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MyTurnPlzAA Loyal user NC 288 Posts |
What is this book like, what is the material like ? Can someone please do a review.
James |
Cameron Roat Special user Michigan 728 Posts |
There is currently a very nice, lengthy discussion on this book going on over at the Genii Forums. I recommend you sign up; it's a wonderful place to hang out.
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eryanic Special user 683 Posts |
I can't find it at Genii forums. Can somebody write a review or what they think about this book?
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Mel Toyer Loyal user Luton, England 216 Posts |
Although very dated, the book is an absolute classic.
I bought the book purely because of the history of the author. Whilst the book is primarily aimed at card cheating there are many techniques that could be used from a magical point of view. You will find just what you expect---second dealing, bottom dealing, false shuffles, cuts, etc. But like I mentioned earlier, the information is very dated. A brilliant follow-up to this book is Jeff Busby's 'The man who was Erdnase', which contains more information regarding the author and some updated material on the techniques he used. Considering the price of the book I suggest that you just buy it. Even if you don't like it, it's presence on your bookshelf will cause people to look at you in not quite the same way again. Mel. |
eryanic Special user 683 Posts |
Are the stuffs in this book taught in the card college series?
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Mel Toyer Loyal user Luton, England 216 Posts |
The methods described in the Card College series are far more superior to those described in 'The Expert'.
Because of the age of the book I would suggest that anyone wanting to learn false shuffles, cuts etc. should study the Card College series. Like I mentioned earlier, 'The Expert' is a great book but mainly because of it's history. |
Craig Krisulevicz Special user Philadelphia, PA 647 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-04-10 08:01, Mel Toyer wrote: WHAT? I respectfully disagree. Quote:
Because of the age of the book I would suggest that anyone wanting to learn false shuffles, cuts etc. should study the Card College series. I respectfully disagree again. Expert contains gold. Quote:
Like I mentioned earlier, 'The Expert' is a great book but mainly because of it's history. ...and because it's the sacred text of serious cardmen around the world. A book does not reach such status just because of its history. There is a wealth of knowledge, make that wonderful knowledge, between those covers. Errr... wait, maybe Dai was drunk when he said that this is the greatest book on card magic ever.
Who is John Galt?
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Larry Barnowsky Inner circle Cooperstown, NY where bats are made from 4770 Posts |
The book is a classic and every serious cardman should read it eventually but not necessarily first. It was included in the Card Mastery paperback by Mickey McDougal. That's how I started to learn card magic. I read it cover to cover.
If I had the chance to start all over, knowing what I know now, I would use Card College as my primer. It is better written and better illustrated than Expert. The overhand stacking and culling methods described in Expert would never pass in a real poker game. There are powerful techniques (Zarrow Shuffle, Elmsley Count, ATFUS, etc.) that are not in Expert so anyone reading only that would be significantly deficient in current techniques. |
Mel Toyer Loyal user Luton, England 216 Posts |
Craig,
Most of the serious cardmen you refer to have learnt, bettered and then published the methods described in 'Expert' and it is these bettered methods I am refering to. You can't possibly deny the fact that the methods described in Card College are better than those described in 'Expert'. There are a number of typing errors in 'Expert', wrong phalange numbers, wrong finger description and keep in mind it is these very minute but very important details that are required to execute the move that is being described. Card College however goes into much more detail and supplies a map of the hand on the inside cover to help. Mr. Vernon was probably not drunk when he procalimed that 'Expert is the best card book ever', but keep in mind that AT THAT TIME steam-driven black and white televisions were propably the best inventions ever and 0 to 60 in 5 mins. sport cars where the best available cars. Things have progressed since Mr. Vernon made that comment. Mel. |
Craig Krisulevicz Special user Philadelphia, PA 647 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-04-10 10:52, Mel Toyer wrote: AHH, I now know what you meant in your posts. I thought you meant simply the methods described, not HOW they were described. Huge difference. If you are talking about HOW they are described, then I completely agree; CC has very easy descriptions for the reader to learn from. Sorry for the confusion, but I had to go by what you typed in the post I quoted you from. $
Who is John Galt?
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eryanic Special user 683 Posts |
But in terms of materials covered, which has more?
Oh yeah, what bout expert card technique as well? What are your opinions on Card college, expert card technique, and expert at the card table in terms of description, materials covered, and how easy it is to understand? |
Mel Toyer Loyal user Luton, England 216 Posts |
Because Card College is a series of books it has, without doubt, much more material than the other two books. CC goes into much more detail regarding descriptions and illustrations and therefore is easier to understand, in my opinion.
'Expert Card Technique' is also a brilliant book with plenty of material to keep you busy for a long time. It is fairly old, but this shouldn't deter you from buying it because it was printed at a time when the masters of card magic (Marlo, Vernon, Miller etc.) where churning out some brilliant effects. 'The Expert At The Card Table' is the smallest of all the mentioned books and has the least material. This book deals mainly with card cheating and has a handful of card tricks described at the end. Because of the inexpensive price of the latter two books mentioned there is no excuse why anyone with an interest in card magic shouldn't buy them. Mel |
eryanic Special user 683 Posts |
Icic,
All right stupid question here. In terms of materials, description, AND price, which one is worth getting? |
Craig Krisulevicz Special user Philadelphia, PA 647 Posts |
You can get all five volumes of CC from penguinmagic for about 130 dollars if I remember correctly. EATCT is about 8 dollars. I'd get both, but since you are new to magic, I'll bet that you'll throw EATCT in the drawer for a little while. CC is the way to go, and if you can't afford all volumes at once, no big deal, just get volume one.
$
Who is John Galt?
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hitmouse Loyal user 249 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-04-11 13:31, eryanic wrote: Mate, You can buy EATCT, and ECT both for less than half the price of one Card College. If you are going to get Card College, get the other two as well. They are complementary. If you are not sure about buying CC then just get EATCT and ECT. They are reasonably accessible on their own, especially if you have RRTCM. If you want to know what the contents are then look here: http://magicref.tripod.com/books.htm And for goodness sake do a search. This topic has been discussed more than any other on this forum. There is simply no need to ask the same questions in a series of posts as you have done. |
nakulshenoy New user Bangalore, India 91 Posts |
Both the books (Expert at the Card Table, and Expert Card Technique) are highly recommended IF you want to know and master all the sleights, counts, pushes, etc.
In other words these are for those seriously inclined towards card magic. IMHO, Royal Road to Card Magic is a more approachable book for those not so seriously inclined. Having said that, all three books are a must for every magician's bookshelf. |
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