Monthly Update #21 (September 2024)
The Exploring Erdnase Book Clubs returns, two new blog posts, some thoughts on Vernon's ACR, and the murder mystery behind the "Suicide King".
Apologies for the slight delay in this month’s update. As I work at a UK university, September marks the start of our academic year, bringing with it a whirlwind of preparations before the students return in October. For this reason, September functions like a second January—a time of new beginnings, perfect for reflection and planning.
This busy period reminded me of a favourite quote of mine:
“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is now.” — Anonymous 🌳
When faced with the vast quantity of magic to learn, practise, and master, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or worry that you’ve started too late in life. However, this quote is a powerful reminder: if you want to embark on any magical journey, the best time to begin is right now!
So, whether you’re a seasoned magician or just starting out, let’s embrace this second “magical New Year” together. What tricks or skills are you planning to cultivate in the coming months?
Exploring Erdnase Book Club 📗
I’m thrilled to announce the revival of the Exploring Erdnase Book Club. I initially launched this online club at the start of 2023, but it only lasted about two months due to my tendency to take on more than I can handle. My original plan was to complete the club within the year, but that was a little over-ambitious! This time, I’ve decided to take a more relaxed, open-ended approach to the project. The club will continue until we finish the book, so there’s no need to rush or worry about deadlines!
As the name suggests, this FREE club focuses on the seminal work The Expert at the Card Table, also known as The Expert or simply Erdnase, by the mysterious author S.W. Erdnase. The club is designed to encourage all magicians to explore this cornerstone text of card magic. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious beginner, this is the perfect opportunity to dive into this challenging but enlightening work. Remember, we welcome all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to join.
As your host, I’ll be with you every step of the way, providing weekly emails every Sunday at 11 AM (GMT). These emails will offer context, explanations, and modern interpretations of Erdnase’s classic techniques. Plus, you’ll have free access to a specially prepared digital version of the book. This book club isn’t just about reading; it’s about engaging with fellow magic enthusiasts, sharing insights, and elevating our collective understanding of card magic.
Joining is simple: just like the Ruseletter, the weekly updates will be published to Substack. If you’re already a subscriber, watch out for the weekly Exploring Erdnase emails (the next one will be sent out on Sunday, October 20th). New subscribers can sign up now to ensure they don’t miss a single issue.
Don’t let this opportunity to unravel the mysteries of Erdnase and become part of a unique magical community pass you by. Card table artifice awaits—let’s explore Erdnase together!
If you want to catch up on the discussion so far, you can read all previous updates on the book club’s archive page. So far, we’ve worked through the first fifty or so pages. Next week, we’ll be taking a look at the section on the Bottom Deal.
New on MBOT
I published two new articles on Marty’s Bag of Tricks in September. Both are fairly lengthy but worth reading (I’m biased, of course). The first details a framework called the SPREAD Sequence. The other takes a critical look at a new method for Dai Vernon’s “Twisting the Aces” by Lloyd Barnes.
The SPREAD Sequence
Reading Time: 11 minutes
Are you tired of shaky performances and lacklustre audience reactions? The SPREAD Sequence offers a structured approach to elevating your magic game.
In this article, I share the secrets of the SPREAD Sequence—a powerful framework that offers a systematic way to improve your magical performances. From crafting compelling scripts to improving your sleight-of-hand skills, this simple framework challenges the notion that spontaneity and preparation are mutually exclusive. Discover how the SPREAD Sequence can turn your ordinary performances into extraordinary spectacles.
By reading this article, you’ll learn how the SPREAD Sequence provides a clear roadmap for improving your magic. Discover the essential role of mindful practice in honing your magical abilities. Understand the subtle yet crucial difference between evaluation and analysis. Explore actionable strategies to implement the SPREAD Sequence, including creating a Kanban board.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a budding magician, the SPREAD Sequence is your ticket to mesmerising magical performances.
A Terrible Twist
Reading Time: 18 minutes
In this blog post, I revisit a topic that has always resonated with me: the timeless brilliance of Dai Vernon’s “Twisting the Aces”. I counter Lloyd Barnes’ controversial claim that this classic trick “sucks”, offering a passionate defence of Vernon’s original method.
Within the article, I explore the intricacies of naturalness in magic, including Vernon’s “be natural” philosophy. I challenge the current fixation on purely visual effects and strongly caution against the “enshittification” of magic (a term borrowed from Sci-Fi author Cory Doctorow). I also present my views on what defines visual magic and critically examine the delicate balance between innovation and preservation in our art.
