Real Deck Switches

John

So much to work on. But like Ben says, when you have the basics down, they all kind of flow together depending on what you need at the time. I was definitely worth the money. I perform behind a counter and it's perfect for me.

Niv

Great project. It not only teaches deck switches as shown in the trailer, but also teaches body language and other fundamental details every amateur and above magician should learn. Ben Earl is amazing as always, even after learning the switches and how they work, they still seem magical. Worth the money!

David

This is the best DVD or download on the deck week and I have been doing magic since 1971 and have won all kinds of Award, I'm always looking to improve my skills and this DVD or download will definitely do that. Definitely a 5 star rating for this download

Aidan

Ben Earl is an absolute GENIUS!!! everything he makes is filled with absolute gold. His tutorials are long sure... but it's only because he leaves no stone unturned and is sure to cover even the smallest subtlties. If you're looking for solid deck switches, YOU NEED TO BUY THIS.

Richard

This is a fantastic introduction to deck switches - right hand and left hand, suitable for a number of situations. If you are new to deck switches, this video is for you! The biggest problem you will face is deciding which method or methods will work best for you.

Timothy

Top notch! Real worker material.

Jeffrey

Excellent video. I know I will try to learn some of these techniques. So natural and deceptive.

Thomas

Absolutely my favorite video to watch and perform. You would not think it would fool anyone, but it fools everyone!

Ludovic

Impressive!!

Mark

This is an absolute masterclass in deck switching. Ben Earl goes through each variation in great detail and takes away the fear that switching a deck can generate.

I have used deck switched that require gimmicks (Cold Case/The Cooler) and although I do think these have a place, being able to switch in a deck using just misdirection is a fantastic tool to have in your arsenal.

The DVD is shot in HD and is well lit with great sound quality.

I highly recommend this DVD/download to anyone wanting to take their card magic to the next level.

Marco

Very well explained , incredibly useful tool . Well done!!!

Larry

This is not just a tutorial on deck switches. It is a brief class on misdirection, or better on how to direct the spectators' attention to where you want it. Ben uses natural movements and behavior to cover the deck switch naturally. you can readily imagine why spectators would not even think about what the magician might be doing, and can probably think of situations where you have been fooled in the same ways. I find knowing that I am perfroming a slight is what makes it harder to rpefrom naturally, and I like the fact that the best "cover" is simply to do what comes naturally. The one at the end with looking for a pen is great because that is exactly what one would do if one were simply looking for a pen to give to someone.

Junhyeok

Jarkko

Lawrence

Benjamin

This is fantastic. If you've never done deck switches before, you will now. Ben makes it easy to understand the psychology, timing, and sleights so that you will feel confident getting your stacked or gimmicked deck onto the table without drawing an ounce of suspicion.

David

Such a wonderful tutorial! There's so much in here, it's amazing. Ben's explanations of both the moves and the psychology behind them are brilliant! If you dive into these techniques you WILL be using many of them to add another layer of deception to your current routines.

Patrick

Just fantastic. Ben is just a great teacher and what you’re getting is far more than just a deck switch. He says it himself: It is a system that builds off of two “moves”. These two “moves” are among the first things you learned when you started. This is a great way to improve your audience management and timing while also learning incredibly useful deck switches.

Tom

Absolutely excellent! So thorough...simplified. Every once in a while I wish he executed things in slo-mo more because I did have to pause and "rewind" many times but I ultimately believe it's because these switches are just that deceptive even with a casual speed. You don't have to rush them. In fact, the 'no rush' principle helps them fly under the radar.

Marco

Clear teaching by Benjamin, as always. Confident, without hesitation. He teaches various natural ways with two different coloured decks. I am gonna choose four of the 20+ switches and practise them one after another.

Max

Can't recommend this enough. Ben is a fantastic teacher, with clear and concise explanations for completely practical techniques. Even if you don't do much card magic, which I don't, it's a masterclass in how much attitude and confidence impacts all of your performing. It's a release that truly lives up to its name, and with so many deck switches explained, including a few in the hands, you're guaranteed to walk away with moves you can immediately put into your repertoire.

minjun

This is a really good lecture and the video quality is good.

William

Absolutely loved this video. So many ways to pick and choose which ones to use in your own routines, very brilliant effects displayed in this video, all the moves and slieghts of hand are all done so smoothly and very well thought out, I would recommend this video to anyone to add to there collection and arsenal of tricks, I know I will definitely add it to mine, thank you for this video it really helped me a lot with understanding new ways to refreshing some my works

javier

There was a need for a deck switch for my performance that I have been working on for some time. The YouTube videos out on the net do give you "some" instruction on deck switches but there is a huge void on methods that are never explained. As a professional you must seek the proper instruction on methods that you need to incorporate in your shows. This video is as professional as you're going to get short of a one on one teaching by great magicians and gamblers. This instructional video touches on methods that one needs to perform and execute the switch not only mechanically but psychologically as well. After purchasing this video I sat down with a cup of coffee and watched the whole thing in its entirety. There are so many switches that you can use and are beneficial to have in the back of your mind depending on the circumstances you are performing in. The switches you need are in this video and I can confidently say that the moment I saw the switch I needed I immediately went to work, practiced, and executed the moves needed in my show within a few days. There are wonderful books on the market that touch on this subject, but if you are a visual learner or short on time, this video is for you. Outstandingly done gentlemen.

