Reddit reviews Expert Card Technique: Close-Up Table Magic

Hard to say, depends on how far into magic you are, but here's a book that should be in every magician's library:

https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Wilsons-Complete-Course-Magic/dp/0762414553/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512052771&sr=8-1&keywords=mark+wilson%27s+complete+course+in+magic

If you are into cards specifically, and don't have them, here are three books you should own (and I would suggest reading them in this order):

https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Road-Card-Magic/dp/0486408434/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1512052913&sr=1-1&keywords=royal+road+to+card+magic

https://www.amazon.com/Expert-Card-Table-Treatise-Manipulation/dp/0486285979/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1512052934&sr=1-1&keywords=the+expert+at+the+card+table

https://www.amazon.com/Expert-Card-Technique-Close-Up-Table/dp/0486217558/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1512052952&sr=1-1&keywords=expert+card+technique

Yes.

Some advice first; skip the pass for now, skip the flourishes (unless that's what you are interested in). As for books, this book was like my card magic Bible when growing up, you can get the PDF version for free this week only at the Conjuring Arts website:
Expert Card Technique

You can algo buy a softcover version of this book for cheap (and you should).

I love both books but another good one is called “Expert card technique” by Jean Hugard and Frederick Braué if you’d like to purchase it here’s a link https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0486217558/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Expert Card Tecnique

Instead of $10 for one effect, spend $10 to get this book that's loaded with great stuff or this book that's a little more advanced - and also loaded with great info. Or spend $30 to get this book that takes you step by step through a lot of basics, or this one that's a little more advanced. If you just really want to avoid books, try this DVD. But, really, books are going to give you the most bang for your buck by a lot. Give books a shot. Your local library might even have some good stuff for free. DVDs would be the next obvious step, since you're paying $25 for 9 powerful effects taught by a master. Even with tax and shipping, that's under $4 each. When you're looking at stuff that's $10 for a download for stuff that's generally unproven, you're usually wasting money.

Also, check the thread in the sidebar. There are a lot of good references in there.

Royal Road to Card Magic is mentioned by another response... Other books that are considered the Sacred Texts of card magic would include Expert at the Card Table and Expert Card Technique...

Expert of the Card Table is has an interesting history and covers many gambling sleights that have some application in card magic. Depending on the edition, I believe there is some errata, but you can find the corrections online fairly easily.


I personally love Expert Card Technique because it covers so many slights and classic card magic effects. It has illustrations that are helpful.

Okay, couldn't find my box, but I managed to dreg up what I remember as far as books go.

This book is a good start for coin magic and sleight of hand in general. Be warned though, the coins you will need for this might be slightly hard to find (silver dollars, half dollars) but is worth it. For whatever reason people think that the bigger the coin, the harder it is to work magic with it. This is false. The bigger the easier and the better looking.

This book is a good start for card magic. Sometimes it is a bit hard to understand (as all books are) but this is pretty simple and will give you some good pointers.

This book is my all time favorite. More card magic, but more advanced than the previous one.

And lastly this book which gives some good tricks, teaches some good things. Much of it is based on props and stage magic, and much of it isn't. A good read.

And lastly some advice: if possible find someone who knows how and is already practiced. That makes it MUCH easier. And stick with it. Once you learn something you never unlearn it. I have not practiced in near 5 years and I can still pick up a deck of cards and mess with them. Learn a few versatile tricks and learn some flourishes. The tricks can fascinate, and the flourishes look pretty, but only when used together does it really blow people's minds.

It really depends on your skill level.

If you're more of a beginner, The Royal Road to Card Magic (mentioned elsewhere on this page) is a great introduction to the subject.

Card College is another great resource. This five-book series provides much more in-depth information on all aspects of sleight of hand, and as such is valuable regardless of whether you're a beginner or an advanced card handler.

Finally, if you already have a little skill, Expert Card Technique is a fantastic resource with tons of great tricks that will fit your criteria.

Hope that helps!