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Topic: Favorite Impromptu Card Routines...

Message: Posted by: Vinnie Laraway (Aug 7, 2007 06:54PM)
Hey guys,

I would like to know what your guys' favorite routines are with a pack of cards that involves no set
up what-so-ever... (Taking the four aces out to use them in the routine is fine, but nothing that can't
be done from a shuffled deck)

My favorites are:
My Ambitious Card Routine (no surprise)
Biddle Trick (this one is easy, but always gets HUGE reactions)
Easy Ace Estimation (I just love this one)

I'd love to hear your guys' choices.

Please list as many as possible, as I'm trying to learn more impromptu card routines.
-Vinnie
Message: Posted by: magico (Aug 7, 2007 07:04PM)
Hi Vinnie,

Check here

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=209549&forum=206&30&start=0#29
Message: Posted by: Hansen (Aug 7, 2007 09:07PM)
Vinnie, who is that young guy next to you?

Has anyone ever told you that you look a little bit like Eugene Burger?
Message: Posted by: msc455magic (Aug 7, 2007 11:27PM)
A great item that has served me well is "Steinmeyer's Nine Card Problem With Seven Cards" from
the book "Solomon's Mind." Not only is this impromptu, but is also a self worker.

Best,
Charles
Message: Posted by: benjie84 (Aug 7, 2007 11:29PM)
I love doc daleys last trick and twisting the aces. any triumph effect is great too. and of course, who
could pass up ambitious card?! so much bang for your buck and the routining is endless!!
Message: Posted by: korttihai_82 (Aug 8, 2007 04:07PM)
I have yet to see anything impromptu that beats triumph, out of sight, out of mind and ambitious
card... Anywhere, anytime, with anyones deck.

J-M
Message: Posted by: Jaz (Aug 8, 2007 04:26PM)
Most of the card effects I do are impromptu.
If there is any set up at all, it's done on the fly.
All the tricks I do are my favorites or I wouldn't do them. ;)

Homing Card � Carlisle.

Standing Triumph � using Wagner/Acer moves.
Card Under Drink - JC Wagner.
Fab Four Revisited � Wagner.
Las Vegas Leaper � Harris.
Too Many Cards � Dingle.
.. are just a few of my favorites as are a couple mentioned above.
Message: Posted by: Erdnase27 (Aug 8, 2007 04:26PM)
Triumph
Fabulous aces
Out of sight, Out of mind,
Out of this world
Ambitious Card
Biddle Trick
Power of Poker
Message: Posted by: matt.magicman (Aug 9, 2007 07:05AM)
Mine are
james brown's card opener
my ACR, to wallet
sankey's back in time
matthew j downdens: card at any number/under drink, and his cards to mouth routine
paul gordon's 4 card trick
which reminds me
check out paul gordons books, you will hundreds of great impromtu card magic in them.....
http://www.paulgordon.net/acatalog/card_tricks_magic.html
Message: Posted by: Roger Kelly (Aug 9, 2007 07:09AM)
From the top of my head, Impromptu Card at Any Number; Pre-prefiguration, Impromptu Out of
This World and Degrees of Freedom. All from a mental angle which leave the spectator
'wondering'!
Message: Posted by: peculiarone (Aug 9, 2007 08:17AM)
Mine is Subtle Sandwich by Chris Power. I learned this from a lecture he did at the British Magical
Society a few years ago. His lecture notes are the best lecture notes I ever purchased. All very
usable material. Very commercial

peculiarhana
Message: Posted by: Eric Jones (Aug 9, 2007 04:37PM)
Tampa Opener- Jim Swain
The Queens- Bill Goodwin
Inverted Elevator-Robbie Moreland
Those Are the Aces you B*stard-Jerimiah Zuo(Antinomy Issue #10 as A Sandwich for Two)
Message: Posted by: matt.magicman (Aug 9, 2007 04:41PM)
I see international magic have chris' lecture dvd, but can find his notes anywhere?
Message: Posted by: Shodan (Aug 9, 2007 05:06PM)
Check out Paul Cummin's "From a Shuffled Deck In Use" lecture notes - great impromptu
material :)
Message: Posted by: Larry Barnowsky (Aug 9, 2007 05:12PM)
The one that has stood the test of time for me is Rendezvous Aces. I teach it in my new book
Kingdom of the Red (click my banner in the coin or book forums or click by my signature for more
info). It is also taught on the companion DVD that goes with the book. Rendezvous Aces can be
performed under almost any conditions including surrounded using a borrowed deck.

