Trouble with False Counts

These techniques might seem simple, but mastering them requires meticulous care, dedicated practice, and a deep understanding of what the spectator 'sees and doesn't see'.

1. The Elmsley Count

Problem: When you drag two cards with your thumb, they get unsquared.

Solutions:

• Correct Pressure: Don't squeeze too hard. If you press too much, the cards "pop" or "spring apart." The pressure should be enough to control the cards, but without gripping them tightly. Think of it as a "gentle but firm touch."
• Flatter Thumb: Instead of using the tip, use the side of your thumb (closer to the first knuckle). This provides more contact surface and stability.

---

2. Push-Off Count

Problem: Difficulty cleanly separating the cards.

Solutions:

• Push with the base of your index finger (right hand). The common mistake is pushing with improperly positioned fingers, which causes the cards to misalign.
• Brace with your pinky: Create a "channel" between your thumb and pinky to keep the cards from spreading.
• Use an older deck if the cards are too slick. A new Bicycle deck can definitely work against you.

---

Practice Tips:

• Practice with four cards in front of a mirror: Do the real count, then the false one, one after another, until they are indistinguishable.
• Record yourself from the spectator's angle. Sometimes you think it's obvious, but it's not at all... or vice versa.
• Repeat in slow motion while vocalizing: Quietly narrating ("one... two... three... four...") helps synchronize your gestures and rhythm.

Hey there! When you can, I'd recommend saving up and getting a good book. El Canuto isn't expensive, and you can often snag it cheap secondhand. It offers subtleties that these videos just don't have.

Specifically, this channel is fine as a "directory" for what's in some books, but the explanations and execution aren't great. That Ascanio's Spread is rough to watch...

Regarding issues with cards squaring up, cards will get out of square if there's opposing pressure. If, during the double push-off, your left thumb pushes both cards without the lower fingers touching them, and you pinch with the crotch of your right thumb, there shouldn't be significant squaring issues (a small one would usually go unnoticed because you're moving from one packet of cards to another, and the deceptive action is nestled between legitimate, similar actions).

About the buckle, I'm not a huge fan unless I have to do a double or triple buckle. For a single card, it's better to get a pinky break under the bottom card; it's faster and less tense, which helps prevent any squaring issues.

Also, practice handling two cards so they feel like one. Pay attention to how you grip them (e.g., the three-finger pinch, pinching with the crotch of your thumb and securing with your pinky, etc.). Practice has a double effect: relaxation makes squaring issues minor, and it also eases your focus because we're not transmitting tension to the spectator (we're just counting cards). Even a well-timed comment, looking up at the key moment, will provide ample cover, helping you stay more relaxed when doing the count. Eventually, you won't even need that misdirection.