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AMcD
Inner circle
Bye!
1886 Posts
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Posted: May 12, 2011 6:32pm
Some people are not gonna believe it but... it's finally done! My first booklet, about riffle and faro stacking for Texas Hold'Em, is available. I hope it's the first volume of a long series and I promise it won't take such a long time for the following volumes.
Again, I apologize for the delay but I didn't have everything under control. The story of this first volume would fill 5 pages but, anyway, you don't care about that...
I deeply thank many of you, from the Gambling Spot, for their support and more particularly Jeff who helped me to turn the text into something understandable for not AMcD-English-minded people. Jeff, I'll get you dead drunk one day or another and one way or another.
Initially, I wanted to make it available for the people I know only, about a couple of dozens people interested in such a matter. But some convinced me to be more open minded. I now agree with them; after all, in the past, it's been very often really difficult for me to purchase some booklets because their rarity. How many times I had to give up because prices were amazing or because it was impossible to find a copy? Thus, I'm gonna be more “lavish” with 100 copies (well, about 75 are actually available  ).
Just a few words about the contents. I detail Texas Hold'Em stacking theory, I provide formulas, tables, figures, etc. And many tips (how to bypass the cut, exercices, etc.). Then I go with some faro stacking theory which, as far as I know, appears in print for the first time. Again, many tips are given (crimps, tips about cards, etc.). Tons of references are provided. I'm probably gonna show a lack of modesty but I really think it's a nice addition to the (rare) existing stacking material already available.
It's 67 pages and there are 57 figures.
As a private project, it's not intended to be sold by official bookshops. Please, take a look here if you are interested:
http://www.arnoldmcdonald.org/code/main.php?p=6300000
Thank you.
www.arnoldmcdonald.org
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tommy
Eternal Order
Devil’s Island
13329 Posts
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Posted: May 12, 2011 8:11pm
Cool! Thanks and good luck with the book Arnold. I will get one.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy
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slim23
Loyal user
209 Posts
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Posted: May 12, 2011 10:35pm
I am very happy for you!
Good job!
I hope I can get my hands on it...
Slim
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mavericklancer
Elite user
Irvine, Ca
437 Posts
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Posted: May 13, 2011 1:19am
Please let the rest of us know if you have copies leftover you'd be willing to sell to some of us newer card workers =).
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AMcD
Inner circle
Bye!
1886 Posts
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Posted: May 13, 2011 12:17pm
OK. A few additional words...
Many people from the Gambling Spot emailed me and they make me feel like Jack the Ripper now!
Dear friends, I see no reason at all not to sell a booklet to someone, even to people I had severe (?) arguments with in the past. As I write very often, we all are different, coming from different countries and cultures and... I'm someone with a strong character (to say the least) too. But a couple of guys (they won't ask me for a booklet though), I hold something against no one!
As long as you have posted here (or on other forums, like cardshark, school of scoundrels, etc.) and showed some interest about card cheating techniques it's OK with me. That's what I mean when writing "I must know who you are", nothing else. I'm sorry about the people "I don't know" but I don't wanna see my work released on Internet, I'd really enjoy to know you a bit .
Frankly, I really think that kind of material is of no use for people not seriously interested in such a field. That's why I'd prefer to favor people really passionated with card sharps techniques as I don't intend to print hundreds of copies. Thus:
1 - Contact me thru owner@arnoldmcdonald.org.
2 - Tell me "I'm X from XYZ".
3 - In 99.999% of the cases I say "OK".
4 - Use paypal thru owner@arnoldmcdonald.org and gimme an address where I can send the stuff.
5 - When paypal is OK, I send the booklet.
It's £30+1 for shipping = £31. If you want to track the parcel tell me because it's pretty expensive, UK postal services are crazy! In all honesty, I don't think you need it. I've sent stuff from England all over the world and, so far, no problem at all.
That simple. There is a last point. I manually number the copies. If you don't care about that I just pick one booklet out of the box. If you care about that, tell me which number you'd like. #1 to #10 are already used. If the number is no longer available, well, random one.
PS: Yes, I intend to publish several volumes. The next one will be on the different controls we use in amateur/private games and that Magicians name Stevens', Scarne's, etc. control. As usual, tons of variations, improvements, etc. In the future we (I say "we" because many people help me) plan to release material about beanshooters, N-Strippers, etc. Should be an interesting series in a few years.
