Formidable Magic: An In-Depth Look at Darwin Ortiz's Revolutionary Contributions

Formidable Magic Darwin Ortiz is a renowned magician and author who has made significant contributions to the world of magic. His expertise lies in card magic, and he is recognized for his exceptional sleight of hand and innovative techniques. Ortiz's magic is characterized by his ability to create seemingly impossible illusions and tricks, leaving audiences in awe. One of the main reasons why Darwin Ortiz is considered formidable is due to his deep understanding and mastery of the fundamentals of magic. He believes that magic is an art form that requires not only technical skill but also an understanding of psychology and audience management. Ortiz has a keen eye for detail, and his attention to the smallest nuances allows him to create illusions that appear flawless and impossible to replicate.

Ortiz has a keen eye for detail, and his attention to the smallest nuances allows him to create illusions that appear flawless and impossible to replicate. His extensive knowledge of card techniques, combined with his unique vision, enables him to deliver performances that are nothing short of astounding. Ortiz's creations and routines are known for their originality and creativity.

Formidable magic darwin ortiz

Hello,
I've herad so many good things about this book and would like to know if it IS a book that I MUST read. I'm still trying to figure out my persona/thruline and how to constuct/present magic. More thought goes into this than anything else, I'm trying to figure out everything so that it all goes together like a fineshed puzzle. How much thought goes into your magic? Do you simply just dabble in card tricks and do them without any thought on every little nuance?
This might sound silly or a bit over the top but I'm trying to figure out EVERYTHING, everything from what my working name will be to the brand of cards I use, I could list endless lists of things I'm contemplating with my magic. Do you take your magic this seriously? Or am I overdoing it?
And will Strong Magic help me figure this out?

Hi John,
Take a deep breath - All the things you've outlined above are important - and Mr Ortiz's book will definitely help you with the thought processes - If you've never performed - SM will help - If you're already performing - SM will help - If you're never going to perform - SM will help
The most important aspect of this book, I feel, is it's propensity to make you think about every aspect of performing and developing an act
Everything in this book shouldn't be taken as "Gospel" - This book is a "brain stretcher" - Just what you seem to want - Go for it!!

I don't care much for Darwin Ortiz, Jon. That is just my opinion though. If you like gambling tricks and demonstrations of FLAT-OUT sleight of hand rather than magic. this book is for you!

If you get bored go to www.a-miller.idz.net and watch some magic.

I've been performing (and I use that word loosely) for about four years and only realised about six months ago that I was doing it all wrong.
I know that I want to stay with pure sleight-of-hand card magic but am really trying to first figure out what to do, probably card magic and fancy card work like flourishes and things (not manips, productions, back palming, et) and elagant handling of the cards but I'm not sure about gambling demos, here are a few reasons why.
1. Most people don't care for this kind of card work, like the average layperson will really care that you've spent 20 years on your second deal, (most people don't even know the difference between perfect second deal and a poor second deal) I think this type of stuff only works for card players and men in pubs et.
2. Card sharping is not really magic and as I would like to use fanciful handling and flourishes I feel as a gambler (cheater) you would not show you skill.
3. I feel sick at the thought of magicians calling themselves card sharks and card sharps, cheaters et, REAL card sharks DON'T brag about the fact that they can handle a deck of cards, they pose as ordinary card players.
4. Why break your fingers working on sleights for sleights sake? There's a time and a place for second/bottom deals, you could work on a effect, routine or flourish or just your patter , persona and presentation in the years it takes to deal a perfect second. If you/I want to practice knucklebusting moves why not do something like a flourish, you will be more rewarded from this as flourishes are pleasing to the eye and pretty to see and obviously show that skill you've masterd, the average lay person will appriciate a nice visule colour change or fancy fan over a perfect second.
To them what's so special about taking the second card instead of the top?

That's all for now.

On 2002-12-24 01:55, RegalFan wrote:
I don't care much for Darwin Ortiz, Jon. That is just my opinion though. If you like gambling tricks and demonstrations of FLAT-OUT sleight of hand rather than magic. this book is for you!

Strong Magic has NOTHING to do with gambling routines. There are no routines at all. It is a treatise on how close-up magic should be presented. Everything from your character to how you want your audience to percieve your magic. Strong magic will improve ALL of your existing routines. And its NOT just a book on theory. Theory only takes up the first chapter. The rest of the book gives you clear, practical advice along with examples about what he is trying to teach you. You will think twice about your every action in any routine.

