Gemini Twins

[ulrira]

Hello everyone,

Have a brief question regarding the Gemini Twins routine as described in Brother John's book (searched the forum before I posted but didn't come across anyone who had asked this particular question before - apologies if that's not the case).

Chasing authenticity I decided to try and perform it exactly as described (no holding of breaks, final two cards dealt differently and at a faster rhythm and the rest). As you might guess, I'm coming unstuck at the first show of final count; the double deal.

After a week or so of dedicated practice I don't seem to have progressed any in trying to reliably push the bottom card to the right with my left second finger. The best I can manage is to shove the bottom two cards as a block, and that's only after exerting what I'm sure is far too much downward pressure with my left thumb at the outer edge of the packet.

Can anyone offer any tips? Does / has anyone performed it this way?

Any / all advice very gratefully received,

Andrew

[Scott Fridinger]

I can undertand where you are having issues with the Hammon handling of this routine, particularly at the end. I have been doing this effect for years, but the handling I use is from Michael Ammar's Easy to Master Card Miracles, one of the 1st the volumes, can't remember specifically right now. The handling has some alterations and motivations to aleviate this specific issue. I would recommend checking it out.

[Darryl Harris]

I have always used the left second finger to slightly buckle the bottom card card of the packet, to disengage it, prior to pushing it out to align with the top card. At that point, a very light touch is all that is required.

Hope this helps.

[Richard Kaufman]

If you hold the packet very lightly in your hand, you should have no trouble in pushing the bottom card to the right. You can also lightly rest the tip of your right thumb on the center of the packet's right long side--the bulk of the flesh above the cards, and only a bit below to act as a guage.

[Bill Duncan]

Another vote for the handling on ETMCM. The touch,by Lewis Falanga if memory servers,eliminates the need for the double deal without weakening the effect at all. It's a simple and open displacement which illustrates the dust up when the wives come back from the power room.

[Richard Kaufman]

It's hard to improve a handling of Brother Hamman's, so I vote for the original. Just because you're having trouble learning doesn't mean that you shouldn't stay on track.

[ulrira]

Just because you're having trouble learning doesn't mean that you shouldn't stay on track.

Yes, I've been thinking about that. It's not a far reach to 'method vs effect'. I'm aware of what's taught on ETMCM (though not that it originated with Falanga) and will admit that it's been niggling at me whilst persevering with the double deal. It's not just that it's easier, but that it slots well into the story.

However, rattling along on the way to work this morning I kept everyone's advice in mind (a lighter touch, experimenting with the right thumb, buckling the bottom card) and found I was able to move the bottom card independently. Seeing it fall in line with the top card the first time put a big grin on my face (to the bemusement of my fellow commuters, no doubt).

It's a start. :)

Thanks to everyone for their insight.

Andrew

[Bill Duncan]

I think it was Dr. Daley who said if you can replace a move with a subtlety you'll improve the trick. He was never more correct than in the case of The Twins.