Search found 441 matches

by Cugel
November 25th, 2008, 3:38 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: James Swain: 21st Century Card Magic and Miracles with Cards
Replies: 8
Views: 2452

Re: James Swain: 21st Century Card Magic and Miracles with Cards

Are you, like, getting out of magic, or something?

Don't do it, man. Don't sell your stash.
by Cugel
November 23rd, 2008, 12:12 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Internet Blog Gender Analyzer
Replies: 7
Views: 2015

Re: Internet Blog Gender Analyzer

Of course it's wrong. Whether it's wrong or not is not the point.

What we need is a nerd analyzer.
by Cugel
November 22nd, 2008, 7:44 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Internet Blog Gender Analyzer
Replies: 7
Views: 2015

Re: Internet Blog Gender Analyzer

The moral is, don't go to the Cafe to pick up chicks.
by Cugel
November 22nd, 2008, 6:28 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Internet Blog Gender Analyzer
Replies: 7
Views: 2015

Re: Internet Blog Gender Analyzer

And Joe's post, likewise: We have strong indicators that <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showthreaded&Number=181434">http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubb ... ber=181434</a><!-- m --> is written by a woman (92%). Just a comment: don't ...
by Cugel
November 22nd, 2008, 4:20 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Internet Blog Gender Analyzer
Replies: 7
Views: 2015

Internet Blog Gender Analyzer

Genii: http://genderanalyzer.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geniimagazine.com%2Fforums%2Fubbthreads.php%3Fubb%3Dcfrm 92% chance the site is by females. Cafe: http://genderanalyzer.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthemagiccafe.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php "We have strong indicators that http://themagiccafe.com/for...
by Cugel
November 14th, 2008, 4:12 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: ELLEN DEGENERES LOVES MAGIC
Replies: 10
Views: 2969

Re: ELLEN DEGENERES LOVES MAGIC

Richard Kaufman wrote:Why does she have to pick a no-personality schmo like Hans Klock?


Ouch!
by Cugel
November 10th, 2008, 8:15 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Pull through shuffle
Replies: 4
Views: 1693

Re: Pull through shuffle

Forget all the finesse of over-squaring and keeping a fine brief and all that [censored] it's a lot of fiddling [censored]. Go find the DVD that Stevens Magic put out (now sold by Twin Cities) of Johnny Thompson and Charlie Miller. There's a version of the Push-Through Shuffle on there that is beyo...
by Cugel
November 6th, 2008, 2:57 am
Forum: General
Topic: ERDNASE
Replies: 8153
Views: 12365066

Re: ERDNASE

What if... What if Erdnase wasn't a man. What if it was a woman, say, Emma Shaw Andrews, knew all the moves and wrote the text to Expert At the Card Table, and had a friend pose as Erdnase for the drawings since at that time, women were not considered equal in society? She could have been with the ...
by Cugel
October 27th, 2008, 6:59 am
Forum: General
Topic: mythology and genii
Replies: 14
Views: 3420

Re: mythology and genii

I was only commenting on the etymology of 'genii', which is semitic. It's of course well established that every gathering of hominids that develops sentient thought also immediately populates their universe with mythical beings to explain phenomena they don't understand or can't control.
by Cugel
October 26th, 2008, 4:51 pm
Forum: General
Topic: mythology and genii
Replies: 14
Views: 3420

Re: mythology and genii

Considering the Romans at one time controlled Syria, greater Palestine and other middle eastern regions, I'd wager that's where they picked the word up. There are many other Arabic words that have been drawn into European languages: Algebra, Alcohol, Azimuth and on and on.
by Cugel
October 25th, 2008, 3:53 am
Forum: General
Topic: SPECIAL OFFER: Get one Year of Genii Free When You Subscribe by Dec.31
Replies: 32
Views: 7977

Re: SPECIAL OFFER: Get one Year of Genii Free When You Subscribe by Dec.31

Just let your sub lapse and get your wife, girlfriend or whoever to subscribe on their credit card.
by Cugel
October 24th, 2008, 4:30 am
Forum: General
Topic: mythology and genii
Replies: 14
Views: 3420

Re: mythology and genii

It's an Arabic word, and probably Aramaic derivation (but I am being wildly speculative). Some good articles here. Just say, "Iftah, ya simsim" and all will be revealed: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.experiencefestival.com/genie_-_etymology">http://www.experiencefestival.c...
by Cugel
October 21st, 2008, 6:45 am
Forum: Magicana
Topic: DelGaudio Shuffle
Replies: 58
Views: 26926

Re: DelGaudio Shuffle

Well, it's a beotch to learn from the Genii write up. I need to go buy some new cards. Sure looked great when a kid called Yeo showed it to me recently, though. I believe you taught it to him? it's a great move, man.
by Cugel
October 10th, 2008, 4:40 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: JIMMY GRIPPO
Replies: 30
Views: 25080

Re: JIMMY GRIPPO

Matthew Field wrote:What a great presentation for the Card Index!


