I'm HOOKED!

May 24, 2015
158
25
First time posting as I take a break from a Genesis lesson.

A couple of weeks a ago I went to a friends house to play some poker. This is the first time that I have played poker in 5 years. When it was my turn to deal I was so embarrassed that I couldn't do a simple Riffle Shuffle.

From there I went on YouTube determined to learn how to do a Riffle Shuffle and that is when I discovered the wonderful world of Cardistry. I've seen videos before of people doing flourishes however I had no clue it has become has big as it has.

Instantly I was hooked. I researched and watched as much as videos as I could on this art form and I have to say it has been a long time since I have been so passionate and inspired by anything on this level.

Last Saturday I decided to make my jump into Cardistry. I ordered a few decks of cards, the Genesis V1, and the Xtreme Beginners lessons and I have been practicing ever since. In fact it has been next to impossible for me to put down a deck of cards for any length of time.

I can tell I'm already in trouble. Within a weeks time I already have 14 decks of cards and I have 3 more decks on the way. Which is cool because I have been wanted to find something that clicks with me to collect and I think I may have found just that.

Thankfully I'm doing the Riffle Shuffle like a boss now, I can do the Charlier cut with my eyes closed, and I'm pretty decent with the Scissors Cut. The two things that are giving me the most trouble is the Thumb Cut and doing these moves in my dominate right hand but I'm determined to get this right.

I can't tell you how hard it is to restrain myself from jumping right into the fancy flourishes but it's quit clear from my research that it is within my best interest to stick with the basics first. Learning how to crawl before I can walk so to speak.

In the end I just want to take this moment and say thank you to this community that makes up this amazing art form for making me feel alive once again.
 
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Bryant_Tsu

Elite Member
I can tell I'm already in trouble. Within a weeks time I already have 14 decks of cards and I have 3 more decks on the way. Which is cool because I have been wanted to find something that clicks with me to collect and I think I may have found just that.
Sounds like you're going to have quite a collection. I've been into magic and cardisty for a little over half a year and I have 270 decks with 21 on the way.
Also, don't forget about Genesis V2 or Monument.
 
May 24, 2015
158
25
Sounds like you're going to have quite a collection. I've been into magic and cardisty for a little over half a year and I have 270 decks with 21 on the way.
Also, don't forget about Genesis V2 or Monument.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely keep though to programs in mind.
 

Tower of Lunatic Meat

Elite Member
Sep 27, 2014
2,435
2,029
Texa$, with a dollar sign
Welcome! And way to make the jump too with Genesis and multiple decks.

I work with mostly Bicycles and 2 Theory11 decks. It took me a while to feel out the difference in quality, but good cardistry is possible with the cheaper stuff. Plus, with some flourishes, you may want to use a deck that will take a beating on (due to dropping literally all the cards in the deck) instead of one of your other expensive decks (lookin at you, 'Deck Flip' and 'Erdnase Go Round').

I do have a suggestion, you say you have 'Charlier Cut' and 'Scissor Cut' down. That's good. I'd suggest you go after Revolution Cut next. I think it best teaches the proper application of how much pressure the pads of your fingers can utilize to break and control a packet of cards.

I've been in cardistry since last July and I JUST started to learn Thumb Cut as a prerequisite to another flourish ('French Manicure'). I think it's one of those 'extracurricular' flourishes that if you learn it, GREAT! If not, you'll survive.
All 'Thumb Cut' has taught me is that I have small hands and that I need to stretch my fingers (and adjust the deck accordingly) to be able to do it.

Honestly, I'd say after you are able to do the 'Revolution Cut', do whatever flourish you want and cast aside its difficulty. One of the first cuts I started doing was 'Muse Cut'--not exactly a beginner friendly cut. Just remember to stay persistent, take frequent breaks from that cut when you get discouraged.

On that note, I find it best to have 3 flourishes on rotation at a time (or that day, in my case). The reason why is so that you stay on track. Right now, I keep getting discouraged by 'French Manicure'. So I work on polishing 'Deck Flip'. I get bored with 'Deck flips', I polish up 'Teachwrap'. Hands start hurting a bit on 'Teachwrap' and I'm ready to go back to 'French Manicure' again.

And one thing I've noticed is to not grind yourself down by working on a flourish for hours and hours. It's okay to work for 20 minutes one day and pick up up sometime later. Your brain actually process what you've done and you may come back to a flourish and notice that you can actually do it better. I just noticed this with 'Deck Flips' and 'Erdnase Go Round'. It works.

I work with only one-handed cardistry and can help out on that front.

Again, welcome to the fold.
 
May 5, 2015
23
8
I will just add welcome! I am fairly new but at the same time old, as I shift from magic into cardistry. Love to see that you are passionate and jumping into learning!
 
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May 24, 2015
158
25
Just wondering, what decks do you use for cardistry? Also what is your price range when looking for decks? I may have some suggestions.

I've been experimenting. Here is a list of decks that I have ordered so far.

