‘lose’ the 2S.  Remember – you need to remember the 2S and forget about the QH!  Make the QH leave your mind, remember the 2S but forget the QH!”

The above reference to “forget” QH will become very humorous!  You keep telling the spectator throughout the effect to ‘forget the QH – only remember the 2S!’  The very reason you’re saying to ‘forget the QH’ is what will make her remember it!  The spectators will become very ‘tickled” by this.  Play it up!

After two deliberate, controlled riffle shuffles (keep the top two cards intact!), pick up the deck into your LH.

“I’m going to show the top three cards and the bottom three cards to you, so that you know that the 2S is NOT near the bottom or the top.”

“By the way, please keep the other card, the QH, out of your head – O.K.?  This part only concerns the 2S!  So please forget the QH!”

As you say the patter above, “…the top three cards…” openly push over the top three cards and procure a left pinkie break under those three cards.  You will now show that the 2S is NOT near the top or bottom of the deck!  Begin with the three cards on the bottom of the deck.

Turn the face of the deck toward the spectators then spread the bottom two cards to show that the 2S is not one of the bottom three cards.

Next, lower the deck and pick up the top three cards above the break in RH Biddle grip, as only one card!

Display the top card (a triple!), then pick up the next card from the deck with your RH, fanned to the left of the triple.

Finally pick up a “third” card from the top of the deck with the RH also fanned to the left in Biddle grip.  This 3 card fan is actually 5 cards – but no one will be the wiser!

As you show the bottom and top cards, keep mentioning, “Do you see the 2S?  No?  Good…but NOT the QH!  Please keep the QH out of your mind!”

You are essentially showing everyone that the 2S (and QH) is not one of the top three or bottom three cards!  Replace the three (actually 5 cards) back on top of the deck.

NOTE: My reasoning for displaying the top three(?) and bottom three cards is to keep the selection within the “meaty” part of the deck.  This will thwart the “overly exuberant” spectator from choosing one of the top 3 or bottom 3 cards, which could prove to be trouble.  It’s rare but I’ve seen spectators do this before!

“Now the idea is to use your impressive powers of ESP to tell me at what number the 2S now lies.  I have narrowed your choice of numbers down, from between 4 and 49, inclusive.”

“However it is still a very large spread!  I’ll tell you what – instead of giving me only one number – give me TWO numbers between 4 and 49!”

“First give me the lower number and then the higher number.  Now – your two numbers can be far apart from each other or close together – or somewhere in between – it’s up to you!”

“Now I want you to concentrate only on the 2S – NOT the QH, O.K.?!  I need you to keep your mind clear of the QH – concentrate only on the 2S!  Please forget the QH!” (At this point do NOT yet let her name the two numbers!  Here’s where you have a little fun!)

“O.K. ma’am (or sir!), please keep the QH out of your mind!  Now what card are you supposed to remember?”  She’ll say, “…the 2S…”  “And what are you supposed to forget?”  She’ll always mention the card, “…the QH…”

“NO!!  You’re supposed to forget the QH!”  This always gets laughs!

By continuing to mention the QH, it will stand out in everyone’s mind – and it can be very humorous!  Repeat the, “…forget the QH!” line over and over!

“O.K., you want the numbers 17 and 23?  Are you sure?  You can change your mind if you want or stay with your first two impressions!  O.K., you’re staying with 17 and 23.”

Now you will, very deliberately, count off 17 cards (without reversing their orders!) from the top of the deck in your LH, into your RH.

Place the 17th card on TOP of the cards in your RH!  The top card of the packet in your RH will be (from the top, down) an indifferent card, 2S then QH.

Pause then continue your count from “18” placing each card on the bottom of the packet in your RH, until you reach the second number, 23.  Place the 23rd card on top of the cards in your RH.

Before you begin the patter below, openly push over the top two cards (indifferent) and procure a break under the third card which is the 2S!

Turn up a triple as you recite the patter below.

“O.K. – you called for these two cards, the 17th and 23rd, right?  Let’s look at your second choice, first…number 23.  Now I’m sure you remember that the card to remember is the 2S, right ma’am?  NOT the QH!  Ma’am – please stop fighting me on this – forget the QH!”

Make the above patter humorous, as if you’re scolding her!  “Alright – let’s take a look at the 23rd card.”

Turn up a triple to show the 2S – BIG reaction here!  “I don’t believe it!  It is the 2S!  Congratulations!”

Turn the triple, face down.  Do so by performing a stud turnover of the triple as described in J.K. Hartman’s book, CAAN CRAFT.  Immediately place the triple on the bottom of the deck!  Show the card one last time by holding the deck so that everyone can see the 2S.  This appears to be the finale!

“But that was your first choice of numbers, 17?  Let’s take a look at the 17th card just for the heck of it!”   (Turn the top card of the deck, face up, to display the QH!)

