For those who have read At the Card Table, does Ortiz teach any of the moves he uses in his tricks or is it understood that you know it all? I ask this because although it is a highly regarded book, as only a Card College 1-3 graduate, I don't want to be left on my own to fill in the blanks, so to speak. I'd rather not interrupt my concentrating on a trick, and have to go do research, to learn a move, in order to complete the trick. Especially a trick I am not sure I want to add to my list. Unfortunately my time is limited so I'm looking for the "easy" way out.

Thanks for your time.

Teddyboy,
Being a Card College 1-3 graduate makes you a very good magician if you master all the contents. You will have no problem to be able to follow everything in this Ortiz book. And anyway, any sleight is explained because all masters have their way to do everything…

Thank you for the encouragement. I have not retained everything I have learned but hopefully my muscle memory will kick in.

Hope Vlad is well.

Card College? Yikes.

Jumping to Ortiz is ambitious after this mediocre introduction.
Stick with the foundational texts.

I’m surprised and a little shocked by what Magicfish just wrote. A number of great contemporary masters praise those books. Ask to David Ben, Joshua Jay, John Carney, Juan Tamariz just to name a few, what their thoughts are about those books. And after more than 20 years of studying magic, I arrived at the same conclusion. This série is a wonderful way to achieve mastery and proficiency in performing artful card magic.

Of course, nothing is perfect, and we could discuss on the order of the different chapters, the choice of sleights and tricks…Having read Magicfish in other threads, I think he disagrees with Giobbi’s interpretation of classic books and he advises to stick to the fundamentals. But I think that card collège has achieved the fundamental status. And studying card collège with the older classic texts in the meantime is a great method, each one complimenting the other.

I agree. Well said.

Magicfish...mediocre? This is one of the rare times I will disagree with you. I think it's pure genius.

I would say go for it. It might be tough, but it will be a fun challenge.

From my recollection, mostly every sleight will be explained for you. If it's not, it'll likely be in Card College. I'm not about to pull out all those books and check the sleights for you, but I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine.

I was a bit harsh. Unfortunately I have a tendency to knock Card College at times. I think it is because I don't share the opinion that it is as great as many believe. So the contrarian in me overcompensates with stronger than necessary criticism. A personal flaw of mine I suppose.
I do like Card College and I read them and study them. They are wonderful books indeed.
My only caveat to the student is to read and study the items culled by Giobbi from their original sources. That way you avoid learning all these wonderful things strictly through Giobbi's interpretations, adaptations and refinements.
But yes my friend, they are better than mediocre. Thanks for the peer check.

If I do remember right Ortiz does teach every slight you need to perform his stuff. It is a really great book.

That it is, Rodrigez, an excellent book.

I just thought I'd point out that I have just reprinted this book. Copies just arrived from the printer yesterday.

If you would like to order an autographed copy directly from me, contact me at the email address below.

Sincerely,
Darwin Ortiz