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Cheats, Cons, Swindles, and Tricks: 57 Ways to Scam a Free Drink Brian Brushwood How'd you like to never pay for a drink again? How about having complete strangers pay for your meals? What if you always had a few tricks up your sleeve to break the ice at parties or get the girl's phone number?
"Cheats, Cons, Swindles and Tricks" is full of 57 of the very best bar scams and tricks, picked up in Brian Brushwood's 12 years of worldwide travel. As seen on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (twice!) as well as 2 dozen other TV programs, Brian's now the host of the popular online series "Scam School," (downloaded over 1 million times a month, and named by iTunes as a "top video podcast" of 2008 and 2009).
...And THIS is the book that started it all.
With 57 killer tricks (and 8 bonus scams), any one of these tricks could win you the cost of a free drink or more... and yet your investment will be LESS THAN 2 CENTS PER TRICK!
Short enough to digest in an evening, yet powerful enough to score you free drinks for the rest of your life... "Cheats, Cons, Swindles and Tricks" could be the single best investment of 99 cents you'll ever make. |
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Magic: The Complete Course (Book & DVD) Joshua Jay Magic is everywhere, from the big spectacle celebrity of David Copperfield and Siegfried and Roy to the quirky Penn and Teller to the spooky David Blaine and Criss Angel to the endless material on YouTube. But until now, learning it has never been easy—that's all about to change with Magic, a book that does for close-up magic what How to Grill does for barbecue. Written by charismatic young magician Joshua Jay, Magic combines expertise, photographs, step-by-step directions showing how to perform 100 tricks, and a DVD that demonstrates 35 of them.
Joshua Jay took home the top prize at the World Magic Seminar (the Olympics of magic) when he was just 16 years old. Ten years later, he continues to perform magic, write about magic, eat, sleep, and breathe magic. Here, he brings all his passion and knowledge to teaching magic. Each trick is broken down into the Effect, the Secret, the Set-up, and, most important, the Performance, with lessons on what to say, how to direct the audience's attention, where to keep your hands, and so on. (In other words, how to be smart about the things your audience is surprisingly clueless about.)
Here are the Ten Greatest Card Tricks; tricks to dazzle a dinner date; tricks to perform for the boss (poke a hole through his shirt, then magically mend it); tricks especially for kids; and even tricks for an audience in another state—with "Australian Self-Help," you can find a participant's chosen card over the phone. It's the Aha! book for a subject whose time has come. |
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Sleights of Mind: What the Neuroscience of Magic Reveals About Our Everyday Deceptions Stephen L. Macknik, Susana Martinez-Conde, Sandra Blakeslee Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde, the founders of the exciting new discipline of neuromagic, have convinced some of the world’s greatest magicians to allow scientists to study their techniques for tricking the brain. The implications of neuromagic go beyond illuminating our behavior; early research points to new approaches for everything from the diagnosis of autism to marketing techniques and education. Fun and accessible, Sleights of Mind is "a tour through consciousness, attention, and deception via the marriage of professional magic and cognitive neuroscience" (Vanessa Schipani, The Scientist). |
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PK Ring Magic: The Missing Manual Gary Brown The PK ring can be a powerful magical weapon in a magician's arsenal. Hiding in plain sight, the device offers a strong, mysterious motive energy that can be tapped in many ways. PK Ring Magic: The Missing Manual provides detailed, practical routines and effects that will bring your magic to a whole new level.
In this book, you will find applications in six general areas: animation; levitation; electromagnetic interference; manipulation; penetration; and mentalism. The invisible force of the PK ring can be applied to create effects in all of these areas and more. In each area, the book provides complete routines, tips and pointers, as well as insightful ideas for further exploration.
PK Ring Magic: The Missing Manual provides a framework for experimentation with a PK ring, offering suggestions and effects that you can employ and adapt to your style. These routines should be seen as exemplary rather than encyclopedic; they are intended to inspire you to create your own routines and uses for the ring. As with any magical device, the most marvelous uses of the PK ring are those that are uniquely yours. Take the time to learn its powers, then apply them to your own performance style. The investment will yield some extraordinary magic!
