Q: for those who do Gambling demos professionally

[eostresh]

So I am considering going pro or at least semi pro within a year. I have created about 4 really tight sets of magic that I can use for restaurant/walkaround and I have one 45-50 mn parlor/small stage act. Now one of my real joys are gambling demos but to this point that has just been my guilty pleasure. I love to practice gambling moves but I have never really put a lot of thought into how I would actually structure a gambling themed show. I know that sometimes people have gambling parties and will hire guys to come in and demo some moves. What I don't know is how those shows are actually structured. Certainly I have seen bits and pieces of Darwin Ortiz, Richard Turner, and Steve Forte performing at these kinds of gigs but I have never seen a full show. So here are some questions.

1. How long is a gambling show? ......Specifically, it seems as if it is a much more limited venue. Whereas a traditional magic show can drift from one theme to another to maintain interest, a gambling show seems much more focused on how you can cheat with cards. How long can you expect to keep interest from a lay audience? 20minutes? 30 minutes? Can you push a show like this to an hour?

2. Is there any particular structure of a show like this that helps it to build to a recognizable climax? Ie. start with black jack inspired demos(control of two cards) move on to Poker demos( control of 5 cards) Move on to complex Poker demos(controlling several different hands) and finish with a full deck demo (Ie reordering the entire pack into new deck order). That's just my stab in the dark in terms of structure. Am I totally off base?

So in short, I had a set of performance and repertoire content goals I felt I had to reach before I considered going pro. I met those and I still have about a year before I am in a position go pro. So in addition to honing what I already have I would also like to start developing an actual gambling show should the opportunity ever arise where I could perform one. I may never get the chance to perform a show like that but, non the less, I would like to start developing one. If nothing else I am sure taking on such a project would help me develop my skills in this study.

 

[Josh Burch]

I use gambling as a magic plot for the most part. I know that's not exactly what your asking but I'll let you know what I do.

I make my set into a small story about a notorious gambler. I cut to the aces and then I tell how this gambler used to actually steal cards from his opponents. I then do Marlo's Bluff ace assembly. I find that rolling it into a story helps.

I believe Guy Holingworth put together his whole show on card magic all around a story about Erdnase. A story is always a possibility.

 

[eostresh]

Okay thanks but that's really not what I am talking about. I'm asking about actual shows, not just effects or routines, that demonstrate actual cheating moves, not just magical sleights explained as gambling sleights. Anyways thanks for your response all the same.

I had heard about Hollingsworth's show. That is probably the type of show I am talking about....though I can't say for sure unless I saw it???

 

[ReservoirRed]

I recommend richard turner's dvd 'the cheat'. On that dvd you will find his full performance at the magic castle.

My gambling show is 20-30 minutes. I can do longer, but regardless of how good you are, there is no denying interest starts to wander and that 30 minute mark. The last big event i did was a charity event, the way i did it was for 14-16 people at one time. I had my table and area that was in a quiet spot. I did my 20-30 minute show 9 times. It was less than 20 minutes a few times minutes, depending on how engaged and how much fun the audience were having, and i had a short break. It came to just over three and a half hours in the end up. I can tell you my exact routine if you wish, but im sure you dont want to copy it.

You do have the right idea though. Make everything harder and harder, or at the very least make it seem harder if you know what i mean. The best way to present the show, is with you, the gambler, being the hero. And all the things that are in place to stop cheating (shuffles, cuts, cut cards, etc...) are the obstacles you have to overcome. That in itself is as much of a story as you need. Get the audience on your side, it's strange, and you will notice this if you choose this approach, but when you get an applause for each phase in your gambling routine , it's not really that the audience are applauding you, it's that they are cheering for you, and cheering you on. I wont go into detail, but ill give you the shell of my show. Ask about anything else you'd like to know.

I start off with three card monte. I decided to open with that myself but im sure someone else has done it before me. I think it's a great starter because the audience know what to expect, know how to play, and are immediately interested.

I then bring the full deck into play. And ask them if they might have better luck with a game of blackjack, or 21. The deck is set up and ready to be stacked. I proceed to beating them at blackjack.

Then the deck is shuffled by whomever whats to shuffle it. I then do a gambling routine which involves stacking the aces over and over, starting off with high card draw, then 5 card stud, then 7 card sud, then texas hold'em. I dont win in this round, instead i pick an accomplice from one of the people sitting by the table with me.

Then i have the cards shuffled again. I secretly do a red and black separation i learned from a lenart green publication, while talking to the audience about cheating at cards, making it seem quite noble. It's arguable that there is nothing noble about cheating, but if i put alot more effort and practice hours into poker than anyone else at the table, dont I deserve to win? Stuff like that makes what you're doing less... i dont know, less slimy.

I then do my false shuffling demostration.

Then my card stacking demonstration.

Followed by bottom dealing and second dealing.

Finished with a round of 5 card draw that one of the spectators deals. This is supposedly to show them that i am infact amazing at poker even when i play fair. If i feel like a big finale would work i give myself a royal flush, if i want to take it easy and actually leave them thinking it's from my skills at poker, i usually go with a low number full house or 4 of a kind, even a 3 of a kind if im feeling daring. Because it's not actually certain if ill win. The possibility is there for a spectator to win, but no one has yet. It gives me a bit of a thrill the last part, often times ill throw my wallet into the middle of the table,saying it's there's if they win, and they get to shuffle and deal, generally i go straight or royal flush with that one, never taking chances with the wallet! But it's a way to draw interest back in if it's wandering after so much gambling.

If i get the call for more, which happens maybe 2 or 3 time a night, i do some work with the pinky count.

I hope this helps. Please reply so i know if there's anything I can help with.

 

[eostresh]

Thanks. That is exactly the type of info I was interested in. I appreciate you offer to share more of the details of your show but that won't be necessary. As you say, the specifics of everyone's show is a bit different and mostly what I am interested in is the overall structure.

When you refer to Richard Turners, "The Cheat," do you mean the original? I have several of his "The Cheat," videos but they are the ones that were shot 5 or 6 years back and each video focuses on a different class of moves. Ie, Shifts and Hops, Bottoms, etc. Anyways, unless I missed a menu some place, the performance sections are just clips of shows. Not a vewing of his full show. Nevertheless, I'll look back at those to see if I missed something.

Thanks for mentioning the "encore." I have an encore for my walkaround but hadn't even thought about it for a Gambling show. I feel a little silly that I hadn't considered that for this venue as well. I'll have to put some thought into that one.

You got me pointed in the right direction. I appreciate it. If I start running into more problems when I start to develop it I may bump this post but until that time, Cheers!

 

[ReservoirRed]

Im glad i could help.

http://www.cards4magic.co.uk/cgi-bi...ichard&PN=Playing_Card_DVD_s.html#a4097#a4097

That dvd has many many techniques explained in detail, as well as a ten minute biography video, and a full performance at the magic castle. A great buy. I think it may have been split up and sold in sections aswell, that may be what you have.