Pages from precursor no 47 39168

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PRECURSOR

XLVII

This is PRECURSOR XLVII. It is edited by William P. Miesel and is published in December 1994. The editorial offices are at 2215 Myrtle Street, Erie, Pennsylvania, 16502. PRECURSOR will be published more than three times a year, and it will be sold for $16.00 (U.S.) for three issues. Outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico, three issues are sent Air Mail for $19.00 (U.S.).

"Extraction" is a Card Revelation that has been around for quite awhile, but the technical handling as used by Joe Rindfliesch is much safer. The spectator is grasping much more of the selected card than just that bit showing through the half-moon cut-out in the standard handling.

Dan Block's "World's Fastest Reverse From A Spectator Peek" is unquestionably that, and once the surprise of the reverse sets in, there is no place to start the reconstruction.

In PRECURSOR XXXV, I published Pete Lentini's fine "Bo-Top Sandwich Switch", and he had been fooling a lot of magicians with this move in the New York City and Buffalo areas. Here is Pete's "Between The Palms Of The Queens," a very much simplified version of Alex Elmsley's "Between The Palms" using it.

I have been having a bit of trouble getting the knack of this "switch" especially from the Side Steal, but I found if I just move the side-jogged card back into an in-jog position, most of my problems just seem to disappear as if by magic.

Hal Levy's "Modern Cup And Ball Routine" is very much different from the classic "Cups And Balls" in that the three balls are each a different color and each of the three cups is of a totally different style. This would be the perfect tine to emulate Max Malini and substitute a chunk of ice for the rock so that when the can of soda is opened at the climax, it can be chilled. Any ideas anyone?

"Another Miracle Deal" by Gary Plants is another of his card revelations that is a Pseudo-Math trick that will really fool and cannot possibly be reconstructed.

"Would You Be Surprised" by Edward de Lysbye is a routine that combines principles of Charles T. Jordan, Norman Gilbreath, Alex Elmsley, and Russduck in a matching routine that could still use a strong climax.

Aldo Columbini contributes "Do Not Joke Around" which is a somewhat different transposition between three selections and three Jokers that should be found to be quite interesting.

"J.E.D. Spells The Truth" by Marty Kane is a version of the "Lie Speller" based on J. K. Hartman's "To Spell the Truth." This version substitutes the "Judah Elimination Deal" for the "Australian Deal."

In September 1988, I contributed a trick entitled "Follow My Lead" to the "Howard Lyons Memorial Parade" in the Linking Ring, Vol. 68 #9. I had two different methods, but there was only space for the first method, so "Follow My Lead II"

appears here.

Al Thatcher's "Lie Detector Telephone Trick" has an interesting method that seems really amazing. It is built upon the work of Alex Elmsley on what has become known as the "Sixteen Card Principle" and in particular "Australian Self-Help" which can be found in THE COLLECTED WORKS OF ALEX ELMSLEY. Other ideas along these lines can be found in Tom Craven's THE SIXTEEN CARD BOOK. William P. Miesel

I recently received this note and it may solve a problem for you.

In PRECURSOR XLIV, Wije described his "Card Thru The Hand." In my hand the card "talks" during the get-ready phase preparing to drop the card to the table. This noise can be avoided by simply curling in the tip of the middle finger against the face of the palmed card and releasing it one foot above the table. The card will rotate 180 degrees lengthwise and drop to the table face up.

Frank J. Beasley

A REVIEW I recently received a new book that every lover of playing cards should want to read, study, and expand upon. This book is CHEATING AT BLACKJACK by Dustin D. Marks. Throughout the book, Dustin keeps making comments about being a magician who used to cheat at the blackjack table. I wonder who he really is? I think I could venture a pretty good guess, but I don' t need a lawsuit for libel at this time.

This 230-page book starts with Dustin D. Marks giving a little background of himself, a brief description of casino operations, and finally, a good description of the play of Blackjack at the casino level. Once the game is understood, he goes on to explain the thinking process of cheaters followed by the point of view of the casinos.

This covers the first hundred pages of the book and brings up many interesting ideas that you probably never thought much about unless you actually tried to "whack" a game. The real meat of the book is in the second hundred pages.

"Advantage Play" explains different techniques that swing the odds more in favor

of the player and away from the house. These maneuvers are legal as far as the law is concerned, but they could get you barred from individual casinos if you take too much of their money. Some of these procedures are: "Card Counting," "Hole Card Play," "Cutting Technique," and "Oh, Excuse Me Play." These ideas get some of the money.

The big money comes from the following techniques that are totally illegal. To win big you have to learn about "Card Stacking," "Coolers,", and "Handmucking."

The uses of these techniques are explained in different scenarios that seem quite realistic. I was somewhat disappointed to see no mention of "Bean Shooters" and other means of larceny, but that's probably another story.

The book ends with very brief descriptions of other casino games, up-to-date information on Riverboat and Indian Reservation Casinos, and this quote from Erdnase: "(This book) will not make the innocent vicious, or transform the pastime player into a professional, or make the fool win, or curtail the annual crop of suckers; but whatever the result may be, if it sells it will accomplish the primary motive of the author, as he needs the money."

The book should be on your shelf alongside THE EXPERT AT THE CARD TABLE, THE MAN WHO WAS ERDNASE, THE ANNOTATED ERDNASE, and LOADED DICE (John Soares). It is probably available from H & R Books, Jeff Busby, Gambler's Book Club, and similar dealers. It sells for $19.95. The publisher is: Index Publishing Group, 3368 Governor Drive, Suite 273, San Diego, California 92122.

William P. Miesel

Two conventions during this time: Yankee Gathering V, presented by the New England Magic Collectors Association, Chairman: Ray Goulet. A great time, most presentations very good, time for "Dealer-Surfing", and a great restaurant where we ate six of seven meals: WURSTHAUS, in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA. Many thanks to Ray and Ann Goulet for their hospitality, not to forget the Sunday visit to Ray's museum with its new and wonderful addition. This convention is a must for the VIth version in 1996. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE MAGIC KIND in Rochester, NY, provided another fun weekend with good lectures, good food, and four used book stores. Discovered a new, great restaurant! Looking forward to the 1995 edition.

Ed Eckl EXTRACTION This is a variation of a Card Revelation that has been around for quite some time, but in this case, the handling is much cleaner. This effect was designed more as part of a regular show than at an impromptu performance because one of the prerequisites is a brand new unopened deck of playing cards.

1. Take the brand new deck of playing cards and carefully pull the cellophane