The Five-Second Rule is that if food falls on the ground, it may be safely eaten as long as it is picked up within five seconds.
Based on this, I propose that magicians adopt the Two-Second Rule. It has nothing to do with dropping cards: quite the opposite in fact - it’s about holding the deck for too long.
I suggest that the rule is simply this … magicians should never be seen holding the deck with both hands (i.e. left-hand dealing grip with the right hand also holding in end grip) for longer than two seconds. Not only is it uncomfortable looking, I think it’s a tell for many people that you are about to execute a sleight, or are currently executing one (which for most people is the only reason to hold the deck like this).
The reason that this is bad is because a normal person doesn’t need to hold the deck with both hands. It’s not heavy, so unless you’re protecting it against some kind of crazy gravitational failure, you don’t need to hold the deck from above and below.
So, my plea is that magicians worldwide hold the deck and execute moves with both hands only in circumstances where they have motivation to do so. Such circumstances could be to square the deck, shuffle it, reposition it or move it from one hand to another (all acceptable covers for a move). But don’t dwell on it - move straight on to a grip that looks more natural for longer periods.
Follow the Two-Second Rule. And vote Gladwin at your local election.
It’s even more awkward when someone grips the deck tightly. That way you know not only are they executing a sleight, but they either haven’t practiced, or their fingers have the sensitivity of a steamroller.
Especially you, René Lavand!
You got my vote. Let’s hear it for the new rule!
Yeah I like this idea; makes sense. Except I tend to run a 30 second rule for food - it means that the person who dropped it has probably moved out of sight by the time I get to pick it up.
Jamie.
Andi - very interesting observation.
How did you arrive at ‘two seconds’?
As a beginner in close up card magic I most interested in the thought process of veteran card men and how they discover and solve these issues.
I haven’t yet read anyone that discusses this aspect of card handling.
Thanks.
> How did you arrive at ‘two seconds’?
That’s the nickname his girlfriend gave him…
[quote comment="19037"]Andi - very interesting observation.
How did you arrive at ‘two seconds’?[/quote]
Hi Tony,
That’s an interesting question. To be honest, I didn’t specifically calculate it; it’s just based on when I started to feel uncomfortable watching magicians hold a deck in two hands. Two seconds is enough time to square the deck, turn it over and reposition it. If you take any longer, then something pretty weird is going on.
The truth is the Two-Second Rule applies specifically to me and how I handle cards. Other people might find that they should be obeying the Two-Point-Four-Second Rule or even the One-Second-Rule: it depends very much on how they handle cards. But I think two seconds is about average (insert Jamie Badman joke here).
–Andi
Nice idea Andi.
>But I think two seconds is about average (insert Jamie Badman joke here).
Fnarr… splutter… arf!!!!
Nope… I resisted!
But anyway, yes this is a great idea. It’s an extension/elaboration of the Vernon suggestion of executing the pass the moment the hands meet. The longer the hands remain together, the less natural and the more suspicious they become. I think the ‘two seconds’, as Andi says, is individual and should be calculated based on your natural pace; someone frantic and hyper should probably reduce this while someone sleepy and slow (I’m still resisting) can extend this period of time slightly since a faster movement will be unnatural.
The ‘two second rule’ in conjunction with ensuring that the hands meet only under natural and motivated circumstances should ensure a clean, fair look to the magic.
Jamie.