What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Discuss your favorite close-up tricks and methods.
Paul Mellan
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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Paul Mellan » June 20th, 2008, 11:41 pm

"Halo Aces" is one of my favorites, too, Harry. I use the ending you tought me at Tannens once. This is where I "miss" the last ace with an indicator card. This card, a five, finds the last ace five cards down! When the five cards are turned over, they are a royal flush!!! Multiple endings are powerfully effective to an audience! The effect establishes both apparent skill and magic at the same time, which convinces the audience that I am a magician. Another favorite of mine is "The Lazy Man's Card Trick" from the "Unique Card Tricks" section of your "Close-up Card Magic Book." I fooled Steve Dusheck with this effect! If you do any card magic, Harry's "Close-up Card Magic Book" is an absolute must.
Paul Mellan

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 21st, 2008, 12:01 am

Except that LORAYNE: THE CLASSIC COLLECTION is much, much, better and much more of "an absolute must." Because Close-Up Card Magic is re-written and updated - PLUS four others of my early (1960s) books. What a bargain! Working on Vol. 2 as we "speak." Paul, that variation of HaLo Aces is a definite "killer." Best - HARRY L.

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Cugel
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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Cugel » June 21st, 2008, 3:27 am

Still, you can't beat the original Close-Up Card Magic for value. You can get it 2nd hand from a number of places for next to nothing. A huge bargain.

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Richard Hatch » June 21st, 2008, 4:21 am

It is still in print for just $20 new, a real bargain for a substantial hardback magic book!

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 21st, 2008, 10:13 am

Thanks Cugel and Richard - but I'm trying to sell LORAYNE: THE CLASSIC COLLECTION, which is A MUCH BETTER BARGAIN!! So, you're not helping me OR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE C-UCM. HL

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Paul Mellan » June 21st, 2008, 11:28 am

Harry, I don't have Classic Collection. Are you selling it and how much is it?
Paul Mellan

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Chris Aguilar » June 21st, 2008, 1:18 pm

Paul Mellan,

I agree with Cugel and Richard Hatch that Close Up Card Magic is quite the bargain these days.

I know that my copy is well worn from much use over the years. As one of the first "real" card magic books I ever purchased and one that contains material that has influenced some of the best card magicians out there, it's a book I do not hesitate to recommend. (Especially as it can be picked up for a song from dealers like like Hank Lee for only $18.50!)

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Cugel
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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Cugel » June 21st, 2008, 6:02 pm

Harry: the thread is asking for opinions.

You're books are always fun and have a large following, so I'm sure you'll move them out the door even if I note that CUCM is one of the best books in my collection.

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 21st, 2008, 6:06 pm

Paul: email me at my personal email address (harrylorayne@earthlink.net) and I'll reply with all info, plus I'll email you a copy of the full-page ad for the book, if you like.

Thank you ever so much, Chris, and you're absolutely right about C-UCM, but the BEST BARGAIN is still LORAYNE: THE CLASSIC COLLECTION - there is ABSOLUTELY NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

Just think about it - a complete re-write, upgrading, updating of not only C-UCM, but also of PERSONAL SECRETS, MY FAVORITE CARD TRICKS, DECK-STERITY, THE EPITOME LOCATION, plus a bonus of 16 all-new impromptu card routines. C'mon, listen to those who KNOW. Working on THE CLASSIC COLLECTION, Vol. 2 as we "speak." Best - HARRY LORAYNE.

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 21st, 2008, 6:09 pm

Cugel: Just saw your post. You're absolutely right, my books do "move out the door." And, don't misunderstand, C-UCM became a classic for good reasons - and your opinion is valid, BUT - it's not necessarily good advice!! Much better to purchase LORAYNE: THE CLASSIC COLLECTION

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 21st, 2008, 6:10 pm

- that is the BEST BARGAIN OF ALL. I have no idea why my one message is in two parts! No matter, perhaps it will be more effective that way! HL

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby HenningPaul » June 22nd, 2008, 1:52 pm

The "Lazy Man's Card Trick" is still my most popular and favorite.

HP

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 22nd, 2008, 2:40 pm

Interesting choice, not that it isn't a great effect. It's just that it's "among" so many others. HL

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Richard Green
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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Richard Green » June 26th, 2008, 3:35 am

I mentioned this in a post elsewhere, but mine has to be "Gambler vs. Magician". Fantastic effect!

Here's a question for ya, Harry: what's YOUR personal favorite to do if asked to perform at a moment's notice?

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 26th, 2008, 5:47 pm

I most always start with HaLo Aces. It sure does grasp and hold attention. HL

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Brandon Hall » June 26th, 2008, 6:31 pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't HaLo Aces begin with a prepped deck? What trick do you do if using a borrowed deck?
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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Philippe Noël » June 29th, 2008, 3:23 am

Here is my handling of Harry's Foursome:

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=_2mNc44LykA

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby El Mystico » June 29th, 2008, 6:05 am

That's a nice handling.

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 29th, 2008, 10:42 am

Brandon: You are so wrong. I work with borrowed decks ONLY. How could you not know HaLo Aces? It's way back out of RIM SHOTS, on my DVD set (I think), and so on. 99.999% of the stuff I teach is IMPROMPTU. I'm in the throes, right now, as we speak, of doing LORAYNE; THE CLASSIC COLLECTION, Vol. 2, which will contain my re-write, update, etc. of RIM SHOTS, and two others of my early books.


Nice handling by Philippe. But, I still prefer my original handling. Except for that one nice quick color change, it's more logical, and stronger. Hey, my opinion, folks. But excellent thinking by Philippe. HL (And, Philippe, thanks for crediting; most do not.)