Whether you already own a PK ring, or are simply thinking about acquiring one, this book belongs in your magic library. |
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Magical Mathematics: The Mathematical Ideas that Animate Great Magic Tricks Persi Diaconis, Ron Graham Magical Mathematics reveals the secrets of amazing, fun-to-perform card tricks--and the profound mathematical ideas behind them--that will astound even the most accomplished magician. Persi Diaconis and Ron Graham provide easy, step-by-step instructions for each trick, explaining how to set up the effect and offering tips on what to say and do while performing it. Each card trick introduces a new mathematical idea, and varying the tricks in turn takes readers to the very threshold of today's mathematical knowledge. For example, the Gilbreath Principle--a fantastic effect where the cards remain in control despite being shuffled--is found to share an intimate connection with the Mandelbrot set. Other card tricks link to the mathematical secrets of combinatorics, graph theory, number theory, topology, the Riemann hypothesis, and even Fermat's last theorem. Diaconis and Graham are mathematicians as well as skilled performers with decades of professional experience between them. In this book they share a wealth of conjuring lore, including some closely guarded secrets of legendary magicians. Magical Mathematics covers the mathematics of juggling and shows how the I Ching connects to the history of probability and magic tricks both old and new. It tells the stories--and reveals the best tricks--of the eccentric and brilliant inventors of mathematical magic. Magical Mathematics exposes old gambling secrets through the mathematics of shuffling cards, explains the classic street-gambling scam of three-card monte, traces the history of mathematical magic back to the thirteenth century and the oldest mathematical trick--and much more. |
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Fooling Houdini: Magicians, Mentalists, Math Geeks, and the Hidden Powers of the Mind Alex Stone When Alex Stone was five years old, his father bought him a magic kit—a gift that would spark a lifelong love. Years later, while living in New York City, he discovered a vibrant underground magic scene exploding with creativity and innovation and populated by a fascinating cast of characters: from his gruff mentor, who holds court in the back of a rundown pizza shop, to one of the world's greatest card cheats, who also happens to be blind. Captivated, he plunged headlong into this mysterious world, eventually competing at the Magic Olympics and training with great magicians around the globe to perfect his craft. From the back rooms of New York City's century-old magic societies to cutting-edge psychology labs; three-card monte on Canal Street to glossy Las Vegas casinos; Fooling Houdini recounts Stone's quest to join the ranks of master magicians. As he navigates this quirky and occasionally hilarious subculture, Stone pulls back the curtain on a community shrouded in secrecy, fueled by obsession and brilliance, and organized around a single overriding need: to prove one's worth by deceiving others. But his journey is more than a tale of tricks, gigs, and geeks. In trying to understand how expert magicians manipulate our minds to create their astonishing illusions, Stone uncovers a wealth of insight into human nature and the nature of perception. Every turn leads to questions about how the mind perceives the world and processes everyday experiences. By investigating some of the lesser-known corners of psychology, neuroscience, physics, history, and even crime, all through the lens of trickery and illusion, Fooling Houdini arrives at a host of startling revelations about how the mind works—and why, sometimes, it doesn't. |
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The Coney Island Fakir: The Magical Life of Al Flosso Gary Brown "If there is a better all-around magician," master mentalist Joseph Dunninger wrote of Al Flosso, "I have yet to discover him." Combining subtle, sophisticated manipulations with his bold, gritty persona, Flosso's magic became legendary. Though he stood only 5'2", Flosso was a giant of the magic world.
This is a remarkable book about a remarkable life. The book traces Flosso's fascinating career, from his days as a street-corner shill, carnival pitchman, Punch & Judy operator and sideshow magician to his work on Broadway, film and television. He worked with giants of the entertainment world, including the Marx Brothers, Bud Abbott, Ed Sullivan and Jackie Gleason. As proprietor of New York's leading magic shop, Flosso dispensed advice and equipment to the 20th Century's greatest magicians, from Harry Houdini to David Copperfield.
The Coney Island Fakir captures the essence of this unique performer, his original style, and his influence on the world of magic.
Here's what the critics say . . .
