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Rubber Band Magic - Rubber Band Durability
Hey there, everyone!!! Rubber band magic has always fascinated me. From Ben Salinas to Bacon Fire, I've always followed the evolution of this style of magic. It's incredible how versatile ordinary rubber bands are, and the multitude of effects you can perform with them. This year I've gotten back into coin magic ( which I was always terrible at and never dedicated the time it needed ) and also rubber band magic, which I had let slide a bit. But back to the bands... Rubber bands aren't expensive at all; they're very affordable. However, if you don't buy quality ones, they tend to break fairly quickly ( and sometimes even quality ones break anyway ). There's a way to extend their durability ( even if they're the cheap ones from the dollar store ) to unimaginable limits . And the method is "a bath" in . Simply choose a suitable container to store your bands and add a couple of tablespoons of zinc stearate . Close it, shake it, and you're good to go. I've been trying/using this method since the beginning of the year, and I haven't broken a single band since then ( they can break, but so far they haven't ). It extends their lifespan so much that you'll end up replacing them from overuse before they actually break. All the best and happy magic!!!
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Super Newbie Question
Hey everyone, I'm writing because I picked up the 'How to be a Magician 2.0' course, and I'm not sure which one is the stripper deck. I got two regular decks with gold-edged boxes, and then there's a third one that doesn't have any specific markings. All three say 'Standard' on them, unlike the other two that came with a plastic wrapper identifying the deck type. Thanks a lot, everyone!
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Is It a Good Idea to Perform the Same Trick Twice?
Hey everyone, I was wondering how good of an idea it is to perform the same trick twice?
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Starting Magic on Social Media
Hey everyone, I've gotten into this incredible world with books and a Magic and Cardistry Kit, and I'm itching to record magic for social media (YouTube, for example). I'm looking for advice on when the best time is to take that leap, and if social media is totally separate from performing for people in person. Should I focus on improving my technique first, naturally, and start by performing for family, friends, and even strangers, before making the move to social media? Thanks!
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Force Deck
Hey everyone. I got a force deck (52 identical cards) to make a Svengali, but since I only used 26, I now have another 26 left over, and I'm not sure what to use them for. Does anyone know any tricks I could do or have any suggestions? Thanks,
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Improving Finger Friction
Hey there, I've tried a few decks and I always run into the same problem. If my fingers are clean and dry, they just slide right off the cards, making it really hard to get a good grip without messing up the rest of the pack. I've tried the old trick of licking my thumb, and it works for a bit, but it's not exactly professional or appealing to do in front of an audience. Is there a better way to deal with this?
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Looking for this book
Hey, I'm looking for the book Fundamentals by Eberhard Riese in PDF. If anyone has it and can send it to me for free, it would be a huge help.
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Black Art Magic
Hey everyone, I'm looking for some help and advice on applying the principle of BLACK ART. I've been working on an effect that relies on this principle, and I'm currently using non-stretch black velvet for it, as my research suggests it's the standard material for this technique. However, I'm wondering if I'm actually using the *right* material. Also, I'd love some tips on how to manage the lighting to properly utilize BLACK ART in my effect, because sometimes I have to dim the lights a *lot* or perform in a really dark spot for the BLACK ART to work effectively. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
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I recently found out there are two main playing card sizes: poker size and bridge size. I've been practicing Cardistry moves with bridge-sized cards 🥲, but it seems poker size is the standard and what's used most often for quality decks. Am I right about that? Do you know if I'll have any trouble adapting to the new size, and if I'll be able to do all the moves without a problem with enough practice?
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It's an absolute blast! Yesterday at El Retiro, I did it with three girls. Sounds a bit weird, but give it a try—you'll crack up.
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What do I do when I'm controlling the spectator's card and they ask to shuffle? I can't let them, but if I say no, it'll look suspicious. I've thought about other techniques, but this trick doesn't allow for a key card, a force, or any other type of technique. Thanks a lot!
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Hey everyone!
Let me set the scene: when I'm sometimes performing a trick for my friends or family, my brother is always amazed, and he's been asking me for a long time to teach him a really easy one so he can perform it for his friends.
What's a cool, easy, and simple trick I could teach my brother to practice at home or perform for his friends?
Thanks!