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Richard Kaufman » June 29th, 2008, 11:18 am

Harry, I think Brandon was referring to the fact that the Aces need to be preset for HaLo Aces. Of course, a simple Faro Shuffle will do it, but many folks can't do a Faro, which makes the setting up more cumbersome.
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Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 29th, 2008, 2:06 pm

You guys are losing me. What faro? There's HaLo Aces and HaLo Again (these two titles were inverted in the original book; I'm straightening that out in CLASSIC COLLECTION, Vol. 2). For HaLo Aces, the four aces need to be on top of the deck. That's all! Are you calling that "preset"? And in HaLo Again, a really shuffled deck is fanned face up and the four aces are openly inserted to separate areas. That's it. There are no faro shuffles involved in either. HL (Richie, I think you and Brendan are thinking of other effects/routines; certainly no the two above-mentioned.)

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Richard Kaufman » June 29th, 2008, 4:28 pm

Harry, I was just thinking of the position the Aces have to be in prior to the cutting, but I could be mistaken. Very busy lately and my brain is a scrambled egg.
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Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 29th, 2008, 4:59 pm

No, Richie; as noted above, for the straight cutting to the aces (HaLo Aces) the aces are on top of the deck. That's it, nothing else needed, except the ability to do my HaLo Cut. HARRY L.

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Richard Kaufman » June 29th, 2008, 7:19 pm

Harry, what kind of a handling would you get if, ala Marlo's Miracle Ace Cutting, the Aces were 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th from the bottom?
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Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 30th, 2008, 11:00 am

Don't know. Forgot his effect a long time ago, but - just not necessary. Aces on top - easy enough; no "presetting" and into my HaLo Aces. Simple, easy, DIRECT, a killer.

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Brandon Hall » June 30th, 2008, 3:30 pm

Yes, I was referring to the aces being on top at the beginning. You can't use a borrowed deck without some re-arranging of the cards, somehow.
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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Jeff Eline » June 30th, 2008, 3:44 pm

Brandon Hall wrote:You can't use a borrowed deck without some re-arranging of the cards, somehow.

Sure you can! At least from the audiences perspective.

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » June 30th, 2008, 5:15 pm

Listen - if you can't get the four aces to the top of the deck when a shuffled deck is handed to you without anyone being the wiser, suggest you use your own deck, gaffed cards, etc. I'm not trying to be a wiseguy, I really mean it. Getting the four aces, or any cards, to top, without your spectators thinking that you "did something" is something any cardman, or anyone who calls himself a cardman, should be able to do WITHOUT THINKING. HL

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Gordolini » June 30th, 2008, 9:46 pm

For example, you could borrow a deck and spread the cards facing you from your left hand to the right hand under the excuse of looking for the Jokers to discard. During this action you cull the aces (spot an ace and down jog with the block of cards you have already spread. Continue to spread and down jog the next three aces (only) and then strip out the face up block with the aces below with a cut or a running cut to the table). Aces will be on top if the deck is placed face down.

You could also hide the action while openly looking for specific cards for a different trick. An effective lead in trick is Lorayne's One Eyed Jack Sandwich which coincidentally uses the Halo cut - where you search for the two Jacks to place face up on the table (while secretly culling the aces to top when deck is face down). Do the one eyed jack sandwich trick and the aces will remain undisturbed next to the jack sandwich.

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Mallakite » July 1st, 2008, 8:20 am

I've just recently been doing The Card Sharp and The Four Gamblers, this is an impromptu and the kind of card trick that will get you a standing ovation.

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » July 1st, 2008, 10:33 am

You can see The Card Sharp & The Four Gamblers performed on one of my "Best Ever" DVD volumes. I'm just in the throes of re-writing the routine for LORAYNE: THE CLASSIC COLLECTION, Vol. 2. It sure is an "ovation elicitor." Best - HL.

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Gary Freed » July 1st, 2008, 11:28 am

MY favorite trick by Harry Lorayne that I perform is still the "way too simple to perform" Lorayne Poker Deal.

My favorite to watch Harry perform is The Card Sharp and The Four Gamblers.

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Gary

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Brandon Hall » July 1st, 2008, 1:18 pm

I never called myself a "cardman" (NEVER in THIS company) I was just pointing out a fact...you have to pre-arrange the cards, that's all. No offense meant, Harry.
Gordon, Thanks for your friendly advice.
By the way, I ALWAYS start with Halo Aces also (and yes, I usually use my own deck)
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Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » July 1st, 2008, 1:47 pm

Using your own deck to go into HaLo Aces is fine; I'm assuming you shuffle first, keeping them there, then into the effect. Right? Best - HARRY L. (I've had a few people tell me that after doing HaLo Aces with their own decks, a member of the audience would immediately pick up the cards and "examine" them.)

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Brandon Hall » July 1st, 2008, 2:11 pm

Certainly...and those block hindus are a great convincer
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Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » July 1st, 2008, 6:06 pm

Just a basic overhand jog shuffle suffices.

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby rage » July 3rd, 2008, 3:09 am

What differentiates the bottom slip cut from the halo cut?
with an N

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » July 3rd, 2008, 10:40 am

Gee, rage, you've got me.

Harry Lorayne

Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby Harry Lorayne » July 3rd, 2008, 12:23 pm

Particularly since my original title of the move is THE HaLo BOTTOM SLIP CUT.

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Re: What is your favorite trick by Harry Lorayne?

Postby El Mystico » July 3rd, 2008, 12:43 pm

As Harry wrote in the original intro "There are many ways of doing, or preparing for, a bottom slip cut. The main difference between all of these and this one is that there is absolutely no get-ready necessary with mine"


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