I'm working on the Ace Assembly from one of Harry Lorayne's DVD's. In addition to this one, lots of tricks I'd like to do requires or would be impoved by a good block pushoff or other natural looking but solid false count. My problem is that I can't seem t push off a block (in this case 3 or 4 cards) without slightly spreading them. Though the spread is not severe, its bad enough that I don't feel comfortable doing the trick given there is little misdireciton. If anything attention is being directed to the false count and I suspect even a small spread would be a tell. Does anyone have tips on where to squeeze, pinch, push, pull or whatever to do a block pushoff cleanly or know of a particularly good source? Or is there another technique I should consider? Harry does a buckle count, but I don't like manhandling my cards that much, and my experiements with it have not yielded a cleaner count anyway.

Hi Ged,

A block push off from a packet can certainly be done without manhandling. Actually, just try very light pressure by pulling back on the bottom card while simultaneously pushing foward on the block with your thumb, i.e, a slight smearing action. A little upward and downward pressure also helps I have found with alignment.

As for a buckle though, that two should be done lightly. It really takes very little pressure to get the buckle; let the tensile strength of the cards work for you if you do decide to a buckle. You will be surprised at how easily a buckle can be achieved and the acrds will not feel like you don't respect them afterwards

Best,
Vlad

Vlad knows what he's talking about!

@ Ged..thank you for posting this! It's ironic because I was first introduced to the block push-off move yesterday while reading Chris Mayhew's 'A Clockwork Apple' book. I've never had any sort of exposure to this move. His trick 'Casino Royale with Cheese' requires execution of this move at one point to give the illusion that you're showing only two red kings face up, when in reality there are more cards below the one red king.

Chris doesn't explain how to execute the move, which I obviously wouldn't expect him to. I had to watch the demo video of him performing the trick on Vanishing Inc's website to understand what it's supposed to look like. He does it flawlessly, since the block of cards that he pushes off appears as one card.

A few things I wanted to ask those familiar with the move: (1) Is it supposed to be done fast? My thinking is that the speed of the pushing will help to blur any sort of discrepancy between the number of cards present. (2) Does a perfect block really need to be formed? Although I've only started practicing the move, it seems that it would be difficult to get a perfectly squared block of cards pushed off. But, I feel that with the speed and confidence that you're showing one card, it won't raise any sort of suspicion, even if the block spreads the slightest bit.

In the context of 'Casino Royale with Cheese,' you openly show two red kings face up, with one single red king in the right hand and the other red king on the packet in the left hand. The left hand executes the block push off, and the two red kings get turned over, appearing as two.

I don't want to run the risk exposure, so I won't point out exactly where the move occurs in the demo video, but here is the link to the YouTube video of this trick being performed by Chris: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEtFiCpHs3Q

After working through the trick, I've really grown to like it very much! I love the kicker ending!

-A.L

I greatly apologize if this is considered exposure..if somebody thinks that it is, I'll have it taken down immediately.

Bugboy -- Hey it didn't expose it to me. I was totally fooled. I'd have to watch the trick a lot more carefully to figure out what happend:-)

Vlad_77 Thanks. That helps on the block push off. I need to work it out more but your suggestions defintely are making it better. One thing I noticed. If you are counting from left to right and the block push off occurs after a few cards have been counted, it might be possible to allow a little spread so long as the packet spreads under the top card of the packet since it will be covered by the already counted card. I haven't figured out how to do that yet. But it's an idea -- though maybe not better than just learning to do it right along the lines you suggest. Thanks again for putting up with us newbies (to the board, not to life unfortunately).

In addition to what Vlad_77 has already covered, my tip for the block-push-off is that you should tilt your hand with the cards slightly to right. Gravity will not only help you pushing off the block of cards together but also will aline them better. When you block-turn-over the block of cards as if it is a single card you tilt the hand back to horizontal.

Somebody asked about whether speed will help. In this case the answer is yes, if it is done naturally without looking like you are trying to hide something. But it is importantly to pause after the turn-over so that the audiences can register the card which is being displayed.

Hope this helps.

In what published sources can this move be found? Does anyone know?

There's plenty of sources, though I've never seen anybody go highly detailed into the block pushoff to be honest. It's kind of an assumption that people know it I guess? As in most videos/books just say to DO a block pushoff without detailing. Though if anybody needs help I'd be more than willing to demonstrate a few tips.

This is a great subject for the Magic Café then, as I too have not been able to find any detailed instruction on how to do a block push off. All my sources just say to do it, which is odd given the extreme detail some of them go into on other moves that seem no harder. All tips will be accepted!

I also also like to add that the block-push-off move/method can also be use as a excellent "none-get-ready" double lift when you are only handling three cards. The same move only that you are pushing off two cards as one. Therefore, it is great to learn the block-push-off for packet tricks.

I'm struggling with this too, and am looking forward to trying the suggestions in these posts. One printed source is Card College (maybe volume 3??). Giobbi has small sections on the "multiple push off" and the "small packet double lift."

Hi Ged,
Good question, I have been there. First off you are hypercritical of the block. Spectators will not see a slight spread. Keep it moving. the more you work with it, the better it will get. Trust me. I remember years ago seeing Bruce Cervon. He used the block pushoff beautifully. I was always so self conscious, until I started using it. It is a far superior move to a bucks and many times a pinky count. Good luck.