Games Magic and More

Chris Angel filming “Mindfreak” Season 5

admin — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:36:57 +0000

Angel filming SEASON FIVE of “Mindfreak”

Criss Angel is filming magic tricks, illusions, stunts and more for season five of the A&E series Mindfreak, according to an update last week (really? Last week? I’m slackin’) from Vegas reporter Robin Leach. In the midst of a six-week schedule of 18-hour days, Angel told Leach that the season will “push the envelope” again:

“The things we are working on will be the best we’ve done in all four previous seasons, really the best to date. I can assure you each show will close with one truly incredible illusion that people will talk about all week long.”

He has already filmed a segment with Carrot Top (who has been featured in past episodes). One of the stunts, probably the season closer, involves him being chained and anchored to concrete blocks, then chucked into Lake Mead. Leach said that stunt will break a promise Angel made to his mother. Mind your mother, Mindfreak.

Also, Angel fans: iTricks’ Justin Robert Young has discovered Criss Angel’s real Twitter account. A few months back, a sophomoric squatter had some immature fun with the domain. Criss has it now, and he’s dishing during the filming.

Walking Coin Trick

admin — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:36:58 +0000

Simple as this little trick seems it is very deceptive. Attached to the lower button of his vest the performer has a hair or, if at some distance from his audience, a piece of fine black sewing silk. At the other end of this hair or thread is a little pellet of wax, which is stuck to another button of his vest. Asking for a small coin, a dime or a cent, the performer secretly gets hold of the wax and sticks it on the coin. Then he takes a tumbler or goblet in his left hand and drops the coin into it. Shaking the glass and at the same time extending his arm, he causes the coin gradually to creep higher and higher in the glass until it reaches the fingers of the right hand held out for it. The wax is quietly removed and the coin is returned to its owner. By taking care to shake the glass continually, the modus operandi of the trick will be completely concealed.

Making a hanky extend to a longer length

admin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:28:27 +0000

Having borrowed a handkerchief, great amusement is caused when the performer observes that the article is not long enough, and expresses his intention of stretching it. This is done by taking the handkerchief by one corner in each hand, and, whilst twisting it up, gathering an inch or two in each palm. Stretch the arms wide apart, so that the handkerchief lies across the chest, without allowing any of the gathered-up portions of it to escape. Now give the handkerchief a turn or two in the air, and again stretch it across the chest, this time allowing about half an inch to escape out of the hands. Twist again and stretch, allowing a little more to escape, and repeat the operation until the extreme ends are reached. Imply by manner, as much as possible, that a deal of stretching is taking place, and the audience will be led to believe that the handkerchief has been extended at least six inches beyond its original length.

Free Magic Card Trick – OPEN SESAME

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:20:36 +0000

Open Sesame

Deal out 3 piles of seven cards face down. Ask a spectator to choose a pile. You then pick up the pile that the spectator selected and display the cards in a fan facing the audience. (It is not necessary for you to see the front of the cards.) Then ask the spectator to look at the cards and choose one, instructing them not to tell you which card they choose.

1) Put the cards that the spectator chose face down in between the other two piles to make one pile of 21 cards.

2) Deal out the cards one at a time into 3 piles of seven moving left to right.

3) Pick up each pile individually and then display the cards to the volunteer asking them to indicate which of the piles contains the chosen card. (They must not name their selected card).

Repeat steps 1 to 3 one more time.

After the steps are completed say the magic words “OPEN SESAME“. You then pick up the pile of 21 cards and spell O-P-E-N-S-E-S-A-M-E by placing one card face down on the table per each letter spelled. Turn up the next card after spelling OPEN SESAME to reveal their selected card.

Free Trick – Lighting a Used Match

admin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:07:15 +0000

Light A Used Match

Effect :

You take out a box of matches and go to light your cigarette or candle but when you open them they are all used.

You then say I hate that when people put used matches back in the box, oh sorry it was me I hate it when I do that. You then proceed to take out the used match and strike it and it lights. You can have them already stashed in the dirty ashtray and take one out and then light your cigarette or candle.

