Tricks you don't recommend

Dogwood · 16th July 2003, 04:39 PM

What tricks would you strongly advise someone against investing in? Either because they're too expensive, overrated, impractical, cheaply made, etc. My offering is Werry's "Transformer". It's not that expensive, but considering how you could make it yourself for about two dolars, it's just not that impressive.

NoZed Avenger · 16th July 2003, 04:56 PM

hmmm. Maybe the Raven. It got big a couple years ago, but spending the money on the BoBo book and learning a dozen good sleights is a far better investment, IMO.

I'll have to think on this - I know there are effects that I have turned down or regretted spending money on. . .

NA

rustypouch · 16th July 2003, 06:07 PM

I really like my Raven. It's easy to use and always fools people. In fact, I find it so easy that I can even do it when I'm drunk!

I would suggest against purchasing " Strangers Gallery," as it is too gimmicky.

But another packet trick I love is the "Dark Card."

Jeff Corey · 16th July 2003, 07:13 PM

The Balduchi JATO Levitation?

Two words.

Horrible idea.

Lavie Enrose · 16th July 2003, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mark tidwell
What tricks would you strongly advise someone against investing in? Either because they're too expensive, overrated, impractical, cheaply made, etc.

Road Penn

Quote:

Teller brought with him copies of an affidavit that they were all to sign swearing that they wouldn't do the Linking Rings for at least the first quarter of this century.

RSLancastr · 17th July 2003, 07:03 PM

You know the trick that they show in a couple of Warner Brothers cartoons, where the performer swallows gunpowder, nitroglycerine, fireworks, and finishes by swallowing a match?

I would strongly advise against trying it.

NoZed Avenger · 17th July 2003, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rustypouch
I really like my Raven. It's easy to use and always fools people.

Fair enough. I guess all I was trying to say is that many people who ended up buying it (that I knew about) -- people who hadn't done much magic -- would have gotten more bang for their buck by picking up a good coin book and learning the sleights. The raven seems to be more of a one trick pony type affair.

NA

rustypouch · 17th July 2003, 09:42 PM

I see your point. The raven really is only good for one effect, but it is one where I will break one of the rules of magic and repeat it right away.

I do own Bobo's coin book, but I haven't been able to learn much from it. Either the tricks are too hard, I lack the dexterity, or I'm too lazy to pratice much.

I just find coin work in general very difficult.

Blue Monk · 17th July 2003, 09:44 PM

I would avoid Ethel like the plaque. I still have two small scars on the back of my...

Oh wait a minute, you're talking about magic tricks.

Nevermind.

Duncan · 18th July 2003, 12:13 PM

Personally, I'm not very good at tricks, but I know this girl who can turn tricks with the best of them. For instance, give her a twenty dollar bill and she'll do this thing with her... ah... actually nevermind.

Yahweh · 27th July 2003, 02:03 AM

Usually I wouldnt recommend card tricks (because they just arent that impressive) but I ordered that deck of Iraqi shmoes off the internet... you'd never think for second that Iraqi dictators could make all your card tricks just that much more impressive...

Brown · 30th July 2003, 11:36 PM

The book "Scarne on Card Tricks" has some good card tricks. Unfortunately, some of them require quite a lot of advance preparation (and in many cases, the payoff isn't all that great).

Tricks that begin "The performer removes the cards from the card case..." is a tip-off that some deck set-up is required.

I prefer the tricks that (1) can be performed impromptu or (2) can be set up in a matter of seconds, even if people are watching you (as long as they aren't watching you too closely).

Supercharts · 6th August 2003, 07:50 AM

Sawing a woman in half without using a 'cover' is a very bad trick. Substituting a weasel hidden in your pants instead of a rabbit is another.

16th July 2003, 04:39 PM	#1
Dogwood (dogwood) Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 596	Tricks you don't recommend What tricks would you strongly advise someone against investing in? Either because they're too expensive, overrated, impractical, cheaply made, etc. My offering is Werry's "Transformer". It's not that expensive, but considering how you could make it yourself for about two dolars, it's just not that impressive.
Dogwood (dogwood) Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 596	__________________ I can't read this.

