The Expert at the Card Table

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A classic - but not for everyone - Rated
After reading the previous reviews on this book I feel compelled to clarify. The Expert At The Card Table is the first advanced instructional text ever released for card mechanics and card magicians. This is the reason why it is of such importance but it is also the reason why it's not for everyone. As it was written over a hundred years ago, many of the techniques explained have been superseded but there is still a wealth of useful information for the serious card worker (the palming techniques, for example, are still extremely practical and were tens of years before their time when the book was written). Most people who are serious about cards have studied this text - not just read it, studied it. This is a book for the student of card work and it's history, it's not a book for someone with a casual interest who wants to learn a few basic tricks. If you fall into the latter category then The Royal Road to Card Magic or something similar is more suited to your requirements.

A review of this book would not be complete without mentioning The Annotated Erdnase by Darwin Ortiz. This book offers the reader an expert's insight into this classic text. Darwin Ortiz is the world's foremost expert on cards (in respect of the fields of "magic" and crooked gambling) so his opinions have to be respected. It's sadly out of print but is still available from some dealers and a used copy may be available on this site.

In summary, for the beginner or someone with a passing interest, The Expert At The Card Table really isn't worth buying but for the individual aspiring to become a serious card worker knowledge of this text is essential.

Pretty good - Rated
This book's pretty good but only if you have a vague idea what you're doing to start with. Some of the descriptions and diagrams are pretty bad (and some are actually impossible to follow!). Despite this the amusing writing style makes up for the short comings. I recommend it to anyone with a passing interest in card magic (or cheating!)

Know one better! - Rated
For the price this is a good book, though there are few pictures to explain a inticate technique. This book is great for ideas and certain skills. Though I do know of one better which I have found on here (but owned way before that). Want to know what it is? Well you’ll have to search around for it. All I can say is, one guy has written a review saying that his teacher called it the bible to card tricks, and he is sooooo right!

IN SHORT! Book is great if you are willing to put a lot of time in to work out how the trick works and more time to practice it, then go for it. If your looking for simple fool proof party tricks, look else where.

Erdnase - Definitive Card Conjuring - Rated
Though the true identity of S.W.Erdnase is much debated, magicians agree on one thing - The Expert at the Card Table is the definitive guide to sleight of hand. Written in 1902 by an expert crooked gambler, it describes in detail all sleights and technicalities necessary to become either a brilliant card magician or a very lucky gambler!

There is another book on the market - the Annotated Erdnase by Darwin Ortiz. I don't recommend this; the original book is far better as Ortiz' annotations are generally not helpful and the book itself is more difficult to read.

This book is a must for any self-respecting magician and anyone interested in card magic and/or cheating.

Good - Rated
This is a good book, and to be honest there aren't many similar books to choose from. My only real critisim is that you often have to reread sections before you fully understand what to do. More diagrams should be included. I'd like to read the royal road to card magic as it comes highly recommended and is possibly a better book. However, despite the critisms this is still a good book and is well worth the money.