“I don’t believe it!  It’s the QH again!  Ma’am, I told you to keep the QH out of your mind!  No one ever listens to me!”

In the event that the spectator gives you her two numbers in reverse, for example, “…23 and 17…” continue exactly as above and no one will know the difference!   Congratulate her on her amazing ESP abilities – but “tease her” about her inability to keep the QH (or whatever card) out of her mind!

This effect will keep everyone in “stitches”!  There is so much emphasis placed on the spectator that you (the performer) will be free to perform without any scrutiny – a nice place to be!

*I would like to thank J.K. Hartman for allowing me to include this variation on his effect.  He is not only a brilliant magician, but also a great friend!  Thanks Jerry!

You can view ALL of Paul’s ebooks, all  20, at Lybrary.com .. They are, undoubtebly, one of the best values in all of magic..  Many are now considered underground classics…
http://lybrary.com/paul-a-lelekis-m-163788.html

Be sure to check out Paul’s definitive work on the Business of Table Hopping. Maybe my favorite of all his many ebooks. If you want to earn a steady income with your magic, this is the ebook for you…. http://www.lybrary.com/the-business-of-table-hopping-p-408936.html

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COMMON CENTS  –  A Mental Effect
Mick Ayres

A guest is asked to imagine he has coins of different denominations in his pockets. You turn your back as he pretends to remove one of the coins, holds it in one hand and decides whether it is showing heads or tails. You turn around and immediately reveal which coins remain in the pockets—which coin was removed—which hand is holding that coin—and whether it is showing heads or tails. Then, to prove it wasn’t just a series of lucky guesses, you do it again.

Once you have acquired the cooperation of a willing guest, here is the script that follows. Smile broadly and, in an excited voice, say, “When the sun is high, the moon is full, the tide is slack and the planets line up—my senses tweak my imagination until it stretches out and I…feel…so…dang…perceptive. Like right now. It’s like I’m connected to everything around me—even you!

Here…I’ll show you what I mean.

“Use your imagination and pretend there are four different coins in your pockets. There’s a quarter here [point to his right pocket], a dime here [point to his left pocket], a nickel here [point back at his right pocket], and a penny here [point back at his left pocket]. Since we’ve never worked together before, we’ll keep things simple and just use two of the coins for now: the nickel [point at the right pocket again] and the dime [point at the left pocket again]. Of the nickel or dime, please focus your mind upon one…make your choice now. Got one? Good.”

Turn your back to the guest and say, “While I look away, please reach your hand into your pocket and pretend to remove the coin you have chosen. Close your fist tightly upon that imaginary coin and do not open it.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to do a couple of things to help focus the mind. First, think about the value of the coin in your hand and multiply it by, say…fourteen.” The guest will immediately nod his head or say, “Done”. If so, you know he is thinking of the dime. However, if you sense the slightest hesitation you know the guest is thinking about the nickel. Once you know the identity of the coin it is a safe bet you can declare which hand is holding it as well. Remember how you pointed to the location of each coin earlier? By using the nickel and dime in this phase of the presentation, you have subtly forced the guest to use one pocket or the other and, by default, one hand or the other. So if the guest is thinking of the dime, it is in his left hand. The nickel will be in his right hand.

Keep talking and say, “There are different exercises like this that help a person concentrate better. Here’s another one that’s effective: Choose for yourself whether your coin will later show up heads or tails. If you choose Heads then hold the coin up by your own head and repeat the word ‘head’ five times to yourself. Do it slowly. Likewise, if you choose Tails then just hold the coin down by, well…your own tail and repeat the word ‘tail’ silently five times. When you are finished please hold both hands in front of you with your fists closed and say, ‘Done’.”

Turn around and face the guest. Look at his hands. Specifically, study the skin tone briefly. If the guest chose Heads and held his hand high for a slow count of five beats, then that hand will appear slightly paler than the hand that remained down by the side. Therefore, a difference in coloration tells you he chose Heads—and further confirms which hand holds the coin. If the coloration of both hands is identical then the guest chose Tails.

Once you have visually gained this last bit of information, you could just blurt out, “You chose the nickel and it is heads up.” But where’s the drama, the tension, the conflict, the theater in that? Delivering the revelation in a more detailed and progressive fashion is better. Make the following declarations: “I sense the quarter, the penny and the…dime…are still burning holes in your pockets. You decided to take out the nickel that is now in one of your hands. Specifically, it is held tight in your right hand. Finally, when you open that hand you have decided that nickel will be…tails up.” This approach gives the impression you have discerned four different pieces of information successfully.

Say, “If you think about it, these revelations are fifty/fifty propositions—just by taking a wild guess anyone can be right half the time. However, I think nailing ‘em down one after another like that puts this stuff in a different category.”

