I recently read Gary Oullet's ProControl.

In my opinion, it's a clever and useful idea. Does anyone else use this as a matter of course in their card magic?

I would be interested to hear your views on it.

Can you describe this a little more? I tried to look it up but I've only found a listing that it is out of print.

I can't describe it without divulging the secret (can't really do that). It's a card utility that he described in a book entitled "ProControl" - don't have it in front of me, so I'm unsure of when it was published.

Ok I understand now. I wasn't sure if it was a whole book of controls or one method. Thanks for clarifying.

I have used it, just not enough. It is one of those utilities that after reading, I played with a little, then forgot about. I'm going to "get it out" and start experimenting with it again. Thanks for reminding me about it. It is an ingenious control utility, simple but powerful, and applications are only limited by one's imagination.
BTW, "ProControl - A Professional Approach to Card Control," 51 pages, was copyrighted in 1986 with a revised printing in 1988 (my copy) by the Camarind Academy of Magic. Photographs are by Guy Camarind.

Thanks, Phil. I have tried it recently, and was surprised at how reliable it was.

I have tried it, and have to say it wasn't for me. However, a friend of mine showed me a similar concept that I feel is better - it's a sort of combination between ProControl and a t***k card.

Hi Steve,

Perhaps it helps.

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=2

I think the better way is to use a breather crimp.

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=2

cybercardmagic

I have used ProControl a few times. Not bad. If you have the book there are some interesting uses for it, but if you're a total purist you'll feel silly.

It is sneaky though, and you could kill magicians not familiar with it.

It's also good for losing say, 3 selections with a hands-off-the-deck look to it all.

Basically it's a shortcut to skill.

I've seen a Camirand video demonstration of Pro Control. In the video (with Gary demonstrating), you could see a sort of "line" or "seam" in the deck from the side. That seems like a pretty big flaw, given that we have things like Breather Crimps and Infinity Cards to work with.

MHO,

Ben

Ben,

Please can you tell me what an Infinity Card is.

Thanks.

An Infinity Card is a form of Breather Crimp, invented by Martin Nash.

"Pro Control," the book and the idea, both stink, in my opinion. As others have stated, it requires that you use your own deck to control a card. With a little study, you don't need this. If the deck is examined, you're pretty much sunk.

The idea of a long card is ancient. Ouellet put a bunch of old tricks using this concept in an overpriced book, with a bad idea for gaffing a card.

Just junk.

Matt Field

Matt,

Thanks.

I agree with you that it is flawed because it is not impromptu or examinable.

I picked up the book for $5 secondhand. I think the original price was $25, which is crazy for what it is.

Still, I was interested to try it. I may use the idea when appropriate, but my preference would be for a well-executed sleight.

Steve,
I think the honest answer to your original question is "No."

LOL

I think you're right.

I've used the ProControl card for years. It's 100% reliable, unlike other key card methods I've used. I even hand out the deck of cards, with the ProControl card in it to be shuffled. The card has never been noticed by a spectator, in hundreds of performances.

Alan - thanks. That's interesting. Anyone else use this?

I am a big fan of Gary Oullet. In performance he is awesome.

I would have to agree with some of the posts on putting this control in a book and selling the idea. I have used it and find like most things you learn in magic, everything has a time and a place. I have however, found that this particular item's place and time is spent primarily on the bench.

Jered

The same little secret (along with many other ideas) can be found in an old book Bill Severn's Magic Workshop, which is much cheaper if you can find it.

Just because something is not impromptu or
examinable does not mean it's flawed.

Steven Youell