Thank for your support.
www.arnoldmcdonald.org
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popcalinda
Loyal user
278 Posts
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Posted: May 13, 2011 12:54pm
finally!!!!
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AMcD
Inner circle
Bye!
1886 Posts
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Posted: May 13, 2011 1:29pm
You are one of the two guys with 0% chance to get one .
www.arnoldmcdonald.org
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blackeagle
Veteran user
321 Posts
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Posted: May 13, 2011 2:38pm
I'm the other one ! Well, I hope not though.
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cinahcem
New user
67 Posts
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Posted: May 13, 2011 2:41pm
AMcD, I sent you an email. I hope to have an opportunity to get a copy.
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iamslow
Inner circle
Proffessional Slacker
1816 Posts
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Posted: May 13, 2011 4:03pm
Arnold, I want #13 or # 666 if it gets that high...
"Everyone is tough till they get punched in the face" Mike Tyson
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Marlin1894
Elite user
436 Posts
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Posted: May 13, 2011 4:40pm
Quote:
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On 2011-05-13 13:29, AMcD wrote:
You are one of the two guys with 0% chance to get one .
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Who is the other?
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Kirjava
Regular user
119 Posts
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Posted: May 13, 2011 5:27pm
Email sent.
And already looking forward to the next ones
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AMcD
Inner circle
Bye!
1886 Posts
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Posted: May 13, 2011 7:25pm
Lol, popcalinda is one of my best friends in that business, he's the one who's gonna have booklet #1 if you want to know. I was just kidding.
Don't worry about that, those two guys know who they are. They consider me so poorly that they're not gonna ask something out of me though.
Thanks for the nice words many of you have sent to me. I'll answer to everyone. But the best I can say is to follow the procedure detailed above.
@iamslow,
It's OK for #13. If you're not joking it's very nice for me because I thought that no one would pick that number...
I'm gonna tell you something though. I'm really amazed about the importance people put into numbers. Superstition?
www.arnoldmcdonald.org
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Kimura
Elite user
401 Posts
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Posted: May 18, 2011 5:37am
I got the booklet yesterday and had a good read-through. I found it very helpful and educational, though I should note that my stacking knowledge was limited beforehand. I've read Steve Forte but I haven't read Fulves/Marlo.
Although you won't learn how to do the table faro, there are plenty of tips on these daunting sleights and references for you to learn them. Of course, the theory and technique you learn can be applied to whatever table faro shuffle you use. This book makes a great addition to say Jason England's excellent video on riffle stacking and deals with correcting mistakes, bypassing the cut, making the shuffles look natural etc. I found especially useful the notes on riffling spacers, and the theory tables and formulae.
I'd recommend this especially to those who are new to riffle stacking, and perhaps unable to get access to the hard-to-find stacking literature already out there. A good addition to the literature, imo.
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AMcD
Inner circle
Bye!
1886 Posts
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Posted: May 18, 2011 11:27am
Thanks for the kind words.
In all honesty I think that 3 Karl Fulves are interesting to read, his "Riffle Shuffle Technique, part III" and "Shuffle Controls, Part I and II". No formulas, not much theory, many pages about overhand stacking (despite the titles) and mainly targeting Magician, but nice exercises, countless ideas to be explored, etc.
There are interesting pages in Marlo's writing too, but, IMHO, I find Fulves more practical.
About the table faro, well, I had to make a decision. At first I wanted to add say 7-8 pages on my two favorite variants. But after a while I thought it was pointless. Ed Marlo's RCT, Martin Nash, etc. There is a plenty of very good material already available. What's the point to bring (almost) nothing new? Besides, let's be fair, the table faro is far to be the daunting technique many people think it is. Lastly, if I had to teach the table faro, I think a video would be more appropriate.
Again, thanks for leaving some comments.
www.arnoldmcdonald.org
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jfquackenbush
Special user
Out here on the desert
580 Posts
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Posted: May 18, 2011 11:50am
Well, I for one am always looking for more pointers on the table faro. I'm currently working on Nash's technique, but I never could get the hang of doing it the way Marlo or Turner describe it, and the instruction in Expert Card Technique is next to useless. So if you ever do decide to do a video, you'll have at least one interested viewer.