Vernon’s Ambitious Card Routine
As a devoted student of the Vernon School of Magic, I’ve always been fascinated by the nuances of Dai Vernon’s material. Recently, I’ve been revisiting his Ambitious Card Routine (ACR) from Stars of Magic, and it’s sparked some lively discussions among my circle of magic friends.
Vernon’s ACR presents an intriguing paradox. On the one hand, it’s a highly interactive routine that engages the audience. On the other, it seems to violate some of Vernon’s own cardinal rules of magic. For example, the routine includes several “gotcha” or sucker moments, which make the plot difficult to follow. This seems to break Vernon’s famous mantra, “Confusion isn’t magic!” At one point, the card also sinks to the bottom of the deck, which muddies the trick’s theme, making the card more mischievous than ambitious. Here’s a decent technical performance of the routine if you’re not already familiar with it:
These apparent contradictions have led me to reconsider the routine’s merit. I usually perform for university students and academics. Given their analytical mindsets, could Vernon’s intellectually challenging ACR actually be a perfect fit? It’s a game of wits that might resonate well with their cognitive proclivities. Or is it a poorly constructed piece of card magic that should be avoided?
Inspired by this realisation, I plan to dust off my copy of Stars of Magic and reintroduce Vernon’s ACR into my repertoire. It’s been years since I’ve looked at it, but I’m excited to see how it lands with the type of people I perform for at work.
In contrast, I often turn to David Ben’s “reconstruction” of a Vernon piece—a minimalist three-phase ACR based on the legendary “Trick That Fooled Houdini”. This streamlined version has become my go-to ACR and even inspired my own creation, “Underambitious”, which I published in my regular Ruseletter column Vernonesque.
As I explore these different approaches to the Ambitious Card plot, I’m reminded of the richness and complexity of Vernon’s legacy. Even when he seems to break his own rules, there’s often a method to the madness—a lesson that continues to shape my magical journey. Either that or, unlike “Twisting the Aces”, this particular routine of his really does suck!
What are your thoughts on Vernon’s ACR? I would love to hear your opinions, experiences, or insights about this routine. Please reply to this email or leave them in the comments section on Substack.
Lost in the Shuffle
I finally got around to watching Lost in the Shuffle (I bought it via YouTube, which seems to be the easiest way to watch it in the UK). This documentary, by Animal Mother Films and directed by Jon Ornoy, follows world champion magician Shawn Farquhar as he investigates the mysterious origins of playing cards, specifically focusing on the “Suicide King” (King of Hearts). The film combines magic history and modern sleight-of-hand artistry with an ancient murder mystery, suggesting that a royal assassination might be concealed in the design of modern-day playing cards.
The documentary includes appearances by renowned English conjurer Michael Vincent, the skilled American card mechanic Richard Turner, the talented French magician Alexandra Duvivier, and the Spanish maestro of magic Juan Tamariz
I plan to write a comprehensive review of the film for Marty’s Bag of Tricks. Until then, I’ll just say that I have some severe reservations about Shawn’s central theory in the documentary. Even so, I found it enjoyable to watch. It offers a captivating mixture of history, card magic, and mystery. Unlike a lot of magic-related video content, this is also something that you can sit down and watch with your family or non-magic friends.
Three Videos Worth Watching
Here are three more videos I watched this month that you should watch, too!
Four-Card Colour Change Tutorial by Lloyd Barnes
Although I was very critical of Lloyd’s version of “Twisting the Aces” on my blog, I enjoy and appreciate most of the content he posts to his YouTube channel. Here’s an excellent four-card colour change that he shared recently.
Hot Card Trick Tutorial by Doug Conn 🔥
Here’s another excellent tutorial from my friend and mentor, Doug Conn. Doug was even kind enough to mention my Magic Hot List on Al Leech’s “The Hot Card Trick” in the video. If you don’t already know how to perform the Chicago Opener or Red Hot Mama trick, this video is a great way to learn it.
Obliter-Ace-tion by Jack Carpenter
And finally, here’s a beautiful four-Ace effect by Jack Carpenter. “Obliter-Ace-tion” can be found in the out-of-print book Labyrinth: A Journal of Close-Up Magic (page 22). The routine’s name was “Obliter-Ace-Ion” (without the t) when it was initially published in Labyrinth magazine.
That’s all for another month. I’ll try my best to publish the October update on time!
Yours Magically,
Marty
P.S. Look out for some fun blog posts in October. I’ll be sharing some devilishly delightful card tricks perfect for Halloween. 👿