Carl Fulves Series by Carl Fulves

Created by: Carl Fulves

The Carl Fulves Series is a collection of self-working card tricks that are designed to be performed with minimal sleight of hand, making them accessible to magicians of all skill levels. These tricks rely on mathematical principles and clever arrangements of cards to create astonishing effects. The series is particularly noted for its simplicity and effectiveness, often producing strong reactions from audiences. Ideal for close-up magic, these tricks can be performed impromptu with any deck of cards, making them versatile for various performance settings.

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.

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