Mr. Quackenbush believes that there is no such thing as a good magic trick.
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AMcD
Inner circle
Bye!
1886 Posts
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Posted: May 18, 2011 12:13pm
Deal. Will be "The Legacy, #3". Gimme just a few day, I'm pretty busy at the moment.
www.arnoldmcdonald.org
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bblumen
Special user
Baltimore
987 Posts
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Posted: May 18, 2011 1:44pm
Quote:
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On 2011-05-18 11:50, jfquackenbush wrote:
Well, I for one am always looking for more pointers on the table faro. I'm currently working on Nash's technique, but I never could get the hang of doing it the way Marlo or Turner describe it, and the instruction in Expert Card Technique is next to useless. So if you ever do decide to do a video, you'll have at least one interested viewer.
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Which Marlo technique gives you trouble?
Have you read the description from Racherbaumer's Kabbala?
"Lulling the minds of your company is more important than dazzling their eyes." Ed Marlo
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popcalinda
Loyal user
278 Posts
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Posted: May 18, 2011 2:49pm
I heard that Frank Thompson had nice faro technique but Frank material is underground and hard to get. Maybe you bblumen from Baltimore know more about Thompsons technique?
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bblumen
Special user
Baltimore
987 Posts
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Posted: May 18, 2011 3:57pm
Quote:
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On 2011-05-18 14:49, popcalinda wrote:
I heard that Frank Thompson had nice faro technique but Frank material is underground and hard to get. Maybe you bblumen from Baltimore know more about Thompsons technique?
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While I witnessed Frank's miracles in the back room of Phil Thomas' Yogi Magic Mart, I didn't see any differences between his techniques and Marlo's. He never discussed this in my presence.
Maybe one day Peter Galinskas, Frank's top student and mentor to Aaron Fisher, will tip some information. (Don't hold your breath for this.)
"Lulling the minds of your company is more important than dazzling their eyes." Ed Marlo
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jfquackenbush
Special user
Out here on the desert
580 Posts
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Posted: May 18, 2011 5:36pm
The one I have trouble with is either in the cardician or revolutionary card technique. I'm not sure off hand because I haven't looked at it in a good long while after I gave up. I'll go digging for Kabbala next time I'm buying magic books. I recently spent a load of cash on some stuff for a glim design I'm working on though, so it's not likely that'll happen any time soon.
Mr. Quackenbush believes that there is no such thing as a good magic trick.
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iamslow
Inner circle
Proffessional Slacker
1816 Posts
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Posted: May 19, 2011 5:07am
Arnold, I want #13, but I need to fix my paypal account first... it has been frozen by paypal, because I'm using a cell # and I need a land line to get it back up and running.... anyone else have this problem? If you have to sell it, go ahead, as I don't know how long this will take... thanks
j
"Everyone is tough till they get punched in the face" Mike Tyson
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AMcD
Inner circle
Bye!
1886 Posts
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Posted: May 19, 2011 1:05pm
No, don't worry, I'll keep it for you.
Note for all my purchasers:
Dear friends, I really thank you for the kind words you sent to me privately but could you write here your comments about the booklet? I fully understand that some just wanna stay anonymous but, if possible, leave your comments, good or bad (so far everyone is glad, but it may happen) in that thread? The purpose is merely to be helpful to other people who may want to purchase it.
Again, deep thanks. I didn't know I has that many fans. Well, it's gonna make things easier for the next volumes...
www.arnoldmcdonald.org
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bblumen
Special user
Baltimore
987 Posts
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Posted: May 19, 2011 1:28pm
Quote:
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On 2011-05-18 17:36, jfquackenbush wrote:
The one I have trouble with is either in the cardician or revolutionary card technique. I'm not sure off hand because I haven't looked at it in a good long while after I gave up. I'll go digging for Kabbala next time I'm buying magic books. I recently spent a load of cash on some stuff for a glim design I'm working on though, so it's not likely that'll happen any time soon.
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I have sent you a PM...