Ssshhhhhhhh.
by Cugel
October 10th, 2008, 4:22 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT
Replies: 75
Views: 15514

Re: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT

I agree with you. Roy's work is far better than ok.

He did a very good pass when I saw him. Not the very best I've seen, but very, very good - certainly amongst the best.
by Cugel
October 9th, 2008, 8:11 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT
Replies: 75
Views: 15514

Re: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT

This thread is asking for opinions about other people's work. If you have a mind to, feel free to post some videos, Jonathan.
by Cugel
October 9th, 2008, 7:25 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT
Replies: 75
Views: 15514

Re: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT

You can see my name is Cugel. I thought Roy's pass was very respectable. In other words, worthy of respect. Roy is technically one of the best around. That's not just your opinion, but I happen to share it. I would rank him in the top thirty technicians I have seen. He's extremely good. What more do...
by Cugel
October 9th, 2008, 5:13 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT
Replies: 75
Views: 15514

Re: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT

You haven't told anyone who you are either. How is that relevant? If you don't care to read my opinion, that's no skin off my nose. It's a discussion board; it doesn't actually matter. I've seen a ton of great passes over the years. Walton did a few passes standing behind his counter and they looked...
by Cugel
October 9th, 2008, 12:07 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT
Replies: 75
Views: 15514

Re: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT

Eddie wrote:Cugel what's wrong with you quite respectable, i don't know who you are but you must be mad.


Nothing wrong with me, why do you ask? I have seen Roy do the shift in person and it was quite respectable.
by Cugel
October 9th, 2008, 12:05 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT
Replies: 75
Views: 15514

Re: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT

The idea of doing a Pass as you hold the deck with the face toward the audience and rotate it 180 degrees (essentially each hand turns its half in opposite directions) was devised by Geoff Latta in the late 1970s. Both Swiss and I saw him do it. (I think someone else tried to claim it later on.) Is...
by Cugel
October 8th, 2008, 1:18 am
Forum: Magicana
Topic: DelGaudio Shuffle
Replies: 58
Views: 26926

Re: DelGaudio Shuffle

Bill Duncan wrote:Since it cuts the deck, does this shuffle have a built in way to maintain the step needed to cut after the shuffle to restore the deck order?


Use your favourite method.
by Cugel
October 7th, 2008, 10:41 pm
Forum: Magicana
Topic: DelGaudio Shuffle
Replies: 58
Views: 26926

Re: DelGaudio Shuffle

LOL. Well I suppose that's a negative for those who don't master it and a positive for those who do.

First time in a long while I've been inspired to learn something new.
by Cugel
October 7th, 2008, 9:14 pm
Forum: Magicana
Topic: DelGaudio Shuffle
Replies: 58
Views: 26926

Re: DelGaudio Shuffle

I have to say, that looks fantastic. I don't see how you could fault it.
by Cugel
October 5th, 2008, 9:43 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New Mark Lewis Book!
Replies: 62
Views: 12075

Re: New Mark Lewis Book!

Jonathan Townsend wrote:But his posts bear the mark of Mark - is there an exorcist in the house?


Let he who is without trollish tendencies cast the first spam.
by Cugel
October 4th, 2008, 8:30 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: The Perfect Cups and Balls routine.
Replies: 18
Views: 9145

Re: The Perfect Cups and Balls routine.

