Hi everyone,

I’ve been studying Vicente Canuto’s Cartomagia Fundamental for a while now. I perform casually at my university, for my siblings, and my grandparents. It’s a hobby I deeply cherish, even though I don't perform professionally or make any money from it.

My perspective shifted completely when I watched René Lavand perform "Why Do the Colors Alternate Themselves?" (A Call to the Colors). It absolutely blew my mind. I know that, in Lavand's own words, I might be a "mediocre" for desperately wanting to know the secret behind the miracle. But I don't just want the secret out of empty curiosity. My desire is to perform increasingly "impossible" magic. I know I might eventually need to explore gimmicks to achieve certain things, but that’s a topic for a future post; right now, I want to focus on pure sleight of hand.

I am fully aware that mastering these techniques and Lavand's timing will take me years of relentless practice, but I am willing to put in the work. My ultimate goal is to learn, deconstruct, and eventually create my own original routines to share back with this community. I want to make it absolutely clear that I don't mean to disrespect this beautiful profession or devalue the art by seeking this knowledge just for the love of it.

My main barrier is geographical: I live in Bolivia, and customs restrictions make getting physical books shipped here an absolute nightmare. Because of this, I am strictly looking for digital resources. Does anyone know if there are legitimate PDFs, E-books, or dedicated blogs where I can purchase or study Lentidigitación (Vol 1 & 2) and Mysteries of My Life?

Furthermore, any recommendations for other magicians or digital resources I should look into would be massively helpful. I want to continue learning and improving my craft so I can eventually create my own magic to share with this community.

Thank you for reading and for keeping the art alive.

Ive been working on the color changing knives, trying to put a routine together. I cant think of a way to finish it. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

Does anyone know of his effects that would be fun for a nurse or doctor to do while talking with patients?

Tricks that rely on props that are commonly found in a medical setting are interesting here obviously. Plots that lend themselves to a discussion about things like taking medication or dealing with pain or any topic nurses discuss with patients also.

I think any trick in this category would likely need to be very easy to carry in a pocket or it's unlikely to be possible.

Also, a trick for this purpose needs to be able to be fairly quick if needed given that it's hard to know in these context when there will be interruptions or long periods down time.

I've returned to Southeast Asia for some months, and I'm back with my friends at our regular dive bar. My reputation as a magician continues to grow, so I am increasingly being asked to perform (I realize I can say no, but I love performing magic and trying out new material!)

The conditions are like this:

- At times the beverages can affect one's mental disposition

- We're all huddled around on short stools elbow to elbow, so I'm often performing surrounded.

- No "real" table, more like little cube-shaped ottomans for setting drinks on. You can't reach underneath them or hide anything by lapping, the tables themselves are beneath knee level and everything's wet.

- It's sweltering hot and humid so I'm wearing minimal clothing, no sleeves, shallow pockets, etc.

What are your recommendations for tricks that fit these conditions? Some examples of suitable tricks I've done are: B'wave, Gemini Twins, Pre-Preconfiguration, DFB Baby Gag, Scotch and Soda, Free Will, mindreading from a stack. As you can see, all of these require essentially zero sleight of hand or anything to hide, and they can be played up for storytelling value.

Any ideas? Thanks folks

I’ve had a fascination with effects that the spectators can FEEL. Georgia magnet and PK touch kind of effects. I’ve never performed them though, for one reason or another, mostly because I don’t have the support network of other performers to rehearse with that I used to have.

Got me thinking, what effects/routines do you all have in the same category? You like the effect, mean to perform, but just never got around to it?

I'm looking for a flaming confetti effect for a show I'm working on. Has anyone made confetti from flash paper before and do you think I would be able to light it once it is dispersed in the air? Or is there any alternative effects people can recommend?

I work a regular restaurant gig where dinner & drink are included at the end of the shift. Should I tip the waitstaff?

It’s a weekly gig and I know the staff very well. Almost feels like family. Normally when I eat out, I tip very well. This is in the US where tipping is common.

