"Outs" Precautions And Challenges by Charles H. Hopkins

Description

This is truly a hidden gem – a lost treasure. Very few know of its existence and you will encounter almost no references to it. When you read this you will ask yourself: “Why isn’t this work known by every cardician?” Some of those who have read it value it as much as they value Erdnase. Others would not trade all card books published in the last 10 years for it.

It is an immensely practical work dealing with situations when something goes wrong, or you face difficult spectators. You’ll never again be afraid to try out a new trick, even if they literally see what you do, even if they really catch you, you can finish successfully, entertainingly, and leave them baffled.

It is divided into three parts

Outs – what to do when things go wrongPrecautions – avoiding disasters by forethoughtChallenges – dealing with spectators that challenge youIf you study this ebook you will never need to be worried that one of your card tricks fails, or a spectator messes it up. You will be prepared for any situation. No problems anymore…ever!

This is a resource every magician, beginner or advanced, pro or amateur, skilled or unskilled, can use to his advantage. On the surface it deals with card magic, but many of the ideas and a lot of the information contained does apply across the spectrum of magic from close-up to stage.

1st edition 1940; original 80 pages; PDF 57 pages.

PREFACE…ContentsIntroduction- When Asked To Do The Impossible- School Yourself For All Emergencies- Experience Still the Best Teacher

PART I: “OUTS”

Chapter 1 – Facing The MusicWhose Fault When Things Go Wrong?The Psychology of FailureUse of “Sucker Gag” Technique

Chapter 2 – Organizing For VictorySecret And Open OutsWhen Error Is Still Under Cover1 – Card correctly identified, but slips out of control.2 – Identification correct, but placement for climax is wrong.When Error May Be Visible3 – Incorrect identification of selected card.4 – Card lost before identification.5 – The selector forgets what his card was.Either You Know You Are Wrong – Or Else . . .

Chapter 3 – Information-Getting SubtletiesThis Time You MUST Be RightAttitudes That Get Co-operation6 – When they refuse to tell.7 – For the extreme “hold out.”8 – Use a thumb writer.9 – Impression methods.10 – Pencil reading.11 – Friendly mirrors.12 – To meet an absolute refusal to tell.

Chapter 4 – Some Handy SleightsOld Ideas Brought Up To Date; Also, A Few New Ones13 – The “Top Peek.”14 – Fan Crimp.15 – The “Deck Crimp.”16 – The “Crimp” as a Locator.17 – Fan jog.18 – The quarter-bridge.19 – Gambler’s Bridge.20 – The “Change” Throw.Other Useful Standard Sleights.

Chapter 5 – “Outs” To The RescueFit The Weapon To The NeedsGetting Down To Brass Tacks … And The Selected CardQuick Switches And Other Fast Closers21 – Just a gag.22 – Out-in-the-open changes.23 – Forced replacement of wrong card.24 – Using “locators” for “outs.”Methods For Counting And Spelling Effects25 – The “Pilot Card.”26 – New start from wrong turn-up.27 – The “220 Count” as an “out.””Outs” Productions From Pockets And Other Places28 – In performer’s pocket.29 – Pocket index.30 – Card in wallet.31 – Use of spectators for “outs.”32 – The “Eveready Life Saver.”Apparatus Alibis33 – When force is missed.First Aid For Feeble Memories34 – Confusion as to suits and values.35 – Spectator’s mind a complete blank.

PART II: CHALLENGES

Chapter 6 – Taking On All Comers”Outs” Compared With ChallengesA Word of Caution

Chapter 7 – Before Card Gets Lost In ShuffleTry To Keep As Much Control As Possible36 – Controlled returns.37 – Use of “Locators.”38 – The “Gimmicked Cut.”39 – The “Cut Break.”40 – Estimating the cut.41 – The “Cut Force.”Astonishing Simplicity42 – “Blindman’s ‘Bluff’.”43 – The “220 Count.”44 – Pre-Arrangements.

Chapter 8 – When They “Give You The Works”How “Plenty of Rein” Trips Them45 – Look for informal “readers.”46 – Scrapes and nicks.47 – Daubs.The Magician’s Little Helpers48 – Secret reflectors.49 – Wide and narrow decks.50 – The indexed pocket deck again.

Chapter 9 – Bordering On The MentalWhen Information-Getting Becomes TicklishThey Commit Themselves In Writing51 – Pencil reading.52 – Billet switching.53 – Billet index.54 – Pad impressions.55 – Trick notebooks.56 – A “Case of Hambuggery.”A Prophet In His Own Land57 – Thumb writers.Special Decks On Taps58 – “Brain Wave Deck.”59 – “New Era Instanto Deck.”

Chapter 10 – Trickery Conquers AllWhat Makes Audiences Get That WayCircumstances That Lead Up To ChallengesSpecific Handling of Various SituationsThe Heckler … Ding Bust His Buttons!For The Intelligent Analyst TypeTroubles Arising Out Of Pure FriendshipMore To Come? … Well, Maybe!
word count: 23501 which is equivalent to 94 standard pages of text