Updated Articles and Resources

By Wayne Kawamoto, About.com Guide since 2005

Beginner’s Magic Demo: Cups & Balls Created: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 Updated: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
While professional magicians perform stunning, advanced versions of this classic, beginning magicians can purchase simple, pre-packaged versions that result in a mystifying sequence.
The Pushpin Gimmick by Matthew Vizio Created: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Matthew Vizio generously teaches how to make and use his holdout, which is based on one by Jean Hugard. You'll find the holdout useful in a cups and balls routine or any table-based routine where y...
Two Mentalism Effects: Shared Dreams by Marcelo Insúa and Tru Test by Nathan Kranzo Created: Thursday, April 26, 2012 Updated: Thursday, May 03, 2012
Shared Dreams is a marketed effect that allows you to apparently predict the future - random inputs from spectators. And Tru Test is a variation on a book test that works with a Newsweek or Time ma...
Review of "Lethal Weapons" by Stephen Leathwaite Created: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Stephen Leathwaite's
Review of "Making the Cut" by Ryan Schlutz Created: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Ryan Schlutz is an Orlando-based artist who carefully crafts his close up routines to be baffling as well as entertaining. His book,
Pinch Twist for Balloon Animals - How to Make a Pinch Twist for Balloon Animals Created: Friday, June 19, 2009 Updated: Thursday, April 26, 2012
The pinch twist is often used as ears on balloon animals, as well as a stabilizer for some sculptures. It's a useful twist to know.
Lock Twist - How to Make a Balloon Lock Twist Created: Thursday, April 23, 2009 Updated: Thursday, April 26, 2012
After the basic twist, the second fundamental skill in balloon twisting is the lock twist, which you'll learn here.
Basic Balloon Twist - How to Make a Basic Balloon Twist Created: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 Updated: Thursday, April 26, 2012
Here's the basic balloon twist that is the foundation for everything that you make in the art of balloon twisting. This skill allows you separate a balloon into segments that form your creations.
Two Card Revelations: Card Artistry and Missing Created: Thursday, April 05, 2012 Updated: Thursday, April 05, 2012
Here's a look at two card revelations.
Review of Ultimate Impromptu Card Magic by Cameron Francis Created: Monday, April 02, 2012 Updated: Monday, April 02, 2012
On this DVD, Cameron Francis offers a collection of card effects that are impromptu that require no setups or gaffs and may be performed with any deck and at any time.
Review of The Treachery of Tricks by Francis Menotti Created: Sunday, April 01, 2012 Updated: Sunday, April 01, 2012
On his
Anatomy of a Magic Music Video Created: Sunday, March 11, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, March 14, 2012
If you were interested in the moves, effects and techniques used in my magic music video with playing cards, in this story, I discuss them.
In the Works: Animental Created: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, March 13, 2012
One of the effects that I took away from Danny Archer’s first rate “Essential Magic Classics” was
Review of Haunted by Peter Eggink Created: Monday, March 05, 2012 Updated: Monday, March 05, 2012
If you would like to perform an effect where a deck mysteriously cuts itself to a spectator's selected card, you'll probably like classic
Review of Executive Wallet by David Penn Created: Sunday, March 04, 2012 Updated: Sunday, March 04, 2012
David Penn's
The Clipped Card Magic Trick Video Created: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The clipped card trick is an easy illusion to perform. Watch this how-to video from About.com to learn how to perform the clipped card magic trick.
Mind Ball by David Regal Created: Monday, February 27, 2012 Updated: Monday, February 27, 2012
So how does a card trick play when the revelation comes from a fortune-telling Magic-8 Ball? Splendidly. I take David Regal's
How to Make a Balloon Animal Dog Video Created: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Updated: Friday, February 24, 2012
Find out how to twist and turn a balloon animal dog in a just a few easy steps.
Review of Squeak Technique by Jeff McBride Created: Friday, February 24, 2012 Updated: Friday, February 24, 2012
Want to learn an easy to enhance your magic effects? Simply add sound. On
Review of OUT-STANDING by Roberto Mansilla Created: Thursday, February 23, 2012 Updated: Thursday, February 23, 2012
Paul Curry's
Review of Kartis Visible Bill Change Created: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
While there are methods that rely on sleight of hand so you can change a piece of paper into a dollar bill,
Flash Created: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
In magic parlance, to
"Xtreme Magic " Starring Dirk Arthur - Review of "Xtreme Magic" Starring Dirk Arthur Created: Thursday, September 18, 2008 Updated: Sunday, February 19, 2012
There's something about those big cats, the tigers and leopards, which are always intriguing. And with the absence of Rick Thomas and Sigfreud & Roy in the Las Vegas line-up, Dirk Arthur's
Las Vegas Magic Shows - Reviews of Magic Shows in Las Vegas Created: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 Updated: Sunday, February 19, 2012
If Las Vegas is the magic capital of the world, here's where you can read reviews about the hottest shows in town.
iPhone Magic - Mega Card Trick - Share Your Story: Tell us about your favorite iPhone Magic Tricks and Apps Created: Thursday, February 02, 2012 Updated: Thursday, February 02, 2012
iPhone Magic - Mega Card Trick
Archer's Essential Magic Classics Created: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 Updated: Thursday, February 02, 2012
When a pro such as Danny Archer tips the routines that work best for him in his close-up and walk around sets, you know that there's the possibility of learning some commercial and strong material...
Archer's Essential Magic Classics Created: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, February 01, 2012
When a pro such as Danny Archer tips the routines that work best for him in his close-up and walk around sets, you know that there's the possibility of learning some commercial and strong material...
24Seven Vol. 2 by John Carey Created: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, February 01, 2012
John Carey's
Fourfit and The Prodigy Created: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Review of More Power to You: The Very Best of David Acer Created: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, February 01, 2012
David Acer's
Book Review: Highway to Success Created: Friday, May 25, 2007 Updated: Thursday, January 26, 2012
So you’ve got a decent magic act and are ready to make money at it. As any entertainment pro can tell you, it’s quite a leap to turn a magic obsession into a profitable business. Fortun...
Adding Flair to Your Routines: Empty and Confetti Shooter Created: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Here are two ways to add some flair to your magic routines. How about producing a deck of cards from an empty box? You can with

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