Regardless of the field you are in - eventually once you reach a certain age you ask yourself the question - what would I have done differently? If you could go back in time what would you tell yourself?
 
In relation to magic? That's easy.
 
I'd tell myself to stop buying gimmicks and one hit wonders and to purchase books. Just like you should probably save for your retirement right now, you should also be buying magic books.
 
As a reviewer I get asked every week - should I buy "this" or "this" (and easily that's a different blog post about knowing your character) but what I really want to say is NEITHER! Begin to build your magic library.
 
Can I say it a different way? A louder way? Stop buying expensive garbage and start educating yourself with books.
 
A single expensive trick will only go so far in your world, especially if your audience is limited to Mom and Dad, your family members and the kids at school. That's a couple days of performance and then.... bam... over.
 
Expensive tricks go further for working professionals who have the opportunity to perform them over and over, but only if they're real world friendly and only if they fit into their built routines.
 
Do you know who likes the expensive tricks and can afford them? Collectors like me. Yes, that's right - before being a magician I am first and foremost a collector. I buy tricks solely for the opportunity to learn the puzzle. 90% of the tricks I buy, I never perform.
 
The tricks I do perform are the ones I learn from books.
 
Why books? Well, first it's education - most books contain MORE than tricks. They also contain insight, theory and ideas that typically are not included in DVDs. Books have thought and intentionality placed into them that usually reach further than the one night stand that some DVDs leave you feeling with.
 
Second, books are more accessible. A book can go anywhere with you. I've read magic books at the beach, camping, in hotels and at Grandma's house on Thanksgiving. Plus, when you have an idea or a thought - your book shelf is so much easier to visit than mindlessly placing DVD after DVD into your player.
 
Insert.... skip... menu.... scroll.....
 
"Nope that card trick isn't on that DVD either... ugh"
 
Third, books give you hundreds of tricks. Yes, that's right HUNDREDS! "Yea, but that's mostly filler or age old tricks that are easy to figure out."
 
Yes, you're right. But guess what? I've bought quite a few DVDs that are filled with filler or age old tricks that were easy to figure out as well - and the times I didn't feel ripped off were the times those tricks came in books.
 
DVDs might give you 12-15 tricks, but most of them time it's only 1. Of course there are the DVD box sets, but those start costing hundreds of dollars.
 
Ok, so you've got an empty book shelf - what should you purchase? My advice? Classic building blocks mixed with your special interest.
 
What does that mean? Well, just like any musician has to lean to play scales, the magician must also build a foundation on a common bedrock. That means getting some books that we all have in our libraries.
 
Books like....
 
Tarbell Course in Magic - 8 volumes - this is the most respected course in magic! The classic volumes cover every aspect and interest in the art of magic performance. A must have for every magic library!  Each book is about $25-30
 
Art of Astonishment from Paul Harris - 3 volumes - true, Paul's style is not for everyone and it's certainly not "entry level" but his creativity is off the charts and will certainly push you to find the "magical moment" that we all chase. Each book is about $30
 
Mark Wilson's course in Magic - this book has it all - rope magic, cards and coins - has pictures and is great for those just starting out. This book is about $15 in paperback
 
Now You See It, Now You Don't!: Lessons in Sleight of Hand by Bill Tarr - this book flies under a lot of radar but is filled with those sleight of hand lessons we all need. This book is sleights with cards, sponge balls and rope and more and you can find it for about $20.
 
Definitive Sankey - 3 volumes - I might be alone on this, but I am determined to tell the world that Jay Sankey is one of the best and most prolific teachers we have alive in the magic industry. This man is the hardest working magician out there and certainly the kindest and the funniest. These 3 volumes have it all and I predict one day will be required reading at Hogwart's or the most relevant equivalent.  Each book is about $65
 
And of course The Expert at the Card Table: The Classic Treatise on Card Manipulation by S.W. Erdnase. This is the card workers bible. Yes, it's kinda hard to read (like the Bible) and there are not a ton of pictues, but you'll come back to it time and time again to gain new insight as you grow (like the Bible). You can get a paperback for about $10
 
Of course everyone has their own foundational books and there are other "must read" lists out there - so do your homework and get some more opinions.
 
