Most of the stigma associated with packet tricks seems to come from the fact that we feel self-conscious pulling them out of that little plastic wallet. Or leather wallet, if you're a pro. Or Jerry O'Connell custom leather wallet if you're a BIG pro!

Well, I think I've finally come up with the perfect 'wallet' to help you get past your packet trick anxiety.

Just put the packet tricks you plan on using into a spare card box, and separate them with some of those extra jokers you've got lying around. Match the color of the Jokers and box to the color of your packet tricks, as best you can. When you're ready to do a packet trick, execute your favorite deck switch, then thumb through and separate out the packet you want to use. Your patter is as easy as "Just let me find the cards I need for this trick..."

That's it. I've field-tested this method and it seems to work very well for me. I never get that skeptical look I used to get when I did packet tricks. Or maybe I'm just more confident now. Either way, it works for me.

That is a great idea, and really would throw suspicion off the cards. Thank you for contributing that.

Airship,

Nice idea. I suspect your post was borne out of a few on this topic. I've mentioned a couple of time the idea of a deck switch to introduce a normal looking deck which, when ribbon spread, looks to have 54 different cards (inc jokers) But the deck contains several packet tricks.

I have the O'Connell wallet and it is lovely, but I aint no BIG pro!

Roger

Like the avatar BTW. You an expert in photoshop?

I figured somebody was probably already doing something like this, but like you say, the whole 'stigma' of packet tricks had come back up with the introduction of a separate section for them on the Café. So I thought I'd share my version.

And I admit that I have O'Connell wallet envy right now. I desperately want a hip-pocket Himber.

As for PhotoShop, I actually use the cheaper but equally-high-powered Paint Shop Pro. I've been using it for years, though I wouldn't really call myself an 'expert'. My avatar was inspired by the movie 'Sin City'.

Cheaper, yes...
Equally powered... I wouldn't say so :l It is still a good program though

Anyway, on the topic, I think its fine to bring them out of any packet as long as you give some sort of reason for them being seperate. For NFW the wallet could be to hold them down because when they are not held down they like to flip over eratically, for example, which leads you straight into the effect.

Binary,

Great idea on NFW. I love that trick. I love to perform it and this would be a perfect intro into it. Tokeep them from flipping over eratically. That is too funny. Thanks.

All,

packet tricks are hard because by nature they look prepared. Color monty is the best because they are different from normal cards so you have a reason to keep them in a packet and also they are 100% examinable so it really blows their minds. I think I will try the deck box method. Thanks.

Bro. John Hamman developed the idea of making a full deck from the individual packet tricks he would possibly perform during a set, during the late fifties.

Refer to The Secrets of Brother John Hamman, Richard Kaufman, page 216 - The Faked Deck. It lists the 6 routines he combined to make a fifty-one card deck.

Richard

Cool. If I'm starting to think like Bro. John Hamman, maybe I'm actually on my way to becoming a real magician! You've made my day!

Wondeful idea - thanks!!