Secret:

All you have to do to make it look like it is a used match is dip the match in black ink, and then wait for it to dry. Then dip it in ash and it will look like a used match but when you strike it the match will light like any normal match

Free Magic Trick – Coffee to Coins

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:51:51 +0000

Coffee To Coins David Blaine

Style Trick

David Blaine changed a cup full of coffee to a cup full of coins on his TV show

Set up: Get one of those coffee machine dispensed cups made of waxed paper and preferably with a pattern on the outside. Remove the bottom of the cup about an inch up from the bottom with a modelling knife or scissors and then place the cup back together by gently sliding the top half of the cup into the base using a slight twisting action if needed. Stack the cup three quarters full with coins.

Pack the coins in tightly and then pour in a little cold coffee, enough to cover the coins completely.

Coffee works best because it’s so dark and will hide the coins. The cup should now look like a normal cup of coffee and is now ready to present to an audience.

Performance: Comment on how the patterns on the side of the cup are magic symbols.

Holding the top half of the cup with one hand, gently push up the bottom half of the cup with a slight screwing action with your other hand, then shake the cup.

As the coins “unsettle” the coffee will spill between the cracks and the coins appear.

This trick can be done with any cup of the waxed paper type that are usually found in vending machines. Be careful not to use hot coffee. Take care when using the modelling knife as it is sharp, even better, if your a kid, get an adult to cut it for you.

Card Trick Essentials – The Mechanics Grip

admin — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:41:06 +0000

All sleight of hand card tricks use a few base moves and methods. One is the mechanic’s grip. The mechanic’s grip is the basic way you hold the deck of cards for almost all tricks. It is a simple method on how you position your fingers on and around the deck.   To perform the Mechanic’s Grip, first hold the deck in your hand with your palm facing up. Take your index finger and move it to the end facing away from you. Take your middle finger, ring finger and pinkie finger and position them on the side of the deck. Finally your thumb holds the deck together on the opposite side from the other fingers. This grip gives more coverage of the deck by your hand, making it harder for the spectators to see what you are doing. The Mechanic’s Grip helps in doing sleights like the double lift, peeking, etc.

This grip is very important in performing card tricks, and should be practiced daily if you want to become proficient at performing card tricks. Walk around and use your hands while holding a deck with the mechanics grip, thereby training your hands to act normal while holding the deck. It should become second nature to you. Practice on your family before performing for others. Remember you don’t want to give away the secrets, so get it down pat, before performing from others.

Free Magic Card Trick #2

admin — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:21:42 +0000

Magic In A Glass Card Trick

Trick Courtesy of Brian Reaves

Original Author Unknown

The magician takes a long-stemmed glass and announces that he’s going to perform a card trick. The amazing thing about this card trick is that he wont be able to touch the cards, because they’ll be inside the glass the whole time!

Placing the pack, face out in the glass, the magician states that he’s going to find all four aces using special ” Locator Cards “. He reaches into the glass and pulls out a red number card ( we’ll use the Ten of Hearts for the example ) and puts it in front of the rest of the cards in the deck so that the ten of hearts is the card the spectator now sees looking at them through the glass.

The magician then states that he will let that red 10 find a red ace . Holding the glass by the stem, the magician passes a cloth napkin over the glass, quickly. When the napkin has completed it’s quick pass, the red 10 has been replaced by a red ace ! The magician then takes the red ace and puts it in back of the deck and passes the napkin again.

This time, the red 10 is replaced by the other red ace ! Now the magician gets a black number card (say, 6 of spades) for the ” Locator ” and puts it in front of the red 10. A quick napkin pass, and there’s a black ace!

The magician takes the ace and puts it in back of the deck. Another pass, and there’s the last black ace! Now pull out the pack and put it back in the case, smiling as you take your bow. All of this magic occurs in the glass, so there’s apparently no way that you could’ve manipulated the cards! People will fall down at your feet and worship your incredible abilities

Method:

A slight amount of preparation work is required, but this is worth it. First, find a wine or any other long-stemmed glass that will allow you to set at least half a deck of cards in it.

There can be no design on the glass or stem!!! Next, take the two red aces and glue them back to back. Make sure you make them look as much like one card as possible!

Do the same with the two black aces. Now get two identical number cards – one black and one red – from an identical deck. Glue one red and one black back to back. Don’t do this with the other ones. Finally, get a cloth napkin that is big enough and dark enough to completely cover the glass.

With this prep, you’re set!

Set up the deck like this: The black 6 card face up on top of the face-down deck. Now, set the double-sided black ace on top of it. Now place the double-sided ” red 10 /black 6″ card with the red 10 face-up. Next, comes the double-sided red aces. And finally, the last red 10 FACE DOWN on the face-down deck.