So you've got your foundational books - next you should pick up some books that have a specialized focus that you share. Personally I like cards
 
Books Like ....
 
Card College by Robert Giobbi - 5 volumes - this is your extensive, best, must-have collection on Card Magic - each book is about $40
 
Expert Card Technique - $15
 
Encyclopedia of Card Tricks - $12
 
Royal Road to Card Magic - $11
 
Anneman's Card Magic - $7
 
Self Working Card Tricks - $6
 
Mentalism - this library I have not built up as much. I know there are other more popular favorites, but I can only recommend the books I have and have read.
 
Psychological Subtleties by Banachek - 3 volumes - these are the best selling books in the magic and mentalism community and are considered a basic reference source for any complete library in the art. Each book is about $40
 
Practical Mental Magic - $12
 
3510 - Luke Jermay - Penguin Magic - $35

Coin Magic - granted I am not into coin magic, but I do have at least this book and it is recognized everywhere as the book you need in coin magic
 
Modern Coin Magic by Bobo - $9

Of course there are tons more, anything by Harry Lorraine or Diamond Jim Tyler, Totally Out of Control, Williams Wonders, Paper Engine, Destroyers, Strong Magic, Magic by Misdirection, 13 Steps to Mentalism, the list goes forever on.

What did I miss? What books do you think are must-haves or are flying under everyone else's radar? Join the conversation and comment below... oh and one more thing...

STOP BUYING GARBAGE AND BUY BOOKS!

Have you ever got a blank card as a "gaff" in a deck of cards? I'm looking at you Zach Mueller! (ha ha) what do you do with them? I always hear they are for magic tricks, but which ones?

I've never seen a magician use a blank card in a trick - have you?

Are these real gaffs? Or are they the byproduct of lazy "card designers."

#MadisonBlanks - ha ha!

Let's get into it - in today's MAGIC RANT

​Growing up, my "magic mentor" was my Father. All of my magic books were his and everything I owned in my magic kit - he bought. It was a hobby of his, a way to break him out of his shyness as a youth and it was something he wanted to share with his son.
 
And I remember he and I watching David Copperfield's ABC specials and me being frustrated with how little actual "magic" was in each special. David spent way too much time talking... and dancing for my taste. In my impatient youth I just wanted rapid fire one-after-the-other tricks.
 
But my Dad tried to explain that the talking (and the dancing) was the trick. I saw this most evident when I would learn a new effect and then race downstairs to show him. I went through the entire routine from start to finish in lightning speed accuracy and when it was all done - I wanted the shock and awe that I was craving.
 
But my Dad would just nod and say, "that's neat."
 
That's neat? That's it? Where was the jaw-dropping, hair pulling, "Oh my gosh!" that I was expecting?
 
Today, it's not David Copperfield on ABC (although I wish it were) it's advertisements that try to convince you to buy a magic trick. I would argue that 90% of the time we as magicians don't buy the effect because we identify with the trick or even because we think it would fit into our persona - no, we buy it from the "reaction" we see the spectator's give.
 
They scream, they stumble backwards, they run away crossing themselves.... and we think "that's the one I need to buy."
 
But then what happens? You buy it, open it up and instantly you see that it's a piece of string, or a piece of tape or a bent card.
 
That's it? This is what makes people scream and run away?
 
Nope.
 
No, what makes people react to magic is the story. It's all that talking and dancing that we sometimes don't get to see in the video.  Listen, the prop is just that... it's a prop. When I got to see a play, I might marvel at the set design or the costumes - but its the story and the actors that make or break the performance.
 
