Posts Tagged cards
Stuff Magicians Like No. 16 – Pockets. Lots of them.
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Stuff Magicians Like on 08/30/2011
What do magicians love more than their cards, coins and other performing materials? One word: Pockets! Especially for close-up workers. I doubt anyone knows their pockets inside and out more thoroughly than a magician. After all, we do have to have a place for all of our magic stuff when we go out, right? (See Stuff Magicians Like No. 4.)
Truthfully, pocket management is as much of an art as magic itself. There is something beautiful in being able to have pockets loaded with props without looking like it. Add to that having places to ditch items without fear of them clanking into other props, letting your audience know what you just did, is just amazing. It takes careful planning, routining and a certain finesse to make everything seem above reproach. Of course, on the other hand, you have clumsy magicians constantly rummaging through their overstuffed pockets looking for their hot rod.
I bet we all have a favorite pocket or two as well. On the top of the list would probably be the Topit. I know that I really enjoy the coin pockets in my suit jacket. My runner up is my left breast pocket, where I like to ditch my jumbo coin.
I can also think of a few tricks that depend on pockets. Um…card to pocket? Coin through pocket? Two in the hand, one in the…POCKET? Oh and what about the awesome color changing pocket trick? Okay, I made that last one up. But actually if you think about it, the pockets would theoretically change color in a quick change act where the clothes change too, right? So where would all these tricks be without pockets? They’d probably end up in that weird “Beyond” section of Bed, Bath & Beyond.
So there you have it. Pockets are just as important to the art of magic as magic. Savvy?
(The idea for post came from William Draven over at The Magic Session Lounge.)
Stuff Magicians Like No. 14 – Sharpies
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 07/05/2011
I think that taggers and magicians are Sharpie’s two largest market demographics…and not necessarily in that order.
Sharpies are awesome! Aren’t they? There’s just so much you can do with them in a magical performance. Of course there is the obligatory having a card signed with the mandatory line of “This is the only card like this in the world, right? Unless you make it a habit to go around signing playing cards.” <SARCASM>We all know that a spectator will never be able to tell their card apart from all the others. That’s why we have them write their name on it!</SARCASM>
For the super-daring, you can always have the spectator sign their own money, inviting federal retribution. It’s a slippery slope though. I’d bet dollars to donuts that in a week that performer will be performing a Smash & Stab with the spectator’s hand in which it gets impaled on a, you guessed it, A SHARPIE!
We sure do love our Sharpies though. We buy them in bulk. We get the extra large ones for laughs. We get the extra small ones for laughs. We modify them for tricks and make them the butt of jokes! “Let me recap.” or “Careful! It’s a Sharpie!” We even buy nice decorative covers for them to make them look “sharp.” -groan-
It’s such a beautiful romance shared between a magician and a Sharpie. May they never part. (Cue romantic violin music.)
Typographic Playing Cards
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Inspiration on 04/12/2011
I ran into these a while ago while reading a blog that I follow. My last post about the April Fool’s joke reminded me of it and I wanted to share it with you. These cards come from a UK based design firm called Hat-Trick Design.
This is a great example of creativity and a source of inspiration for design. The design on each of these cards is different, and each face design is created using the card’s value number or letter. Each design reveals an interesting pattern that also depicts the card’s suit. Be sure to not miss the joker’s face and when you take a closer look at the back design, you’ll see the values creating the pattern. I don’t think they reveal the face value however…
Click here for more info, pics and a video!
(Unfortunately, at the time of this post you can’t purchase them, though the creator says more are being printed.)
A Great April Fool’s Joke!
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, News on 04/06/2011
I was reading The Magic Newswire and came across this post about The Magic Circle preparing to sue EU over forced changes to playing cards. Since this revolves around the design of playing cards, I thought it would be an appropriate post.
Read the full story here for a great laugh!
Stuff Magicians Like No. 10 – Forcing a Card that Someone is Wearing
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 03/16/2011
So there you are. You’re waiting in line at the bank and someone walks in behind you. You glance up briefly, just long enough to notice that his shirt features an Ace of Spades. Your inner dialog begins and it might go a little like this:
“This is the perfect! I just happen to have some cards here. I have to perform a trick for this guy and it has to end with his chosen card being the card that he’s wearing. It has be a little elaborate though, so as not to make it obvious. Maybe I’ll do an ambitious card, then have the kicker be that he knew what card he would choose today. Or maybe I’ll…” Of course, by the time you decide what you’re going to do, you’re called up to the next available teller and your chance is shot.
I think we’ve all been in this scenario. The card is usually an Ace or a Joker. The coolness factor increases, though, if you notice that that they have a tattoo of a card. Then you can add some jokes to the mix, like, “I see you’re on the patch. I should get on it too, I’m up to a pack a day.” Whatever you do is sure to be a memorable moment for the unsuspecting spectator.
I’m not quite sure where I was going with this post, but I can almost guarantee that you’ll be keeping your eyes peeled now for “potential forces.”
Stuff Magicians Like No. 3 – Getting Playing Cards as Gifts
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 01/11/2011
Question: How many of us get playing cards as gifts from friends and family?
Answer: All of us.
I think it’s funny that I own so many different types of playing cards other than my standard bikes. I literally have cards from Jamaica, Italy, Greece, Texas and many other places I’ve never set foot. These have all been brought back to me from these places via friends and family. What’s even funnier? I absolutely love them!
So there you have it. If you’re looking for a gift for that magician in your family or circle of friends while you’re out of the country, you can’t go wrong with a deck of cards!
You’re welcome. 
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