"Lulling the minds of your company is more important than dazzling their eyes." Ed Marlo
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Kirjava
Regular user
119 Posts
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Posted: May 19, 2011 2:05pm
A quick review of the booklet:
First of, the booklet arrived 2 days after my purchase, so shipping was fast (I live in England).
Then, the booklet is clearly illustrated with clear drawings, diagrams and tables that provides an excellent reference for the riffle stacking formula Arnold talks about.
It does really feel like a "new" publication and it's not an obscure draft that was published. In fact, it's probably clearer than most magic books, and probably the clearest book on riffle shuffle work, although the amount of information can make the almost-scientific approach scary at first glance.
Arnold emphasize the utilisation of the faro shuffle to simplify the riffle stacking, so you really should be familiar with the tabled technique, or be ready to spend the extra bucks to learn it in the reference he gives at then end. A good second is also something you will want to work on after reading the booklet.
The crediting is second to none. Finally, even though the booklet is spiral-bound, the booklet looks nice.
One negative point though: as I said before, the booklet emphasize the use of the faro shuffle to speed up the stacking, and I still doubt a tabled faro could pass in a "real" game and fear that it's a clear "tell" that can get you into trouble. But, I have no knowledge of "real" games, so I'd love to stand corrected by a working mechanic.
Sorry for the lack of structure in the review though, I'm not used to do some and only did because I think Arnold deserve recognition (and sales) for his booklet. As I told him, I'm looking forward to the next ones!
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AMcD
Inner circle
Bye!
1886 Posts
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Posted: May 19, 2011 3:25pm
Thanks Kirjava.
Allow me to clear up several points.
1 - It's metal winding. More classy than usual plastic ones (and far more expensive!).
2 - Don't be afraid of the table faro. It's really easier than you may think. I've used it in true games and, in my context, no one has ever noticed it. I can also tell you that some people do table faros looking exactly the same than ordinary riffles, you can't see a difference. Don't forget to make your riffle look like your table faro, not the opposite.
3 - I provide solutions in case you don't or can't second deal and don't forget you don't always need one.
Lastly, I'll release a video about table faro pretty soon. I promised it. I'll show 4 or 5 variants and you will see that it's not difficult at all (in the context we are talking about, of course)
Thanks for your review man!
You guys are very kind.
www.arnoldmcdonald.org
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jfquackenbush
Special user
Out here on the desert
580 Posts
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Posted: May 19, 2011 3:54pm
For people who doubt that the table faro will pass in legit games, I've done lopsided sloppy ones a bunch of times sitting at tables with serious card players. it was part of a series of meaningless moves, bottoms without controlling bottom stock, seconds without knowing the top card, throwing a blind shuffle or cut into the middle of a legitimate shuffling sequence I was doing once upon a time just to see if I could pass them and to prove to myself I had the balls to try it. When I play cards I play legit because I don't often play for big money and it's more fun for me to try to win on pure strategy, but there really is nothing like the thrill of dealing someone a full stud hand off the bottom of the deck undetected even if you don't know what cards you're going to give them. that said, I've used table faros, my crappy ugly imperfect version at that, at tables with some seriously paranoid players and it flew by fine.
Mr. Quackenbush believes that there is no such thing as a good magic trick.
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jjsanvert
Veteran user
Paris, France
394 Posts
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Posted: May 20, 2011 4:21am
Just received the booklet - and it looks very interesting, to say the least...
JJS
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AMcD
Inner circle
Bye!
1886 Posts
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Posted: May 21, 2011 12:46am
Well, some additional words.
There are 4 people who contacted me during the week but despite all my efforts I can't answer their emails: mail delivery system, messaging error, etc.
I suggest you check your email system/box, etc. I answer every email, even if sometimes I show some delay. Thus, if you have no answer from me, please consider being one of those 4 people.
Thanks.
www.arnoldmcdonald.org
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AMcD
Inner circle
Bye!
1886 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2011 3:35pm
Hi.
I forgot to mention it but, obviously, when purchasing that booklet you have an access to the videos! Just gimme a username and a password with your mail and I'll create an account.
I'll also release some videos directly related to that series soon.
Thanks for the support.
PS: I don't really understand why some people congratulate me privately but don't make their comments public here but anyway, I appreciate guys!
www.arnoldmcdonald.org
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