Search found 166 matches

by Adam Brooks
January 21st, 2016, 9:00 pm
Forum: Reference Room
Topic: Poker Challenge in Apocalypse
Replies: 1
Views: 6052

Poker Challenge in Apocalypse

Hey folks, I'm trying to find a poker challenge/betcha published somewhere in Apocalypse. The performer bets a spectator that they can each draw and hand of five cards from the deck without returning them. The performer can at least tie the spectator the first time, and definitely beat their hand th...
by Adam Brooks
July 14th, 2015, 10:12 am
Forum: Reference Room
Topic: Poker Hands from a deck reference
Replies: 2
Views: 3653

Re: Poker Hands from a deck reference

That's the one! Thank you, Denis!
by Adam Brooks
July 13th, 2015, 11:09 pm
Forum: Reference Room
Topic: Poker Hands from a deck reference
Replies: 2
Views: 3653

Poker Hands from a deck reference

Hey folks, I know this idea is published in the Apocalypse volumes somewhere, but I don't have them all with me to search: It's basically the idea that, if you and I both pull the best 5-card poker hand you can from a standard deck twice without returning cards to the deck, the magician can/will alw...
by Adam Brooks
January 12th, 2014, 12:10 am
Forum: Convention Room Mate Finder
Topic: Gathering For Gardner
Replies: 0
Views: 11357

Gathering For Gardner

Anyone heading down to Atlanta for the Gathering this year, and looking to split room costs? Let me know! Thanks!

Adam
by Adam Brooks
July 4th, 2013, 9:52 am
Forum: General
Topic: Teaching Magic To Bullied Chidren
Replies: 11
Views: 4061

Re: Teaching Magic To Bullied Chidren

I've been an arts educator for eleven years. I've worked with kids from first grade all the way through high school, and I've worked with many programs that are all about developing "inner strength and confidence", and while the world of magic certainly has a lot of offer, I think there ar...
by Adam Brooks
February 24th, 2012, 10:46 am
Forum: Link Watch
Topic: Somebody get Blaine to Enterprise!
Replies: 0
Views: 809

Somebody get Blaine to Enterprise!

Sure, Blaine survived being trapped in ice, and lived in a box for a couple weeks, but can he do both at the same time?

Man Survives for two months in a frozen car!
by Adam Brooks
December 26th, 2011, 10:35 pm
Forum: Convention Reports
Topic: NEW Show concept being premired at AbraCORNdabra 2012!
Replies: 2
Views: 1928

Re: NEW Show concept being premired at AbraCORNdabra 2012!

You should talk to Tim Ellis. He developed a bunch of improv-based magic games a while back:

http://www.australianmagician.com/magicsports.html

Adam
by Adam Brooks
December 7th, 2011, 11:15 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Photo Essay About Ray Goulet
Replies: 8
Views: 2362

Re: Photo Essay About Ray Goulet

I grew up going to the Magic Art Studio; my father's business is literally right up the road, so I would look for any excuse to go into my dad's office, and beg him to take me. I didn't even know the museum was there until I was a teenager. It's such a beautiful shop; truly the kind you read about i...
by Adam Brooks
February 11th, 2011, 10:50 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: First the Big Screen, Now the small one for Houdini
Replies: 8
Views: 2976

Re: First the Big Screen, Now the small one for Houdini

Houdini is certainly a hot commodity these days. The only thing missing is a musical theater piece. Oh, wait:

Sorkin, Elfman writing Houdini Musical

What a team! Danny Elfman writing songs, Aaron Sorkin writing script, and Hugh Jackman set to star as Houdini.
by Adam Brooks
August 25th, 2010, 11:14 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Criss Angel Attempts World Record Vanish
Replies: 4
Views: 1889

Re: Criss Angel Attempts World Record Vanish

I just watched this, and I have to ask: was anyone else a little disturbed by this? On the surface, the illusion was cool, but the implications left me feeling really uncomfortable. I know it's just an illusion. I know he's doing it 'for entertainment value only' -- yeah, he's got the whole Guinness...
by Adam Brooks
July 30th, 2010, 8:07 pm
Forum: Magician's Local Hangouts
Topic: Visiting London
Replies: 0
Views: 675

Visiting London

Hi all, I wasn't quite sure where to put this, so I'll try my luck here. My sister is having a wedding party in the UK in late September. I have never been to Europe, and am using the opportunity to take a two-week vacation around Europe. I've been trying to make a connection in order to find a couc...
by Adam Brooks
June 3rd, 2010, 4:47 pm
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Guillotine for a Halloween Musical
Replies: 6
Views: 3404

Guillotine for a Halloween Musical

Hey all, I'm co-writing a short musical for Halloween this year, centered around an old-timey circus, and a magician central character. At the moment, we have a guillotine as the big finale to the character's act, and we're exploring our options. My cohorts done a bit of shopping around, and have be...
by Adam Brooks
March 24th, 2010, 11:12 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Pocket Erdnase In A Bottle
Replies: 6
Views: 2468

Re: Pocket Erdnase In A Bottle

That is absolutely gorgeous. Well done!

-Adam
by Adam Brooks
March 23rd, 2010, 11:15 am
Forum: General
Topic: Gathering for Gardner
Replies: 8
Views: 2866

Re: Gathering for Gardner

I'll be there. It's my first G4G, so I have no idea what to do expect. I'll look for you, Bill!
by Adam Brooks
December 28th, 2009, 8:42 pm
Forum: Convention Room Mate Finder
Topic: Gathering For Gardner 9
Replies: 10
Views: 4481

Re: Gathering For Gardner 9

Richard's right; it's invite only.
by Adam Brooks
December 28th, 2009, 5:32 pm
Forum: Convention Room Mate Finder
Topic: Gathering For Gardner 9
Replies: 10
Views: 4481

Gathering For Gardner 9

Looking for other attendees who might want to share a room, either in the hotel proper or in one nearby.

Thanks!

Adam
by Adam Brooks
September 15th, 2009, 10:57 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: iPhone Magic idea
Replies: 7
Views: 2881

iPhone Magic idea

Hey everyone,

I have what I believe to be a good idea for an iPhone magic effect. However, I possess none of the requisite programming knowledge to make it a reality. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Or even in a direction?

Many thanks,

Adam
by Adam Brooks
August 15th, 2009, 5:18 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Most common card choice
Replies: 12
Views: 4488

Re: Most common card choice

I don't have it handy, but Simon Lovell has a write-up on this very topic in Son Of Simon Says called, I believe, "The Risk of the Frisk!" Page reference, anyone?
by Adam Brooks
April 1st, 2009, 11:47 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Ricky Jay's New Stage Show
Replies: 13
Views: 4750

Re: Ricky Jay's New Stage Show

I'll be attending the show in Boston, and I'm extremely excited. I like that part of the show with be improvisatory, as I work at an improv comedy theater. Should be quite a trip.

I'll post a review next weekend.
by Adam Brooks
January 16th, 2009, 3:56 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: Is this real? Knife Trick.
Replies: 7
Views: 3768

Re: Is this real? Knife Trick.

Yeah, it's a trick. It was clear to me what was going on. Penn and Teller use a similar modus for their version of the card stab.

As for "screwing up" in front of an audience, my vote still goes for Steve Spill's 'acquitment' after he messes up.
by Adam Brooks
December 30th, 2008, 10:08 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: "Magicians Only" clip from "Arrested Development"
Replies: 3
Views: 2157

Re: "Magicians Only" clip from "Arrested Development"

Speaking of Arrested Development...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_gGC4JmJmI

This is my friend Simon, in what is truly an incomparable act of fanship.
by Adam Brooks
December 3rd, 2008, 10:34 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Lefthanded
Replies: 17
Views: 4206

Re: Lefthanded

I'm a leftie, but when I started in magic, I learned all the card handlings as they were written, so I perform card magic right handed. But when it comes to coin magic, while I try to learn slights in both hands, my technique is generally much better with my left hand, so there are times when I have...
by Adam Brooks
September 11th, 2008, 11:05 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Who am I???
Replies: 27
Views: 5880

Re: Who am I???

Hitler? :)
by Adam Brooks
September 8th, 2008, 7:42 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: BAMBOOZLERS book free give-away contest.
Replies: 2
Views: 932

Re: BAMBOOZLERS book free give-away contest.

If you have *any* interest at all in quality betchas, bits, gags, or puzzles to pepper your repertoire, do yourself a favor and get Jim's book. There is plenty to choose from; for me, there were plenty of new things to try, as well as new lines or presentations for bits I already knew. There are bit...
by Adam Brooks
September 1st, 2008, 9:27 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Justin Rivera was on The Gong show this past Thursday
Replies: 10
Views: 3025

Re: Justin Rivera was on The Gong show this past Thursday

I saw it; he was quite good. He didn't stand a chance on a show like this, but his performance was rock solid.
by Adam Brooks
August 14th, 2008, 12:05 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Strong Bad on Magicians
Replies: 2
Views: 944

Strong Bad on Magicians

There's a popular internet flash cartoon site called Homestar Runner, and there's a weekly updated subsection called "Strong Bad Emails." Check out this week's installment:

Strong Bad On Magicians

Hysterical.
by Adam Brooks
July 22nd, 2008, 10:01 am
Forum: General
Topic: Sleights and effects named after their inventors
Replies: 65
Views: 12304

Re: Sleights and effects named after their inventors

I'm inclined to think this is a very casual list, so here are a few that "have become known as" as Peter put it:

