Columnist: Mike Rogers
The Pitch
THE PITCH: Opinion by Mike Rogers
In the overall of magicdom this is not of extreme importance, yet it does deserve some discussion. I’m talking about the patter lines we magicians use when performing card magic, or what we call in the trade show business “the pitch.” First, let’s admit to this. Some card effects always seem to play better than others, yet the apparent weak effect ma...
Columnist: Mike Rogers
by Mike Rogers
I’m often asked about the peculiar back design on the cards I use in my professional career. They are BULLDOG SQUEEZERS, a deck sold almost exclusively in the Cajun country of Louisiana. Much of what I’m about to relate has been gleaned from various sources, including tid-bits of information from the U.S. Playing Card Company and an extensive 1976 article by Ron and Julie Stark....
Columnist: Mike Rogers
by Mike Rogers illustrations by Dave Goodsell
This article is an annotation of an item I published in the June 1986 issue of MUM. There are several adjustments adding more historical information. The excellent illustrations were drawn by MUM editor Dave Goodsell, he of West Coast Wizards Magic Camp fame. Incidentally, the cover subject of that particular issue of MUM is a popular beloved Ame...
Columnist: Mike Rogers
Your Number Down
Mike Rogers
Here’s a cute “betcha” you can use when there’s a willing and ready spectator allowing you to kill time with a deck of cards at his expense. Follow along with cards in hand to get the idea.
The magician holds a packet of face down cards. Spectator is asked to name a number from one to ten, let’s assume it is number three. The magician deals cards face down in two sta...
Columnist: Paul Cummins
In Workers 5, Mike Close describes a diabolical method for performing the venerable Invisible Deck routine with a non-gaffed deck of cards. Within his typically terrific description of the routine he references Alan Ackerman’s “Impromptu Ultra Mental” from Here’s My Card. He also mentions that Mr. Ackerman’s cites, in Las Vegas Kardma, an unpublished routine of Bruce Cervon’s as an inspirationa...
