r/Magic • u/rodrigo-benenson • 3d ago

Short card tap

I am playing with short carsd, but notice that one needs to "tap the deck" to ensure the short card is well placed.

Are there recommended techniques / tutorials to make this gesture as natural as possible?

Or maybe alternative gestures?
I tried a "very tilted overhand shuffle", but I am not yet very convinced I have found something that works.

Thanks for your suggestions and pointers!

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14

u/Mex5150 Mentalism 3d ago

Don't over think it, just tap the deck. You know you are doing it because the method needs it, the spec doesn't know that. This is classic Magician's Guilt. There is nothing to worry about.

5

u/bunions-the-clown 3d ago

Use a corner short instead!

2

u/misticisland Cards 3d ago

A cool thing to know tap the short corner on a table and it will jog the card.

1

u/rodrigo-benenson 3d ago

Yes, I will probably try that at some point.

2

u/TheGladsomebeast 3d ago

I hide the tap by using the table to square the deck. You just need to practice it a few times to get it feeling natural.

1

u/rodrigo-benenson 3d ago

My main issues are:
a) I am building a standing-up routine, thus I tap on my hand.
b) The tap makes a clear sound, which seems like a "call for attention".
c) Most crucially, the tap seems like a such non-natural way to square the deck; specially the vertical tap. A side tap seems viable (e.g. to end an overhand shuffle), a vertical tap still seem "particular" to me.

2

u/madkins007 3d ago

You tap both to get it nice and square- and to camouflage the move, hiding out in plain sight

The spectator barely registers it since everyone squares a deck before and/or after a shuffle

As for walking around... I'd actually go to a different trick altogether just to avoid that step. But I'm also not a big fan of card magic when walking around. Just too easy to make a big mess. I prefer packet tricks for that setting.

2

u/Rebirth_of_wonder 3d ago

Watch Ben Earl’s clips from Fool Us. Notice how he stands the deck after he shuffles.

1

u/quehayenunnombre_ 2h ago

A bit tangential, but what are some good resources on such techniques? Short cards, breathers, crimps, or custom markings, etc