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Dealing with Sweaty Hands in Summer

Magia AvatarMagic
Jesús Sáez Sierra
@jess

CardistryDeck of CardsMagicPractice Session

Hey everyone,

now that the heat is really kicking in this time of year, I was wondering if anyone knows any little tricks to keep my hands from feeling so sweaty and sticky, or from transferring that stickiness to the cards.

I don't really have a problem with excessively sweaty hands, but after I've been working with a deck for a bit, I notice my hands get sticky and it's a bit uncomfortable.

So, if anyone has any advice, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks a lot!!!

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Nick Wayne
@kashoggi

Hey there! I'm sharing this club thread where some great tips were given.

https://magigram.com/es/club/beginners/consejos-para-manos-sudorosas-o-secas-1227/?u=kashoggi

Hope this helps! ☺️

All the best!

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A
@andreuchi

It's best to have good ventilation at home or wherever you're performing, whenever possible. You can also wipe them on your clothes, but that's a bit gross. Honestly, learning to perform comfortably even with sweaty hands is a good skill to develop, too. There are always more things you can try.

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Carlos Diaz
@supereriso

Here's another idea for you, one that some of us here have tried: the new plastic decks.

They do have a few downsides:

  • They don't handle the same
  • They weigh a bit more
  • They make a bit of noise when doing a spread. (I think that might just be me being particular€

But for areas with high humidity, they can really come in handy.

There's a thread about them. There might be others too, try using the forum's search function.

https://magigram.com/es/club/playing-cards/barajas-de-plastico-cuales-son-las-mejores-desde-mi-punto-de-vista-5786/

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A
@andreuchi

It's not the end of the world if your hands are dry; just try to maintain good hygiene and keep them moisturized to avoid flak

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Cento (el ayudante)
@elayudante

Hand Care (Keeping Your Hands Smooth)

  1. Use aloe vera hand sanitizer before practicing. It cleans, refreshes, and dries your skin without leaving any residue. Don't use it right before performing, but it's great for prep work.
  2. Alum powder or liquid chalk (like climbers use): Widely used by poker players and magicians. You can put a small amount on your fingertips. It doesn't powder or stain, but it effectively controls moisture.
  3. Unscented baby wipes: Before your session, clean your hands and wait for them to dry completely. Clean hands = happy cards.

Protect Your Cards from Sweat

  1. Store them in a tightly sealed case (some magicians use a metal tin or even a silica gel packet inside the case to absorb moisture).
  2. Don't practice with your good deck. Have a 'summer practice' deck and save your main deck for performances.
  3. Use decks with an "Air Cushion" finish or “Bee” brand decks. Some decks hold up better to heat and sweat than others. Standard Bicycle decks with the classic finish work well, but there are some like Copag 310 or Phoenix decks that also resist humidity better.

Bonus Magic Tips

  • If you're practicing for a long time, take short breaks every 15-20 minutes to wash your hands with cold water or use a dry towel.
  • Carry a small hand towel (like manipulators or stage magicians do), it seems like a minor detail, but it's super useful.
  • Some magicians use a small desk fan pointed at their hands during practice.

Happy practicing!

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