"Display of Ability
EXCESSIVE vanity proves the undoing of many experts. The temptation to show off is great. He has become a past master in his profession. He can laugh at luck and defy the law of chance. His fortune is literally at his finger ends, yet he must never admit his skill or grow chesty over his ability. It requires the philosophy of the stoic to possess any great superiority and refrain from boasting to friend or foe. He must be content to rank with the common herd. In short, the professional player must never slop over. One single display of dexterity and his usefulness is past in that particular company, and the reputation is liable to precede him in many another." S.W. Erdnase
The above quote is from Erdnase's Expert at the card table. I'm aware this was written with card cheats in mind but the more I think about the more this also seems to apply to magic aswell. People have told me after a performance that my magic is not real because I am simply "good with cards". People have said this because I do a simple fan or riffle shuffle...So I'm wondering how I can prevent this. I mean fans arent necessary however a riffle shuffle is almost essential. Has this happened to any of you? How do you prevent it or respond to it? Thank you.
EXCESSIVE vanity proves the undoing of many experts. The temptation to show off is great. He has become a past master in his profession. He can laugh at luck and defy the law of chance. His fortune is literally at his finger ends, yet he must never admit his skill or grow chesty over his ability. It requires the philosophy of the stoic to possess any great superiority and refrain from boasting to friend or foe. He must be content to rank with the common herd. In short, the professional player must never slop over. One single display of dexterity and his usefulness is past in that particular company, and the reputation is liable to precede him in many another." S.W. Erdnase
The above quote is from Erdnase's Expert at the card table. I'm aware this was written with card cheats in mind but the more I think about the more this also seems to apply to magic aswell. People have told me after a performance that my magic is not real because I am simply "good with cards". People have said this because I do a simple fan or riffle shuffle...So I'm wondering how I can prevent this. I mean fans arent necessary however a riffle shuffle is almost essential. Has this happened to any of you? How do you prevent it or respond to it? Thank you.