Card markingCard marking is the process of altering playing cards in a method only apparent to marker or conspirator, such as by bending or adding visible marks to a card. This allows different methods for card sharps to cheat or for magicians to perform magic tricks. To be effective, the distinguishing mark or marks must be visible on the obverse sides of the cards, which are normally uniform. Card marking is often used to cheat when gambling or for card tricks.
Magic (illusion)Magic is a performing art in which audiences are entertained by tricks, effects, or illusions of seemingly impossible feats, using natural means. It encompasses the subgenres of close-up magic and parlor magic, among others. It is to be distinguished from supernatural magic which are effects claimed to be created through supernatural means. It is one of the oldest performing arts in the world.
Self-working magicSelf-working magic is a commonly used term in magic to refer to tricks that work simply from following a fixed procedure, rather than relying on trickery, sleight-of-hand, or other hidden moves.Jay SankeyJay Sankey is a Canadianclose-up magician and a prolific creator of magic effects. He has been an active stage performer since the mid-1980s. WorkHe is known as a stand-up comedian and authored a book about the art of stand-up, Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy in 1999. However, he is best known for the many magical effects which he has published to help magicians develop their craft.
Dai VernonDavid Frederick Wingfield Verner (June 11, 1894 – August 21, 1992), better known by his stage names Dai Vernon (pronounced alternatively as "DIE" or as "DAY" as in David) or The Professor, was a Canadian magician. Vernon's sleight of hand technique and knowledge, particularly with card tricks and close-up magic, garnered him respect among fellow magicians, and he was a mentor to them.
Joe BergJoe Berg (1903–1984) was a professional magician and magic dealer who lived and worked in Chicago, Illinois and Hollywood, California. Berg was born in Pinsk, Russian Empire (now Belarus) and immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1914. He supplied magic effects and props to such noteworthy entertainers as Harry Houdini, Harry Blackstone Sr. and Howard Thurston among others, and self-published books on magic.Extrasensory perceptionExtrasensory perception (ESP), also known as a sixth sense, or cryptaesthesia, is a claimed paranormal ability pertaining to reception of information not gained through the recognized physical senses, but sensed with the mind. The term was adopted by Duke University botanist J. B. Rhine to denote psychic abilities such as telepathy, psychometry, clairvoyance and their trans-temporal operation as precognition or retrocognition.
Parity (mathematics)In mathematics, parity is the property of an integer of whether it is even or odd. An integer is even if it is divisible by 2, and odd if it is not. For example, −4, 0, and 82 are even numbers, while −7, 5, and 23 are odd numbers. The above definition of parity applies only to integer numbers, hence it cannot be applied to numbers with fractions or decimals such as 1⁄2 or 7.2742.
Sleight of handSleight of hand (also known as prestidigitation or legerdemain ( ) comprises fine motor skills used by performing artists in different art forms to entertain or manipulate. It is closely associated with close-up magic, card magic, card flourishing and stealing.
Card manipulationCard manipulation, commonly known as card magic, is the branch of magic that deals with creating effects using sleight of hand techniques involving playing cards. Card manipulation is often used in magical performances, especially in close-up, parlor, and street magic. Some of the most recognized names in this field include Dai Vernon, Tony Slydini, Juan Tamariz, Ed Marlo, S.W. Erdnase, Richard Turner, John Scarne, Ricky Jay and René Lavand.
Playing cardA playing card is a piece of specially prepared card stock, heavy paper, thin cardboard, plastic-coated paper, cotton-paper blend, or thin plastic that is marked with distinguishing motifs. Often the front (face) and back of each card has a finish to make handling easier. They are most commonly used for playing card games, and are also used in magic tricks, cardistry, card throwing, and card houses; cards may also be collected.J. B. BoboJ. B. Bobo (11 February 1910 in Texarkana, Texas – 12 September 1996) was a magician most known for his work and writing in the arena of coin magic. His work entitled Modern Coin Magic (originally published in 1952) is still considered today to be a core reference by most magicians. He also wrote Watch This One! — a collection of magical effects performable with small objects.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.