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Paul Phear New user 31 Posts |
Anybody else use this? I'm the only person I've met who does! Am I alone?
Paul |
Scott Cram Inner circle 2678 Posts |
Most magicians today who use such a card system will often be using the Aronson system, with the Tamariz system in 2nd place.
For most tricks that use a system, which one you use is really unimportant. Darwin Ortiz suggests shuffling a deck randomly, and then using that arrangement for your system. The only real difference in systems is when it comes to "built-in" effects. Nikola is a great system, but the built-in effects are geared towards games like Bridge and Whist, which aren't as popular now as when the Nikola system was first published. The Aronson stack gets much of its popularity from its uses in poker-based demonstrations. Don't worry, there's much you can do with Nikola, and many ideas that can be used (and some adapted with minor considerations) from the Aronson, Tamariz, Osterlind and QuickStack systems. The real question is not whether you are alone, but whether the Nikola system is working for you, and getting you good reactions. If that is so, keep using it! I recommend getting a subscription to the magazine "Smoke & Mirrors," and reading Dennis Loomis's (a Magic Café member, BTW) column. You'll find it useful and very enjoyable. I understand his June column is really good. |
Larry Davidson Inner circle Boynton Beach, FL 5270 Posts |
I agree with everything Scott said, but would add that Martin Joyal's 6-Hour Memorized Deck is also popular and a GREAT as well as relatively easy system to learn.
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Nick Pudar Veteran user 369 Posts |
Any memorized deck that you actually use is great. Since you mentioned the Nikola system, it reminds me of the incredible effect Nikola offers us at the end of his manuscript. It allows you to openly set the deck in memorized order while performing an excellent and entertaining effect. I'm not at home at the moment to confirm this reference, but I believe the effect is that last one in the manuscript reprint in Hugard's "Encyclopedia of Card Magic." If I'm wrong on that reference, I hope someone can correct me.
Nick (birth name is actually Nikola!)
Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.
www.stackview.com Version 5.0 is available! |
Martin Joyal Regular user 135 Posts |
>>> Larry,
Thanks for your nice words on the Joyal Stack. >>> Nick, You are right regarding the choice of a memorized deck—what is "great" is not the stack you choose, but the one you use. The Nikola's trick you are referring to is called "A Subtle Game". It did appear in The Nikola Card System (p. 44), and in Encyclopedia of Card Tricks (p. 402). As I wrote in The Six-hour Memorized Deck, this trick is an embellishment of an idea described in 1612 in de Sequeira's Thesouro de Prudentes. William McCaffrey, Rufus Steele, and Steve Aldrich use similar tricks. McCaffrey's trick is in Greater Magic, p. 298. Steele's trick is in 50 Tricks You Can Do, You Will Do, Easy to Do, p.51. Aldrich's tricks is in The Stacked Pack, p. 39. Congratulations on your StackView software! I will soon send you an e-mail on that subject. For members who like stacks, systems and memorized decks, please take a look at http://www.stackview.com/ Martin |
ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
Another useful -- and fairly detailed -- look at this far-ranging topic can be found at An Introduction to Full-Deck Stacks.
... Doug
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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Paul Phear New user 31 Posts |
...reminds me of the incredible effect Nikola offers us at the end of his manuscript. It allows you to openly set the deck in memorized order while performing an excellent and entertaining effect.
Hi Nik(ola!) I think you are refering to the calling of the cards effect where each card is named in revese stack order, duplicating none, and ending with the 6D. I've never needed to use it as (so far) no one's messed my stack, but it's a useful tool to have in the memory. I think if it did happen I'd go into a shuffled deck effect and put a curse on the mixer! Interesting to hear of those other stacks, but I think as I have the Nikola 'installed' into my limited mental disc space I'll not confuse myself with another. Reference the comment about Poker not being so popular today, not true in the UK. We even have televised Poker which gets (relatively) large audiences. Many of my friends and colleagues play, or at least understand the ranking of hands. I use it quite often, finding it a good alternative for guys who are dismissive of card tricks. Once I've convinced them they are dealing with an 'expert' (Ha!) I can have some fun sharing some other card stuff with them. I also find it useful in real life, helps me remember all kinds of numerical info for short periods, car parking bays, locker numbers etc. Of course this also preserves the sequence between performances. Thanks for all replies. paul |
Nick Pudar Veteran user 369 Posts |
Paul,
The only time I need to use the Nikola effect to arrange a stack openly is when I'm in a social setting at someone's home, and I get handed a deck and asked to do something. (And that's in the rare occasion I don't have a deck of my own with me.) The way I do the routine, (and I can't recall how it appear's in Nikola's manuscript -- but this is how I do it) is to force the cards from positions 47 through 52 -- one each to six spectators. I use an undercull force, and hand each of the spectators about one sixth of the deck, with the force card at the bottom. I ask each person to "think" about only the cards that they did not select. I thell them to hand me any cards I name. I then very rapidly call out positions 1 through 46, and of course each person is left holding their card. It's quite fun, and I'm left holding the deck in order. Nick
Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.
www.stackview.com Version 5.0 is available! |
Dennis Loomis 1943 - 2013 2113 Posts |
Thanks to Scott Cram for mentioning my Series of Smoke and Mirrors Articles. Subscriptions to Angelo Stagnaro's Smoke and Mirrors Ezine are free. You can subscribe by dropping a note to Angelo at:
mailto:StagnaroAngelo@hotmail.com It was the discovery of the Nicola Card System over 40 years ago that led to my interest in memorized deck work. I must confess that after learning the Nicola System, I let it slide. More recently, my interest in Memorized deck work was rekindled by the discovery of the Aronson Stack and Simon's series of books on the topic. I work with the Aronson stack virtually daily, and am always interested in communicating with Memorized Deck workers. Scott Cram, Bill Nagler, and others have contributed ideas for my articles and I'd love to put YOU on that list. I am interested in a gathering of those interested in this specialized area of card magic. So let me ask the group: are there any of you that might be interested in attending a one day conference dedicated to work with a memorized deck? For several reasons, it will probably be held in Las Vegas, and perhaps following one of the large conventions regularly held there. Drop me an email at: deloomis@mindspring.com to indicate an interest, to share an ideas on memorized deck work, or just to ask questions about any of the effects or ideas in my articles. Dennis Loomis http://www.loomismagic.com
Itinerant Montebank
<BR>http://www.loomismagic.com |
Reed McClintock V.I.P. 772 Posts |
I use and love this stack, infact I loved it so much I had it tattooed on my stomach in ribbon spread, so it goes across my whole belly. If you would like to see it go to
http://yomographs.com/gallery/ibm2002?&page=2 I have several new discoveries with this stack. cheers Reed |
CardFan Elite user Found the Socks ! 430 Posts |
Martin Joyal is certainly too modest to say it but I highly recommand you the reading of his book on the subject !!!
Aiming to become the only magician in the world that has ever produced the lost socks back from the dryer...
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