16th July 2003, 08:18 PM	#5
Lavie Enrose Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,961	Re: Tricks you don't recommend Quote: Originally posted by mark tidwell What tricks would you strongly advise someone against investing in? Either because they're too expensive, overrated, impractical, cheaply made, etc. Road Penn Quote: Teller brought with him copies of an affidavit that they were all to sign swearing that they wouldn't do the Linking Rings for at least the first quarter of this century.

17th July 2003, 09:44 PM	#9
Blue Monk Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,759	I would avoid Ethel like the plaque. I still have two small scars on the back of my... Oh wait a minute, you're talking about magic tricks. Nevermind.
	__________________ Veni, Vidi, Velcro I came, I saw, I stuck around

18th July 2003, 12:13 PM	#10
Duncan Student Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 47	Personally, I'm not very good at tricks, but I know this girl who can turn tricks with the best of them. For instance, give her a twenty dollar bill and she'll do this thing with her... ah... actually nevermind.
Duncan Student Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 47

27th July 2003, 02:03 AM	#11
Yahweh Ayay ashay ayay Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,030	Usually I wouldnt recommend card tricks (because they just arent that impressive) but I ordered that deck of Iraqi shmoes off the internet... you'd never think for second that Iraqi dictators could make all your card tricks just that much more impressive...
Yahweh Ayay ashay ayay Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,030

16th July 2003, 04:56 PM	#2
NoZed Avenger Bitter Whiner Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 8,411	hmmm. Maybe the Raven. It got big a couple years ago, but spending the money on the BoBo book and learning a dozen good sleights is a far better investment, IMO. I'll have to think on this - I know there are effects that I have turned down or regretted spending money on. . . NA

16th July 2003, 06:07 PM	#3
rustypouch Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary... Posts: 2,584	I really like my Raven. It's easy to use and always fools people. In fact, I find it so easy that I can even do it when I'm drunk! I would suggest against purchasing " Strangers Gallery," as it is too gimmicky. But another packet trick I love is the "Dark Card."

16th July 2003, 07:13 PM	#4
Jeff Corey New York Skeptic Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,404	The Balduchi JATO Levitation? Two words. Horrible idea.

17th July 2003, 07:03 PM	#6
RSLancastr Philosopher www.StopSylvia.com Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Los Angeles Area Posts: 8,071	You know the trick that they show in a couple of Warner Brothers cartoons, where the performer swallows gunpowder, nitroglycerine, fireworks, and finishes by swallowing a match? I would strongly advise against trying it.

17th July 2003, 07:56 PM	#7
NoZed Avenger Bitter Whiner Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 8,411	Quote: Originally posted by rustypouch I really like my Raven. It's easy to use and always fools people. Fair enough. I guess all I was trying to say is that many people who ended up buying it (that I knew about) -- people who hadn't done much magic -- would have gotten more bang for their buck by picking up a good coin book and learning the sleights. The raven seems to be more of a one trick pony type affair. NA

17th July 2003, 09:42 PM	#8
rustypouch Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary... Posts: 2,584	I see your point. The raven really is only good for one effect, but it is one where I will break one of the rules of magic and repeat it right away. I do own Bobo's coin book, but I haven't been able to learn much from it. Either the tricks are too hard, I lack the dexterity, or I'm too lazy to pratice much. I just find coin work in general very difficult.

30th July 2003, 11:36 PM	#12
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	The book "Scarne on Card Tricks" has some good card tricks. Unfortunately, some of them require quite a lot of advance preparation (and in many cases, the payoff isn't all that great). Tricks that begin "The performer removes the cards from the card case..." is a tip-off that some deck set-up is required. I prefer the tricks that (1) can be performed impromptu or (2) can be set up in a matter of seconds, even if people are watching you (as long as they aren't watching you too closely).
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

6th August 2003, 07:50 AM	#13
Supercharts Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,184	Sawing a woman in half without using a 'cover' is a very bad trick. Substituting a weasel hidden in your pants instead of a rabbit is another.