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karnak Special user Connecticut 747 Posts |
I posted this previously in a different area (New To Magic), but it received very few responses, so I hope it's okay to try again elsewhere (here):
There is possibly a list already posted on this somewhere, but if so I’ve yet to find it, so grateful if someone could point me in the right direction. Otherwise, here’s my question: what are some good ways (or your favorite ways) of revealing the identity of a spectator’s selected card? More specifically: when using an ungimmicked deck, no gaff cards, no duplicate cards, and no sleights? The scenario: a spectator freely selects any card (no force) from an ordinary fanned face-down deck. They look at it, memorize it, then return it to the deck. Already assume that you (the magician) can somehow easily find and identify their selection. Method could be quite simple, e.g. by using a one-way-backed deck, or an alternating red/black faces arranged deck, or relying upon a glimpsed “key” card. Regardless of method: what do you do next? Showmanship-wise, how would you now prefer to go about identifying and presenting to the spectator his selected card? You know where it is. But what exactly do you do with it? Remember: no sleights, dupes, or gaffs. Card to impossible location would seem to be ruled out (though If I’m wrong, I’m all ears). How to maximize fun, drama, and/or impact? Obviously just plucking the selection from the fan and saying “Here it is!” doesn’t do much, or have any build-up. So what would you suggest? Something like the old “take the spectator’s pulse as his hand passes over the spread” dodge is an example of the sort of easy reveal I’m looking for. So is the “Pick any number, I’ll turn over that exact number of cards, and the last one will be yours” gambit, where you intentionally go past their selected card (and they know it, thinking you’re about to fail), but then you go back and again turn over their already-turned-over card. So what other options exist? What might top those two? Any favorites or recommendations (ones that would be suitable for beginners)?
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magicfish Inner circle 7006 Posts |
The Moving Pencil- Lorayne
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Jonmaddgician New user Perth, Western Australia 72 Posts |
Anything but "is this your card?"
I've been doing a magic workshop called "Abracadabra and Other Useless Magic Words", which is basically a bottom glimpse, key card location type trick that I learnt when I was 7 years old. I perform the same trick about 3 or 4 times, & the whole premise of the workshop is basically that the technique isn't as important as the presentation or theatrics of the reveal(s). In the first version, I tell the story of how my uncle taught me this trick to help me to learn to spell, so as I sight the selected card next to my key card, I basically spell it out as I cut it as many numbers from the top. e.g. "four of spades" is 12 cards from the top, "queen of diamonds" is 15 cards from the top, etc. I have a particular line that I use to really sell the story, & another line at a later phase when it's more mind ready. Of course there's lots of subtleties to it to make sure it works 100%, & I like to have the spectator hold the deck & spell their card out themselves to take the heat completely off me. In the second phase, it's basically "is this your card", except I pretend to sniff the spectator's hand, & make it look like a sleight of nose trick instead of just a bottom glimpse & key card location. From frequent handling, I am usually able to cut the selection to the front half or third of the deck, so I don't have to "sniff" through the entire deck to get to their selection. It suits the spectator because going through the deck with my nose is funny, boring, then creepy. As for me as the performer, having the selection near the front lets me play act sniffing with the audience, but if I don't find it by halfway, I start to panic, & by the end of the deck I'm desperate, & can't play as freely with the audience as I'd like. Then in the next phases it's really just "face reading" & "mind reading" variations, where I quickly & sneakily sight the selection next to my key card, & then put the deck down & with time misdirection, pretend that I have special abilities of perception or paranormal psychic abilities... Moving on from the basic play, sometimes I do a "card in hand" version, or a colour change, or I miscall a card & change, depending on the situation really, I like to have the option of multiple variations & I choose depending on the opportunity, or depending on how I read the audience/spectator(s). |
Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Do you count a control as a sleight? Because I Guess I Should Have Done It Myself has a really fun and surprising final reveal where the card is stuck to the back of your hand. I learned it from a Bill Malone DVD.
Turnover Card in MWCCIM is a really fun reveal as well using a key card. It's similar to the reveal you described at the end of your post it just plays a little bit differently. Same basic scenario of the magician in trouble. Another way would be to use a prediction with a frixion pen. I always get good reactions with this.
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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Wravyn Inner circle 3482 Posts |
I have used Dick Oslund's Card To Pocket for the selected card.
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