All tricks easy to figure out?

So does this mean we let him watch a video where we know how things are done and get him to analyze it? (Anything except P&T's clear cups and balls routine.)

I see tricks I don't get all the time, and I love it.
 
T'ai Chi said:
A simple solution to using marked decks would be for the spectator to bring his own deck and ask if the magician would care to exchange decks. :)

Also, the spectator, when examining the magician's deck, could flip deck like a flip book, and see if the backs of the decks are changing as it is flipped.
Click to expand...

Of course, if a magician is using a juice that won't work. You could be shown where the marks are on a juice deck and still not be able to see them.
 
One of the secrets that Mr. Randi taught me was a technique for secretly "marking" an otherwise unmarked deck ... during a card trick.

In addition, there are some card tricks in which you only need to mark a few cards, rather than the whole deck. Riffling the cards and looking at the backs will not reveal these marks if the marks are placed properly.
 
rustypouch said:
So does this mean we let him watch a video where we know how things are done and get him to analyze it? (Anything except P&T's clear cups and balls routine.)
Click to expand...

Sure, bring it on. :) PM me, so we don't reveal the secrets of any tricks in this forum.

I don't think that any trick is too difficult to figure out after some study. I'm not being cocky here. I simply haven't found any yet that have truly tested the ability to withstand serious scrutiny.
 
T'ai Chi said:


Sure, bring it on. :) PM me, so we don't reveal the secrets of any tricks in this forum.

I don't think that any trick is too difficult to figure out after some study. I'm not being cocky here. I simply haven't found any yet that have truly tested the ability to withstand serious scrutiny.
Click to expand...

Okay, I'll give it a shot.
The Cigarette Vanish
 
Ok, I just send in another guess by PM.

However, I guess it does suck (for my guesses) when there are multiple ways to do a trick. :)
 
Trying to get confirmation on my second (and final) guess. If Peter tells me it aint it (meaning it is way far off base), then I will graciously admit defeat. :)
 
Like I said,Peter can be really funny sometimes and we have been cyber friends for a year now.That Trick was interesting.I wish that I could go to see one of his shows
 
Strike 2, I am out!

I still think I have a pretty good case based on the video, but I admit my defeat here. :)
 
That Trick was called the Vanishing cigarette trick where Peter hides a Lit Cigarette in his hand,and of course it was gone after he opened his hand.That trick was done 7 years ago
 
The winner was Kevin Lowe, although he didn't quite have the description of the device right, he figured out where the cigarette went, as well as another important detail about the presentation. Very impressive!

Here's another one for you. I use almost the same presentation as the late Doug Henning. Bcause the trick is longer the file is much larger, (sorry).
Point to remember: Nothing is added or taken away; I could perform this trick in the nude but, believe me, you don't want to see me do it that way!


The Newspaper Trick
 
Peter,
I'll have to go to the library to see that trick on a computer
 
Peter,

Seeing as how you're a magician, I'm surprised to see you encouraging the notion that magic is simply nothing more than a puzzle to be figured out.
 
Silicon said:
For my impossible to figure out trick, I nominate The Turk. Anyone who admires cabinet illusions will enjoy the history of the first "machine" to beat humans at playing chess. It was a masterful illusion. And It'd still fool em today.
Click to expand...

It was a clever illusion, but I think audiences are more sophisticated today, and would indeed see thru it.
Also there are some good books detailing the whole history of the Turk (which also explain the mechanism!)
 
wert said:
Peter,

Seeing as how you're a magician, I'm surprised to see you encouraging the notion that magic is simply nothing more than a puzzle to be figured out.
Click to expand...

That's certainly not how I usually present my show, but in this context, in this forum, I don't mind. It's just a bit of fun.

When I do my show I'm really not concerned very much about fooling my audience - Even if no one is fooled by anything it wouldn't matter as long as they are being entertained.
 
wert said:
Peter,

Seeing as how you're a magician, I'm surprised to see you encouraging the notion that magic is simply nothing more than a puzzle to be figured out.
Click to expand...

I don't think he's encouraging the notion that magic "is just" a puzzle.

But magic "can be" a puzzle. Do you see the distinction?

Besides, we've already had people post in this very discussion that professional magicians do exactly what we are doing here. They treat each other's acts as a puzzle to be figured out.

I don't see how this is different, except that here the unwashed are playing the game along with the anointed magicians.

In any case, I enjoy the vanishing cigarette clip even more, now that Peter has confirmed that my theory about it is essentially correct. It's just a slick bit of work, and I like seeing it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom