Carl Fulves Series by Carl Fulves
Created by: Carl Fulves
Key features
Self-working tricks requiring minimal sleight of hand
Based on mathematical principles
Can be performed with any deck of cards
Ideal for close-up and impromptu performances
Strong audience reactions with minimal setup
Pros
Easy to learn and perform
No need for advanced sleight of hand
Highly effective for real-world performances
Versatile and adaptable to different performance styles
Strong reactions from lay audiences
Cons
May lack the visual flair of more complex tricks
Some tricks may feel procedural or puzzle-like if not presented well
Limited appeal for magicians who prefer advanced sleight of hand
Effect
The Carl Fulves Series is a collection of self-working card tricks that appear highly deceptive to audiences. These tricks often involve mathematical principles or clever arrangements that allow the performer to achieve astonishing effects without complex sleight of hand. For example, a spectator may freely select a card, and through a series of simple actions, the magician reveals it in an impossible way. The routines are designed to be easy to perform yet leave a strong impression.
Full Details
The Carl Fulves Series consists of multiple books, including Self-Working Card Tricks, More Self-Working Card Tricks, and others. These books compile routines that rely on mathematical principles, subtle forces, and clever setups rather than advanced sleight of hand. Many of the tricks are impromptu, requiring only a standard deck of cards.
Sean Devine, a respected magic creator, emphasizes the power of these self-working tricks, stating: "I perform a lot of tricks from those books... for a real audience, for real people... it's some of the best tricks in those easy books."
Who Should Consider the Trick
This series is ideal for:
- Beginners looking for strong, easy-to-learn material.
- Intermediate performers who want reliable, audience-tested routines.
- Working professionals who need quick, impromptu effects.
- Magicians who prefer mathematical or self-working principles over sleight-heavy techniques.
Difficulty
The tricks in the Carl Fulves Series are designed to be accessible. Most require no prior sleight-of-hand experience, making them perfect for newcomers. However, as Devine notes, "There's nothing basic about the basics." While the methods are simple, strong presentation and audience management are key to making these tricks truly magical.
What Magicians Say
Sean Devine praises the series for its practicality: "You don't need to spend... $80 on a fancy book from Vanishing Inc. because a lot of stuff in there is honestly crap these days. The best stuff, the basic stuff, is in the old books like... the Carl Fulves books."
He also highlights how these tricks can fool even experienced magicians, proving that self-working doesn’t mean weak. The emphasis is on strong audience reactions rather than technical complexity.
For magicians seeking powerful, easy-to-perform card magic, the Carl Fulves Series remains a valuable resource. Its focus on self-working principles ensures that performers of all skill levels can achieve impressive results with minimal practice.
What people are saying about Carl Fulves Series
BigBlindMedia says...
The best stuff, the basic stuff, is in the old books like I mentioned—all the Carl Fulves books. Those little soft cover books are where it's at.
Tutorial videos
Sean Devine Teaches and Talks Magic | Creating Magic S3E3
BigBlindMedia mentioned this magic trick in this video.