Hold Onto Everything! Small Things You Don't Value Now But Will Pay Off Big Time Later

This will be brief (or maybe not).

When we first get into magic, there's a ton we don't know right off the bat.

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I'm not talking about the technical "unknowns" we'll have to learn through study and practice (or, you know, by just buying a gimmick). No, I'm actually referring to..."the things we ALREADY HAVE (without even realizing it) and just toss in the trash".

--- A Little Personal Story ---

Most of you, I'd imagine, will start by learning basic sleights and then gradually build up your repertoire of moves.

That's probably how it *should* go, but in my case, things played out a little differently...

This was the day I really started to take magic seriously ----> https://www.instagram.com/p/nL0eXOTBDu/

(This is how I kicked off my Instagram (which, by the way, I totally don't use for magic at all; it's more for other hobbies like plants, and just general life stuff))

About a month into doing magic, I could barely handle a Double Lift, a couple of false shuffles... that was pretty much it. I could also Control a chosen card to the TOP or BOTTOM (the classic in-hand shuffle Control for a single card), but I hadn't really polished much else.

Even with that, I grabbed the Zenith, de David Stone, and within just a few days, I was already performing this for people:

I was performing the trick without a hitch.

All I needed was a false shuffle, a false cut, a Control of the card to the TOP (or BOTTOM), the technique David explains (which simply requires practice and doesn't even need misdirection, as it's self-covering), and I was all set to stick signed spectator cards to every ceiling in my city.

And not just that, consider all the other possibilities this gimmick opens up, because the "idea" behind it is as simple as it is practical and effective.

Another gimmick (or concept) I picked up back then (I bought *a lot* of stuff!) was the Any Card to Any Spectator's Wallet de Jeff Kaylor y Michael Ammar,

This has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but I wanted to mention it anyway, just in case anyone's interested.

I was obsessed with controlling everything, even though I'd barely learned any sleights. And honestly, Jeff and Michael's concept is brilliant because, aside from nailing the misdirection at the perfect millisecond, the rest is practically self-working. All you really need is to Control the spectator's card to the TOP or BOTTOM before a false in-hand shuffle, and you're golden.

--- Getting to the Point ---

Alright, those examples from my own journey were just to set the stage for what I'm about to tell you.

I'm going to tell you about some things you absolutely *should* keep, PERO I'm not going to tell you why.

Let me explain:

I can't say why, because that would mean revealing secrets about products still on the market, and I feel that's just not right.

That being said, sooner or later you'll discover why and you'll probably think to yourselves:

"Man, if I'd only known this sooner, I wouldn't have thrown any of that stuff out!"

That's why I'm writing this post... 😊

I know it's a bit cryptic, but it has to be this way, out of respect for creativity.

Alright, let's dive in.

The boxes themselves, and even the plastic wrap they come in.

It might be more common to keep the boxes (they're good for so many things...) but the plastic wraps isn't as common. Most people just tear them off. But just like the boxes, they're valuable for a ton of effects.

Another common thing people rip when opening a new deck are the seals.

Most decks come with that classic card box seal.

So, from RIGHT NOW, you should have some Post-It (sticky notes), and for every new deck with a seal, peel it off and put it on a Post-It.

Okay, okay, WHYYYYYY???? Just tell us already!!!!.

Seriously, without revealing secrets, I genuinely can't tell you. They have so many countless uses.

While you're learning, and before you know it, at least start to collect them. When the time comes, you'll be extremely grateful that you kept those seals (and everything else).

I hope this tip, in the long run (especially for those of you just starting out) proves useful.

Best wishes and happy magic!!!