Lets put it this way. There is a testimonial on the back of the book by Bob Read that says "I found your book fascinating. I'd far rather know how to make my one card trick 10 times more effective than learn 10 new card tricks."

That statement explains the whole purpose of the book. And if you think you already know, you don't. The truth is, Darwin is probably the best card handler/magician and expert in the world, and he is giving away valuable advice that he collected through many years of experience that no serious magician should ignore. It took me a long time to purchase this book, and I regret not buying it sooner. But now that I have it my magic will be stronger.

This book is out of print too. I would get a copy as soon as possible.

Although Mr. Ortiz does teach many gambling routines in his other books, he also teaches some of the best card magic to be found! Magic so good, it really does not even need to be defended.

Believe me, the card world is lucky to have this guy out there doing exactly what he does!

This topic has been discussed extensively in other places. Do a search on it and you'll find some very good sound advise.

Cardguy did a very nice job explaining Strong Magic so I'll have you refer to his excellent post.

I will provide some answer to your questions:

"1. Most people don't care for this kind of card work, like the average layperson will really care that you've spent 20 years on your second deal, (most people don't even know the difference between perfect second deal and a poor second deal) I think this type of stuff only works for card players and men in pubs et. "

I can tell you first hand that this is simply not true in the least. First of all, laymen can tell the difference between good technique and poor technique regardless of whether you are performing a magical sleight like an Elmsley Count, a gambling sleight like a second deal or even a coin vanish. Although alot of cards are purchased by magicians, most cards are purchased by laypeople for the intention of playing games. Laypeople applaud skill. I have performed plenty of gambling demos (or pseudo gambling demos) for women with tremendous results. Not to mention, a common male fantasy is to be skillfull with a deck of cards. (I won't go into this thought too much on this thread).

"2. Card sharping is not really magic and as I would like to use fanciful handling and flourishes I feel as a gambler (cheater) you would not show you skill. "

I agree, however when people perform gambling demos, they are displaying what a skilled card cheat can do with a deck of cards. The goal is to entertain through this medium.

"3. I feel sick at the thought of magicians calling themselves card sharks and card sharps, cheaters et, REAL card sharks DON'T brag about the fact that they can handle a deck of cards, they pose as ordinary card players. "

Once again, you are not trying to cheat anyone, you are trying to entertain them. I don't understand why that would cause ill feelings.

4. Why break your fingers working on sleights for sleights sake? There's a time and a place for second/bottom deals, you could work on a effect, routine or flourish or just your patter , persona and presentation in the years it takes to deal a perfect second. If you/I want to practice knucklebusting moves why not do something like a flourish, you will be more rewarded from this as flourishes are pleasing to the eye and pretty to see and obviously show that skill you've masterd, the average lay person will appriciate a nice visule colour change or fancy fan over a perfect second.
To them what's so special about taking the second card instead of the top?"

Once again, if you perform for enough non-magicians you will find that most gambling routines play stronger than any magic routine will. If you fool them with magic, most people will be entertained, but pretty much no one will think you can do real magic. If you think people are going to believe you are a sorcerer's apprentice because you perform magic instead of gambling demos, you are in for a big surprise.

Granted if you don't like gambling demos, don't perform them (why torture yourself?). Make no mistake, gambling demos and card cheating themed magic are amongst the most powerful things you can do for a lay audience if not the most powerful.

For an essay that is worded slightly better than what I could have said, Darwin Ortiz has an essay in the back of his newest book. The essay is called "Showing or Hiding Skill".

Regardless of what I just wrote, magic should be for your enjoyment. If you don't want to do gambling stuff, it's OK. There are plenty of fine magic routines that you can perform that are entertaining.

I agree with Cardguy and Mark Ennis on this.

To suggest that Strong Magic is a book which advocates you adopt Darwin's style is wrongheaded. In fact, the opposite is the case. It's true that Ortiz discusses gambling themed magic but that is a minute fraction of the text. The book is a practical text on methods you can use to make your magic stronger by imbuing it with meaning, changing your pacing, analysing the conditions that matter to a lay audience, developing your character and style, developing structure in your act, increasing conviction and learning techniques for controlling audiences. And that's not an exhaustive list.

Darwin even points out that he doesn't care if you ignore everything he says - as long as you think about what you're doing.

I would urge you to read the book before you make assumptions about its content.