Now take this presentation a step further by saying, “Even though I’ve never been able to do this twice in a row, I feel like I’m still in the zone and wouldn’t mind giving it another shot. Are you game? All right! This time let’s use those two other coins, the quarter and the penny.” Make a gesture toward his right and left pockets respectively.

Turn away and say, “Think of the quarter or the penny. Now pretend to reach into your pocket and remove that coin. Again, hold it securely in your hand. Have you done so?” Wait for his answer. You want him to feel comfortable and responding freely this time.

Say, “Because we have done this before the pathways are open and the mental exercises are easier. This time, think of your coin and tell me when you have multiplied it by, say…nine.” This time, the slightest hesitation tells you he is thinking of the quarter in his right hand. An immediate response tells you he is holding the penny in his left hand.

Proceed with the same dialog provided earlier to determine if his coin will later show heads or tails. The dramatic final revelation is the same as well—with one small addition. Twice now, you have successfully named the three coins left behind, the coin he chose, which hand holds the coin and, finally, which side of the imaginary coin is showing.

Step back and smile broadly at your guest just like you did at the beginning of this presentation. Say, “You gotta admit—we’re not bad for a couple of people with no cents at all.”

CREDITS AND VARIATIONS

Royal Vale Heath’s 1933 book ‘Mathemagic’ proposed a method for determining a chosen coin based on the length of time it took to answer a simple math question. For the record, in 1998 David Harkey used a similar method in his still unpublished routine MindNumber which allows a performer to accurately determine the locations of three different coins—over the telephone.
Using skin coloration to determine which hand holds an object is a clever idea that dates back centuries (possibly to the time of Reginald Scot). However, using that same dodge to determine a heads or tails status is my own variation.

When performing Common Cents for children avoid the math by using four imaginary crayons—red and purple the first time, blue and orange the second time. Have the child think of a word that rhymes with the chosen color. Since nothing rhymes with purple or orange, you can easily obtain your answer. Finally, in lieu of heads or tails, discern whether the crayon is pointing up or down in the child’s closed hand.

Copyright 2012 by Mick Ayres. – Previously published in The High Road column ‘On The Importance of Character’, M.U.M. magazine; May 2013
Mick enjoys an eclectic career as a conjurer, tunesmith and taleswapper for the Walt Disney Resort on Hilton Head Island. He welcomes input and dialogue and can be reached athttp://www.mickayreswares.com/.

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Taking the Heat Out of Close Up –  A Special PDF for Roadshow Readers

Peter Stammers (Alcar) has been performing magic for well over sixty years. He has been part of the birth of modern day close up magic. As a youth, Peter spent Saturday mornings at Davenport’s magic shop in London witnessing three giants of magic;  Alex Elmsley, Jack Avis and Bobby Bernard, ultimately inspiring his interest in magic. His close up skills has entertained Presidents of countries and International companies alike in varying venues from eastern Souks to Western Malls. The last Twenty years Peter has lived in Cyprus and was a founding board member of the Cyprus Magical Society. He also donated a trophy called the Alcar for the best close up performer in the close up competition.

To quote from Peter’s work…

“I’m English and live in Cyprus, which for those who don’t know is a small island located south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon, northwest of Israel, north of Egypt and east of Greece. It is now a republic but it had been a British colony which is the reason why there are four British military Sovereign bases situated in the country. Whilst Cyprus largest group of tourists are from the UK at least 40% tourist will be from other countries. Out of that amount only about 15% will speak English fluently, the remainder will speak, little, or no English at all. These days the visitors will include people from: Russia, Poland and other Baltic countries and of course Greece and some Scandinavian and other West European countries as well as China.”

“In the course of this e-book I will write about performing for the British army (including RAF), United Nations, Hotels and working for international companies that visit the island. You will realize that there is a vast difference performing for these types of venues than say, restaurants and private parties. Alcar was kind enough to detail for Roadshow readers HOW he performs for various groups, the do’s and don’ts, and what constitutes a great performance..”

https://app.box.com/s/vkawu2cazzh7zk6cgqaebdmmgnxms4gt

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BALLOON / BANG GUN SURPRISE –  A Treat for Children..
David John O Connor

EFFECT:  Two youngsters are invited to join the performer on stage. A pair of ‘goofy spectacles’ are placed on each boy as ‘safety glasses’. Handing a bang gun to one child with the instructions that he must not pull the trigger till you count 3.

The performer takes a round balloon and informs everyone that he will inflate the balloon, place it on the other boys head and on the count of 3, the boy with the bang gun will pull the trigger and there will be a Big Bang.

Placing the inflated balloon on the boys head, he begins to count, “One – Two” when suddenly the balloon bursts. The boy with the gun is kiddingly asked why he made the balloon burst too early.

Another balloon is inflated and placed on the other boys head and again, after instructing the boy holding the gun not to pull the trigger till you count 3. The performer starts to count again, “One – Two”, and again the balloon bursts. Again you ask the boy with the gun why he made the balloon burst before you counted to 3.

