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Rocketeer Special user Westchester, NY 965 Posts |
I've noticed in books and DVDs that the mentalist's presentation ("patter" if you will) often directs the performer to tell the participant to "give the cards a mix" or to "mix the cards up a bit." Or the mentalist is supposed to say something like "I'll just give the cards a mix".
Except for perhaps in certain constrained conditions when you want to perhaps avoid the possibility of a bridge going wrong, why not use the simpler, more common, more direct and less jargonistic term "shuffle"? Just wondering.
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lostpoet Special user 610 Posts |
Since you're on the subject, I hate the word "patter" too.
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
I couldn't agree more. To be honest with you I hate the word cards too. (okay, here it comes...)
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JohnWells Inner circle The Southern Wild 1791 Posts |
Well, in my own experience, if you say "shuffle", there is a tendency for the specs to thoroughly muss up the cards. In many mental card tricks where the working is dependent on a single riffle or a loose overhand, mix seems a less...aggressive (?) word.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
In days past, many writers of mentalism suggested that we avoid the use of the word "shuffle" because it gave the impression that the speaker was very experienced with cards. Nowadays, that is no longer the case.
John is correct, though. If you instruct a participant to give the cards "a mix" (while perhaps pantomiming an overhand shuffle), they are more likely to give them a rather cursory shuffle. As to the use of cards in mentalism, there is no point in resuscitating that argument. Cards can be used successfully in mentalism or they can make it all look like magic tricks. It all depends on the effect and the performer. No one will ever convince me, for example, that my card memory routine doesn't belong in a mentalism program. It is one of the strongest closers I have ever used and often is received with a standing ovation. And I, too, detest the word "patter." The word is commonly defined as "meaningless chatter." (As in "snappy patter") I write "scripts" and "lines" and perform from them. I've never come out of a play or film wondering, "Who wrote the patter for that?" Except, maybe, after watching "The Three Stooges." Good thoughts, Bob |
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Lord Of The Horses Inner circle 5406 Posts |
I also say "please just briefly mix or cut the cards so that we start with some random pattern..."
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parmenion Inner circle Switzerland/Zürich 3988 Posts |
I wonder why mentalist don't perform super deluxe multiplyng bottles and Chinese sticks?
If you perform them don't wonder any else, you're a magician so you can use the word shuffle without fear
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JohnWells Inner circle The Southern Wild 1791 Posts |
Pull a Dunninger: "this is a magic stunt."
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RileyG Special user Las Vegas 840 Posts |
Shuffle is a common term used by all now-a-days with the influx of poker on TV... Now if the so called Mentalist says "Give the cards a Riffle Shuffle", then I would worry...
Shuffle up and deal... |
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Merlin C Loyal user 237 Posts |
Which means it can be a good word to use if poker and gambling is what you want to connote.
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phillsmiff Inner circle UK 1794 Posts |
'Mix' is a word with fewer magical associations than 'shuffle' so I prefer it to place the effect in a context separate from magic. That's as far as it goes, but if you want to frame as a fetish a desire to enact precise verbal control over the spectator's perception of your material then go for it.
Phill
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Please kindly reconfigure the pasteboards with much haste and vigor, until you feel they are sufficiently displaced and all together tickety-boo...
too much?
I've asked to be banned
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Replace the phrase "sufficiently displaced" with "sequentially randomized." Then, and only then, will your script merit tickety-booness.
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Indubitably my good man!
I've asked to be banned
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Indubitably indeed!
Harrumph! Now just go shuffle the f'ing deck. |
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Hang on...
ah! DECK... I getcha...
I've asked to be banned
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
"Shuffel" is a rather specific request which in my experience garners a reaction about 20% of the time something along the lines of:
"I don't know how to shuffle..." Embarrassed look "That's fine just give the deck a mix however you can." I simply cut out the middle step. Interestingly, no one asked to "mix" the cards has ever said to me "Do you mean shuffle?". It removes the occasional potential for embarrassment on the part of the participant. This I find to be a very considerate action on the part of the performer. |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Actually, I think that is a very good point, Tom. I haven't looked at it like that before, but I think you are probably right.
Best- Bob PS: I will rewrite my script to read, "Now mix the f'ing deck." |
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RicHeka Inner circle 3999 Posts |
I am enjoying this thread. When I occasionally use cards, I never want to give the impression that I am a card expert[which I definitely am not...although I could do a few flourishes if I wished, but I NEVER would] Nothing fancy...even a little klutzy. For years, I have asked guests to give the cards a 'shiffle'.[thanks Don Alan] This usually gets one of two responses: usually 'giggles or laughing' or a correction "don't you mean shuffle"?["oh yes 'shuffle'...thanks"]. |
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Looch Inner circle Off by 3362 Posts |
Another example and one I'm guilty of is to avoid the word "riffle"
I say "flip" or "move through"
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