Season's Greetings
Andrew Wimhurst

Whenever I find myself gripping anything too tightly I just ask myself "How would Guy Hollingworth hold this?"

A magician on the Genii Forum

"I would respect VIPs if they respect history."

Read into this what you will, but.

This is my absolute FAVORITE book about magic of all time. I have NEVER been accused of being a technician, a "move-jockey" or boring!

People you may respect who feel the same way I do about this book include Juan Tamariz, David Williamson and Bill Malone--hardly the kind of people who only care about sleights and gambling!

"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page

Hi John, again
I'm not sure if you asked a question to get your chance to get your feelings written after an initial response, or if you went off, on a tangent -
Maybe I misunderstood your first question - I thought it was a query for opinions on this book - I have read this book twice - It is not my favorite book, but it is an interesting read - Mr Ortiz (whom I do like and admire)has written a book that brings up points that are obvious to most of us - but not until they're pointed out to us - In other words; after you've read a passage - you're apt to say "Yeah, I knew that"
It gets the reader to examine performances from a couple of different viewpoints, and of course Mr. Ortiz gives his point of view and opinions - What works for Mr Ortiz is not necessarily what will work for me or anyone else -
As told to you a couple of times in this thread - This is not a book of tricks

It's interesting to note Richard Kaufman's opinion of the book on the Genii board though. (not that i necessarily agree with it, it's just interesting).

Mark,
I know people don't believe in REAL magic so I have decided to show my skill with fancy flourishes and visual card magic as I stated above.
I work very hard on my magic and only use my hands and the cards and want people to know what skill and hard work goes into it as they won't believe it's magic.
I guess I'm more of a conjurer/juggler (with playing cards) than a magician.
The situations I perform under don't invite gambling demos, I find what I'm doing now has the best impact on people, modern, visual, fancy card work (they appeciate skill and flourishes ARE the BEST way to flaunt that skill, I stand firmly with my statement that people appreiciate a visual coluor change or some mind bogging flourish that just looks impossible over a gambling sleight, you see a flourish CAN look like magic if it's a mind boggling one like what Jerry Cestkowski performs and at the same time it shows skill, the best of both worlds in my opinion).
I hate to say this but standard card tricks are becoming a little dull and boring and less impressive to modern day audiences, (epsecially after David Blaine, who I do NOT copy, what I'm doing bears a very small similarty but is totally different) I don't want to be seen a the guy who DOES CARD TRICKS, I want people to see me as the one who PERFORMS elegant card effects and has complete control/mastery over a deck of cards.
And, gambling demos CAN be presented just a well as Nash or Ortiz does them with a poor second deal and the wright presentation, flourishes and fancy card work can NOT be.

You have some fair points and I would be interested to hear what you think about this.

P. S. Of course, whatever magic you are doing requires proper presentation, simply flourishing while very impressive is not really like performing art.

Hi John,
First let me say off the bat that I do not use any gambling demo,s in my acts most people in the UK would not know much about poker. like you I do not think that modern audiences believe in real magic, I also used to use lots of fancy cuts flourishes ext but stopped bout 15 years ago. Please try doing your visual magic. colour changes ext but without the flourishes. I think that you will find a greatly increaced reaction to your work. the comments will move from "boy your quick" or " I would not like to play cards with you" to "that's amazing" they will still associate you with the same skill and infact much more as you appeared to do nothing. I would reccomend the Ortiz book and also "Close up presentation" by John Mendoza if you can find a copy
Phillip

Strong Magic is one of those books for certain people.

Let me clarify:
If you don’t need any work on your presentation, you don’t need the book (read: if you honestly think your presentation is perfect, and you have nothing to even think about, there is no point in you getting this book….all the useful knowledge would simply be lost on you).

But if you acknowledge that there is always room to improve, and you might have problems with your presentation, effect/routine structure, understanding of magic in the minds of spectators, etc., you should run out and get this book asap.

PS When I say “you” I refer to anyone, not a “you” in particular.

Another thing,
With powerful, stong, visual magic many audiences assume "It's a trick deck", I never use gimmicks just my hands and the cards and will not have anyone think otherwise if I can help it, and besides flourishes are fun.
And it sets you apart from uncle Albert (while he's dealing out seven rows of four cards and asking them to memorise which row their card is in) and that novice with a stipper pack of cards and every packet trick on the magic market.
And flourishes (and visual card magic) are pleasing to the eye which is a most important thing, they also make people smile and feel good just like when you see a pretty girl.
And many of the eccentric flourishes just look so mind boggling and more impossible than any magic trick.
Jerry Cestkowski to me is much more frightning than any magician or mentalist I've seen, you have to see what this man can do with a deck of cards to know what I'm talking about.