Blow up the third balloon then accidentally (?) let it fly off. Blow it up again instructing the gun lad to take aim again and only pull the trigger on the count of 3 and there will be Big Bang. Holding the inflated balloon on the other boys head at the count of three while shouting, “Pull the trigger, Pull the trigger,” you release the balloon (that was not tied off like the first 2) This balloon should scream off, while the boy pulls the trigger, releasing the banner that falls down that reads, “BANG”.

This routine can be filled with balloon gags and antics, like accidentally tying the balloon to your thumb then trying to shake it off. Blowing the balloon from the wrong end, stretching a balloon and allowing it to snap against the hand as though it was painful. Emphasize kiddingly with the boy that he is likely the cause of all the problems by causing the balloon to burst before you say 3.

REQUIRED:  An assortment of round balloons. A Vernet thumb tip with a thumb tack or small pin protruding on the outside (to burst the balloons) A large size Bang Gun prop available inexpensively from magic dealers. The bang Gun has a drop down ‘Bang’ banner.

ROUTINE:  Once your two assistants have joined you on stage; place the funny glasses on them.

One boy is given the gun with strict instructions not to pull the trigger before you count 3. . If he points it down, tell him not to shoot his foot,  then lift the child’s arm up.

With the thumb tip pricker in place unseen, blow your balloon up clowning around by blowing it the wrong way up, making funny noises etc.

Finally place the tied balloon on the other boys head with him facing away from the shooter. Instruct the boy with the gun to take aim and only pull the trigger on the count of 3. Burst the balloon using the thumb tip pricker on count 2 and immediately ask the boy pulling the trigger why he fired too soon, and he will probably disagree with you.

Goof around with the 2nd balloon tying it to your finger and shaking it to release it etc. Once the 2nd balloon is placed on the other boy’s head, start counting again, “One – Two”, and again burst the balloon. Kiddingly question the boy with the gun once again.

Finally blow up the 3rd balloon but don’t tie it off and hold it on the boy’s head, after telling the gun boy to “Take careful aim and only pull the trigger on the count of three and there will be a Big Bang”. Invite the audience to put their hands over their ears. Counting “One – Two – Three,” shouting, “Pull the trigger”, and release the untied balloon that flies off. The bang gun banner will drop down displaying the word BANG!

Thank your two assistants and remove the funny spectacles. I present each boy with a pre made balloon animal each, as you lead them back off the stage, asking for a round of applause for your two fine assistants.  It really is a riot of  fun routine with lots of built in laughter from the spectators.
David J.

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Five Thoughts on Children’s Shows  –  Donavon Powell

Keeping with the children’s magic theme, I asked one of my online buddies, Donavon Powell, to put some of his experiences performing for children to paper. He did – And I’m glad. I would love to publish several other small features about performing for little ones if I could persuade some of you guys and ladies to share your thoughts with me. As you can see, Donavon didn’t have to compose page upon page to get his thoughts across. Just sent along your experiences and the English, grammar, and layout, if necessary, will be provided by my talented staff of writers.
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(1) Keep the presentations short between Magical moments so you can control their attention

(2) Love Children.

(3) Move on quickly so they don’t backtrack,  but not so quickly that you confuse them.

(4) Love Children.

(5) Don’t always pick the uncomfortable child to help. Sometimes they are uncomfortable for a   legitimate  reason.

(6) Make the most out of the hams in your audience.

You’ll notice that I listed ‘Love Children’ as two of the thoughts.  There’s a reason for this:

First, if you don’t love children you probably shouldn’t perform for them. Children can tell if you are just going through the motions the same way adults can tell.  How many times have you seen a performer who is obviously just there for the paycheck? It takes you right out of the moment. The same holds true for children. If you don’t genuinely Love Children they will be able to tell and the performance will be difficult for you, and less enjoyable for the children (this applies to pretty much any audience).

Second, Love Children because of their ability to sustain a sense of wonderment.  That sense is generally what we are going for whenever we perform. Children exist in that state constantly. If you are appreciative of this it will show, and it will elevate the level of your performance in both your mind and that of your audience.

Donavon Powell

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Dime Store Salt Pour –  A Classic, as Rendered by Jeff
Jeff Hobson

This is one super effect.. It is photo heavy, and as a result, I’ve moved it to a page of it’s own to help this page load faster. Please take the time to check it out at:

http://MagicRoadshow.com/165a.php

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Tricks Without Names –  Another Mathemagical Medley of Semi-Automatic Tricks
Werner Miller

Trick #4

Have a 12-card stack as shown in Fig. 1 secretly on top of the deck.
Sort out the four Jacks (or produce them via any method you like), show them openly, then deal them face down into a row, in any order.

From the top of the deck, deal the first three cards singly onto the left-most Jack (thus reversing their order), the next three cards similarly onto the next Jack and so on, until each Jack is buried under three cards, then set the rest of the deck aside.