1. Bee's Casino Quality Decks
2. Aristrocrat
3. Tally-Ho Circle Backs
4. Bicycle Dragon Backs
5. Fontaine
6. Madison Rounders
7. Monarchs
8. Virts Deck
9. Bruce Lee Deck

I have a NOC bundle on the way and I'm also waiting for my New School of Cardistry decks.

When I practice I've been drawn toward the Bee's, Bicycle, and Tally Ho decks. I don't feel like I'm ready to start playing with the practice decks yet.

As far as budget goes. For practicing I would like to stay under $20. Anything more than that would be for the passion of collecting cards.
 
May 24, 2015
158
25
Welcome! And way to make the jump too with Genesis and multiple decks.

I work with mostly Bicycles and 2 Theory11 decks. It took me a while to feel out the difference in quality, but good cardistry is possible with the cheaper stuff. Plus, with some flourishes, you may want to use a deck that will take a beating on (due to dropping literally all the cards in the deck) instead of one of your other expensive decks (lookin at you, 'Deck Flip' and 'Erdnase Go Round').

I do have a suggestion, you say you have 'Charlier Cut' and 'Scissor Cut' down. That's good. I'd suggest you go after Revolution Cut next. I think it best teaches the proper application of how much pressure the pads of your fingers can utilize to break and control a packet of cards.

I've been in cardistry since last July and I JUST started to learn Thumb Cut as a prerequisite to another flourish ('French Manicure'). I think it's one of those 'extracurricular' flourishes that if you learn it, GREAT! If not, you'll survive.
All 'Thumb Cut' has taught me is that I have small hands and that I need to stretch my fingers (and adjust the deck accordingly) to be able to do it.

Honestly, I'd say after you are able to do the 'Revolution Cut', do whatever flourish you want and cast aside its difficulty. One of the first cuts I started doing was 'Muse Cut'--not exactly a beginner friendly cut. Just remember to stay persistent, take frequent breaks from that cut when you get discouraged.

On that note, I find it best to have 3 flourishes on rotation at a time (or that day, in my case). The reason why is so that you stay on track. Right now, I keep getting discouraged by 'French Manicure'. So I work on polishing 'Deck Flip'. I get bored with 'Deck flips', I polish up 'Teachwrap'. Hands start hurting a bit on 'Teachwrap' and I'm ready to go back to 'French Manicure' again.

And one thing I've noticed is to not grind yourself down by working on a flourish for hours and hours. It's okay to work for 20 minutes one day and pick up up sometime later. Your brain actually process what you've done and you may come back to a flourish and notice that you can actually do it better. I just noticed this with 'Deck Flips' and 'Erdnase Go Round'. It works.

I work with only one-handed cardistry and can help out on that front.

Again, welcome to the fold.

GREATLY APPRECIATE all of the advice! That helps out a lot. Plus I've been practicing my Revolution Cut all day now based off your post.

Speaking of one handed cardistry. I know in a past post you were asking about one handed flourishes. I thought of you went I found this video.

 

Bryant_Tsu

Elite Member
I've been experimenting. Here is a list of decks that I have ordered so far.

1. Bee's Casino Quality Decks
2. Aristrocrat
3. Tally-Ho Circle Backs
4. Bicycle Dragon Backs
5. Fontaine
6. Madison Rounders
7. Monarchs
8. Virts Deck
9. Bruce Lee Deck

I have a NOC bundle on the way and I'm also waiting for my New School of Cardistry decks.

When I practice I've been drawn toward the Bee's, Bicycle, and Tally Ho decks. I don't feel like I'm ready to start playing with the practice decks yet.

As far as budget goes. For practicing I would like to stay under $20. Anything more than that would be for the passion of collecting cards.
Have you considered purchasing Dan and Dave's Smoke and mirrors set? Also check out copper rarebits on amazon, they're really slick cards and they go four around $10.
 
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Tower of Lunatic Meat

Elite Member
Sep 27, 2014
2,435
2,029
Texa$, with a dollar sign
GREATLY APPRECIATE all of the advice! That helps out a lot. Plus I've been practicing my Revolution Cut all day now based off your post.

Speaking of one handed cardistry. I know in a past post you were asking about one handed flourishes. I thought of you went I found this video.


Great. A whole video of cuts I MUST LEARN! :D

I've never seen those and they were awesome, so thank you!

Good on you for doing the Revolition Cuts! I sure hope they helped!

Now let me ask you this. You're jumping in headfirst pretty hard. Nothing wrong with that. But maybe getting a lot of the beginners tutorials won't work in the long run once you get to a point to where you've quickly outgrown them. It sounds like you're going to learn things pretty fast.

What flourishes do you want to do, specifically?
What bigger cardistry goals do you have?

