One Degree by John Guastaferro

Effect

One Degree by John Guastaferro is a collection of walk-around card magic tricks designed for close-up performances. The effects in this book focus on strong, visual magic that plays well in social settings. Audiences will see cards change, vanish, and reappear in impossible ways, often with minimal handling. The tricks are structured to be engaging and interactive, making them ideal for restaurant gigs, parties, or casual performances.

Full Details

One Degree contains a variety of card tricks, ranging from self-working to sleight-heavy routines. The material is designed for real-world performance, with an emphasis on practicality and audience impact. Guastaferro includes detailed explanations, performance tips, and scripting advice to help magicians refine their presentations. The book is well-organized, with clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions for each effect.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This book is best suited for intermediate to advanced card magicians who perform walk-around or close-up magic. If you regularly perform in restaurants, at parties, or in social settings, the material in One Degree will fit seamlessly into your repertoire. It’s also a great resource for magicians looking to expand their card magic with strong, audience-tested routines.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The difficulty level varies across the routines in One Degree. Some tricks rely on simple sleights and can be performed with minimal practice, while others require more advanced card handling. Guastaferro provides clear instructions, making the material accessible to those willing to put in the work. The book is not for complete beginners, but intermediate magicians with a basic understanding of card sleights will find it manageable.

What Magicians Say

EruditeMagic describes One Degree as a valuable resource for walk-around card magic, praising its practicality and strong effects. The book is recommended alongside Guastaferro’s later work, The Nth Degree, indicating its lasting relevance in the magic community. The reviewer highlights its usefulness for performers who want engaging, interactive card magic that works well in real-world settings.

One Degree is a solid choice for magicians looking to enhance their close-up card magic with well-structured, audience-tested routines. If you perform walk-around magic and want strong, visual effects, this book is worth considering.