SleightfulSleightly Unhinged's Review - 20/07/2025
Greetings, fellow conjurers and purveyors of the impossible!
Ah, another week, another batch of videos to sift through like a magician’s deck at 3 a.m. after one too many gins. Let’s crack on, shall we?
TL;DR
Ten videos reviewed, ranging from David Regal’s elegant classics to a thumb tip tutorial by Richard Osterlind that’ll make you rethink that gimmick’s potential. Highlights include Hawaiian storytelling, self-working card tricks that pros swear by, and a cheeky coin/card hybrid that’s easier than explaining Brexit to your uncle. For those short on time: David Kuraya’s tribute to Curtis Kam is a must-watch for narrative magic fans, and Osterlind’s thumb tip routine is a masterclass in subtlety.
Videos Reviewed
🎩 David Kuraya Remembers Curtis Kam, Discusses Hawaiian Magic, and his New Book
By penguinmagicshop
David Kuraya spills the beans on the late, great Curtis Kam’s legacy, Hawaiian magic’s storytelling soul, and his new book Ginosko David. Kam’s blend of cultural authenticity and sleight-of-hand wisdom shines, while Kuraya’s reflections on island-inspired performance offer lessons for magicians worldwide.
The Unhinged Take:
Hawaiian magic sounds like a luau where the real trick is making tourists forget they’re being overcharged for mai tais. Kuraya’s book, though? It’s less “tacky souvenir” and more “treasure map for your next routine.” If you’ve ever wondered how to weave stories into sleight-of-hand without sounding like a TED Talk, this is your jam.
Details here → David Kuraya Remembers Curtis Kam
🎩 How to do the worlds best thumb tip trick!! | Saturday Sorcery Richard Osterlind tutorial
By MurphysMagicSupplies
Osterlind’s “Sweet and Low” thumb tip routine is a masterclass in making simplicity deceptive. Loads, vanishes, and resets are taught with the clarity you’d expect from a legend. Bonus: It resets faster than your Wi-Fi router after a Zoom call.
The Unhinged Take:
Thumb tips are the duct tape of magic—crude, but bloody brilliant when used right. Osterlind’s approach is like a Michelin-starred chef using a microwave: it shouldn’t work, but somehow it does. Pro tip: Pair this with a “casual, offbeat moment” patter, or just pretend you’re a clumsy wizard.
Details here → Osterlind’s Thumb Tip Trick
🎩 The SECRET Self Working Card Trick Pros Use! [WORKS EVERY TIME]
By MattMcGurk
A self-working card trick marketed as “killer” and “professional-grade.” No sleight of hand, just math and misdirection. The pitch? It’s foolproof, requires zero setup, and even pros use it. Skeptical? So was I. Then I remembered I once made toast without burning it.
The Unhinged Take:
Self-working tricks are the cheat codes of magic. This one’s like a Netflix password shared by 10 friends—technically free, but morally questionable. If you’re a beginner, this is your gateway drug. If you’re a pro, it’s your emergency backup when your vanishing dove flies into a ceiling fan.
Details here → Self-Working Card Trick
🎩 Cut And Restore Dollar Bills
By BestMagic
A visually striking dollar bill trick that’s equal parts tension and relief. False cuts, switches, and patter tips are covered. Bonus: It’s a great excuse to carry around a wad of cash you definitely don’t have.
The Unhinged Take:
Destroying money on stage is bold. Fixing it is magic. This trick’s like a financial advisor’s nightmare—except instead of losing money, you make it disappear and reappear. Just don’t try this with your rent check.
Details here → Cut And Restore Dollar Bills
🎩 Stop ANYWHERE! Card Trick Performance
By AMillionCardTricks
A beginner-friendly “stop anywhere” card trick inspired by David Blaine’s minimalist style. Think riffle forces, controlled placements, and reveals that’ll make your audience gasp harder than stepping on a Lego.
The Unhinged Take:
Letting spectators stop you mid-routine is like asking a toddler to proofread your thesis—chaotic, but occasionally genius. This trick’s strength? It’s the magician’s version of a “choose your own adventure” book. Just don’t let them actually choose the ending.
Details here → Stop Anywhere Card Trick
🎩 Top 10 BEST Card Tricks That You Can Do Anytime Anywhere!
By AMillionCardTricks
A curated list of impromptu card tricks, including the Ambitious Card, Felix Bodden Sandwich, and Nathan’s Lie Speller. No gimmicks, just solid plots. Links to tutorials included—because obviously.
The Unhinged Take:
This list is the magician’s equivalent of a Spotify Wrapped. If you’ve ever wanted to perform like Penn & Teller but with a deck of cards and zero budget, bookmark this. Pro tip: The Street Opener is your best mate at parties.
Details here → Top 10 Impromptu Card Tricks
🎩 My favorite David Regal tricks
By EruditeMagic
A love letter to David Regal’s elegant, psychologically nuanced magic. Highlights his focus on subtlety, humor, and routining—perfect for close-up work. Sponsored by Don’s Magic & Books, because of course it is.
The Unhinged Take:
Regal’s tricks are like a well-tailored suit: understated, but unmistakably sharp. If you’re tired of flashy moves that scream “LOOK AT ME!” and prefer magic that whispers “I’m smarter than you,” dive into his books. Or just watch this and pretend you did.
Details here → David Regal Tricks
🎩 Learn the BEST Beginner VISUAL MAGIC
By CardMechanic
A tutorial on visual magic tricks for newcomers. Think color changes, vanishing silks, and rubber band illusions—all designed to make your audience go “Wait, what?” without needing a PhD in sleight-of-hand.
The Unhinged Take:
Visual magic is the magician’s cheat meal—no prep, just instant gratification. This video’s for the “I want to impress my mates without practicing for six months” crowd. Bonus: It’s less stressful than assembling IKEA furniture.
Details here → Beginner Visual Magic
🎩 "Give your truest version of yourself to the world" - Adam Wilber
By penguinmagicshop
Wilber’s pep talk on authenticity in magic. Key themes: be yourself, embrace your quirks, and let your personality drive the trick. Because nothing says “magical” like a midlife crisis in a top hat.
The Unhinged Take:
Authenticity in magic is like gluten-free bread—well-intentioned, but occasionally dry. Wilber’s advice? It’s the gluten-free sourdough of the magic world: actually good. If you’ve ever wondered why your act feels like a Ryan Reynolds ad campaign, maybe stop trying to be Deadpool.
Details here → Adam Wilber on Authenticity
🎩 The Fan Control Technique
By steventaputoro
A tutorial on maintaining control of a selected card during a fan. Focuses on angles, natural handling, and making the move invisible unless you’re a paranoid CIA agent.
The Unhinged Take:
Fan controls are the magician’s version of a poker face—subtle, but game-changing. This video’s for the perfectionists who get shivers from a perfectly executed jog. If you’re still fanning cards like you’re shuffling a Uno deck, maybe watch this.
Details here → Fan Control Technique
Other videos I didn’t have space for
Farewell
A quick shower thought: The best magic isn’t about the trick—it’s about the story you wrap around it. Whether you’re channeling Curtis Kam’s Hawaiian charm or Osterlind’s thumb tip zen, remember: the audience isn’t watching your hands. They’re watching your energy. Now go forth and misdirect like the slightly unhinged maestro you are.
Sleightly Unhinged
“I put the ‘you didn’t see that’ in ‘you didn’t see that coming.’”