Stevens Control

[Julie Eng]

While working on our Erdnase project, Card Table Artifice for Luminato (http://www.magicana.com/performances/luminato-2014/card-table-artifice/) we came across a video clip on the Magic Cafe by "AmcD", demonstrating his version of the Stevens Control.

As many of you may know, I work with David Ben. And as many of you also know, David has more than a passing interest in Dad Stevens.

David found AMcD's posting of the Stevens Control particularly interesting, mostly because David's convinced that AMcD is using the (incorrect) technique as described in the Fulves material (a reconstruction by Braue which ended up in Karl Fulves' hands courtesy of the late Jeff Busby).

So, I was asked to put a collection of clips of David's interpretation of the Control to share on the Cafe. And how could he possibly ask me to post there, without posting here, too?!

So for those who may be interested, here is the link:
http://davidben.com/stevens-control-demo/

Hope you find it interesting.

[Julie Eng]

There was an inquiry from the Magic Cafe about where exactly was the correct description if the Fulves' version was incorrect...

Here's what I posted, and I quote from David Ben:

“The best description of the move which sadly, has been in plain sight since the early 60s, is in Dai Vernon’s More Inner Secrets of Card Magic, page 55, ‘To bring cards to the top'."

[mrgoat]

That's cool and all, but can he do that using Dai Vernon's TRIUMPH shuffle? My Dad can.

[Julie Eng]

That's cool and all, but can he do that using Dai Vernon's TRIUMPH shuffle? My Dad can.

Yes, he can.

[Larry Horowitz]

Nice work!

Larry

[prodigy]

Looks like AmCD did respond:
-------------------—-------------------------

Hi,

Usually, when David has something to tell me, he sends an email, I'm really surprised he didn't behave like so this time . Anyway.

The technique he shows, I know it. But I don't use it because the discrepancies too visible (for me!):

- When he adds 2 cards on top;
- And above all, during the last "riffle".

That said, he does it very well.

Thanks for the videos!

[AMcD]

Hi all.

I just ran across this thread (no one told me it existed and I don't visit genii on a frequent basis), therefore, sorry for the late answer.

1. As I don't explain/detail on the video which technique I use, I don't know how David can infer I'm incorrect. Above all, considering the speed I'm shuffling (far faster than him)!

2. Due to the poor description given by Vernon in 1960, my gratitude to the one claiming he's got the exact handling.

3. Braue, Busby, Vernon... well, there are tons of interpretations and variants. I have mine as well (soon to be published). I don't claim I'm 100% right or following Vernon perfectly. But who knows what Vernon meant really? Are there still people believing dad Stevens really existed?

Anyway, nice videos from David.

[erdnasephile]

Perhaps you might consider posting a link to your video so we can see the differences?