Assemble the four packets from left to right, i.e. place the first (left-most) packet on the second, then both on the third, and finally all three on the fourth (right-most). From the top down, the cards are now in the following order: 2S, 6S, 3H, J, 2H, 6H, 3S, J, AS, 5S, 4H, J, AH, 5H, 4S, J.

Openly reverse count the packet in pairs, calling out the number of cards already tabled: “2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 cards. I’ll give them a mix to randomize the order of the Jacks.” Execute a Klondyke Shuffle (Fig. 2), i.e. “milk” off the top and bottom cards until the packet is exhausted, dropping each pair on top of the foregoing one. “Another shuffle, and the Jacks are definitely lost. They could be anywhere, couldn’t they?” Repeat the mixing, then deal the cards into a row.

 “Let’s check out.” Using both hands, turn over the end cards of the row and place them back, face up: the AH and the AS. Continue turning over cards, proceeding symmetrically from both ends toward the middle, thus showing in ascending order Twos, Threes, Fours, Fives and Sixes, Hearts on the left and Spades on the right. (Fig. 3)

Finally, turn over the four remaining cards and slide them a bit out of the row: the four Jacks.
Use them in your next trick.

Alternative Version

Have the Queens and Kings secretly on top of the deck, stacked alternately. (Fig. 4)
Sort out (or produce) the four Aces, show them, place them face down in a row (Fig. 5), deal the top eight cards onto them (red arrow), discard the rest of the deck, and assemble the twelve cards from right to left (blue arrow).

(Note: The order of the suits of these cards does not really matter. But if you want to end up having Aces, Queens and Kings in the same suit order stick to the depicted example.)

 Give the combined packet two Klondyke Shuffles, then deal the cards singly into a face-down row.

Spell “F-O-U-R”, with “F” picking up the left-most card, with “O” placing it on the next one, with “U” placing this pair on the third card of the row, and with “R” placing these three cards on the fourth. In a similar manner, spell “A-C-E-S” from the right end of the row, piling up another 4- card packet. Turn the cards left over in the middle of the row face up: the four Aces. (Fig.6)
Climax: Turn over the 4-card packets too, and fan them face up showing four Kings on the left and four Queens on the right.  Use some or all of these cards in your next trick.

For more (and more elaborate) math-based magic by Werner Miller visit:
http://www.lybrary.com/werner-miller-m-7881.html

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VIBE  –  A Special Deck from Bob Solari

A Review…

Innovation? I love innovation. I also love effects and methods from many years ago that have the power to make modern day magicians drool. There is so much we know about magic.. and so much we don’t know. VIBE, a special deck/method marketed by the ever resourceful Bob Solari, reflects the best of both.. what we know, in that the method itself is not original, but a method used many years ago by a long forgotten magi..  and what we don’t know, in that many magicians, myself included, will wonder why they didn’t know this technique considering the ease of use and flexibility it allows.

I’ll never reveal how this gem works, but I will tell you what you can do with Bob’s special deck. With no sleight of hand, you can easily separate the deck into reds and black or odds and evens. You can have any one suit shuffled into the deck.. and then find each of those cards, blindfolded even. Bob teaches four effects on the DVD, including one called ‘Out of This Galaxy’. Based on the premise of Out of This World, the handling is so simple even a total beginner with a few minutes practice can pull it off.

Other effects taught on the DVD include ‘Got The Vibe’, a find-a-card-at-any-location effect. ‘4 of Any Kind’, where any four of a kind can be dealt into the deck by a spectator.. and easily found by the magi. And a special effect, performed by Bill Wisch, that will leave even fellow magicians speechless.

Personally, I enjoy writing about effects I use. It is so easy to write when you have belief on your side.. Yes, I have storage bins full of effects and DVDs I’ll never use, and finding a slot in my very small close-up case is quite an achievement.. Going forward, I have two specially prepared decks in my case: One, according to Bob’s instructions, and Two, a variation of Bob’s instructions that allows me to perform a ‘special’ effect of my own.

VIBE comes in DVD format. Everything you need to know about the Vibe deck/method is spelled out on the DVD. You get the DVD for  $19.95, and that includes the method and detailed instructions for creating your own VIBE deck in 15 minutes or less. You can order a deck hand-made by Bob for an additional 10 bucks, but, unless you have more money than time, it’s not necessary.   Visit the url to Bob’s site, read the details, and look for the ‘Video’ link in the mid-page nav bar. Watch the video.. and wait a very short while for your VIBE to arrive in the mail.  You’ll thank me.. and Bob.

http://bobsolarimagic.com/shop/vibe

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Pat Page Memorial Workshop –  Coincidence Effects (PDF)
As Presented by FFFF 2013 (Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic)

