Hello everyone,

As I am a beginner and do not yet have a handle on all sleights,
I would like to know where I can find the easiest version of the Biddle trick,
which is one of my favourites.

Can you do the Biddle move?

Yes I am very good at the Biddle move but I tried to learn oz pearlmans version with out much success.

This video shows and teaches the basic version. The only change I would make is to simply use your favorite force to start the trick rather than the key card principle.

Biddle Trick Tutorial

I disagree with the premise of learning the "easiest" version of a trick. The easiest version might be really lame, which basically makes it pointless. Magic should seem....magical. Otherwise, why bother?
So my suggestion is to strive to learn the most magical version within your current ability.

Regarding the video that MagicMike found - I rather like the dirty key card, because it allowed for a very fair-looking shuffle, after the card was clearly cut into the centre of the deck. I learnt something new from that - Thanks, Mike!

What I didn't like was all the stuff about the magician guessing which half the card is in; then blatantly looking at the faces to find 5 cards. This happens in most versions of the Biddle Trick and seems very weak. Imagine doing that effect without the Biddle revelation, and I think you will understand what I mean. A card is selected and returned. The magician (not spec) shuffles the deck. The magician looks through the deck and removes 5 cards (by looking at their faces). Then somehow the 5 are narrowed down to 1. (Let's say by Equivoque). I think most of us would not be very impressed - because steps leading up to the final revelation are way too obvious. So, if you want a powerful version of the Biddle Trick, those earlier steps need to be beefed up. This doesn't necessarily mean using super-advanced sleights; it just means putting some thought into what needs to be done to eliminate obvious solutions.

Personally I think it is a much better effect if the spectator chooses the 5 cards. There are many ways to achieve this. Ryan Schlutz has a nice concept he calls GAB (Grab A Bunch) I think, that might be helpful.

You bring up some good points Nikodemus but I think even the most basic version of the Biddle trick is plenty entertaining and fooling. Doing a version that requires only a force and the biddle move will let the OP get comfortable performing the trick.

We must define entertaining and fooling quite differently.

First of all using the phrase “I want you to think, inside your mind” is far and away one of the most idiotic phrases I’ve ever heard.

Having all those extra face down cards, while necessary really kills the fooling ability. So does the need to obviously reposition the fingers to do the move EXACTLY when their card is there. They not know what happened, but they certainly can feel it happen.

As for method he is being ridiculously complex for no benefit. Just use a key card. You can do it on the fly with no gimmicks needed. If you can’t estimate for the shuffle corner crimp one on the fly.

I did not think the performance in the video was good. I used it only to show the basic version of the Biddle trick. I should have made that clear in my comments.

I guess my point is if this is a version of a "basic" way to do a poor effect, then there are FAR more easy ways to do it.

Magic Mike, I agree with you: "Doing a version that requires only a force and the biddle move will let the OP get comfortable performing the trick." It's better to start performing a trick in an easy version than to spend so long trying to perfect it first that you get sick of it. A bit of success is energizing, and you can always move to a harder version when you're ready.


Nick: There are lots of ways to motivate the selection of five cards. Some are lame, others effective.


And Prestige, I'm curious what difficulties you're having. Depending on the presentation, the Biddle move tends to be the hardest sleight in the trick. Maybe people could help you more effectively if you describe what's getting you hung up. And -- welcome to the cafe!


Bob

Bob,
I agree the Biddle Move is usually the hardest part. So my point was that one should be able to improve on other aspects of the effect without too much extra effort.

Anyway, your question to the OP is spot on! What exactly is the problem?

Let's hope the OP returns to the thread, Nick.


MagicMike, I'm glad you psoted that video, because I'd never seen the B. Trick done with a key card. With my presentation the key card is irrelevant, but it was still interesting to see a new use for one.

Thanks Bob, it's nice to have my post appreciated.

My pleasure, Mike.