Secrets of a Puerto Rican Gambler – Stephen Minch
$30.00
http://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=57045

Description: 

This masterwork encapsulates not only some of world champion Daryl's finest work, but also some of the most influential material of the 1980s. Here we see Daryl's now legendary Cutting Display for Triumph, his stunning, perfect "Mysterious Cross of India" Coins Across, and "The Boomerang Card of Mystery." There are also some forgotten gems, waiting to be resurrected from the early 80s and introduced to a new audience. "In the Pinch" allows you to snatch a selection from a cascading pack of cards. You will also find Daryl's touches on Twisting the Aces, an impossible card location, and more.

Secrets of a "Puerto Rican Gambler" is Daryl's rarest and most acclaimed work, and we're thrilled to present this updated reprint to fans worldwide. In addition to a sparkling new edit and layout, there are more than double the original photographs. Also included is a bonus routine not found in the original book but created during the same time period: Daryl's astounding "Double Dazzling Triumph."

Table of Contents:
The Boomerang Card of Mystery - Catch a selection from a falling waterfall of cards.
The Chicago Conspiracy - Trap two selections by causing them to come together.
Quick Silver - Two selected cards are attracted to a half dollar, as if by magic.
Holding On - Alex Elmsley's "Between Your Palms" is a modern classic, and this is Daryl's terrific take.
The Puerto Rican Triumph - This is it! This is where Daryl's now-famous Cutting Display debuted.
The Mysterious Cross of India - A Coins Across of the Finest Order. No hand-to-hand transfers. A modern classic!
In the Pinch - You trap a selection as a spectator dribbles the cards to the table!
Just Tweezing - A variation of the above.
Conditional Assembly - A beautiful, thoughtful take on the classic four-Ace Assembly.
Twisted Aces Redivivus - If you love Vernon's Twisting the Aces, you'll love these fine finesses.
Double Dazzling Triumph - A show-stopping closer in the key of Triumph.

As far as I am concerned, two of the best magic teachers on the planet are Joshua Jay and Daryl. So when the two of them teamed up to resurrect this rarity of Daryl’s it was exciting news. I had never been fortunate enough to see the original but was told by a friend who owned a copy that was printed “on the cheap” in paperback. Such is not the situation here. The book is beautifully hardbound with a full color, glossy cover. This is going to look great sitting on your shelf.

 If you have ever had the opportunity to see Daryl lecture, one of the first things you notice is “Hey, this guy is really likable.”  This is a guy you would enjoy having a pizza and a beer with. I had the good fortune once to do just that and it was quite a treat. (It also makes you want to buy anything he is selling. I have a lot of lecture notes!) Obviously, the main thing you notice is his skill level both in magic and in presentation. He has a great sense of humor, which Stephen manages to impart in his writing.

Besides the binding, another major improvement over the original is that the number of photos has doubled. Just in the introduction alone is a major lesson is presenting magic describing both Daryl’s performance style and development philosophy. He always works out multiple methods for each trick so he has the proper method for the situation. He also uses something he calls canceling. If he sees something that might make a spectator suspicious, he will add another method to make the first impossible. This technique is shown numerous times throughout the book.

One thing I really like is that if a technique is needed for a trick, Daryl explains it thoroughly so you will not have to buy or locate another source to learn. I have never been able to do a decent cull but the instructions and photos in the book have given me hope.

Although every routine in the book is a “keeper”, several really stood out for me.

Who hasn’t either seen or performed the Boomerang Card? If you don’t do it, Daryl takes you by the hand and walks you through it step by step.

The Mysterious Cross of India is a great coins across that requires no classic palm. I am not a coin guy but I will be playing with this one.

I think my favorite would have to be Twisted Aces Redivivus. I have done Vernon’s original routine for many years and it is great but as Daryl points out, it lacks a killer ending. This keeps the flavor of the original but the last ace appears face up in the tabled deck. Wow!

He also tackles the card assembly, a sandwich effect using packets and the Triumph. As a bonus, he offers a second Triumph effect (which I like better than the first) written by Jon Racherbaumer. This is not in the original book so even if you own the original, this new edition is worth a space on your shelf.

Conclusion: This is a beautiful book. I would love to have it on my bookshelf even if it was not loaded with solid gold. Even though it is written by Stephen Minch (who did a marvelous job), the book is 100% Daryl showcasing not only his magic but his philosophies and personality. The discussion on possibility cancellation was a real eye opener and will affect my future thinking on my magic. Musicians are always talking about “roots” music. This book is “roots” music for magicians. You need this book in your library.

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