Larry
Message: Posted by: chr!s (Aug 10, 2007 06:01AM)
The only self working effect I do,one I believe is my own creation,is something I call 'lay it
down'.the basic effect is,the deck is shuffled by a willing spectator.from this shuffled deck,a
prediction card is taken and layed down on the table,and after a small series of dealing packets,the
spectator herself deals the two cards that determine the prediction,which of course,is correct.
I have looked and researched and never found it in print,so I'm pretty confident that its my own.

chr!s
Message: Posted by: erlandish (Aug 10, 2007 06:14AM)
Sounds like Daryl's Untouched.
Message: Posted by: Andrew Loh (Aug 10, 2007 06:41AM)
I always perform my this routine "Meltdown Cardbox" (of course I am bias :)), check out the
reviews at my site (my signature). A visual routine!

Andrew Loh
Message: Posted by: synth_infusion (Aug 10, 2007 12:06PM)
Dr Daley's last trick, Back in time, Card under glass, Ghost, The Queens...can't think of anymore. :
Message: Posted by: Corbett (Mar 18, 2008 01:09PM)
Can't believe no one has mentioned Cards Across. Killer routine, and use any deck!
Message: Posted by: JohnWells (Mar 18, 2008 04:13PM)
My favorites for impromtu work:

The Devilish Miracle

The Christ Aces
Any of half a dozen ace assemblies
The Biddle Trick
Jacks or Better
The Visitor
Peter Duffie's lie detector
A few Paul Rossini quickies
My handling of the helicopter card
The Triple Revelation (Marlo handling)
A Future Classic

For a short set I frequently combine

The Christ Aces (using kings), a seven card assembly, and the Visitor.
Message: Posted by: MagicTobe (Mar 18, 2008 05:45PM)
Las Vegas Leaper
Last Man standing
Biddle
thank you le paul (my favourite very visual)
untouched
a la anneman
kannibals
for laymens people
A perfect perfect trick but I won't say because its so powerful and I want to be the only one
performing it.. I don't want it to become popular :D :=)
Message: Posted by: Remy (Mar 18, 2008 07:13PM)
[quote]
On 2007-08-09 17:37, Godhandz wrote:
Tampa Opener- Jim Swain
The Queens- Bill Goodwin
Inverted Elevator-Robbie Moreland
Those Are the Aces you B*stard-Jerimiah Zuo(Antinomy Issue #10 as A Sandwich for Two)
[/quote]
Hey Godhandz,

What's the effect for "Tampa Opener"? If it's anything like Chicago.... <The Fonz> Ehhhhhhhh
</The Fonz>

-Remy
Message: Posted by: wsduncan (Mar 19, 2008 12:01AM)
Card on Forehead
I've got a suprise for you
Message: Posted by: trickytrav (Mar 19, 2008 09:54AM)
Good Luck Card RRTCM
Triumph
Untouched by Darryl
Dirty Harry by Andrew Wimhurst
Kings and Witch by Al Smith
Card to Pocket RRTCM
Dr Daleys
Message: Posted by: Harm (Mar 19, 2008 05:29PM)
Hi,

I've read a few times the "Biddle" trick. It seems to be a good one. Can someone put me in the right
direction where to find it?

Thanks in advance.
Message: Posted by: DomKabala (Mar 20, 2008 11:13AM)
[quote]
On 2008-03-19 18:29, Harm wrote:
Hi,

I've read a few times the "Biddle" trick. It seems to be a good one. Can someone put me in the right
direction where to find it?

Thanks in advance.
[/quote]Card College Volume III "The Invisible Card" is a variant of the Biddle Trick.
Cardamagically,
Dom
:) :bwink:
Message: Posted by: Larry Barnowsky (Mar 20, 2008 11:29AM)
Lately, I've been performing my version of John Carney's "Sanverted". It's done with just 4 aces and
no gaffs. Before doing it I perform the ending sequence of Rendezvous Aces from my recent book
(see link below). The two effects synergize well.

Larry
Message: Posted by: cristo (Mar 20, 2008 11:43AM)
To piggyback on this thread, can anyone name some good references that contain mostly/all
impromptu effects?

