Gimmicked Cards / Packets / Gaffs

Mikkyo · Dec 14, 2008

In your opinion, do you feel that Gimmicked Cards / Packets / Gaffs add to or detract from the legitimacy of card magic?

Some examples:
If you use a deck that ends with all the cards being blank except for the chosen card of the spectator, do you feel that the audience just passes it off as being a fake deck?

If you pull out a packet to do a packet effect, do you believe that the audience dismisses it as rigged? How about if something appears printed on a card that is not congruent with cards (pictures, words, ect..)

If you do an effect, but the spectator cannot examine the cards, etc..

Gaffs vs. pure sleight effects - advantages? limitations? thoughts?

Donald C. · Dec 14, 2008

To spectators when they see a blank card or a card with a picture on it. It registers in their mind it is a trick card. I go with pure sleight of hand all the way

magicman384 · Dec 14, 2008

I don't have much trick decks beside a stripper and and invisible.
I like using sleights for the most part.

hector_cervantes · Dec 14, 2008

look this is my opinion I really do both I have my deck (normal) in my hand most of the time I do normal slight of hand tricks but there comes a time when you really want to break that barrier and start doing crazy stuff thats when I basically get my gaffed from my poket ( process of misdirection) I use the E gaff deck it has made my performances give a total 360 degree turn for the best, they are stunned, its really the way you do the tricks that sells the effect I believe you cannot just start a routine with a gaff deck that doesn't work it really sell the idea of a trick deck I believe that if you going to use a gaffed deck use first a normal deck then jump to coin magic and then come back to cards but get your gaff from you poket.

The great thing about gaffs
--- great reactioins
--- unbelievable effects
--- fairly easy to use

cons about the gaff
--- the idea of tricked cards to the audience
--- the clean factor when it comes to taking a look at the deck ( usually I switch for the normal one )

I really believe that with the gaff deck you can increase your effects and the realtionship with you audience members , you really have to try it for yourself
my best advice is get the E ( number of possabilities) gaff deck and the other advice start with a normal deck then go into the gaff always with misdirection don't just pull a deck out with the other deck still in play THATS WAY SELLING THE TRICK DECK IDEA!.

adjones · Dec 14, 2008

Gregory Wilson uses a completely blank deck (front and back) for his ACR, and he still gets ten times better reactions than most of the little kids on here and on YouTube. So no, I don't think it affects anything- it's all in performance.

Randomwrath · Dec 14, 2008

Well I feel that if it improves your magic, then it is worth using it. However, please note I say 'improves', not 'increases' or something. For example, I got just the same reactions with distortion as I did with any other two card transpo. I have a few gimmicks but I tend not to use them, seeing as most of the magic I do is on the spot. Occasionally I may take a gimmick and even less time I will use one, but only when I feel it is the right trick for the right audience. It isn't about what you do, it's about how you do it.

shinichikudo992000 · Dec 15, 2008

hey guys, I just have one question in my mind. Why are you limited your self against an effect? We are magicians, not some ordinary guy walking on the side of the street who hole a deck of cards 24/7. If you don't like a concept of a trick, why not change it or be creative of it and you might find a new method to do it and you might get rich from it. Think possitive and don't limit your self to anything, learn as much as you can. That is my only adivised and excused my English.

Tricky DeviL

SHANE BLACK · Dec 15, 2008

adjones said:
Gregory Wilson uses a completely blank deck (front and back) for his ACR, and he still gets ten times better reactions than most of the little kids on here and on YouTube. So no, I don't think it affects anything- it's all in performance.

I'm laughing at this one I couldn't agree with you more. Smiles.

brklynmutt · Dec 15, 2008

In Burn by d+M he suggests using gaffs which make sense, the burn cards are great examples, tricks like warning seem less fraudulent than the ellusionist zipper back cards and weird reveals.

The only gaffs I use are the Parallel card, the burn card from the E red deck and the heat color changing deck cards from ultra gaff.

Packet tricks are great if the reason there separated from the deck like the jokers from NFW makes sense, or end clean like the Royal Scam