Expert Card Technique (Hugard & Braue)

Description

Here is a book of card magic and technique that is unparalleled in its thoroughness of the subject. Although the book is full of many beautiful and mystifying card effects, the authors stress the importance of technique and performance.

The many sleights are explained in detail as they pertain to the various effects. Other portions of the book deal with presentation, misdirection and routine selections.

If you have ever tried to do a card trick and failed, you know what it is to be embarrassed. You may try to cover up by doing a more difficult trick and fail again. The way out of this dilemma, however, is not immediate, but it is reliable: a surer mastery of technique. This means the proper instruction book, and practice.

In this definitive work on card technique, step-by-step instructions teach you the correct methods for the basic manipulations and the more advanced flourishes, and only then allow you to learn tricks. Offering the most foolproof methods available, Jean Hugard and Frederick Braue explain such basic manipulations as the palm, the shuffle, the lift; the side slip, the pass, the glimpse, the jog, and the reverse. They detail various false deals, crimps, and changes and the more advanced execution needed for forces, fans, and the use of the prearranged deck. Also presented is a wide variety of tricks, including discoveries, self-working tricks, one-handed tricks, stranger cards, and such individually famous tricks as the four aces, the rising cards, and the Zingone spread. In addition, the authors include a complete compendium of shakedown sleights to warn the card player and aid the entertainer-and a performer’s
guide to misdirection and patter.

Many of the methods explained were revealed here for the first time, while many previously known tricks are presented in improved versions. In every case the aim is simplicity of technique for the purpose of mystifying an audience, not technique for the sake of technique. An unsurpassed collection of methods and manipulations, this classic work will help any aspiring magician to achieve expert card technique.

Unabridged republication of the original (1940) edition. 318 illustrations, 448 pages, Paperbound Dover edition.