I've bought a few books only to be disappointed to find them filled with stacks, setups, gaffs,
duplicates, etc. which have essentially no use to me.

Are there any "classic" references of impromptu card magic?

Message: Posted by: spatlind (Mar 20, 2008 05:53PM)
[quote]
On 2008-03-19 18:29, Harm wrote:
Hi,

I've read a few times the "Biddle" trick. It seems to be a good one. Can someone put me in the right
direction where to find it?

Thanks in advance.
[/quote]

Pretty sure I learned The Biddle Trick from one of Daryl's Card Revelation tapes. 1st or 2nd one I
think, not sure.
Scott
Message: Posted by: Harry Lorayne (Mar 20, 2008 10:34PM)
Cristo: Where have you been? I've written many books just for you. HL
Message: Posted by: Leo Reynolds Jr (Mar 21, 2008 09:21AM)
Harry quick question why don't you have a web site to sell your magic books and videos? You have
one for your memory books.I never would have found out that I was able to order direct from you if
it wasn't for The Magic Caf�.
Message: Posted by: Harry Lorayne (Mar 21, 2008 09:50AM)
Leo: I don't mix magic with memory for the public. I'm pretty careful about that. Most people in
magic know how to contact me. Besat - HARRY L.
Message: Posted by: Harm (Mar 21, 2008 10:21AM)
Thanks for telling where to find the "Biddle" trick.
Message: Posted by: robinr (Mar 23, 2008 03:54PM)
Glad Larry mentioned John Carney's "Sanverted." I use it all the time.

But the tricks I always use are the slop shuffle version of Triumph from Royal Road. I always think
of that as the Drunken Card Trick. And an original (meaning taking pieces from others) Follow the
Leader/Oil & Water routine. I remember disagreeing with Karl Fulves, who thinks no one but
magicians like Oil & Water. I've found it's one of the most entertaining routines for normal folks. Of
course, you have to be able to act a bit.

And I always fit in Reset-Reset somewhere.

Message: Posted by: JohnWells (Mar 25, 2008 01:58AM)
The Biddle Trick:

Is effect number one for the "Transcendent" move, published in genii (April 1947). The original is a
bit more involved than the versions taught by Giobbi, Cummins, Thompson, etc. One of the best
versions is called "The Lawyer's Trick", publishe in genii (August 1997). Really really great.

Harry is right:

For the best in direct entertaining card magic, you will not find a better bang for your buck than any
book by Harry Lorayne. Close-up Card Magic is my personal favorite.
If I were to start a magic school, the first semester would be spent watching the taped performances
of Harry Lorayne and Martin Nash (guess who Martin looked to when learning to entertain with
cards). You won't see blinding multiple cuts and "high-impact visual magic" (i.e. no gimmicked
cards to replace),but you will actually entertain your audiences.
Something easily missed in the ellusionist generation is the simple maxim that the performer must
be more interesting than the trick. Yes, David Blaine does some cool tricks, but no one I have come
across is interested in knowing him as a person. He stood in an ice cube for two weeks-I would not
let him in my house.
He may be a bit of an egoist, but Harry Lorayne is a fascinating guy. He may do, as I saw one forum
member call it, "Grand-pa magic", but those of us who do Grand-pa magic (and proudly so) will be
working long after the latest "born to perform" card miracle (requiring no practice or personality)
has been forgotten.
Message: Posted by: peculiarone (Mar 25, 2008 09:40AM)
Mine is an effect called subtle sandwich by Chris Power from his lecture notes obtained at a lecture
in the UK about 7 years ago.

PO
Message: Posted by: Harry Lorayne (Mar 25, 2008 05:52PM)
JohnWells: Thanks for the kind words. Curious - I never saw the remark re: "grandpa magic." I'd
love for that person to give a couple of examples of just what he refers to. What's interesting is that
I have cartons of letters, and emails, from YOUNG people telling me how they've put together not
one, but many, close-up routines, walk-around, sit-down, etc., from just my published (and DVD'd)
stuff. Interesting.

I'd love to know the kind of magic the "grandpa magic" remarker does, and makes money by doing.

