|
|
|
|||
| Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 3329 Posts 
|
1. Get a dice.
2. Roll the dice. 3. Count off the number of cards on the dice. 4. Repeat until break time. (Before tension builds.) That's it. If you get good and want more challenge, add another dice.
Typhoon Tuck
"As soon as you have succeeded at making a sustainable fire, your thoughts should turn to how you are going to start your next fire" ~Mors Kochanski "Work hard, study well, eat and sleep plenty. That's the Turtle Hermit way!" |
|||||||||
Kjellstrom Inner circle Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe 5357 Posts
|
Great idea.
Pinky count - a very useful tool. I use it for many effects. Darwin Ortiz was a true master of pinky count. |
|||||||||
VernonOnCoins Inner circle NYC 2101 Posts
|
I can get the five I need for Hitchcock Aces. That was my goal and the reason I learned this technique years ago. But I use it all the time for doubles and triples. I agree with everything Darwin said about this technique and how it cleans up your card magic.
|
|||||||||
|
critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 3329 Posts
|
The most I need in any effect I do is four (I won't say for what in an open forum), but it sure beats other ways of securing those four.
Typhoon Tuck
"As soon as you have succeeded at making a sustainable fire, your thoughts should turn to how you are going to start your next fire" ~Mors Kochanski "Work hard, study well, eat and sleep plenty. That's the Turtle Hermit way!" |
|||||||||
|
Tom G Inner circle SW Michigan 2918 Posts
|
Jeremy Griffith has a video of David Malek who claims the pinky count is the most valuable move in card magic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmH3TKFHi2M
|
|||||||||
|
jkr Regular user Mn 165 Posts
|
If I recall correctly, Aaron Fisher made a comment that it’s impossible to do the pinky count without tension and recommends against it.
Just food for thought….. I still love and use the pinky count, but I’m also a huge fan of Ortiz!???? |
|||||||||
|
critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 3329 Posts
|
Quote:
On Feb 18, 2026, jkr wrote: I've heard someone else say the same. All I can say is that I find it imminently valuable for my purposes and many of my "magic heroes" did too.
Typhoon Tuck
"As soon as you have succeeded at making a sustainable fire, your thoughts should turn to how you are going to start your next fire" ~Mors Kochanski "Work hard, study well, eat and sleep plenty. That's the Turtle Hermit way!" |
|||||||||
|
NicholasD25 Special user 531 Posts
|
I tend to think that Aaron is correct. However, with practice, the hand muscles develop which helps to hide the tension. At one point, I got up to fourteen cards, mainly to develop the muscles involved.
|
|||||||||
|
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3400 Posts
|
Quote:
On Feb 18, 2026, Tom G wrote: I guess it depends on the effect you perform on a regular basis. As mainly a close-up performer, I rarely used the pinky count. Thumb counts from top of deck, top changes, false cuts, passes, DL's rule my roost.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
|
|||||||||
|
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 22905 Posts
|
Quote:
On Feb 18, 2026, davidpaul$ wrote: Yea it is a bold claim. I guess he does say "one of the most" in his video, while the title says THE most. In 35 years of working most nights, I have never used a pinky count or said to myself "oh maybe I should learn the pinky count". Mind you all that means is for MY applications it is not useful at all. For others, it is the best move possible.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
|||||||||
|
Bob G Inner circle 3303 Posts
|
Just curious, David: How do you avoid exposing your thumb counts?
Thanks... |
|||||||||
|
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 22905 Posts
|
Quote:
On Feb 18, 2026, Bob G wrote: Don't look at the cards and engage the audience. If people are looking at what your thumb is doing there is an issue.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
|||||||||
|
critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 3329 Posts
|
There's a routine I do where a thumb count happens as the deck is turned over. The turning over has a reason in the routine. So in that spot in that routine the thumb count is best.
For the pinky count it's when I need to get them ready while the other hand is doing something. There are lots of covers for both. It's just whatever fits into whatever needs to be happening to advance the plot.
Typhoon Tuck
"As soon as you have succeeded at making a sustainable fire, your thoughts should turn to how you are going to start your next fire" ~Mors Kochanski "Work hard, study well, eat and sleep plenty. That's the Turtle Hermit way!" |
|||||||||
|
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3400 Posts
|
Quote:
On Feb 18, 2026, Bob G wrote: I agree with what Danny Doyle and critter posted plus you can execute a thumb count very subtly with practice. (No noticeable movement) I also sometimes just drop my hand to my side casually for a split second to execute the get ready. I would execute the Larry Jennings Snap Double for fun which helped with the thumb count without the snap.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
|
|||||||||
|
Bob G Inner circle 3303 Posts
|
Thanks, folks -- these ideas about the thumb count are very helpful.
|
|||||||||
martydoesmagic Inner circle Essex, UK 2246 Posts
|
If you're feeling adventurous, you could try learning, practising and performing this beauty of a routine by my friend Doug Conn:
This rotuine with give your pinky count and pass a thorough workout! Marty |
|||||||||
|
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 22905 Posts
|
He does a heck of a pass with a very small number of cards. That isn't easy.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
|||||||||
|
critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 3329 Posts
|
Doug Conn is great.
Typhoon Tuck
"As soon as you have succeeded at making a sustainable fire, your thoughts should turn to how you are going to start your next fire" ~Mors Kochanski "Work hard, study well, eat and sleep plenty. That's the Turtle Hermit way!" |
|||||||||
|
martydoesmagic Inner circle Essex, UK 2246 Posts
|
Yes, he's a magic mensh for sure. "Coincidice" is one of my favourite routines using cards and dice. Ad, yeah, his pass is smooth. What I love about this routine is that the dice and cup provide ample cover for a very bad pass, so you can perform it as you improve your technique.
|
|||||||||
|
critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 3329 Posts
|
That is good. Entire books have been written on covering the pass
I think Doug Conn, Michael Vincent, and Rick Holcombe have the best YouTube magic channels. I wish someone could put all of the old Magic Book Club content up on there. The world needs more Ricky Smith and Mahdi Gilbert.
Typhoon Tuck
"As soon as you have succeeded at making a sustainable fire, your thoughts should turn to how you are going to start your next fire" ~Mors Kochanski "Work hard, study well, eat and sleep plenty. That's the Turtle Hermit way!" |
|||||||||
| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The workers » » A pinky count practice idea. (11 Likes) | ||||||||||
| Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
Posted: Feb 16, 2026 07:16 pm 
| [ Top of Page ] |
|
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2026 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
|
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < 
|