I am new to the Café, and was wondering what books/DVDS I could study to learn the tricks Ricky Jay does in his 52 Assistants. Thanks for any replies. Other recommendations for card books/dvds would be greatly appreciated.

In the show he actually mentions the names of several historical figures who have written books...Hofzinser, Vernon, Miller and while he didn't write it himself, there is a book on Malini. And of course, Ersnase.

There isn't a single source devoted to Ricky Jay's material but the Expert at the Card Table by Erdnase is a great place to start. Of course it depends on how familiar you are with sleight of hand. If you're still a beginner, I would recommend starting off with something a little easier to understand like the Card College series by Roberto Giobbi.

Or the book "The Royal Road to Card Magic" an absolute cracker and a great way to get started.

Vernon
http://www.aaronfishermagic.com/essentialdaivernon.htm

Card College
http://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic/c......mes-1-5/

These are good sources to learn from. Don't try and do Ricky Jay's routines, I hear he doesn't care for that.

I believe all magicians don't care for that.

Ricky uses my Spread Control, plus other things of mine - out of my books. But why tell Young Buck about those?!

Here is another great place to start.

http://shop.conjuringarts.org/store/pc/C......rFVNnEoY

I learned my first real card magic from it.

And I've written, what?, 29 magic books since then. All for Young Buck!!!

Thank you guys for all your insight. Ill check out your guys' recommendations.

Young Buck,

In addition to the superb advice given already, just know that Ricky is a consummate sleight of hand artist. I don't know how long you have been into sleight of hand magic - post counts mean nothing. But, Ricky Jay's work, like all of the greats, requires intense practice and intense rehearsal. I would also add that it takes more than just "chops" to entertain an audience. Watch Harry Lorayne's videos, watch Michael Vincent. Each of these men are masters, but what's more important is the way they work. Their approaches are different but each focuses first and foremost on performance. They are so good, the audience is not aware of - nor should they be - that great skill is being exhibited. Obviously audiences know that Lorayne and Vincent are skillful, but, you have to entertain; th best sleight of hand in the world is meaningless if you don't hone your presentation. You probably already know this, but, in my experience a lot of magicians get hung up on moves and/or have the false notion that the only good magic is magic that is full of sleight of hand. That is simply untrue.

So, please forgive me if I have stated the obvious, but for some, the obvious is not so.

Best,
Vlad

And practice throwing playing cards; practice it a lot. If you can't snap the end off a pencil at twelve paces with a playing card, nobody will ever take you seriously.

I suggest a spell in jail, or 20 years in the French Foreign Legion, to get properly competent at card throwing.

Rumour has it that Marlo could give you a haircut at twenty yards, with just four of a kind. Or was it someone else who did that to him? I forget...

Buck:
This week only, the Conjuring Arts Research Center is offering a free PDF copy of The Royal Road. Here's the link:

http://conjuringarts.org/2013/08/the-5th......d-magic/

I doubt that Harry will be matching that offer for any of his books in the near future...so would suggest you get Royal Road now, and save your money for when you can afford to buy a copy of any of his 29 magic books.

Actually, it was 10'. We were eating with Bill Malone in a bar, when he threw 4 kings at a waiter that was slow in bringing us out drinks. He gave him a razor cut. I shall never forget the look in Bill's eyes.
Tom Wolf