"And, gambling demos CAN be presented just as well as Nash or Ortiz does them with a poor second deal and the wright (sic) presentation, flourishes and fancy card work can NOT be."

No. Sorry. You're wrong. Neither "fancy card work" nor gambling demos can be as good if the execution is poor. I can't imagine how you would ever have come to such a conclusion.

All the best for the holiday season.
Andrew

Whenever I find myself gripping anything too tightly I just ask myself "How would Guy Hollingworth hold this?"

A magician on the Genii Forum

"I would respect VIPs if they respect history."

Andrew,
You misconstrued me, I didn't say fancy card work could be done with poor technique, I said gambling demos can with poor technique and proper presentation.
Read the post properly next time before you respond.

Well, John, we tried, You asked why should you read Mr. Ortiz's book - We tried to answer with the tools at our disposal and the parameters you set - But you wanted to argue about flourishes versus magic -

Mr Ortiz's book is a good read - It may not impact your magic performance one iota - Personally; It's not my favorite perfomance book - I rather enjoy Michael Close's opinions, found in his workers series, more than Mr Ortiz - Mainly because I don't take myself or my magic as seriously as Mr Ortiz does. I could never hope to perform like Mr Ortiz because I laugh and screw around too much when I do a trick.

However! You will be cheating yourself if you have an opportunity to read this book, and you choose to ignore it.

Read this Section if you're interested in Why one should read this book. "Strong Magic a controversial book?"

I had been putting off buying this book for a while but when I finally got it a few weeks ago, I literally could not put it down. I've read the book through once and am now going through it a second time very slowly. This book is very easy to read, but it will take a long time to take everything in as there is so much discussed. I am already giong through some of the exercises to improve specific effects.

He has contributed numerous groundbreaking routines and effects that have become staples in the world of magic. His designs often incorporate unique variations and methods, which challenge the conventional norms of magic and push the boundaries of what is possible. By continually pushing the boundaries of his art, Ortiz has earned a reputation as a true innovator in the field of magic. In addition to his unparalleled skills as a magician, Darwin Ortiz is also an accomplished author. He has written several highly acclaimed books on the subject of magic, including "Strong Magic" and "Designing Miracles." These books not only showcase Ortiz's vast knowledge and expertise but also provide valuable insights into the psychology and theory behind magic. His writings have become essential resources for aspiring magicians, offering a wealth of information and guidance for those looking to improve their craft. Overall, Darwin Ortiz is a force to be reckoned with in the world of magic. His formidable skill set, innovative thinking, and dedication to his craft have earned him a well-deserved place among the greats of magic. Whether performing on stage or sharing his knowledge through his writings, Ortiz continues to inspire and amaze audiences with his incredible talent and undeniable passion for magic..

Reviews for "The Psychology Behind Formidable Magic: Insights from Darwin Ortiz"

1. John - 1 star

I was really disappointed with "Formidable Magic" by Darwin Ortiz. The tricks were just average and nothing special. There was nothing innovative or mind-blowing about the magic in this performance. It felt like I had seen it all before. The presentation and delivery were also lacking, making it difficult to stay engaged and interested. Overall, it was a forgettable performance that left me questioning why I even bothered watching it.

2. Sarah - 2 stars

I had high expectations for "Formidable Magic" but unfortunately, it fell short. The tricks performed by Darwin Ortiz were not as impressive as I had hoped. They lacked the wow factor and failed to create any sense of wonder or amazement. The explanations and tutorials provided were also not clear or thorough enough, making it difficult to understand and replicate the tricks. I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this magic performance.

3. Mark - 2 stars

I found "Formidable Magic" by Darwin Ortiz to be quite mediocre. The tricks performed were basic and lacked the complexity and sophistication that I look for in magic. The routines felt repetitive and lacked originality. Additionally, the presentation and storytelling were weak, failing to capture my attention or draw me into the performance. Overall, it was a lackluster show that left me unimpressed and wanting more.

The Artistry of Formidable Magic: Learning from Darwin Ortiz's Elegant Performance