Very nice PDF honoring one of the truly great magicians of our era. Pat Page was born in Scotland, appeared in magic shows around the world.. including The Paul Daniels Magic Show, served as a consultant in Casino Royale, and was an adviser to Derren Brown. Pat was an inventor, innovator, writer, performer, and mentor to many. Contents of this PDF include:

Geoff Williams: 4-WAY COINCIDENCE
Dave Neighbors: Marlo’s Double Brainwave Update
Allan Kronzek: The Mirror (a.k.a.Do As I Do)
David Solomon: Matcho From A Shuffled Deck
Maria Schwieter: Time After Time (by Tomas Blomberg)
Mike Powers: Improbable vs. Impossible

You can download the complete pdf from Mike Power’s Mall of Magic
http://www.mallofmagic.com/pp2013.pdf

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Suggestions for Making Gem Sticks –  A Working Tutorial
by Dr. David Hanselman

Some of us are fortunate enough to be magically talented. Others, like David Hanselman, are not only magically talented, but mechanically gifted in the art of creating wonderful magic props and illusions. I can honestly say, although I’ve done many things during my years, I’ve never created a working prop . Oh, I did stick a safety pin through the end of a match.. attach it to a rubber band.. pin it up my sleeve and make an impromptu pull, but I don’t think that counts.

Dr. David uses his woodworking talent to create, among other items, Gem Sticks that rival anything on the market. I have one of his creations that I wouldn’t part with for many pretty pennies. The gems are recessed into the stick, making them virtually invisible should you be a tad slow or should your angle be slightly off. He was kind enough to take time to put his techniques into a PDF for Roadshow readers. You guys are lucky. I have also included Dr.David’s email address should you have questions or if you wish to share thoughts or techniques concerning handmade magic props. He welcomes your inquiries and ideas…

“I’m a woodworker and tinkerer and am always on the lookout for neat magic “things” I can make in the shop.  Are there sufficient numbers in your readership with similar interests to warrant an occasional exchange of “how to make” stuff?”    [email protected]

https://app.box.com/s/kyih6akh4d97p8lix432jevux3rjbr0v

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Build a Kabuki Drop for $50 ..  Download a Blueprint Free

Thanks to my buddy Michael Lyth for sharing this site with me.

“MagicKabukiDrop.com shares extensive information on the history of the Kabuki Drop and its workings as well as how to make a Kabuki Drop.  A Kabuki Drop is a stagecraft technique and a release system that drops an open suspended curtain to the floor for a dramatic reveal.”

“Whether you are a show director, producer, production manager, dancer, magician, musician, juggler, acrobat, variety artiste, burlesque performer or any other theatrical stage practitioner, a Kabuki Drop can be used to add a dramatic wow-moment to your show or act.  A Kabuki Drop is also a great device for product reveals for corporate events.”

If you do stage shows or corporate events you might want to check this out… after all, the download is free.

http://magickabukidrop.com/

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Amazing Interactive Mentalism Card Trick Revealed – Video

Mentalism card trick where the performer (without even seeing or touching the deck ) seems to detect a thought of card simply by listening to the voice of the spectator as he/she calls out the cards throughout the deck. Easy and amazing card trick revealed in this tutorial. Please visit my website http://www.thecardtrickteacher.com  .. mismag822

https://youtu.be/MLITlW19WE0

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Over One Hundred Card Tricks You Can Do! –  Free PDF
Harry Maurer

Magic is a lot of fun, but carrying a bunch of magic equipment around with you can be awkward!
Presenting tricks with a deck of cards is easy and can be performed almost anywhere by anyone! You will find that most of the tricks below can even be presented with a borrowed deck of cards — that way you can entertain your friends and family at a moment’s notice!

The card tricks contained in this book are “easy to learn” tricks that, if presented properly, will fool your family and friends. You will find that they will amaze older children as well as adults. But just because they are simple tricks does not mean that you can simply read through the instructions once and perform them! You will have to practice each trick over and over again until you can present it without thinking about what you have to do next and so that you know exactly what you are going to say at each stage of the trick. I would recommend that you find one or two tricks that you think you would enjoy performing and practice THOSE TRICKS ONLY until you can perform

http://www.oncuepro.com/Magic_Bonuses/100_Card_Tricks.pdf

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 Four Ace Card Trick – Tutorial

Nice and quick four Ace assembly. Watch the tutorial and learn the trick..Thanks to Hester23BearsCH for posting the video. This is a defining effect for the general public. A performer who can produce 4 Aces at will is a real card sharp..

http://etricks.info/

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The Thirteen Paths  –  A PDF from R.Paul Wilson

There’s nothing quite like a treatise from an expert who understands magic and it’s many nuances. R.Paul Wilson is certainly an expert of the highest order , and The Thirteen Paths certainly enlightens the reader with pages of wisdom…  Download your copy Free..