Does that mean I believe the old adage, "there are no bad tricks only bad magicians?" No, of course I don't believe that, I have got some real stinkers in the mail and so have you.
 
But my point is this. There is no magic trick on earth that will "floor people" or make them "scream" or "run away."  
 
All of that comes from you.
 
The performer.
 
You wanting to be magician, means you want to be a performer.
 
An actor.
 
A pubic speaker
 
A story teller
 
A good convincing story, with a well thought out plot, will destroy your audience. If you craft your effects together to follow a single narrative thread... one where you take their hand and guide them down a path... they will remember you and they will react strongly when it's over.
 
Is it more work? Yes.
 
Is it hard work? It can be.
 
But this is where your hours of practice pays off.
 
Be honest, you didn't get into magic because you wanted to do card tricks, you got into magic because you wanted that reaction from the audience.
 
You wanted people to look at you with shock and awe.
 
You wanted to inspire wonder and give people a light to believe in.
 
Don't' deprive yourself
 
Don't deprive them
 
Talk more.... dance more
 
Embrace the story.
 
 
* What was your favorite David Copperfield special? I liked the one where he put on the karate gi and floated up the pole to retrieve the necklace. Was that the building explosion one? Post your comments below

​
​As a reviewer I obviously get asked about cards a lot, usually it's a question like "which deck is best for...." (fill in the blank)
 
But the question I get the most is the "how does this deck handle?" question. Whomever coined that phrase should have trademarked it - they'd be a millionaire by now. I recently did an article that begun this conversation, but I want to continue it by addressing the other manufactures that are out there besides the United States Playing Card Company.
 
Yes, it's not an monopoly - other print shops exist that make cards. And for the most part there are two kinds. There are print shops that design and print their own cards - and there are others who only design and distribute but they outsource their printing (typically overseas). And yes, there are a few companies who do both.
 
So you see a new deck of cards on the market and you think you want to buy it - what should you do? I suggest take a few minutes and do your research. Ask questions:
 
1. Who is the printer? I am always wary of projects where the designer/creator does not tell you who the printer is.
 
2. Who is the designer / creator? Have they done this before? Do they have a reputation? What do other people say about them?
 
3. Who is the distributor? In other words, who is going to pack it into a box and mail it to you?
 
Sometimes when you purchase from an online magic shop (Ellusionist, Blue Crown, Theory 11) - the designer and the distributor are one in the same.
 
How do you get answers to these questions? Send an email to the project creator, read the write up (add copy) or just do a few quick online searches.
 
So, once armed with your answers you are a few steps closer to finding out how they will "handle."  If your answers come back that the cards are printed by USPCC - you can refer back to my earlier article.
 
If the answer comes back that the cards are printed by Cartamundi, Legends, Expert, MPC, Paulson or some other printer - now you have another piece to the puzzle.
 
Legends & Expert are printed in Taiwan
Paulsons is a Mexico printer
Cartamundi prints in Texas but they still outsource to China on occasion
MPC is based in Hong Kong
 
But what does all of that tell you? Probably nothing. You're only going to be able to answer the question "how do they handle" if you have samples of cards from each of those printers. Each of those print shops has their own card stock and finish.

What separates good cards from bad? Two things: Paper stock and finish.
 
Good paper stock is typically 310 GSM and comprised of two sides (a front and a back) and then glued together. Again, ask the designer what paper stock is used. 310 is typically the thin stuff and then anything pushing up to 350 GSM is the Casino grade stock.
 
Embossing is the "finish" on the surface. A good quality card will use a linen finish. This is an embossing created by metal rollers that creates a waffle pattern on the front and back of the cards. This is what allows the cards to glide over each other smoothly.
 
Cards that say "printed in China" with no other information, are typically a red flag that you're about to waste your money.
 
Are there other factors in card handling? Absolutely - more on that later

Hey that's right! It;s May - it's my birthday month and so that means it's time to give YOU presents. That makes sense right? Of course it does.