"A quite readable portrait of a delightful and unique character in the annals of magic . . . readers will ponder and wonder, laugh and linger over the extraordinary character it portrays. Mr. Brown has done not only his subject but the future of our art great service."
-Jamy Ian Swiss, Genii
"Flosso was a true character, and Gary Brown [is] an excellent writer. In this well-documented biography, Brown traces Flosso's colorful life from his beginnings . . . Al Flosso -- there will never be another."
-David Goodsell, M*U*M
"If you enjoy magical biographies, you will want to pick up a copy of Gary Brown's new biography of Al Flosso . . . .I enjoyed The Coney Island Fakir, and I think you will, too. Recommended."
-Magic
"This is a delightful book, a well-written and beautifully-produced anecdotal biography. Gary's engaging conversational style adds to the easy pace of the story."
-Michael Edwards, alt.magic
Note: This edition includes special bonus material that did not appear in the original print edition. |
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Scam School Book 1 Brian Brushwood Win free drinks, impress the girl, and become the center of the party using over 80 tricks from the award-winning series Scam School! Scam School Book 1's media-rich format allows you to learn tricks with unprecedented depth, supported by hundreds of photos, over 40 videos, and 70+ audio commentaries... Scam School Book 1 is the most advanced magic instruction book created to date. Named a "Top Video Podcast" of 2008 and 2009 by iTunes, Scam School covers everything from street crime, cons, and hustles to bar scams, mind-reading, and magic tricks. This book is a collection of the very best tricks, hand-picked from over 200 episodes of the show. Imagine the eye-popping surprise on your friend's face when you summon smoke from nowhere... Or the shock on the girl's face when you READ HER MIND! Imagine knowing that in any bar, in any situation, you can be entertaining enough to spend the whole night drinking for free. ...And best of all, Scam School Book 1 goes WITH you to the bar! Keep a copy on your smartphone, and you'll be able to review your tricks just seconds before performing them on your friends. |
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Tricks to Pick Up Chicks: Magic Tricks, Lines, Bets, Scams and Psychology Rich Ferguson Tricks To Pick Up Chicks is the ultimate secret weapon to meeting girls and entertaining friends. You're about to learn a variety of magic tricks, bets and scams to break the ice in no time flat. You'll also get the secrets of body language and how to use your friends to get the attention of any girl.
Chapter 1 - Quickies
Tricks, ice-breakers and lines that can be done to instantly get the attention of any dream-girl.
Chapter 2 - One Night Stands
Full blown magic tricks, bets and scams to impress girls, make you stand out and make them want more.
Chapter 3 - Threesomes
Gain an advantage by secretly using your "wingman" to trick, scam or set-up your target!
Chapter 4 - Body Language
Learn how to read body language, gestures and expressions so you know exactly what she is really thinking!
Chapter 5 - Rules of the Game
Become aware of the rules that separate the men from the boys. Learn the do's and don'ts of the dating game.
You'll get 88 photos and expert instruction sharing 26 magic tricks to break the ice, over 100 of the best Lines for every situation, over a dozen top quality Card Tricks, 5 Tricks with Money, 7 mind-blowing Mind Reading Tricks, 22 Tricks with Everyday Objects to use anytime anywhere, 24 of the best Bet's ever created, 15 Scams to get a girls attention, 8 Magic Tricks using your Wingman, 5 Scams with your Wingman and 6 sure-fire way to get your Wingman to Set Up your girl!
Plus 45 secrets to reading a girl like a book with important photos you've got to see. From micro-expressions, body language, psychology, gestures to expressions, we have it covered. The final chapter shares the top 60 ways to play the game right!
The hundreds of tricks, bets, scams, lines and tips are taught by world class magician Rich Ferguson, TheIceBreaker.com
Introduction by Chuck 'The Iceman Liddell', Champion Fighter
Get your copy now and buy others for that perfect gift! You'll be happy you did! |
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The Royal Road to Card Magic Jean Hugard With this easy-to-understand and much-illustrated book you'll learn the classic repertoire of first-rate card tricks. Whether you're a beginner or professional, this is a must-read. Before long, you'll be doing card magic that will astound everyone. |