Why do I have the feeling that I could buy and sell him just by doing my "grandpa magic" (my
memory work goes without saying). Anyway... Best - HARRY LORAYNE.
Message: Posted by: wsduncan (Mar 26, 2008 12:25AM)
Geeez. The so-called "McDonald's Aces" goes back to Hofzinser.

What would that be Harry? Great, Great, Great GrandPa magic?

As my mentor used to say when I walked into the magic shop and asked "what's new"?
[quote]
You haven't learned everything that's OLD yet.
[/quote]
:)
Message: Posted by: daviaac (Mar 26, 2008 11:10AM)
My favourite impromptu card trick is the sorcerer's apprentice my absoloute favourite as it can be
done with a borrowed deck completely ungimmicked and completely shuffled yet it still baffles as
the spectator does all the work. especially being the first magic trick I ever learnt I still use it to this
day and it still fry's people.

luke

(learnt from a paul zennon cheap street magic book) those were the days
Message: Posted by: daviaac (Mar 26, 2008 11:11AM)
My favourite impromptu card trick is the sorcerer's apprentice my absoloute favourite as it can be
done with a borrowed deck completely ungimmicked and completely shuffled yet it still baffles as
the spectator does all the work. especially being the first magic trick I ever learnt I still use it to this
day and it still fry's people.

luke

(learnt from a paul zennon cheap street magic book) those were the days
Message: Posted by: spatlind (Mar 26, 2008 02:40PM)
[quote]
On 2008-03-21 11:21, Harm wrote:
Thanks for telling where to find the "Biddle" trick.
[/quote]

My pleasure
Scott
Message: Posted by: JohnWells (Mar 27, 2008 12:01AM)
Harry:

That comment may actually have been aimed towards Obie O'brien, my memory fails...yes I have
several of your books. The point you make, and what I was getting at less directly, is that the
"classics" will play long after every whiz-bang gimmick fest has played out its fifteen minutes. You,
and by extension we, are absolutely right.
Message: Posted by: Corbett (Apr 22, 2008 11:04AM)
OOTW and Ambitious Card are classics, and impromptu.
Message: Posted by: Leo Reynolds Jr (Apr 22, 2008 03:20PM)
The Sting- Harry Lorayne
Fantastic Ace Assembly-Harry Lorayne
One Eyed Jack Sandwich-Harry Lorayne.
Aria- Aldo Colombini
A Dazzling Flush-Paul Gordon
All three authors have great impromptu card trick books and DVD's
Message: Posted by: michaelvincent (Apr 24, 2008 09:45AM)
Hey guys
One of the very best routines with a borrowed deck, totally impromptu is Harry Lorayne's
Foursome

See it performed live here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKaS5zMrDIY

Enjoy

Mike Vincent
Message: Posted by: vinsmagic (Apr 24, 2008 10:03AM)
Michael in your hands you made foursome a Miracle....
you are always a joy to watch..
thank you Harry so many of us learned from you
the godfather
Message: Posted by: michaelvincent (Apr 24, 2008 10:07AM)
Thanks Vin and thanks to Harry for a lifetime of outstanding magic.

Forgot to mention, Harry published another great effect which I have used for 30 years, it is called
"Controlled Spelling" which you can find in Rim Shots. Beautiful powerful effect.

Cheers

Mike Vincent
Message: Posted by: Stanyon (Apr 24, 2008 10:53AM)
Nobody's mentioned it yet, so I will..."The Automatic Deck" from The Book of John by John
Mendoza (1978).
Anybody's deck, no set-up (you can if you want to use your own deck), anytime-anywhere! Been
using this as one of several "challenge" effects since I learned it from John in 1979. (Geez! That's
almost thirty years ago!)

Cheers! ;)
Message: Posted by: clarissa35f (Apr 26, 2008 12:13AM)
I do Twisting The Aces, and Dr daly's Last Trick. I'll do That's it. I'll sometimes go into ACR,
except I have a real problem, I can't get myself to have people signing cards. Bending cards...ditto...
Tearing cards..i see a Magician tear a card I just cringe... cut and restored card, I have to admit I
don't have anything that defaces cards.. And it weakens my ACR routine.

it's really silly, cards are $3.99 a pack for Bikes in NYC cheaper if you order them in Bulk online,
which I will start doing...so cost of card is under 10 cents. So while I won't bend over to pick up a
dime, I find myself cringinmg when it comes to defacing cards... Anyone else have this problem? It
just feels Like I am a workman not respecting my tools... know what I mean?
Message: Posted by: erlandish (Apr 26, 2008 12:32AM)
My favourite impromptu card routine that I've ever seen performed is Tommy Wonder's Deja
Reverse.

