Close-up card magic is a highly captivating form of entertainment that involves performing tricks and illusions using a standard deck of cards. It is often performed in close proximity to the audience, allowing them to witness the magic up close and personal. One famous magician who was known for his mastery of close-up card magic was Harry Lorayne. Born in 1926, Lorayne became well-known for his unique blend of sleight of hand and psychological manipulation. He was able to create astonishing effects using ordinary playing cards, leaving audiences baffled and mesmerized. Lorayne's expertise in card magic allowed him to perform a wide range of tricks, including card transpositions, mind reading, and impossible predictions.
As time went by, I did learn a few other-than-card tricks. One was the multiplying billiard balls – made my own set with ping pong balls – since there’d be no way regular billiard balls would fit between my small, 12-year-old fingers. And, another pivot point for me – a professional magician, an older man named Raymonde, saw me do it. He then paid me a dollar each time to appear at his performances and do the multiplying billiard-ball routine. Another, surprising, lesson learned – I was able to get up and perform in front of a large audience!! So, “How did magic change me as a person?” It started taking me out of that terrible/sick cage of shyness.
He s highly regarded in the magic community for his immense contribution to magic literature, with many fine volumes bearing his name, including his classic Close-Up Card Magic 1962 , and other influential works that are included in The Classic Collection Vol 1-5 , as well as his fine DVD set Harry Lorayne s Best Ever Collection Vol 1-4. From anecdotes to demonstrations, in this interview series you ll view Harry Lorayne answer questions and expand on his memoir, Before I Forget A Rememoir says Mel Brooks.
Lorayne's expertise in card magic allowed him to perform a wide range of tricks, including card transpositions, mind reading, and impossible predictions. His deep knowledge of card handling techniques, such as shuffles, cuts, and flourishes, gave him the ability to execute seemingly impossible moves effortlessly. One of Lorayne's most famous card tricks is the "Invisible Card" routine.
Harry Lorayne (1926-2023): An Unpublished Interview and a Tribute
On Friday 7 April came the sad news of the passing of American magician Harry Lorayne, at the age of 96. He was just a few weeks away from his 97th birthday. Even at his advanced age, he continued to be active in online forums and email correspondence. To celebrate his 90th birthday, he even presented a terrific lecture on card magic, including some mind-blowing performances of his trademark card magic.
Few magicians are as respected and prolific as Harry Lorayne. He was known for being the world's foremost expert in memory training, and frequently did demonstrations where he would remember the names of large audiences of 1000 people or more. But his first love was card magic, and he enjoyed a very successful career as a magician and entertainer. Combined with his natural talent and his charismatic personality as a showman, and a genuine ability to entertain and also to teach, as well as to create and innovate, he quickly became one of the leading names of his time.
Millions of his books on memory techniques and on card magic are also in print. He's highly regarded in the magic community for his immense contribution to magic literature, with many fine volumes bearing his name, including his classic Close-Up Card Magic (1962), and other influential works that are included in The Classic Collection (Vol 1-5), as well as his fine DVD set Harry Lorayne's Best Ever Collection (Vol 1-4). His books demonstrate a remarkable ability to teach card magic via the written word, and his skill in doing this cogently and clearly was rarely matched.
To get an idea of his talent and showmanship, treat yourself to watching this performance of one of his signature routines, "Magician vs Gambler":
This classic Harry Lorayne trick does a great job of showcasing his skill in sleight of hand, as well as his larger-than-life charismatic persona that was typical of his performances. A true story-teller and entertainer, Lorayne tells the story of a bet between a magician and a gambler, in which the magician is challenged to produce a four-of-a-kind after multiple cuts. He almost succeeds, but when the final card turns out to be a miss, only magic can save the day. And the result is truly magical, as cards not only mysteriously change, but then prove to have been in his pockets all along.
I've corresponded with Harry numerous times, and he was always generous in his responses, which were typically filled with wit, anecdotes, and of course his well-known encouragements to read "the good stuff". Five years ago I did an interview with Harry about playing cards, which you'll find here . Later that same year I did an interview with him about magic. Bear in mind that he was over 90 years old when he did this, and he was still sharp as a tack, and his mind was filled with valuable insights, and his pen with good advice.
Due to circumstances at that time, that interview was never published. I'm pleased to share it now, as a tribute to a man who was truly one-of-a-kind. Thank you Harry Lorayne for everything that you gave us.
In this trick, he would ask a spectator to select a card from the deck and memorize it. After the card was returned to the deck, Lorayne would shuffle the cards and then make the selected card magically appear in a place where the spectator least expected it. Lorayne's impact on the world of close-up card magic goes beyond his own performances. He has written numerous books on the subject, sharing his knowledge and techniques with aspiring magicians. His books, such as "Close-Up Card Magic" and "The Magic Book," have become essential resources for anyone interested in mastering the art of card magic. In addition to his mastery of close-up card magic, Lorayne is also a renowned memory expert. He has written books on memory improvement and has conducted seminars on the subject. His expertise in memory techniques has not only helped him remember and execute complex card routines, but also helped him in other aspects of his life. Overall, close-up card magic is an art form that requires skill, precision, and a deep understanding of the psychology of the audience. Harry Lorayne's contribution to this field is immense, and his mastery of close-up card magic has left a lasting impression on magicians and audiences alike. Whether performing on stage or in an intimate setting, close-up card magic continues to captivate and amaze spectators around the world..
Reviews for "The Magic of Harry Lorayne's Close-Up Card Tricks Unveiled"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Close Up Card Magic with Harry Lorayne". I found his explanations to be confusing and hard to follow. The tricks he performed were also quite underwhelming. I expected to learn some amazing card magic tricks, but instead, I was left feeling unsatisfied and frustrated. I wouldn't recommend this DVD to anyone looking to learn card magic.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I have to say, "Close Up Card Magic with Harry Lorayne" was a complete waste of my time and money. The tricks he performed were incredibly basic and nothing that a beginner magician wouldn't already know. I was hoping for more advanced techniques and innovative tricks, but Lorayne failed to deliver. Furthermore, his teaching style was dry and unengaging, making it even more difficult to stay interested. Save your money and find a more informative and entertaining card magic resource.
3. Michael - 2 stars - "Close Up Card Magic with Harry Lorayne" was not what I expected it to be. While Lorayne may be well-known in the magic community, I found his explanations to be lengthy and convoluted. It was hard to follow his thought process and understand exactly how the tricks were performed. Additionally, the production quality of the DVD was lacking, with poor lighting and sound. Overall, I was disappointed with the content and presentation of this magic tutorial.
4. Emily - 2 stars - As someone who is relatively new to card magic, I found "Close Up Card Magic with Harry Lorayne" to be quite overwhelming. The tricks he performed seemed overly complex and difficult to grasp. Despite his attempts at explanation, I struggled to understand the techniques he used. Perhaps this DVD would be more suited for experienced magicians looking to refine their skills, but for beginners like myself, it was just too difficult to follow. I recommend finding a more beginner-friendly resource for learning card magic.