re: the subject - not really, I don't want to get anyone fired up

This is more of a curiosity question. I'm sure most everyone here knows that Allan Ackerman and Daryl...err..Daryl both have encyclopedic video series for learning sleights.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Allan and I can testify to his AMAZING prowess with a deck of cards. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Daryl yet. I was wondering if anyone has both sets or at least two volumes that cover the same types of things and could compare them.

If not I believe I will do just that. Buy one volume of Allan's and one of Daryl's (false deals for instance) compare them and post my thoughts. (And probably sell whichever one lost in my mind which will still be a good deal for someone else I'm sure )

-Dan

Dan,

I do not own any of Daryl's EOCS videos, but I do have Allan's ACCS Volume 2: False Deals, and I can say that he is not only extremely skilled and knowledgeable, but emanating from him is clearly the feeling that he really wants you to learn what he's teaching. He's also a VERY happy guy! Never seen a man smile so much

Take care,
Bobby.

(Daryl's last name is Martinez...)

I have both. They are different. Allan takes fewer sleights and explains them more thoroughly. Daryl runs through the items faster, but there are more of them. If you are fairly new to card magic, the more intensive explanations from Allan will probably be more valuable to you. If you are already fairly well-versed, or if you have a good-sized library and want to see how a sleight you come across should look, Daryl's is probably better. Allan's probably teaches more actual effects.

Both are excellent and worth having in your library. Both Allan and Daryl are EXCELLENT performers AND teachers. they are also both extremely nice guys!

I have both sets. They are different enough that I have never felt like I should have one and not the other. If this is just about false dealing, Ackerman's the way to go.

Jim

Actually that was just an example, I hate false deals They are kind of a necessary evil in my mind. I appreciate the responses. I think I may just go ahead and get a volume of each anyway to see whether I need Allan's more thorough expanations or if I can get by with Daryl's faster versions (according to Scott) an obvious bonus point goes to Daryl because I can get his on DVD....

-Dan

I have some of Ackerman´s videos and they helped me to learn the some "real" work. I have several books about moves but its very hard to learn it in a theoretical way. Video is very visuell and a great way to learn this card stuff. Today I can do a very nice second deal, thanks to Allans videos.
Its extremely useful with a good second deal. You can do very good card forces with that deal.
I saw Daryl at a convention in sweden some years ago and he was a brilliant card expert with a nice presentation style.

This is a great topic. If I have the 8 DVDs on card sleights by daryl would anyone recomend getting anything by Allan also? Or does daryl cover everything thought his 8 volumes?

Allan teaches his varied handlings on many of the moves, and there are things on his tapes that are not on Daryl's See my post above.

Well...I fell asleep during an Ackerman tape, it was soooooooooo dull. I stayed awake for several of the Daryl videos -- they were entertaining. If I can't stay awake during a video, I sell it at the next magic auction.

Kaufman's BASIC CARD TECHNIQUE

Darl has more high energy teaching than Allan but I thnk you get more real info off the Akermann tapes.I have both complete sets and I feel I learned more from the Akkermann tapes.Hope that helps.

Ackerman is the best. His center deal shows that it is cool but impossible. If he can't do it noone can.

I have volumes three through eight of Daryl's Encyclopedia of Card Sleights that I purchased directly from Daryl at the LVMI earlier this year. I like them so much that when I save up the dough, I will get the other three. I am a beginner in card magic and I have found the sleights easy to understand and learn from the DVD. I have not seen the Ackerman tapes. Scott says Daryl is faster. Maybe, but he certainly does not rush through the sleights. He does get right to the point, first demonstrating the sleight at performance speed and then slowing it down, often reversing a card so it is easier to follow and going through the sleight several times. I find DVD's in general most helpful because you can watch a certain action over and over without having to rewind. Daryl, in person, is a very friendly, outgoing guy who is extremely skillful with great enthusiasm for his craft and sharing it with others. This comes across on his DVD's, too. I like to buy direct when possible and Daryl has a good deal when you buy four or more DVD's at http://www.foolerdoolers.com/store/products.asp?category=80.
Give yourself a great Christmas present.

Happy Holidays,
Hugh

I think if you have all 8 Darl tapes, your good to go!