Jacob

Ben is a genius who is really a class above most cardmen on the market today. Definitely would recommend and very practical!

Cosmo

I attended Magic Live and Benjamin taught one of these switches, sitting with three other full time (and well known) pros, we unanimously agreed that JUST THIS ONE METHOD was worth the price of the convention. I've been anxiously waiting for this release!
As a full time worker, and someone who does several deck switches in the first 10 minutes of my show, this is invaluable for me.
I seriously wish this was ONLY available to individuals on a private tutoring basis!

Charles

It is a rare thing to have an instruction video that is clear, precise and meticulous. Ben Earl's instructions make these switches easy to learn. His advice on how to perfect them is invaluable. His sense of timing, his attention to detail and his style of repeating the moves several times all facilitate learning and inspire creative thinking about all the different applications of these techniques. Beautifully done!!

Adam

Very detailed. Natural switch movements. Next step is to go out and try it. You only need one deck switch. The tutorial is a menu of switches. Order one and master it. Highly recommended.

JAIME TREJO C/O

This is a game changer. Benjamin Earl teaches a lot of good deck switches in this DVD, and as the ad says, it has a DS for almost every situation. I have The Art of Switching Decks by Roberto Giobbi and I can tell you that Real Deck Switches is (for me) better, but that doesn’t mean that Giobbi’s book is bad, actually is really good, both sources are very useful if you want to switch a deck, so I recommend getting both of them (obviously from Vanishing Inc)

Ben, thanks for working on deck switches!

Emory

Mr. Earl's technique, timing, and - particularly important for this topic - naturalness are very good. That's a lesson in itself. Out the roughly 70 minutes of instruction, over an hour is devoted to switches performed seated at a table. The ad claims that the switches require no lapping, and indeed decks are never dropped, or raked off of the table, to fall into your lap. However, in many of the switches the table edge is used to conceal decks both before and after the switch, so the feel and appearance of these switches is similar to lapping. A short segment at the end, under ten minutes, covers a few stand-up switches, which, notably, can be done without wearing a jacket.

No routines or applications are taught, so this video is recommended if you already have one or more uses in mind for deck switches and want to find the best possible methods. None of the switches require any exceptional dexterity or coordination. However, most of the switches are best suited to confident, relaxed performers who have spent enough time in front of audiences to make their sleights flow seamlessly with their natural movements. If you're not yet comfortable performing, say, card-under-glass or gambler's cops, you might find the methods feel bold beyond your comfort level, or difficult to do without telegraphing your punch. But if you're ready to be a serious student of deck switches, this is required viewing.

Ryan

If you have never had much success with deck switches, this is worth the price many times over. What you are getting here is a variety of switches that are all related in technique to a a degree but all have different flows and feels to them allowing you to choose the best type for any given moment.
Most of these are table switches while seated but he does offer several standing switches as well.
The video is about 1hr 12 minutes and contains ZERO FILLER. Every second is used to teach something useful.
Overall I found real value in this product and wound recommend it without question.

Kevin

Good overall, but some of the shots that should have showed the whole body did not. Also, I would have liked some motivational ideas for (for instance) what to do with the card box you are "searching for" once you get it. Still, useful techniques.

george

GOOD STUFF! I REALLY ENJOYED THE MANY WAYS OF SWITCHING OUT A DECK. THE SMALL SUBTLE DIFFERENCES THAT WERE APPLIED TO SOME OF THE SWITCHES WERE SUPER HELPFUL. THE VIDEO GAVE ME IDEAS ON SWITCHING IN OTHER OBJECTS INSTEAD OF A DECK OF CARDS. BEN IS VERY DETAILED IN HIS APPROACH OF EXPLANATION AND PERFORMANCE. MY MONEY WAS VERY WELL SPENT. A GREAT PURCHASE OF A DOWNLOAD THAT I NOW ADDED TO MY MAGIC LIBRARY.

Jim

I wish there was a table of contents. Not having one makes it hard to navigate. I was disappointed with the standup switches. I want to be able to ditch a deck for a regular deck, but I do not need a Sharpie. Using a card box is fine, but it would have been nice to have more standup options.

Andrew

Demonstrating "standing deck switches" while shot from above-the-waist really doesn't make any sense. Except for a quick close-up of a single move, all the action happens off-camera. It's almost as if Benjamin Earl doesn't realize it -- he says, "See, you see nothing" but of course we saw nothing. His hands, the cards, the pockets, are all off-camera. Very disappointing.