Price$55.00
Media TypeBook
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedApr 04, 2013
The Art of Switching Decks
Giobbi, Roberto
Hermetic Press
(Based on 3 reviews)
And there lies the challenge. Everyone knows about switching decks. We've all heard that card cheats do it, and magicians. In reality, though, very few magicians switch decks, because it is commonly perceived as too difficult to get away with. And since everyone knows about switching decks, even a suspicion that a deck switch might have occurred can completely undermine a performance. Therefore, if you use any deck switch, it must be not only imperceptible, but also unimaginable.
Roberto Giobbi teaches you precisely how to do this-standing, seated, with and without a jacket-using shrewd psychology, not knuckle-busting sleights or special gimmicks or apparatus. The only things required to do these professional switches are decks of cards and your pockets. Giobbi teaches dozens of methods for imperceptibly switching decks, along with the psychological principles behind them; principles that allow the reader to apply and modify deck switching techniques to suit any circumstance.
And along the way, Giobbi explains some very strong card magic.
As is expected from Roberto Giobbi, the techniques and tricks in this book are not pipe dreams. They come from his professional repertoire, sharpened by hundreds of performances and explained with all the detail only a world-class teacher can bring to a subject.
There is no other book devoted to this important topic-and it holds information that will be of tremendous value to beginning and advanced card magicians alike. The Art of Switching Decks is an in-depth study teaching over 30 deck switches and a few remarkable tricks.
Approximately: 163 pages 10.25" x 7.25" -Hardcover
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
One book, 155 pages, 1 DVD, $55 bucks and about 18,000 deck switches. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.Effect
This isn't really about effect, per se. It's all about how to ring in and out decks. There are effects taught in the book, but they're serendipitous. The main point of the book is simple: Many incredible/impossible seeming effects can be accomplished with stacked decks. Thus it's a good idea to know how to switch decks in the middle of performance.Method
Upon reading the title, you might think, "How many deck switches do I need?" This book opens your mind up to the true power of the deck switch. There are methods for doing it covertly where the audience would bet money that the deck never left their sight. There are methods that are right out in the open that the spectator never suspects is a means for switching decks. There are subtleties and convincers that are taught that make the illusion even more (un)believable.The mechanics, the posture, the body language, the attitude, the psychology, the convincers, the subtleties, the nuances, the patter and on and on and on . . . everything you need to know to (appear to) have the deck never leave their site yet still switch it out.
Whether you're a beginner or a performing veteran of 50 years, there is something in here for you.
Product Quality
The book is hard bound and extremely well produced. It's well written, well illustrated and well "charted." There are a few tables and charts/diagrams that help keep things clear and easy to understand. The bonus disk that comes with the book is a lecture video that was never intended for public release. The footage and audio are pretty rough. However, they decided to include it as an extra bonus so that you could see the deck switches in action.The whole time while watching, I kept asking myself why they included the DVD with the book. While I was blown away by the effects performed, there were no deck switches. It was just a bunch of amazing tricks.
I kept thinking, "I thought this was about deck switches." After the performance section of the lecture was over and he began to explain the methods, he started by pointing out to the audience that during that 30 minute set, he performed 8 deck switches.
I was shocked, truly in awe. It was amazing. Here I am watching a DVD that came with a deck switch book, and I know it's supposed to cover deck switches, and I watch the whole thing fully expecting deck switches and I did not see a single one of them. That's how good they are.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy simply, directly and honestly states exactly what you'll get when you purchase this book. It's 100% accurate.Final Thoughts
If you perform with a deck of cards, then you need to seriously consider this book. You'll learn how to invisibly switch decks with or without a coat whether you are seated or standing. This is the definitive work on such an important subject. Even if you've never done a deck switch and/or think you don't need to do one, this book will change your mind. After reading this book and seeing the switches in action, I'm now convinced of the power of a deck switch and I'm restructuring one of my close up sets to incorporate multiple decks.Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!
(Top ▲)
Let me make this very simple: in my view this book will be the standard reference work on the subject of switching decks for decades. It is clearly written and beautifully organized with wonderful photographs. Card workers everywhere owe Roberto and his wife, Barbara, the photographer, a huge thank you.
(Top ▲)
The latest collaboration between Roberto Giobbi and Hermetic Press, The Art of Switching Decks, needs to be in every conjurer's library. Yes, even if you aren’t a serious card magician. My reasoning is quite simple: Giobbi has written a book that not only instructs its readers on a powerful technique but also how to study any facet of magic.
The Art of Switching Decks is the definitive work on a tool that can help you create an inexplicable magical experience for your audience. Over the years, Giobbi has collected and analyzed over 180 methods for switching one deck of cards for another. He has culled these to this collection of methods for both close-up and parlor and both sitting and standing. The methods are well within the reach of all levels of performers. The Art of Switching Decks is organized on a structure that Giobbi published in the July 2009 Genii magazine. Since that time, it has been expanded and developed.
The Art of Switching Decks shows the reader how to systematically analyze and study magic. Magic is a large field of study. One can choose to go wide and shallow or narrower and deep. This book shows us how to go deep, mine a tool or topic and organize it into a structure for reference and application.
The book matches the Card College series in size with the familiar hand and deck diagrams on the end papers. Readers are encouraged to read the first two chapters then use the grid to determine the specific switches to study. A perfect book for both linear readers and grazers.
Enclosed with the book is a live recording of Giobbi lecturing on the topic from the 2012 Genii convention. You are asked to read the final chapter before viewing it. Giobbi gives an explanatory apology for the quality of it and for the behavior of the lecture audience.
And, by the way, don’t miss editor and author’s note on the copyright page.
The Art of Switching Decks is the definitive work on a tool that can help you create an inexplicable magical experience for your audience. Over the years, Giobbi has collected and analyzed over 180 methods for switching one deck of cards for another. He has culled these to this collection of methods for both close-up and parlor and both sitting and standing. The methods are well within the reach of all levels of performers. The Art of Switching Decks is organized on a structure that Giobbi published in the July 2009 Genii magazine. Since that time, it has been expanded and developed.
The Art of Switching Decks shows the reader how to systematically analyze and study magic. Magic is a large field of study. One can choose to go wide and shallow or narrower and deep. This book shows us how to go deep, mine a tool or topic and organize it into a structure for reference and application.
The book matches the Card College series in size with the familiar hand and deck diagrams on the end papers. Readers are encouraged to read the first two chapters then use the grid to determine the specific switches to study. A perfect book for both linear readers and grazers.
Enclosed with the book is a live recording of Giobbi lecturing on the topic from the 2012 Genii convention. You are asked to read the final chapter before viewing it. Giobbi gives an explanatory apology for the quality of it and for the behavior of the lecture audience.
And, by the way, don’t miss editor and author’s note on the copyright page.