– Be more interesting than your props.
– Tricks can be bought but magic must be performed.
– Your audience should remember you.
– The only thing you have that is truly unique is yourself.
– Never hide behind your props.
– Promote your own image and personality.
– Decide who and what you are, in performance.
– Learn how to connect with an audience.

Click Here

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Magic Supply Company…

Order all your magic and  earn 10% back on everything you buy, and never have to buy a minimum.

http://www.magicsupply.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=242

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Hospital Clown Newsletter Archives

This newsletter was published and printed from 1995 to 2010 and contains Volumes 1 through Vol. 12, No.2 The newsletter is no longer being printed and mailed. This website will now have current articles and links to current stories and adventures of Clowns in Community and World Service.

The Newsletter contains experiences, stories, props, routines, and articles by caring clowns and others relating to clowns in service in health care facilities and compassionate service around the world. We want to share our work, so we can expand and grow and encompass the world with our JOY.

The Newsletter archives are in PDF format and free for all to download.

http://www.hospitalclown.com/pages/archive-home.html

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The Magic of Magic – Shobi Dobi

“Magic has a given. It can’t be done alone – it is done in relationship to others. It engages people. They leave their own field of familiar thinking whether that is about fear, pain or worry, and get intrigued with magic. That is the why magic is so successful in the hospital. It gets people to focus away from themselves for a while. It works with children and it works with adults and it even works with teenagers!”

“I find after experience that simple gimmick tricks work the best – the no-fail kind – change scarves, small drawer boxes, mouth coils, and of course sponge balls. The hospital audience is the easiest to please, except maybe 15 year old boys..”

http://www.hospitalclown.com/archives/vol-07/vol-7-1and2/vol7-2_7magic.pdf

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From the Red Carpet to the Sky.. A Magical Collage

Purely for your entertainment pleasure.. a nice collage of 6 second ‘magic’ videos. Yes, you’ve probably seen some of these before.. but some you haven’t.  A nice way to spend three and a half minutes..

http://magicians.website

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Ellen Degeneres and Magic –  Get on the Ellen Show

Ellen loves magic. And she has promoted magic and magicians as much as anyone on any talk show on TV.  Andrew Kelly, Simon Pierro, Rich Ferguson, Justin Willman, Justin Flom and Mike Jacobson are a few of magicians summoned to Ellen’s court. You can go to Ellentube and leave your video for a chance to add your name to the list of performers. If you aren’t interested in leaving a video, you can view videos of magicians who have ..

http://ellentube.com/lists/magic/

Thanks to Jim at The Magic Portal for the link.. (  http://themagicportal.us/ )
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The Other Corner..

Writing Tips from Writers Who Know..  –  A PDF for Anyone Who Writes

I have a number of books on writing and how to write. I know.. I can hear some of you now.. “But Rick, if you have this information, then why in the name of Zeus don’t you use it..”

Two reasons: I’m strapped for time and my reading list is limited. And Two, I’m a procrastinator of the first order. My PDF is only 6 pages, and includes:

Henry Miller’s 11 Commandments of Writing & Daily Creative Routine
David Olgilvy’s note to his Employees….
Stephen King – The adverb is not your friend.
Kurt Vonnegut’s 8 Tips on How to Write a Great Story
Six Tips on Writing from John Steinbeck
Margaret Atwood’s 10 Rules of Writing
Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing

https://app.box.com/s/omlwddc8eld5j2f2hftr3kdlfmvcz3h1

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10 Stunning Images Show the Beauty Hidden in Pi..

March 14th, 2015 was ‘Pi Day’. That was reason enough for Ana Swanson to write a very informative article on the intricate and astonishing science behind the number  ‘p’, commonly called ‘pi’.. Circles play an integral part in our lives. The world is round, other planets and stars are round. And when you work your way down the list of objects known to man, the circle shape stands singularly as the shape of shapes. Even objects as beautiful and diverse as snowflakes consist of millions of tiny round water particles, which form the jagged crystals which bind to form a flake.

If you measure the distance across a circle, then divide that number into the distance around a circle.. you get  3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749
445923078164062862089986280348253421170679821480865132823066
470938446095505822317253594081284811174502841027019385….. or, what we call ‘ pi ‘. Pi doesn’t end there;  It goes on and on and on.. creating what some call ‘total randomness’., and what others call ‘ proof that God exist..’.  If you note the first five numbers.. 3.1415, you understand the significates behind 3/14/15 being a very special ‘pi day’.  (And, if you don’t believe in coincidences, just ignore that Albert Einstein was born on March 14th.)

If you divide, let’s say 2 into 7, your sum is 3.5. No more, no less. No long tail of numbers. Yet pi doesn’t seem to have an end. It’s what we call an irrational number and cannot be expressed exactly. Mathematicians have calculated pi beyond 13.3 trillion numbers. And, despite pi appearing completely random, there is hope that one day, in an instantaneous revelation, a number will fall into place and the face of God, or perhaps a geometric configuration of unfathomable beauty, will be revealed. Carl Sagan, in his popular novel, Contact, suggested the  creator of all may have hidden a cryptic message within the digits of pi.

