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Breather Control by Lewis Leval

Created by: Lewis Leval

Breather Control is a sophisticated card control technique used in close-up and mentalism performances. It allows the magician to subtly control a spectator's selected card to a desired position in the deck without any suspicious moves. This technique is essential for magicians looking to enhance their card magic with invisible controls that leave the audience baffled. It's particularly useful in routines where the magician needs to predict or reveal a chosen card under seemingly impossible conditions.

Key features

  • Subtle and invisible card control

  • No suspicious moves or sleights

  • Versatile for various card magic routines

  • Enhances mentalism performances

  • Suitable for close-up magic

Pros

  • Highly deceptive and baffling to spectators

  • Can be used in a wide range of card magic routines

  • No need for gimmicks or special decks

  • Improves with practice, becoming more invisible

Cons

  • Requires practice to master the subtlety

  • Not suitable for beginners without basic card handling skills

Effect

The Breather Control is a card control technique used in mentalism and card magic. It allows the performer to secretly control a spectator's selected card to a desired position in the deck while maintaining the illusion of fairness. The method is subtle and deceptive, making it appear as though the card is lost in the deck when it is actually being retained for a later reveal.

Full Details

The Breather Control is taught in Lewis Leval's Mentalism for Beginners as part of a broader set of foundational techniques. Unlike more complex controls, this method relies on natural handling and misdirection rather than advanced sleight of hand. It is designed to be practical, requiring minimal setup and working under casual conditions.

Sebastian Toca, in his review, highlights the Breather Control as one of the "more interesting controls" in the download, noting that its applications are excellent. He emphasizes that while the technique is simple, its deceptive power makes it valuable for both beginners and experienced performers.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This technique is ideal for:

  • Beginners looking for reliable card controls without complex sleights.
  • Mentalists who want to incorporate card-based revelations into their routines.
  • Performers who prefer methods that do not rely on gimmicks or difficult moves.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The Breather Control is rated as beginner-friendly. It does not require advanced card handling skills, making it accessible to those new to card magic or mentalism. However, like all controls, proper timing and misdirection are key to making it deceptive. Sebastian notes that while the material is simple, experienced magicians can enhance its effectiveness by adding layers of deception, such as additional cuts or shuffles.

What Magicians Say

Sebastian Toca praises the Breather Control as a strong and underutilized technique, stating: "The applications that he gives you are excellent." He also mentions that even seasoned performers can benefit from revisiting fundamental controls like this one, as they can inspire new routines or simplify existing ones.

The technique is part of a broader set of principles in Mentalism for Beginners, which Sebastian rates highly (9.25/10) for its practicality and deceptive power. He recommends the download for both newcomers and experienced magicians looking to refine their foundational skills.

What people are saying about Breather Control

sebastiantoca9208 says...

The Breather control is one of those underlooked principles that could be used and are used by some of the best magicians out there [...] the applications that he gives you are excellent.

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