Description: Two cards selected and returned to the deck. The magician promises to make each of
them turn face up. The magician asks the name of the first card. A shake of the squeaking salt
shaker later, and the first card turns face up. The magician turns it over, and asks the name of the
second card. Another squeak, and the first card turns face up again. He turns it back over, another
squeak, and the first turns face up again. He pauses, confused for a second, does another squeak,
sees the first card turn face up again, he lifts it out and tears it up and sets it off to the side. Finally,
confidently, he does one last salt-shaker squeak, and the first card turns face up again. Confused, he
goes to the pieces of the torn-up card, and it's the second selection.

Love that routine.

Message: Posted by: Pharaoh (Apr 26, 2008 03:18AM)
From 'Lost Souls' the effect Shuffle Happy. It involves a borrowed shuffled deck. A card is selected
by the spectator without you touching the deck and the spectator does lots of shuffling (hence the
title) right up to the end before you get the deck. The first time you touch the deck in fact is right at
the end when you find the card.

Lost Souls is a collection fo Impossible Location methods available as an ebook for instant
download here:

http://www.magicshop.co.uk/INSTANT_DOWNLOADS/c69/p2635/
Lost_Souls_by_Peter_Wilton_-_INSTANT_DOWNLOAD/product_info.html
Message: Posted by: Picard (Apr 26, 2008 07:22AM)
[quote]
On 2008-04-26 04:18, Pharaoh wrote:
From 'Lost Souls' the effect Shuffle Happy. It involves a borrowed shuffled deck. A card is selected
by the spectator without you touching the deck and the spectator does lots of shuffling (hence the
title) right up to the end before you get the deck. The first time you touch the deck in fact is right at
the end when you find the card.

Lost Souls is a collection fo Impossible Location methods available as an ebook for instant
download here:
http://www.magicshop.co.uk/INSTANT_DOWNLOADS/c69/p2635/
Lost_Souls_by_Peter_Wilton_-_INSTANT_DOWNLOAD/product_info.html
[/quote]
This looks like a commercial rather then your preference for the effect but in a case it isn't so I
wonder what's your success rate with that effect?
In my opinion Shuffle Happy is a very weak effect with 23.55% chance of failing already in the
beginning (selection process), not to mention that all those cuts required from the spectator have to
be very precisely done in order for it to work.
I like the idea but the execution is far from being worked out and it's shame that the effect like that
one is being sold and even praised by the author as his favorite impossible location effect.
Message: Posted by: Pharaoh (Apr 26, 2008 07:55AM)
It certainly wasn't meant as a commercial and so sorry if it appeared that way. It's simply that that
type of effect particularly appeals to me.

I'd have to say I disagree with the odds of success as I have had very good success with the effect.
Don't forget too what the effect is - it is out of the hands.

Anyway, back to the thread generally and I would say that I also particularly enjoy Bill Goldman's
One for the Money again for the appeal of the hand's off nature of the effect.
Message: Posted by: Picard (Apr 26, 2008 08:10AM)
[quote]
On 2008-04-26 08:55, Pharaoh wrote:
I'd have to say I disagree with the odds of success as I have had very good success with the effect.
Don't forget too what the effect is - it is out of the hands.
[/quote]
You can't disagree with something that's mathematically 100% correct. You can even test it by trial
and error and see that you don't get the ace or king that often as the author states. I think 23.55%
chance of failure is way too much in a long run. Since you claim to have had a very good success
with it, it can only be that you have been extremely lucky by now or haven't yet performed it too
many times.
Message: Posted by: Kex (Apr 26, 2008 06:31PM)
I'll jump in with two of my favorites. Las Vegas Leaper and the Phychic Stop Trick (expert card
technique). Both are favorites of my audiences and always get asked for.

Kex
Message: Posted by: jb201 (Apr 26, 2008 08:53PM)
Harry Lorayne's The Card Sharp And The Four Gamblers
Message: Posted by: joudini (Dec 6, 2008 07:59AM)
Card Transposition(Carlyle) & IOOTW(Lorayne)