In these ten pictures, Martin Krzywinski and Cristian Vasile connect the numbers to create art, utilizing what they call bioinformatics. Have a look and gaze inside infinity…

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/03/14/10-stunning-images-show-the-beauty-hidden-in-pi/

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My Two Favorite 5 Letter Words…..  Magic and Music

Magic holds a special place in my heart.. but so does music. I wake every morning with a song on my mind. If I’m lucky, it’s something I heard the day before on the radio, or maybe a blues classic. If I’m not so lucky, it’s the Starland Vocal Band or Captain and Tennille.  Lately, it’s all Joe Bonamassa. I would be wrong to not share…

The Pickup Radio – Guitar Master Joe Bonamassa’s Weekly Podcast

When the little wife is watching reruns of ‘Frazier’ and ‘Big Bang Theory’ and I’m trying to wind down after a day in the mines, I crank up the laptop, plug in the headphones, and listen to another podcast of The Pickup. Each episode is a very reasonable 15 to 20 minutes, if you click the ‘video’ version. Clicking the ‘Full Version’ link hooks you up to a 35 to 40 minute show, which is basically the same except all the featured songs are played in their entirety. The Pickup is hosted by Matt and Joe, as in Joe Bonamassa, and covers everything from the blues of the 60’s, to British blues, to practical tips and tricks. You don’t have to be a player to enjoy The Pickup….

“One of the world’s most popular guitarists and blues-rock stars Joe Bonamassa and co-host Matt Abramovitz (formerly of Sirius Satellite Radio’s blues channel) debut their brand new weekly radio show The Pickup, an entirely unique and highly entertaining show blending music history, carefully curated songs, an encyclopedic knowledge of guitar facts, and illuminating insights into the world of a musician. Whether it’s unusual knowledge of a vintage Les Paul played on an obscure record from the 70s, or a friendly debate on how to name your guitar, each episode weaves together witty banter, fun facts, and amazing stories from the road and the life of a working musician. The show will be streamed every Friday and episodes will be available to stream anytime.”  Past episodes, all Free, include:

– More Strat Masters..
– Five Steps to Being a Guitar Hero
– Blues in the Royal Albert Hall
– Remembering Stevie Ray Vaughan
– Billy’s Best – ZZ Top
– Acoustic Apocalypse – Leo Kottke
– Please Sir May I Have Some Gary Moore
– How to Name That Guitar
and about 50 more….

http://thepickupradio.com/p/past-shows.php

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Bonus – Free 11 Track Bonamassa Album.. (mp3)

Eleven tracks from a cross section of Joe’s diverse catalog of blues albums…
http://jbonamassa.com/free-bonamassa-album/

Joe with Black Country Communion… Video

Yes, they ‘officially’ broke up about 18 months ago, but I’m holding out hope…. BCC was my favorite group of the past 6 years. Sample this, as it’s one of the vids on the European Tour video below..
https://youtu.be/w82V4gsSW-4

Bonus – Black Country Communion on Tour in Europe – 2 Hour Concert

If you like Bonamassa, and you like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple and Free and …… then you’ll love this almost two hour concert by the supergroup Black Country Communion, featuring bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple/Black Sabbath), guitarist and vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin/ Foreigner), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Planet X, Dream Theater).. This won’t be on Youtube long. I’d save it to your computer if you’re interested..
https://youtu.be/kgzIKP0Yoyg

You can easily catch videos from many online video sites like Metacafe.com, Vimeo.com, Facebook.com, blip.tv, 5min.com, Break.com at Catchvideo. There is nothing to download. Simply enter the url of the video and Catchvideo saves it to your desktop for watching offline.
http://catchvideo.net/:
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Free eBooks For Subscribers….
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Here’s a link where you can download a variety of free ebooks, including Erdnase’ Expert At The Card Table… If you are not a subscriber, you can sign up HERE.. https://magicroadshow.com/

http://streetmagic.info/cbmall3.html

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LIKE us on FaceBook..

http://www.facebook.com/magicroadshow
http://www.facebook.com/themagicnews

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Some of my Other Sites..

Las Vegas Magic Shows – updated monthly
http://lasvegasmagicshows.info/

Magic News – The #1 site in the world for ever-changing magic news. Updated daily.
http://magicnews.org/

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That does it for this issue. I hope you found something to help your magic studies along. Remember, if you have something you would like to share with the magic community, send it to:  [email protected]

“May my next issue find you well..”

 Rick Carruth / Editor

Senior Professor – Camelard College of Conjuring of Chemmis, Egypt
“Magic’s Only Worldwide Honor Society”
http://www.camelardcollege.org/

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