chat

issue 1

Ollie Mealing
 Hello
Im Ollie, I knew youd be joining us (tip 1 - take credit
for everything)
If youre reading this, I assume its because you have
an interest in card tricks - if not, perhaps my YouTube
channel could help (tip 2 - plug yourself at any given
moment)
Joking.. I meant to say that this project has not been
Chat
written with newbies in mind, so sorry if thats the
case, Ill leave you some good introductions below - but
do return once youve nailed the avocado super-cut
3000 (tip 3 - mash the avo, sprinkle with chilli flakes,
thank me later)
During this project, Ill be meandering amongst some
of my favourite creations in order to form the baseline
for this series. I promise an exciting journey on which I
hope you'll join will you join?
Because you agreed to join, Im going to share with you
everything. Stories, theories, tricks, ideas, other lots
of which can be seen via the channel and equally lots
that cant.
Its been a number of years since I last shared anything
and I now recognise the importance of allowing yourself
that amount of time - you grow, you learn and your
material follows suit.
So without any further ado, such as unnecessary,
elongating filler, lets 'a minute of establishing shots, a
minute of testimonials, a minute of geometric graphics,
a minute'
(25minutes later)
begin.
Trick: One-Hander
Position a duplicate card in your back pocket. Force its
equivalent and allow your spec to shuffle it back in.
With the deck now squared on a surface in front of you,
claim youre going to find their card in just one hand.
Let spec choose which hand to position behind your
back and with your remaining free hand, cut anywhere
into the deck - allowing spec to turn over the cut-to
issue 1
card.
As they do, use this off-beat to retrieve the dupe from
your back pocket. Sneaky. (tip 4 - be sneaky)
Upon hearing youve cut to the wrong card, feign some
sort of cry (tears is too far) and then state, that when
you claimed you would find it in one hand, you didnt
specify which one.
Now quick side-note (sorry to break the flow), if it is
correct - obviously return the dupe to your pocket and
watch on as the audience spring into a Harlem Shake.
In the more common instance of a spec revealing an
indifferent card, state which hand you really meant,
bringing it forth to thus reveal their selection.
Ta-da. (tip 5 - at no point say ta-da)

Other
Now youll notice I reduced the explanation to its bare
bones. This is intentional. Its because as you continue
to read these explanations (tip 6 - use suggestive
language) I want you to mentally envisage yourself
performing these effects. If I impose too much of my
vision then it negatively risks eclipsing youre own
creative input - within which resides the path towards
originality and the realisation that you dont really need
to succumb to consumerism. (tip 7 - spend wisely)
Chat
Referringto the participant as a spectator or spec is
wrong. Im simply using the term here for brevity.
Reconsidering an onlooking spectator as an involved
participant sounds as measly as the flap of a butterflys
wing, but weve all seen the film.. (tip 8 - get Netflix)
Now & again, offering a trick that seemingly goes wrong
is a real crowd pleaser. Sucker tricks as theyre known
in the biz, not only inherently build dramatic tension
but offer a refreshing subtext in contrast to the look
how great I am type effects. Its important to recog-
nise that these type of effects can imbue arrogance
& superiority and therefore, we must tread carefully
to ensure that our performances of them do not. For
an audience to respond favourably, we on some level,
must perform with them. The concept of a sucker-trick
achieves this brilliantly, because it reveals a relatable
side to the human condition - our vulnerability, this
is far more compelling than displays of relentless,
conceited excellence. The importance/construction of
tension as well as the sensitivity of pitching status, are
both topics well be discussing in future issues. (tip 9 -
create reasons for people to want more)
Should you chance upon the miracle hit, dont follow
up with the same effect. Avoiding repetition is of course
a general rule, but in this particular instance it would
elucidate the miracle.
Has anyone afterwards ever picked up the deck and
tried to find their card inside? No. After the reveal,
during the natural relaxation, gather up the cards, ditch
the dupe and continue. Providing you use a clean force,
the handling throughout is so free and fair that your
audience have no suspicion to respond to. Further-
more, the surprise of the reveal & consequent release
of tension, detract the audience from fixating on how
- which I suppose is a valuable requisite to include in
any effect. (tip 10 - its ok to make sense of things as
youre going along)
issue 1
Theinspiration for this effect stemmed from aiming to
'break norms', a thought I rely on heavily in order to
create new material. Coincidentally, this same thought
was also the springboard behind the next trick well be
learning, so Ill be covering just wtf thats all about in
next week's issue.
The inspiration for the name of this effect comes from
the fact that I find their selection in just one hand -
look, I never said this would be easy. (tip 11 - dont
take the easy route)
Goodbye
If you took something from this, please spread the
word. If you didnt, Ill be happy to offer a full refund.
(tip 12 - be kind)
Thanks again for joining, its been good to chat,
onwards & upwards.
Introductory Card Trick Sources
Jean Hugards, Encyclopaedia of Card Magic
Fredrick Braues, The Royal Road to Card Magic
S. W. Erdnases, The Expert at the Card Table