The rest is showmanship. Place the deck in the glass with the bottom card facing your spectator. Announce that you’re going to do the trick using a red locator card . Pull the red 10 off the top of the deck and put it on the bottom, facing the spectator. You should now be looking at a red ace . Holding the glass by the stem, you pass the napkin over the glass and spin it around so that the ace is now facing the spectator.

It helps if you hold the glass with you fingers rigid and the stem in the first bend of your finger. When you spin the glass, your thumb does the work and your fingers look pretty much the same. Now take the ace and put it on top of the deck.

You should now be looking at the other red ace . Perform the pass/spin again, and your spectator sees the other red ace . Now say that you need a black locator card. Take the red/black card off the top with the 6 facing. When you get to the black aces, if you stick the Ace of Spades on top so that it’s the first ace you’ll show, you can ask the spectator to name a black ace. Nine out of ten times, they’ll say the Ace of Spades!

You then make it appear for them. If they happen to mention the Ace of Clubs, just say “So that leaves the Ace of Spades,” and make it appear.

Want more magic?

For simple magic tricks you can get started with. Games, Magic and More has great prices and service, check them out!

Free Magic Card Trick #1

admin — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:58:35 +0000

Effect:

The magician has three rows of cards. An audience volunteer picks a card in his/her head and tells the magician what row it’s in. The magician does that three times and on the third time tells the volunteer what their card was. (or have the magic puppet whisper to you what the card was and then you tell the audience what the puppet said.)

Supplies:

21 cards, all different.

Secret:

First lay out the cards, 3 across and 7 down.

Have someone think of a card and tell you what row its in.

Pick up all the rows, row by row, making sure to pick up the row that the card is in 2nd.

Then lay out the cards again (the exact same way, 3 across & 7 down).

Put down one card per row.

Then ask the volunteer which row the card is in now. Pick up the rows again, like before — still making sure that you pick up the row that the card is in 2nd.
Lay them out again, the same way. Then ask the volunteer which row the card is in now. (You can get dramatic and tell them to think really hard about it… pretend to be reading their mind)Then count four cards down in that row. (It appears more magical if you count to yourself… people won’t realize you’re counting four cards down).The fourth card is their card!!

VOILA! You have performed an easy to do magic trick. ENJOY and have a MAGICAL DAY

About Us

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:56:28 +0000

Since 1992 I have been practicing and performing magic. I remembered how tough it was for me to get started, so I thought I would provide a website for new magicians to get a chance to get started by asking questions, getting suggestions, and being able to make their purchases with some personalized help from me. I also have products for veteran magicians to make purchases as well. When I first was trying to get started in magic, it was very difficult to find people or even stores where I could purchase and learn how to do magic. Living in Minneapolis, we were fortunate enough to have the Mall of America open, and there came just what I had always waited for, a suburban location magic store. I could not only purchase items there, but became well known by the salespeople with my frequent visits and purchases. They went out of their way to help me learn how to do magic and help suggest what was probably the best items for me to purchase and become good at performing in a short amount of time. Having the items available and someone to help me understand what I needed to do, made it so enjoyable for me to begin my practice and performing of magic.

That is my goal here at Games, Magic and More. To assist people as much as possible, in helping them select the product(s) that will suit their abilities best. I am here to answer questions and make suggestions to help you really enjoy the art of magic.

Although I can’t tell you exactly how the illusions are done, unless you purchase them first, I can help direct you toward making the proper choices.

Besides magic tricks, DVD’s etc., we also carry games and other items. Check out our Affiliate sites where you will find all kinds of unique items and collectibles. Items include Star Trek collectibles, bobbleheads, and other hard to get items. Many of those can be ordered from my affiliates before they are even released to the public. My affiliates also include other magic retailers that can sell you items that I do not stock. That way, I do not limit your selection to only my in stock items, but give you a far larger selection to choose from. Also, you may check one of my main suppliers at: www.magicmakersinc.com. Any item that you see there, I can special order for you, if I do not carry it in stock. They are a wholesaler, so you may not order directly from them, but their online catalog is available for you to look at, and it has many video demonstrations, so that you can see what you are buying in advance.

So please, don’t hesitate to contact me, or to use one of my affiliates for your purchases.