Thinking outside the Erdnase box....

Maybe we’re all wrong with the way we think the Open Shift is to be used as a transformation. Erdnase never says to hold the deck back to palm to start with. He says “with the face of the deck turned upward...” Could he possibly just mean with the face turned upwards toward the company?

With the SWE as a transformation he openly says “with the deck face up”
And in other parts of the book he uses the phrase “back to palm” when he wants the deck face up.

The point of this post is to make you look at Erdnase with fresh eyes. Get your own opinion of what Erdnase is saying- don’t take other peoples word for it.

When I first started studying Erdnase I didn't have anyone to talk about it with. I always pronounced it Erdnasey. Haha- who knows?

Notes on the SWE shift

I just stumbled across these notes because someone asked a question about the SWE on another website. Maybe this can help some of you out there that have trouble with the move.


Covers for the move:
-Tapping the table (Wesley James)
With the body slightly turned to the left the short edge of the deck is tapped against the table while performing the shift

-Blowing on the deck (Chris Kenner)
While bringing the deck up to the mouth to blow on it, perform the shift.

-Rotating the deck
Have the long side of the deck almost contacting table- top card facing audience. In rotating the deck (so the back of the top card faces toward yourself) perform the shift.

-Change the style of cut (Magic Cafe member Pavloter)
With the deck tabled, cut off top half and place in left hand in SWE position. Pick up original bottom half from table and perform shift while apparently placing the packets together to complete cut in the hands

-Perform at the table edge (Magic Cafe member Papermechanic)
With the deck tabled, cut top half away from performer and place on table. Complete the cut on the table holding a break. Slide deck to table edge and perform shift pinning the bottom packet (which will be shifted to top) to the table with the right second and third finger. Left hand pulls back top packet and completes shift.

Getting the break for the SWE
-Diagonal placement
With deck tabled, cut top half away from performer. Grab original bottom packet with right hand and place diagonally (almost so the two packets form a very tight “X”) creating the ‘step’ to utilize when cards are picked up from table.

-Pull back method a la Steve Freeman
With deck tabled, cut top half away from performer. Grab original bottom packet with right hand and place further forward on original top packet, leaving a step below the right thumb. In sliding deck back toward performer apply pressure down with right thumb while pulling original bottom packet back with right fingers to form break at back.

-From deal (the way Erdnase would probably do it)
Hold break with pinky while dealing. Bend left wrist so index finger points toward performer. bring right hand over deck, palm down (fingers contacting left thumb) allowing right thumb to pick up pinky break. Release left hand and turn counter clockwise inserting pinky as in Fig 72 ready for shift.

Tips
-Control the right thumb- do not let it kick out when performing shift. Keep it as far down as possible.
-Focus on top packet. Pull it back as fast as possible. It may help to perform the shift in front of a wall or hard object to prevent you from kicking the bottom packet forward. (I’m told this is how Chris Kenner practices)
-Make sure the deck stays as square as possible. Do not allow the left fingers to get in-between the packets when the bottom is being shifted to top.

Alternate Uses for SWE
-False Cut
-Dead Cutting to any card
-Elevator effects
-Transformation

Wessmiller Erdnase Quiz

Here it is in all it's glory- my finished Erdnase trivia quiz!

1. Name two games Erdnase admits to being cheated at.

2. Although he mentions the use of riffle stacking is limited, where does Erdnase suggest doing it to add two cards to a stock?

3. Does Erdnase ever mention palm reading? Where?

4. At one point Erdnase makes a simile comparing himself to a bird- where?

5. When does Erdnase mention performing for children?

6. Where does Erdnase mention a double lift?

7. Where does Erdnase mention a key card?

8. On what page does Erdnase mention 9 separate passes?

9. Erdnase gives step by step directions for two double dukes. Where are they?

10. Where does Erdnase say that magicians never shuffle on a table?

11. When is the last time Erdnase mentions friction in the book?

12. Where does Erdnase mistakenly mention altering women’s clothing?

Blind Riffle to Retain Bottom Stock taken to a new level....

More Erdnase Trivia...

While Erdnase admits the use of riffle stacking is "limited", where does he suggest using riffle stacking to add two cards to ensure the right cards go to the dealer?

Trick Question from Erdnase...

Okay so I asked Darwin if he considered this fair Erdnase trivia and he said it's too much of a trick question. But I'd be impressed if anyone can answer it so I'll post it anyway.

Where does Erdnase mistakenly mention altering clothing?

It's inbetween pages 20-40 in Dover edition.

50-70 in most other editions.

I'll give a new hint everyday until someone gets it in the comments.

Tribute to Erdnase

Every year or two I make a new 'tribute to Erdnase' video just to keep a log of my improvement. It's taken me a few weeks, but I've finally finished the latest video.

Can you cheat at Poker?

Laymen have very little interest in actual gambling technique. When someone asks to see some "cheating moves" they want to be entertained. They want something with a beginning, a middle, and an end. You can start showing your chops by doing some false deals, mucks, and stacking- but the end result will be maybe a smile and a nod. This is not a good reaction especially if you want to sell DVDs. There needs to be structure to your demo's, and sometimes a kicker ending.

On the other hand...

There are a few people you run into that actually know what they're talking about and really want to see some of the work. I was called out miserably once by performing Harry Loraynes Poker Deal for a real hustler.

The bottom line is that you need to know your audience, start off with something small and go off their reaction.

P.S. I'm not talking about paid gigs, those are easy to plan out. I'm talking about those impulsive moments where you are on the spot suddenly without any time to prepare.

Videos at MVD

There's a difference between asking people to critique your pass vs saying "look how good I am". A video with a bunch of transitions/cuts showing us your best passes out of who knows how many takes is not meant to be critiqued. Seems like false advertising to me.

"Work on your Zarrow"

Why is it that whenever someone posts a video with a zarrow someone always comments with "work on your Zarrow"?

Let's face it, anyone that can do a zarrow can spot one. It's not a move that can be performed without a single tell. The only way to hide it is to totally cover it- which is just as bad.

Every magician wants to think he is exceptional at what he does. By telling someone to "work on your zarrow" they are just trying to let everyone know that they could see the move. Let's give good zarrows their due credit people.