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I'm pretty new to magic, and whenever I'm about to do a trick, I get really nervous and mess up my controls, and the trick turns into a disaster. Any solutions?
Thanks
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Hey everyone!!
So, someone messaged me privately once (in this club)... it was a video from a while back. I remembered it and came looking for it, but I can't seem to find it. I checked my profile and inbox, but it's not there. Does anyone know how to help?
All the best and happy magic!!
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In May, I've got a show coming up for my sister's First Communion. My main challenge is figuring out how to make sure all the guests enjoy it. I have several tricks already, plus some I'll be getting as gifts for the performance. If anyone can give me ideas for routines or suggestions using these effects: the Svengali Deck, the Al Koran Deck, a bunch of card tricks, Chameleon Cards, the Linking Rings, The Bite, Matrix with coins and cards. Any additional trick suggestions would be awesome too! Thanks.
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I'm reading 'The Grand School of Card Magic, Volume 1.' I don't understand the top packet control (the in-jog shuffle
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Hey everyone! As I mentioned, I'm pretty new to the world of magic. I just got my first quality deck a few days ago and learned Oil and Water, which has been going well. However, I feel like I'm still missing a lot of technique and other skills. So, I'm wondering, what good tricks do you recommend to help me progress on this challenging journey?
Thanks in advance!
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I'm having an issue. I'm 11 years old, and a deck of cards is pretty expensive for me. Does anyone know a way to remove signatures, or can you recommend a good, affordable deck?
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Hey everyone, I'm practicing my false transfer (coin magic), and I was wondering if you could give me some tips, as I can't quite get it right.
PS: For the false transfer, is it better to hold the coin with the thumb or in a finger palm?
Thanks!😄😄😄😄
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Playing Card Deck Care and Storage for Magicians
I'm writing this post to help out beginners, and I'd love for the pros to chime in with their two cents. The idea came from another thread where we indirectly got onto the topic of deck care, and I thought it was an interesting subject for a new discussion.
To keep your playing card decks in top shape and extend their lifespan, it's important to follow certain care routines and best practices. Here are some key recommendations for their maintenance and storage.
Maintenance and Handling
1. Wash and thoroughly dry your hands before handling your cards
Clean, dry hands prevent natural skin oils and dirt from transferring to your cards, which can degrade their finish and feel over time.
2. Use a Proper Mat
When performing tricks or practicing moves, use a quality mat designed for magic or card games. This protects your cards from scratches and keeps them from sliding around uncontrollably.
3. Handle Cards Gently
Avoid bending them unnecessarily and be careful when performing flourishes or advanced sleights. Rough handling can accelerate wear and tear, reducing the deck's durability. Of course, this depends on your skill level and what you need to do with the deck.
Storage
4. Store Decks in Their Original Tuck Case or a Protective Box
Keeping cards in their tuck case helps protect them from light, dust, and humidity. For extra protection, you can use boxes specifically designed for storing decks. Check out our friend @Zeta's thread, where he talks about his favorite decks and shows off the boxes he uses.
5. Avoid Heat and Humidity Exposure
Don't leave your cards in hot or humid places, like inside a car or near heat sources. Temperature and humidity can warp cards and affect their finish.
Proactive Care
6. Inspect and Clean Your Cards Regularly
Inspect your decks frequently to ensure they aren't damaged. If you notice dirt, clean the cards with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid contact with moisture. While some threads recommend cleaning them with a damp cloth, in my opinion, you need to be careful with that.
7. Use Protective Sleeves for Special Cards
If you have high-value cards or a frequently used deck, consider using protective sleeves to minimize wear and tear and keep their appearance pristine for longer. These can be specialized sleeves or even plastic card sleeves designed for Pokemon cards or similar.
Additional Tips
8. Rotate Your Decks
If you use one deck heavily, rotate it with others to reduce wear and tear on a single deck.
9. Keep Cards Away from Dirty Surfaces
Avoid placing cards on dirty tables or in dusty environments to prevent stains and damage to their finish. However, if you're like me and enjoy performing bar magic, you'll just have to keep buying new decks. That said, use your already-worn decks when performing at a bar or on a dirty table.
By following these recommendations, you can keep your playing card decks in excellent condition, ensuring they're always ready for your magic performances and practice sessions.
I hope you enjoy this post, and I look forward to your comments to add more information!
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