I'm asking because maybe some of your hard earned cash might be better spent towards individual move tutorials. And maybe we can direct that toward some other decks for your collection instead
 
Aug 4, 2014
42
1
My cardistry goal for the summer is Cylinder by Andrei Jikh it looks great but is crazy difficult right now (I started this morning in my defense).
I just started the same move last week, kinda got the hang of it. Mine looks really shaky, not half as smooth as Andrei
 
May 24, 2015
158
25
Have you considered purchasing Dan and Dave's Smoke and mirrors set? Also check out copper rarebits on amazon, they're really slick cards and they go four around $10.

Oh, man that Dan and Dave set is REALLY, REALLY NICE! That is definitely going on the wish list. Will definitely order those Copper Rarebit cards as well. Thanks for the suggestions!
 
May 24, 2015
158
25
Great. A whole video of cuts I MUST LEARN! :D

I've never seen those and they were awesome, so thank you!

Good on you for doing the Revolition Cuts! I sure hope they helped!

Now let me ask you this. You're jumping in headfirst pretty hard. Nothing wrong with that. But maybe getting a lot of the beginners tutorials won't work in the long run once you get to a point to where you've quickly outgrown them. It sounds like you're going to learn things pretty fast.

What flourishes do you want to do, specifically?
What bigger cardistry goals do you have?

I'm asking because maybe some of your hard earned cash might be better spent towards individual move tutorials. And maybe we can direct that toward some other decks for your collection instead

It's kind of hard to say what specific flourishes that I want to learn because I'm not sure of most of the names of flourishes that I watch. In a conversation over at the Cardistry Sub-reddit, it was suggested that I try out the Mockingbird first.

As for bigger cardistry goals I definitely want to master the content in the Genesis series. From there I want to become proficient enough to the point where I can start producing my own YouTube videos. Then eventually get to the point where I can create my own flourishes.

If you have any decks that you can recommend that would be great. Ones that are great for practice, performance, and collecting.
 

Tower of Lunatic Meat

Elite Member
Sep 27, 2014
2,435
2,029
Texa$, with a dollar sign
It's kind of hard to say what specific flourishes that I want to learn because I'm not sure of most of the names of flourishes that I watch. In a conversation over at the Cardistry Sub-reddit, it was suggested that I try out the Mockingbird first.

As for bigger cardistry goals I definitely want to master the content in the Genesis series. From there I want to become proficient enough to the point where I can start producing my own YouTube videos. Then eventually get to the point where I can create my own flourishes.

If you have any decks that you can recommend that would be great. Ones that are great for practice, performance, and collecting.

Hmm.

Typically, people do the one-ganders in each hand to build dexterity then move onto the two handers.
Honestly, I'd say after you get charlier, revolution and scissor with both hands; do whatever you want.
If suggest to go window shopping on the Wire and see what interests you.

I'd try participating in the Saturday Night Contests to get familiar with making short videos, just to get the hang of what you're doing. Plus, free stuff is involved. The annual contest is at the end of the year, so practice up!

As for decks, I'm not the best person to ask. I have my reservations with the idea of collecting in general. I used to collect die cast cars. And I realized over time that collecting is basically holding onto something for someone else.

The only decks I have are a bunch of Bicycle decks and 2 Theory11 decks. I started to feel the difference a bit ago and the Theory11 decks have much better quality.
But I'd suggest you start with Bicycles. When I first started, I did not know how to properly handle a deck very well and was rather heavy handed and bent up a deck rather quickly.
 
May 24, 2015
158
25
Hmm.

Typically, people do the one-ganders in each hand to build dexterity then move onto the two handers.
Honestly, I'd say after you get charlier, revolution and scissor with both hands; do whatever you want.
If suggest to go window shopping on the Wire and see what interests you.

I'd try participating in the Saturday Night Contests to get familiar with making short videos, just to get the hang of what you're doing. Plus, free stuff is involved. The annual contest is at the end of the year, so practice up!

As for decks, I'm not the best person to ask. I have my reservations with the idea of collecting in general. I used to collect die cast cars. And I realized over time that collecting is basically holding onto something for someone else.

The only decks I have are a bunch of Bicycle decks and 2 Theory11 decks. I started to feel the difference a bit ago and the Theory11 decks have much better quality.
But I'd suggest you start with Bicycles. When I first started, I did not know how to properly handle a deck very well and was rather heavy handed and bent up a deck rather quickly.

So far in my left hand I can do the Charlier and the Scissor Cut pretty well. I can do the Revolution Cut but I just need to practice my consistency.

My right hand which is my dominate hand is the bigger issue. Charlier is a breeze but the Scissor Cut and the Revolution Cut is a real challenge. Muscles in my right hand and forearm are really tight.

Where can I learn more about these Saturday Night Contests? Is that a theory11 thing?

Also thanks for the reference on the Wire. I wasn't even aware that even existed. I need to do some more exploring around theory 11.
 
Mar 7, 2015
53
7
Welcome! Keep working... Now try to go for a Sybil. I recommend you to practice with Bicycle Standards. A brick in Amazon is between $20 to $22.
 
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