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The Glide

The Glide is a classic card sleight where the magician appears to take the bottom card of the deck but actually retains it, allowing for various magical effects such as controls, changes, or vanishes. It's a fundamental move in close-up card magic, often used in routines that require the secret retention or control of a card. The trick is versatile and can be adapted to many card magic routines, making it a staple in a magician's repertoire.

Key features

  • Versatile sleight applicable in numerous card magic routines

  • Fundamental move for controls, changes, or vanishes

  • Can be performed with the hand in a natural position for better deception

  • Requires practice to master the mechanics and natural handling

Pros

  • Essential for any card magician's skill set

  • Highly versatile and can be used in a wide range of effects

  • Andrew Frost's tip on performing it with a more natural hand position enhances its deception

Cons

  • Requires significant practice to perform smoothly and undetectably

  • May not be suitable for absolute beginners without prior sleight of hand experience

Effect

The Glide is a classic card sleight that allows a magician to secretly retain the bottom card of the deck while appearing to remove it. To the audience, it looks like the magician fairly deals or removes the bottom card, but in reality, the card stays in place, setting up a deceptive moment for a later reveal or control.

Full Details

The Glide is a foundational move in card magic, often used in routines where a card needs to be secretly controlled or retained. It involves subtly keeping the bottom card in place while the hand appears to take it. The move is versatile and can be adapted to different grips and angles, making it useful in various card tricks.

Andrew Frost suggests performing the Glide with the hand in a more natural position—similar to how one would hold a deck normally—rather than a stiff, unnatural grip. This makes the move look more deceptive and less suspicious.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Glide is ideal for:

  • Beginners learning fundamental card controls.
  • Intermediate magicians refining their sleight-of-hand techniques.
  • Performers who want a subtle, deceptive way to retain or control a card.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The Glide is considered an intermediate-level sleight. While the basic mechanics are straightforward, making it look natural requires practice. Frost emphasizes that the key is to relax the hand and avoid tension, which can make the move more obvious. With proper technique and repetition, the Glide becomes an invisible tool in a magician’s arsenal.

What Magicians Say

Andrew Frost offers a valuable tip: "Think about the Glide like a second deal—perform it with the hand in a more natural position, almost like holding the deck normally." This adjustment makes the move far more deceptive compared to the traditional stiff-handed execution.

Frost also highlights the importance of practice and self-review: "Film yourself performing the move and compare it to how you handle a single card naturally. Adjust until they look identical." This method ensures the Glide remains undetectable in performance.

The Glide is a must-learn for card magicians, offering a reliable and deceptive way to control cards without detection. With Frost’s advice on natural handling, performers can elevate this classic sleight to a higher level of invisibility.

What people are saying about The Glide

Andrew Frost says...

He suggests performing the Glide with the hand in a more natural position, as if holding a deck normally, rather than a traditional, stiff grip.

Review videos

  • Thumbnail for Andrew Frost #2

    Andrew Frost #2

    VanishingIncMagic mentioned this magic trick in this video.