Yes I think a lot of that is true. I think you can learn from others but the best stuff you teach yourself. I think Einstein said you start to learn when you have forgotten everything you have been taught. I have found some things just playing with the cards, trying to solve a problem and these things are the things I use most and do best.

Genius is often defined as 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. As far as gambling sleights and my efforts are concerned, its 99.99% perspiration and a worn out washing machine.

Regards,

Paul H

Hey foolsnobody that was a great analysis and even though I was trying to teach and learn by doing this thread many are just not interested and you can't force them to learn something that they just want to do for the fun of it.

Tommy's post really got me to thinking and I did receive extra advice and I learn just a little bit more from the little bit of post that were presented already. I now know why most of ya'll magicians won't ever become great it's because of what Walter Scott said... I guess my teacher's years of experience is finally making an impression on me. I guess that's why I'm still learning.

To my real students out there I know that you're reading and listening and for that I thank you.

Doc

Hello Doc,

Great to have you aboard again. I think one must breath, eat drink and sleep ______ (fill in the blanks) in order to ba great. It first stems from GENUINE interest in the subject, be it gambling or magic. Heck even Fishing.

Obviously , all the greats out there , stretched further than their comfort zones, way past the breaking point but staying intact , in pursuit of knowledge. One must be a student forever. The books and materials are just for reference in my humble opinion. Getting it down with the real men is where the knowledge is turned into actual moves. I live in Asia and let me tell you guys there are quite a handful of cardmen out here. Not magicians but card men. We call them "Balasador" . I have met and mingled with some of them. Most are in hiding of course. They practice day in day out .

Also by teaching you learn twice, so I guess all these elements put together makes someone that good.

I hope this answers something maestro.

a hopeful student,

Rannie

I think Steve's great acheivements in card sleights comes from his amazing patience... I don't think he every goes through a book and finds a dificult sleights, and just goes on to next sleight to see if that is easier. if you know what I mean.
He probably tests every sleights, masters it, and modifies it to with his own adjustments to the sleights so that they become more effecient to him.

I hope you understand what I mean.

regards,
Dennis

Also because he is not a magician? then he has no need to spend time learning tricks and can concentrate on gambling moves.

Nobody gets that good at anything without one key ingredient: they must LOVE to practice. And I mean that literally. It's not that someone is "willing" to practice, it's that they really love it.

Gianni

Unknown 419,

Who really cares about how great you and your Steve Forte video is?! Besides being a magician, I teach 8th grade and no matter how slick and sly your sneaky sleights are they will never compare to the importance of educating the youth. If you want to brag about something, you had better put it in perspective with the real world and not your silly magical playground. It's time to free your minds people!

I've got to admit, I'm slightly confused by Doc's posting. He asks a question that he seems to know the answer to and then berates people who dare to offer their opinion.

My own opinion is the same as one already stated, Not having Video's was probably a blessing. Video's and lecture notes on new tricks/sleights/moves have a habbit of moving you on to the next challenge before you've mastered the current one. It's a failing in myself that I see all too clearly and I'm working on.

-MM

Hey Doc.



You have some good information to pass on. I know you don't tell everything you know but there is a lot to learn from what you do post.

How do I think Steve Forte got so good?

Good hands, a natural aptitude. Great Mentors. A good work ethic. Practice. An understanding of the psychology of the card thief. Common sense. If you combine these traits you have the raw material necessary for a great cardman...

Best, PSC

RS1963,you're right! We all know that card cheats are such thin skinned sensitives, looking out for others, so close to the divine - is that a nimbus or a shiner?
But I must disagree that there is a lot to learn from Doc's posts; nothing to learn, just further confirmation that a sucker is born every minute...or so it seems.

A.

Unknown419,
Just a quick question. You probably know Sal since you know Steve. If that's true have you seen Mike Z? Personally I think Mike will be one of the best if he keeps up with it. What are your thoughts?

I had a video of me and my old girlfriend, in full view, on a shelf at home, that my wife dusted but never suspected what was contained therein. Now to me, that may be the greatest 'gambling' video of all time, and no ya'll can't have it!

A.

And how do we know Doc is a real cheat, because he said so? I am not saying that he isn't, but does somebody with knowledge really know? I have my doubts but will stand corrected.

Dave

Petersd I understand what you are trying to say. That question can be asked of most anyone on here really how do you know anyone on here is a magician unless you actually know the person or know for a fact that a well known name person on here is really that person. You never can really know for sure. Just because someone says there someone means nothing really.


I have communicated with Doc a number of times. He does know what he is talking about. That doesn't prove anything either just because I said so. you have to make up your own mind.

Before you express doubts about Doc, please do a search. This issue has come up many times and has been confirmed many times as well.

Regards,

Paul H

Paul has the best answer for anyone who is actually wondering about Doc.

I am sorry if My last post sounded snotty I was just trying to make a point if I even had one.

As Paul H said above,

please do a search before writting something on this forum, especially for someone so well known as Doc. If there is one man in the world, to meet the description of a card cheat as it is described in novels for magicians, this is Doc.

But, as they say, ignorance is bliss!!

It's nice for things to get stired up though, so Doc can begin to write again with his unique style, that many find peculiar and offensive.

While it is quite true that many people say this, every one of those who do have gotten the quote wrong:

Where ignorance is bliss,
'Tis folly to be wise.
Thomas Gray
Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College

Mr. Gray was not in any way suggesting that one is better off not knowing. What he says is that if you're happy not knowing, don't waste your time trying to find out.

It's (well past) time that people started getting this right.