A fairly simple question, I think. And I hope this is the board to put it in.

More or less, I'm a beginner at magic. I've mostly learned a couple of sleights and have a few tricks I've purchased here and there. One of the first things I got though, is a pocket copy of 'Expert at the Card Table'. However, I find I keep getting distracted when I try to read it. I realize some level of persistence is necessary, but I'm just curious if 'Expert' is a good book for a beginner who wants to learn card magic/manipulation, or is there a better place to start and to utilize 'Expert' as a resource once a better general understanding has been obtained?

I'd say set the book on the shelf until you're ready for it. When you start learning about palms, card controls and false dealing, take the book off the shelf again. You didn't waste your money in picking it up, but you don't want to be hitting Advanced Calculus until well after you've mastered basic arithmetic.

Thanks, Mr. Musgrave. That was kind of what I thought. Could you recommend anything to help me get the basics? I was thinking of Royal Road, or that Joshua Jay book 'Amazing book of cards'.

In my not at all humble opinion, of the two, I'd go with the paperback edition of "Royal Road". It will teach you basic sleights in a reasonably logical sequence and reward your diligence effects you can then perform. Enjoy your journey.with

Sid

It was the book that so many of the magicians of the 50's and 60's learned from, mostly because it was all that was around. Very difficult book to learn from, but still learnable. I agree get Royal Road to Card Magic or Volume I of Card College to begin with. Harry Lorayne's magic books is excellent too.

Royal Road is the way I'd recommend. You can also get a 4-DVD set of Royal Road so that you can actually SEE how things should look in real time.

I would actually recommend getting BOTH.

Thanks for the suggestions fellas. I think I'll send off for the book first and look around for the DVDs when I've got a bit more cash on hand.

The dvd in conjunction with the book is great. I find it useful and worth the expense. That's just me though.

H

You can get the 4-DVD set for around $35 plus shipping. For me, I like being able to SEE it performed to know what it is supposed to look like. Just sort of a safety check to make sure I am not learning a bad habit.

As others have already said Royal Road is a great place to start. However, I do think some of it could use some updating, which is why I wrote about 50,000 words of annotations for it on the blog (link's in the footer to this message). Most of that stuff is just my opinion, of course.

If you can afford the extra expense, you might want to consider picking up Card College 1 (and maybe 2) just to have an extra source of material to compare the techniques (and some tricks) against. There are quite a few updates in there.

See if you can find a hardback copy of any edition of The Amateur Magician's Handbook by Henry Hay. The paper backs are just too small and difficult to use...but, I guess ok in a pinch.

A little known classic is a book by Bill Turner called How to Do Tricks with Cards. It's a paper back, but it was designed to be so whereas AMHB above was meant to be a full size hardbound book.

Royal Road is a classic and the Card College Books by Giobbi are the best of type. Brilliant books. For all of that AMHB is hard to beat on many levels.

Best,

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions guys. There seem to be a lot of card magic books to pick from... I wonder how that got to be the big thing in magic, heh.

Well, I'll have to expand my collection slowly and look around for copies of these. I just sent away for Royal Road. Once I'm a bit more comfortable with the basics I'll start trying to gather up these other references I think.

Card College vol 1, is my advice. After 30+ years, I still think that EATCT sucks! I've stated it many times here. There are many other books that can teach you the same moves, with better clarity. Plus better tricks.
But if you feel compelled, buy it. Dover books aren't that expensive...but prepared to be dissapointed.

The Classic Collection, Vol. 1 would be great for you. But, what do I know?!

As many have mentioned here, Royal Road is a great starting point but if you can afford the extra money Card College 1 and 2 are a little more in-depth and up to date. If you do go with Royal Road I found the annotations on Andrew's blog quite insightful, and you should definitely check them out.

The Classic Collection, Vol. 1 would be great for you. But, what do I know?!
I assume yianno knows better.

With all due respect Mr Lorayne, I'm only venturing my opinion. As I'm entitled to do. There's no need to attempt to belittle me with snide remarks.

Didn't think it was snide; didn't mean it to be. Usually people are "snide" toward me, not the other way around. It's just MY opinion. What I really meant was - and I see it all the time - do you know my books? If you do, and then recommend others, that's fine. I just see too many recommending without knowing. That's all I meant. Best - Harry L.

No worries then. I thought "I assume yianno knows better" came across somewhat sarcastically.

I haven't read every book on magic ever written - but that doesn't mean I'm unqualified to recommend something based on my own experiences. I didn't say Card College or Royal Road were better than your books, I simply said they were great for beginners in card magic.

Yianni.

No problem, Yianni. Would love for you to read/study some of my books, and then be curious to see what you would recommend. H.