Читать книгу Expert Card Technique - Jean Hugard - Страница 18

The second deal is generally conceded to be the most difficult of all card sleights to master, a statement the ambiguity of which has clouded the fact that it is not the action of dealing second which is difficult, but the method of gripping the pack with the left hand.

Because of this misunderstanding many card conjurers have spent endless profitless hours toiling to perfect the action of the sleight, heedless of the old axiom that, while practice may make perfect, no amount of improper practice can be of value. Once, however, the proper grip is taken, and the underlying principles of the deal are understood, dealing seconds can be mastered with a minimum of effort.

The literature of magic is singularly devoid of any really comprehensive instruction in the art of dealing second. Erdnase has given a detailed description of the sleight, but the methods, and more particularly the grips, which he gives have long since been discarded by the front rank card men. Walter Irving Scott in his manuscript gives considered and detailed instructions for the strike method, but unfortunately this booklet is not available to the mass of conjurers, both because of its scarcity and its cost. Furthermore, the strike method he gives cannot compare, for general utility, with the method employing the two card push-off. This latter method has been treated by Laurie Ireland in his excellent booklet, Lessons in Dishonesty, which the reader will do well to study, if only to compare the method with that to be given here and to decide for himself which of the two is best suited to his particular needs.

The sources mentioned complete the list of worthwhile instructions in second dealing. The reason for this remarkable reticence on the part of authors of conjuring textbooks is not far to seek; very few of the authorities on card conjuring have an intimate knowledge of the deal. Those gamblers who have perfected the sleight have a natural and understandable reluctance to reveal their secrets, even if they could describe the action clearly; in most instances, gamblers have acquired the “feel” of the deal and can perform it skilfully but are totally oblivious to the principles, and even the grip, which they utilize. Often, when asked to describe their grip, they are at a complete loss for words and summarize by saying, “Just place the deck in your left hand and deal.” Excellent advice, but difficult to follow.

Amongst those experts who handle cards purely for entertainment purposes, there are hardly more than a dozen who can deal absolutely perfect seconds and these have not described their methods, usually because an incentive was lacking. Because of this cloud of mystery which has surrounded the second deal, the action will be described here in the fullest detail, even at the risk of prolixity. At best a difficult sleight to explain, it is hoped that this treatment will make clear the principles of the two best methods.