Hi Jason,

I lack expert feedback on my technique, because I am the card expert in my town of 10,000. Could you please provide a few tips on how to improve my seconds. I would appreciate that.

Here is a uncut, one-minute video, that I filmed today: http://youtu.be/-4GStSLFvvw In it, I am experimenting with different takes.

Shaun

Shaun,

Have you seen the Unreal Work 2: Cheaters on a Train DVD that I did with Paul Wilson? In that DVD, I show a method for improving your strike second deal over a period of a few months that can absolutely be applied to the push-off second deal. You can find it here as a download or a DVD: http://shop.dananddave.com/the-unreal-work.html

I think you should probably have a look at that video and apply what I discuss in it for a few months and then PM or email me.

But, until then I can tell you that in my opinion rhythm (first) and speed (eventually) are crucial to a deceptive second deal. I'm also a big believer in getting away from a small close-up pad and using either a full table or at least the largest close-up pad you can find to practice on. There's something very limiting about the small space of a close-up pad that holds a lot of guys back. You can buy a very well made and very large pad here: http://www.pattricksmagic.com/index.php/......ter-mat/

I recommend black as this pad will last you a very long time and will eventually pick up some small stains here and there that would be noticeable in any other color. I've had 2 of them for almost a decade now. They're fantastic. I also have 2 custom-made sizes that are twice as large as the ones shown in that link.

Lastly, I can tell you that you've shown a very difficult technique in your video. That's essentially the push-off second that Richard Turner uses and it's a bear of a move to do well at speed. Have you considered using a strike second? Although there are a few places where a push-off is better than a strike, I think on the whole magicians are much better served by using strike seconds than push-off seconds.

Jason

Hi Jason,

Thank you for the thorough response! You walk the talk of asking vertically.

The Unreal Work 2 download is reasonably priced. Its reviews mention the usefulness of the second deal practice technique. I'll likely follow your advice by watching it and them PMing you in a few months.

I love Pattricks mats and, while I have ordered a few, I've held out on using a large one. I appreciate the tip on buying black. What it is about a small space that handicaps progress?

Yes. I've considered a strike second. It's always lacked appeal for me. I first learned seconds through Erdnase. I have since moved on from using the Erdnase grip (it's a bear from which to deal push off seconds) to a looser mechanics one. Perhaps one day I will move on from push offs to strikes. For now, though, I'd like to devote a few thousand more hours to the push off technique before cutting my losses.

It's encouraging to hear that Turner's is a real bear of a technique to do at speed. Knowing that I'm attempting a hard task is motivational.

Shaun