S.W.E. Shift
Erdnase/Houdini Change
Asher Twist
McClintock Twist
HaLo Cut
Looy's Count
P.H. Vanishing Deck
by Adam Brooks
June 12th, 2008, 9:28 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Darren Romeo
Replies: 12
Views: 3188

Re: Darren Romeo

To elaborate a bit on the flashes I mentioned: He does a boxless Bump In The Night routine using a BA platform. He does a switch out with a girl, and he was seen scurrying offstage, behind the platform, on his hands and knees. Not just me, but my cousin, who was sitting on the other side of the mezz...
by Adam Brooks
June 11th, 2008, 6:57 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Darren Romeo
Replies: 12
Views: 3188

Re: Darren Romeo

About 850 people, or 85% capacity.
by Adam Brooks
June 11th, 2008, 4:34 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Darren Romeo
Replies: 12
Views: 3188

Re: Darren Romeo

Oops, forgot that little detail:

He's playing at the Post St. Theater in San Francisco.
by Adam Brooks
June 11th, 2008, 1:07 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Darren Romeo
Replies: 12
Views: 3188

Darren Romeo

Hey all, I was able to catch his opening night performance last night. He has spent the last week or so in previews, tweaking and prepping for a month-long run. I can see what Siegfried & Roy see in him (they were at the performance, and I actually got a good look at them after the show.) He is ...
by Adam Brooks
June 3rd, 2008, 12:53 am
Forum: General
Topic: Spectating v.s. Performing
Replies: 8
Views: 2294

Re: Spectating v.s. Performing

Here's a rephrasing that I think may help: "A really wonderful magic experience: Would you rather give or receive?" David I think the "edge" you refer to is, for many, a catch-22: it certainly gives us that deeper level of understanding of the attention to detail in all the vario...
by Adam Brooks
May 29th, 2008, 7:12 am
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: For all you metal benders
Replies: 5
Views: 2624

For all you metal benders

Does anyone know if there's an extant technique for changing the concavity of the bowl of a spoon?

I'm thinking of this as an effect and not as a gaff construction.

If it doesn't exist, it sure should...
by Adam Brooks
May 18th, 2008, 7:24 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Name of Ace Revelation
Replies: 9
Views: 2217

Re: Name of Ace Revelation

I think it looks fine; having the hands come together between each revelation is, I think a perfectly natural "rest" position. Plus, the fact that he throws in the hand rubbing before the revelations, he establishes a pattern of behavior through the routine. Necessary? Maybe not. Justified...
by Adam Brooks
March 16th, 2008, 1:44 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Old puzzle for the statisticians
Replies: 19
Views: 5221

Re: Old puzzle for the statisticians

It's been done. From Ian Stewart's wonderful book "The Magical Maze" (a book on recreational mathematics), in the chapter "Marilyn and the Goats": "I ran 100,000 trials on a computer. The contestant's strategy [don't switch] gave the correct answer in 33,498 trials, but the ...
by Adam Brooks
February 15th, 2006, 4:27 pm
Forum: Link Watch
Topic: Best Magic Trick Ever !
Replies: 12
Views: 3156

Re: Best Magic Trick Ever !

Marlo's got 37 great variations on this effect; one of which actually allows the spectator to gouge his own eyes out before the final revelation.
by Adam Brooks
February 9th, 2006, 2:53 pm
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Zone Zero -- manuscript only?
Replies: 2
Views: 475

Zone Zero -- manuscript only?

Does such a thing exist? I'm not interested in the props; only the routine/technique proper. Internet browsing has yielded me only the Andrus DVD set, and the routine with props.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
by Adam Brooks
February 1st, 2006, 6:12 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: Mythbusters -- Bullet Catch
Replies: 7
Views: 2593

Mythbusters -- Bullet Catch

There's a new episode of Mythbusters on the Discovery channel at this very moment, where they are testing if catching a bullet in one's teeth is actually a feasible notion. All magic jokes aside, it's sure to be an interesting watch. It will likely be in reruns over the next couple of weeks; it is l...
by Adam Brooks
January 6th, 2006, 1:51 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Eng Coin Vise
Replies: 37
Views: 10458

Re: Eng Coin Vise

Tracy, Consider yourself lucky you got one as a gift. I have a engineer friend in Australia to whom I sent the pages out of Puzzler's Tribute for Eng's vise. He's been hunting around, but can't find someone who can make one for a "reasonable" price. Also, Jim, if you decide to make the vis...
by Adam Brooks
December 8th, 2005, 1:32 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: The Evasons in New York City
Replies: 4
Views: 1464

Re: The Evasons in New York City

Agreed; easily one of the best shows I have ever seen. I got to watch Jeff afterwards doing some loop work with a borrowed pair of glasses; even freaked out the skeptics.

At the same time, I felt for him every time he had to say "No, I don't do card tricks..."

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