Anyone remember the parody of magician's rhyming doggerel in the Crimp? One of his best efforts - truly hilarious.
by Cugel
October 3rd, 2008, 6:49 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT
Replies: 75
Views: 15514

Re: THE BEST EXECUTER OF THE TWO HANDED SHIFT

I've seen Roy's pass. It was quite respectable.
by Cugel
September 29th, 2008, 6:41 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen
Replies: 78
Views: 13018

Re: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen

Ha ha ha. Happy times.
by Cugel
September 24th, 2008, 5:54 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen
Replies: 78
Views: 13018

Re: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen

Actually, it's not taboo and it doesn't really matter, but one thing that annoys me is magicians who do card tricks and use patter along the lines of, "What I do aren't mere card tricks, but mini pasteboard illusions..." Bleh.
by Cugel
September 24th, 2008, 4:27 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen
Replies: 78
Views: 13018

Re: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen

Really? Next time ask a spectator what that little rabbit is made out of.
by Cugel
September 23rd, 2008, 8:31 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen
Replies: 78
Views: 13018

Re: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen

Richard Kaufman wrote:spread like a flower opening--an amazing thing.


What an interesting image.

Now what was that about Nancy?
by Cugel
September 21st, 2008, 5:50 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen
Replies: 78
Views: 13018

Re: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen

Richard Kaufman wrote:Bushwa is a euphemism for "[censored]." I don't know what politics would have to do with that.


Well, add "bushwa" to the list.
by Cugel
September 21st, 2008, 6:10 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen
Replies: 78
Views: 13018

Re: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen

Bushwa. So you're envisioning a scenario in which a layperson says, "I'm sorry, but you're really cutting the cards rather than riffling them." No, I'm imagining a scenario where Neil Patrick Harris performs a Hindu shuffle force and Ellen DeGeneres thinks it's odd he called it a riffle s...
by Cugel
September 20th, 2008, 11:01 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen
Replies: 78
Views: 13018

Re: Words that a Magician Should Never Utter in Front of Laymen

I totally agree with Bill Duncan. I think Ellen asked the question only because NPH was clearly not riffling the cards. What he did is what a layman would probably refer to, if asked, as a series of cuts. She asked because his description didn't match the action. If you hold the deck up for a specta...
by Cugel
September 16th, 2008, 4:27 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Marlo/Benzais Poker Deal Handling
Replies: 79
Views: 12191

Re: Marlo/Benzais Poker Deal Handling

Alright Michael, you keep worshiping Harry and Richard in the mean time, OK? Do you know everything Michael? No, you don't, so please stop posting ignorant comments that no one pays attention to. Calm down, everyone, calm down. David - I can see with my own two eyes that nothing of any significance...
by Cugel
September 16th, 2008, 4:22 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: RNT II Traditional Cups
Replies: 18
Views: 3082

Re: RNT II Traditional Cups

Holey snapping duck...

That is a GREAT price. I bought 'em full price, so I ought to know. These are a great set of cups, heavy and with a nice traditional aesthetic. Somebody jump on them.
by Cugel
September 15th, 2008, 6:31 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Marlo/Benzais Poker Deal Handling
Replies: 79
Views: 12191

Re: Marlo/Benzais Poker Deal Handling

Well, now it starts to make a bit of sense. And Richard Kaufman even suggested my Lorayne's Poker Deal back then. We sure do want to listen to a 14-year old who's been "doing" magic for less than a year. I do love the "attitude." HL I don't think we need to be too hard on him. I...
by Cugel
September 15th, 2008, 6:13 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Marlo/Benzais Poker Deal Handling
Replies: 79
Views: 12191

Re: Marlo/Benzais Poker Deal Handling

I'm not seeing anything new here.
by Cugel
September 13th, 2008, 7:57 pm
Forum: General
Topic: ERDNASE
Replies: 8153
Views: 12365066

Re: ERDNASE

So, wait: did he decide to publish the book for money or didn't he? seems unlikely that Erdnase decided to publish the book for the money, despite his claim to the contrary one possible explanation might be that financial circumstances forced him to publish his work with a degree of haste
by Cugel
September 11th, 2008, 4:33 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: riffle stacking
Replies: 148
Views: 46725

Re: riffle stacking

There is a theory in magic, subscribed to by many magicians, that says that it's okay if a magicians handles cards differently from a normal person. It's okay because the audience expects you to handle cards differently, because you're a magician. I don't agree. In fact, I think this reasoning is e...
by Cugel
September 10th, 2008, 6:12 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: riffle stacking
Replies: 148
Views: 46725

Re: riffle stacking

The way around the weakness of the double under cut is to use the Ken Beale variation. It looks like a straight cut in the hands (pause), then a third cut to the table, another third to the table and the final third on top of the other two as you scoop them up. Of course, all of that assumes you hav...

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