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Just my personal opinion and experience, but magicians tend to be far more enamored of Oil & Water than lay people. Lay audiences expect us to be able to deceptively manipulate the cards, which is precisely what is being done, from start to finish, in an O & R routine. So that greatly dilutes...

@Mohana, you are 16, I am 70. I have been giving shows since the age of 6, and have been performing professionally since 1992 (although I am the first to admit that I still have a ton to learn). But you know what? I have been more inspired by, and learned more from, you in the last couple months...

@Mohana, don't worry if you cannot do a good second deal. Sure it can be useful, but there are hundreds, if not thousands of great card tricks (and even gambling demonstrations, if one is so inclined) that do not require a second deal. What is important is being able to present strong...

Card 1: 6 of Diamonds Card 2: Jack of Clubs Card 1: King of Diamonds Card 2: 3 of Hearts

I've been performing magic for a very, very long time. Therefore, I have a lot of experience with messing up, LOL, and what to say or do when it inevitably happens. Just last week, I did a birthday party show, mixed kids and adults, and the Pen Through Dollar trick I have been doing forever...

Mohana wrote: "Do you think there's merit in the cardistry-kind false shuffles? As much as I love cardistry, those always seem weird to me, because when packets are flipping around so much, it becomes much harder to believe that any cut is truly false. Then again, I might be thinking from a...

@MohanaMisra, Please allow me to offer my comments. (1) I thought the production values were quite good, actually, as was the "set design" - a very attractively adorned room, that looks magical; (2) The shuffle was excellent - smooth, natural and deceptive; (3) I would advise against using that...

@MohanaMisra, I apologize for referring to you as "he" when it obviously should have been "she." It's just that it seemed that the photo you formerly had on here did not depict a female, but maybe that was just my own careless observation. And I have seen where members of forums have had a photo...

That may not be off the mark at all. It's probably a lot more dangerous (both physically and spiritually) to eat most of the things that are prepared on a barbecue grill than it is to light one up with a pyro pen. I haven't met @MohanaMisra, but I understand he is from India, where there are...

"How do I know who to listen to? Because of course, A, B and C will have to be dealt with differently. Also, is there any actual way of distinguishing them?" Listen to "D," your heart.

RealityOne has made some excellent points. Very early on in life I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that I wanted to perform magic professionally. I was bitten by the "Magic Bug" and started giving shows at age 6 at my parents' and relatives' parties. Recently, I just entered my seventh...

@Mohana Misra Wrote: "Also, just saying, if you feel a metronome (though really really handy) is bothering you to the point that you might want to smash your head on the wall..." Of course, while it might temporarily relieve frustration, smashing the head on the wall is highly UN-recommended...

Warning: Pure Unadulterated Personal Opinion EATCT by Erdnase was first published in 1902; ECT by Hugard & Braue was first published in 1940. 38 years is an eternity in the evolution of card magic. Believe me when I say Hugard & Braue were profoundly influenced by Erdnase. Card magic, like...

@RealityOne, just to clarify, you meant to say, that you would take a clever method over difficult sleight of hand any day, yes? One of Dai Vernon's quotes always struck a harmonious chord with me: "In magic, today as always, the effect is what counts. The method or methods used are always...

I'm asking myself why I even did that research. I'm not interested in acquiring the book. I'm in magic to perform and entertain people with routines.

Paul LePaul

*UPDATE - Just found it on the Viking Magic site for $495 and it appears to be brand new! Says they have only one left. https://www.vikingmagic.com/product/by-forces-unseen-ernest-earick/

@PGoutis01, the prices sellers are asking for By Forces Unseen are off the charts - typically between about $1200 and $2000 for copies from "Acceptable" to "Very good" condition. Now here's one I found on Amazon that is far from cheap, but it's in "Like New" condition and a steal compared to the...

WOW, sorry I had no idea the site selling the download was dealing in pirated goods. I guess I am blinded by wanting to see the best in people. Well, at least it appears the DVD on Trevor's work is legitimate. Most of the routines he teaches can be performed using or fashioning materials you can...

@Lewey17 - About 20 years ago, I became interested in performing for children. For many years prior to that I performed mainly at events for adults and wasn't interested in performing for the kids. I am so happy I broadened my horizons. At that time, I purchased a video by Trevor Lewis ("Trevor...