Cards for table work?

Nov 9, 2012
76
0
England, UK
So my birthday is soon and I'm getting into table work, you know gambling techniques. So I'd like to know what cards are good for table work and general magic. Cards that are custom and would not actually be used in casinos or anything professional seeing as I'm only 13 (almost 14). Also what reasonably cheap gambling technique DVDs are there, by the way I'm just getting started ;)

~ Thanks ~
 
May 15, 2010
22
0
For gambling sleights, Bees are the way to go. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of the Expert at the Card Table-Erdnase. It's a book, but will give you a practical treatise on the sleights employed by card cheats. As far as cheap DVDs go, I recommend Jason England's Foundations DVDs. They're $50/dvd, but the downloads can be purchased for $10/move and are of great quality. For more practical routines, check out Darwin Ortiz, Simon Lovell, and Paul Wilson. The Unreal Work 2 is also a good resource (Dan and Dave); however, the material on the DVD will be difficult for a beginner.

Just a general piece of advice: Don't learn tricks to make the sleights happen. Typically, the simpler the technicality of a trick, the more time and care go into the plot/presentation of the effect. Learn the sleights to make certain effects happen. For example, if I decided to learn Triumph (my favorite card routine), I may decide to learn a Zarrow shuffle to improve the impossibility of the effect.

Happy practicing!
-Mahu
 

WitchDocIsIn

Elite Member
Sep 13, 2008
5,877
2,945
Solid technique will easily cover the border, though. I use regular bikes for second deals very frequently and I have never been called on it.

Not to mention Ricky Jay (An established authority on card handling) uses standard bikes during Ricky Jay and his 52 Assistants.
 
Jan 11, 2013
168
2
Dubai
In terms of books I wouldn't bother with Expert at the Card Table by Erdnase, especially if your just starting out. Expert Card technique is a much better book, covers everything in Erdnase, its better written so easier to learn, and the techniques have been updated to suit modern cards and modern workers.
 
Jul 13, 2010
526
34
For table work just make sure the cards you`re using are traditionally cut. That makes table riffle shuffles and table faros easier.
 
Feb 4, 2008
959
3
I agree with Chris about a traditional cut but it is only really necessary when you get into heavy shuffle work. For starters standard Bees will be great. They are border-less (easier to disguise false dealing techniques) and the bee stock "softens up" quicker than Bike or Tally ho. This makes it easier to buckle cards when you are starting out.

Books and DVDs....Expert at the card table (EATCT) is obviously a must and you can find places to download it for free since it is now in the public domain. That said it was written 100 years ago and some people find it hard to digest the writing. Get it, work with it, but I to find Jason Englands downloads the best source for learning the techniques. The nice thing about his series is that each individual topic is sold as a separate download. So you have the choice of slowly building your "library" or buy them all at once.
 
Sep 2, 2007
1,186
16
42
London
Expert Card technique is a much better book, covers everything in Erdnase, its better written so easier to learn, and the techniques have been updated to suit modern cards and modern workers.

Sorry, but this is terrible advice, for the following reasons:

A) ECT does not cover everything in Erdnase. It has a lot of different material, but it's in no way a substitute for Erdnase.
B) Granted, better written is a matter of opinion, but Erdnase contains some of the most quoted lines in magic literature, which would indicate it's memorable, insightful and well-written. Are there any famous quotes from ECT?
C) What moves in Erdnase don't work with modern cards (or suit modern workers)?

I would advise any aspiring card worker to study Erdnase. You won't get it all straight away, but keep returning to it periodically and it will provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration each time you open it. Also, in addition to what's already been mentioned, Damian Nieman's Fast Company DVDs are great, and any of Richard Turner's DVDs are hugely inspirational.
 
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Jan 1, 2009
2,241
3
Back in Time
If you can find it and have the money. I would suggest either Darwin Ortiz Annoted Erdnase or Dai Vernon's Revelation(s) book.

Both are much better than just the standard Expert at the Card Table, primarely because they do address a few of the issues that are in Erdnase and also most of them have retouched up the writings and the pictures to be made clearer. Also both have photos of the moves being done. So that should make it a tad easier to learn the stuff. You will still have to work hard and reread a few things. But this should set you in the right direction. It's going to be a long journey.
 
Nov 9, 2012
76
0
England, UK
I'm not really one for reading so in the actual description thing I put DVDs plus when I say reasonably cheap I mean from £12 to £18. I'm not really fonned on the bees due to they're quite plain and handle ok, but if there are any custom bees they may be nice
 
Feb 4, 2008
959
3
I'm not really one for reading so in the actual description thing I put DVDs plus when I say reasonably cheap I mean from £12 to £18. I'm not really fonned on the bees due to they're quite plain and handle ok, but if there are any custom bees they may be nice

Yes there are tons of custom Bees that look and perform better. I was just starting them off as a recommendation because they are cheap, and if you are new you likely won't notice the difference yet. Look for anything that says Bee Aristocrat. And for something even better look for Bee Aristocrat with a traditional cut. Those things together generally add up to the top of the line deck for gambling Demos that money can buy. Bee Stingers (sold out) were a good example of an Aristocrat Bee. The Bank Note Aristocrats are still in stock... http://www.theory11.com/playingcards/aristocrats.php
 
Jan 1, 2009
2,241
3
Back in Time
I'm not really one for reading so in the actual description thing I put DVDs plus when I say reasonably cheap I mean from £12 to £18. I'm not really fonned on the bees due to they're quite plain and handle ok, but if there are any custom bees they may be nice

Reading is good for and often better than spending money on a DVD. Also you are not going to find any DVD's for 12 or 18 pounds. So save your money and just save up for the things that I mentioned.

It will help you out a lot better in the long run.
 
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