Ok.. don't laugh. Im reasonably new to this... ;-)

Right.. I have been trying hard to learn the 'Boomerang'.. so I can use it to do reveals.. and Im just wondering.. are Bicycle cards good for this? The reason I ask is that I have been trying really hard last week and at the weekend.. I have the idea ok.. but I just cant get enough 'resistance' in the corner of the card to propell it. (If you know wwhat I mean)?? Im wondering is there a particular brand wheere the cards are 'firmer' or something which makes this easier? Or do I just have to try harder!!! Oh & should I be learing this with a full deck? Any advice appreciated!

Cheers, Darren.

First of all, what method do you use to "shoot" the card?
bicycle cards are just right. you don't need other cards.
I do the boomerand card utilizing the long distance spinner.
I suggest you look into it. it is easy and very effective.
good luck !

-Matt

Mark Wilsons Complete Course in Magic has a good section on throwing cards. You should check it out.

Practice throwing cards first, then try getting them to come back. You can't go straight into learning how to boomerang a card. And try to throw the card with your wrist.

In order to get more distance and for the card to come back to you, you need to use the right amount of force and backspin. The backspin will firm up the card. Imagine a frisbee. If you throw the card at a slight 45° angle it will come back toward you. Check out Paul Harris AOA Zen and the Art of Boomerrang, or Arrow Split Arrow.

WOW! You guys are great. Thanks very much for your replies! Matt- I am trying the only method I knoew existed!- its a 3 finger grip round the deck, (all except pinky).. pushing up on the top card with the thumb/thumnail, creating resistance as the corner passes the bottom edge of the third finger...

All I am trying to achieve is to toss the card about 18 inches from my right hand to my left, with a slight ascend. I will see if I can source a demo of the 'Long distance spinner' you mentioned. If the Bicycle cards are good though as you say, I will continue to practice!!

I can perform some good sleights and routines.. I'm really good at the mis-direction aspect which helps in all the tricks I do!.. I just want this boomerang skill to do the 'reveal' now and then.. Its just so cool!!!!

Thanks again everyone- anymore advice please post it.

Darren

From your explanation I am guessing you are using something similar to the top shot. I mean the grip resembles the one used for the top shot. doesn't sound like a very comfortable grip.
you can find the long distance spinner in old books like the tarbell course.
you can find it as a download at penguinmagic.com.
gregory wilson also teaches it in his card stunts video. gregory also uses this method for the boomerang card.
good luck Darren!

-Matt

For general card flying antics, Gregory Wilson has a great video out (Card Stunts), and I believe there is a DVD called Cards as Weapons which may be worth looking into.

Simon

Sorry MAtt, just saw that you recommended that! My bad.

Simon

Bikes are perfect for this. Just practice more and after practicing, practice even more a bit and soon you`ll get it right

It doesn't matter what kind of cards that you are using. The important thing is to practice.

I think it does matter. Some cards are definitely better than others, in my opinion. Bikes are the ebst I have found so far.

Of course there are bad quality cards that definetly won't make it possible for you to accomplish this but I guess when we say cards here on the Café we make reference to the top brands.
sjdavison, I have the book called "Cards as Weapons" by Ricky Jay which is a must if you are serious about card throwing. it's out of print though.
didn't know there was a DVD. thanks for bringing it up

-Matt

I've actually been using another method for quite some time to achieve basically the same effect as the 'Long Distance Spinner'. I honestly can't remember where I picked it up, but it doesn't require any of the thumb strength/finesse that the spinner seems to need.

Basically, hold the lengthwise, your thumb on the bottom right corner and your middle finger on the top right corner. Take your index finger and press down on the top right edge of the top card about an inch or so. Then simply slide your index finger to the right to release the card, causing it to spin up and to the left.

After you have that motion down, you can get the card to go higher by adding in a little 'throw' motion when you release the card. As you release it, move your hand upward to massively increase the distance (easily 6 feet and higher).

And of course, once you have *that* down, do as munkywrench suggested and angle it up at 45% to get it to come back to you.

I've recorded a little instructional video (sans audio) that should help. I think it's kosher to post such a video...if not, I'll take it down immediately.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hemdoPaCPX0

That looks like the top shot.
I may also be mistaking but I think that is it.


-Matt

Ok... I am pleased to announce that I have sucessfully been boomeraning the cards for about 18 hours now!!! I think Ive beecome addicted..It is just so cool!! I suddenly found that when I relaxed my grip and got the flick of the wrist right.. the cards just started flying! Then after a while I was able to control the power and catch them at in my left hand!!

I am now practicing getting the angles I want- you know like sraight up and down.. or straight across right to left..(with this one I can get a very very fast spin, but maintain good control too).. great for revealing the force card!

Thanks Matt, and all you guys for the replies! I will have to get the card as weapons book.. thanks for thee recommendaton! I will put a clip of my bommerang on youtube later this week.. Only got one clip on there at the moment, and that's of my car! (Ford Capri Slip Diff).

I created (I think) a really good card trick the other day too.. uses an additional card in the deck and 6 cleaver moves. (I know you'll spot all of them)! The great thing is you can carry just a couple of cards on you, then borrow a standard bicycle deck from anyone and easily wwrig it un-noticed! Will film it and stick it on youtube at the weekend too. Thanks again guys.

Darren

Can't wait to see the clips Darren.
let us know!

-Matt

I use my telekinetic ability to spin and fly the cards. Took a while, obviously time poorly spent, as it can be dome without telekinetic power.....

Cheers Matt. Since my last post I have developed my abilities and can now spin the cards with almost no wrist movement whatsoever!! Just the right technique with the thumb and I can control it well.. catching it in the other hand nicely, or spinning it very high straight up then catching it. I am so pleased to have learnt this as it compliments the routines nicely!! Thanks again guys.. will post wheen I have a demo on youtube!!!!

Josh- I think the telekinetik thing and predictions do relly work.. cos when I was learning the card spin.. I frequently predicted to my mate that I would drop all 52 cards, scattering them over a wide area of the room... and do you knoww.. everytime I was right.. S C A R Y ! ! ! !