Ok, so over on my youtube channel are the official rules and contest video, but up for grabs are 4 unopened decks of cards and two Magic dvds,

This is the biggest giveaway I have done all year, so you don't want to miss it.

Oh and don't' forget to wish me Happy Birthday (ha ha)

​ I get asked a lot of questions as a reviewer, but the one I see the most is "how do they handle?" Do you mean the cards?
 
How do the cards "handle?"
 
First of all, whomever first coined this phrase is a marketing genius because they've convinced the noobs and fan boys that there is such a thing. And because it's then "force fed" to you over and over - when you pick up a deck - you convince yourself that it's true.
 
"Wow, these cards do handle great." you say to yourself.
 
Is there some truth to it? Well, of course there is - but it's not as apples and oranges as you think.
 
How do I make this simple for you?

First of all about 90% of the cards in America are printed from the United States Playing Card Company - the other 10% come from all the other printers like Legends, Expert, MPC and Cartamundi. (there are also a few other printers who only print decks for casinos)
 
"So how do they handle?"
 
First off, answer your own question.
 
If you want to know how a deck of Bikes "handle" buy a deck. One off the shelf deck "handles" like the next. USPCC prints all of their retail decks the same way, using the same paper stock and the same ink. Yes, even if it's a Hello Kitty deck or Duck Dynasty.
 
Then, you need to buy a Q1 deck from USPCC. That would be any deck from Ellusionist, the Blue Crown or Kickstarter. What is Q1? That's USPCC's highest quality control. It seems USPCC pulls out all of the stops for their custom decks - so you'll get smoother edges and a better print registry.
 
If you want - you should also buy a deck from Theory 11, they are the only house that asks for USPCC's "green eco friendly" paper and inks.
 
"What about Tally Ho, I heard they were the best?"
 
Eh, they used to be back when USPCC made their cards differently. But your deck of Tallys will handle exactly like a Q1 deck from kickstarter or Ellusionist.
 
Next, purchase a deck of Bee. This is a thicker card stock (same paper, different thickness) this deck will give you an idea of how "casino" thickness cards handle.
 
Next, purchase a deck of Aladdins - now this is not a necessity but Aladdins will give you an example of how "smooth finish" decks handle. Personally I don't like them and the possibility that you'll come across a "smooth finish" deck is not that probable.
 
Congratulations - with your collection of 4 or 5 decks you now know how 90% of the decks in America "handle."
 
Am I serious?
 
Yes.
 
Remember, USPCC uses the same paper and ink and cutting process for all of their decks so for the most part one deck will feel the same as the other...
 
For the most part.
 
"What do you mean for the "most part?"
 
Well, it's not an exact science. And the truth is USPCC doesn't have any way to make one deck's print run EXACTLY the same as another. In fact, if Ellusionist orders 10 thousand decks from USPCC and then a year later orders 10 thousand more.... sorry those two different print runs won't be identical. So even one deck from 2016 won't handle like a deck from 2015 even if it's the same make and model.
 
So in truth, asking how a deck handles is absurd. Because as soon as USPCC drops another spool of paper - the variables change all over again.
 
Just as an example, I have a deck of Traditionally cut Black Lions from David Blaine and I have heard from others that they got a "modern cut" - so now what? Even within the same run the decks are not consistent.
 
So in a field where there is so much inconsistency... it makes no sense to ask how a deck handles.... right?
 
Plus even if I could tell you how it handles what rating scale do I use that you can understand?
 
If I said they handle great - what does that tell you? How specific is the word "good" or "bad?" It's all subjective isn't it?
 
The bottom line is - if you want to know how a deck handles, buy it and see for yourself. If it comes from USPCC, then you should have a collection of cards that should give you a very good idea already.
 
But what if it isn't a USPCC deck?
​
And certainly there are other variables?
​
Good questions, i'll answer those in another post - in the mean time, comment below with your questions or arguments.