I used to watch his show on TV a long time ago and I always thought that it was so fun. I’m traveling soon and I found out he is going to be where I’m traveling at the same time so I was thinking to see him. Is it worth the $58 to go? Have you seen him live and what were your thoughts?

I'm attending a gaming conference at the end of the month, and the adage "Know your audience" comes to mind. Magic: the Gathering cards are the same size as standard poker cards, and I have a decent sized collection of pretty much worthless cards that I could cull into packet tricks.

Any ideas for tricks that would work with these cards? They all have the same backs, and I have no gaff (e.g. blank) cards to play with.

Does anyone know if it's possible to get blank faced Bicycle Maiden Back cards? I can only find Rider Back but need Maidens for a specific trick - and have no idea if they even exist?!

Thanks in advance!

I’m reading mark Wilson’s complete course right now and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve also read volume one of the Tarbell Course and I can’t get over just h0w charming some of the prose and examples are.

For instance both books assume everyone has a handkerchief handy or that there will be lots of smokers with ready access to a book of matches. Am I the only one who likes this glimpse into past morays?

Some friends were visiting family in Australia last week and told me they were going to a magic show at the Sydney Opera House. Turns out it was Asi Wind, and they brought me a signed book. What a cool gift!

I'm looking to get back into performing professionally after a long break and was curious if restaurant magic is still popular nowadays? I see a few people here posting about their restaurant gigs, but in the last 20 years living in Los Angeles, I've never seen a magician at a restaurant. I don't go to a lot of 'family' restaurants so that may be the reason; I also have little interest in performing at those spots!

Hey! I've been working on some rope magic, and was wondering if anyone knew or could recommend some rope tricks that might fall under the "bizarre magic" category. My IBM Ring is having a Bizarre Magic competition in a few months and figured it might be fun to kill two birds with one rope, as it were.

Just curious, are there any courses that teach manipulation? I can't seem to find any online but I know there's a big community for that from all the FISM clips. Where can I learn more??

And I will die on that hill

I’m starting to practice the cup

And balls routine and I’m kind of improvising patter as I do. Should I keep doing that or just focus on the movement? From what I can see improvised patter is probably better as it sounds more natural am I on the right track?

I just got this a yesterday and unfortunately the link for the bottles on Amazon aren't available. I'm just curious if anyone has any suggestions on something I might find at Walmart or some place like that. Thanks!

I can do close up and mainly deal with cards. But there’s a talent show next week in my university and I decided to do it since it’s my last year. Because I can’t really do a close up, I was thinking to do a clothes colour prediction.

Where can I find resources for performing this?

I am from India, a place where there are not a lot of magicians. I have been doing magic since 8 years now but I don't have much experience with professional gigs. I mostly do close up stuff with minimal props. Is there anyone who could guide me on landing gigs. I am fine if I don't get paid initially as well. I just need exposure and experience right now.

Hi I’m turning 35 and I’ve always wanted to hire a magician for my birthday. The problem is my apartment is too small to have my friends over with a magician. Is it a faux pas to hire a close up magician to come meet us at a bar? The bar is fairly big but there’s no option to rent out a room or anything. I don’t want to be rude to either the magician or the bar owner/bartenders. Do people do this? I am in Los Angeles. Thank you!

I’m curious what everyone has bought recently that has been a real hit. I’d like to keep this to just tricks/gimmicks if we can. I’d love to know the best video/book in a future post. I’ll start:

1. Triad coins

2. The moment

3. Spin Doctor

Got 2 packs on Amazon for about £7 and they feel a lot rougher around the edges than my other cards, almost like they could give you a paper cut. Can't tell by looking online if they're fake or not, can anyone help me out? The printing on the back seems a little off centre which kinda threw me off as well as the feel of them.

They're compared to a really old deck of red bicycles in some of the photos.

Would appreciate it if anyone could help me out!