Phatus'Magic

Scam School episode 34 - “It’s in the Bank” (bar scam)

Pyro222 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:40:10 +0000

Yet another great bar scam from Revision3’s “Scam School” that’s sure to win you some free drinks at the pub. This one is accomplished on a minimum of materials. You only need a dime, beer bottle, and a toothpick. Check out the video below and be sure to stop by Scam School for many more bar tricks and scams.

Higher Resolution Custom Cards from P22

Pyro222 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:39:40 +0000

Turns out that p22.com actually has another set of cards in a much higher resolution, Just follow the link below and you will be presented with a round spread of small cards. Just drag them over to the eye in the middle and they will zoom in to a fairly decent resolution. Link to card images.

54 Strange and Unusual Playing Cards

Pyro222 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:18:38 +0000

While sifting through google’s image search, I came across this very interesting jpg image of 54 custom designed playing cards from typeface creation site P22.com. I only wish the cards were in a slightly larger resolution but nonetheless, some very classy designs.

[via semiBad]

Playing Cards Font

Pyro222 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:47:47 +0000

Fontriver.com has a fairly decent playing card font for free download at their site. Nothing fancy but could prove useful for mini decks or possibly even some clever gaff creations. I especially like the fact that it includes dice as well.

Site : http://www.fontriver.com/font/playing_cards/

File: playing_cards.zip

Playing Card Pips

Pyro222 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:00:23 +0000

For a while now I’ve had an idea stuck in my head for a playing card/gaff card designing program. I figure one of the first steps would be to establish some preliminary card pips. In the meantime, I have created a page called “Playing Card Pips” for those that would like to use them accordingly. You can either visit the page and get them one by one or download them all in one zip.

Page: playing-card-pips
File: pips.zip

Soviet Mayan Playing Cards

Pyro222 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:52:20 +0000

I recently came across an excellent post from the Russian entertainment blog, englishrussia.com. The post contains about 13 very interesting playing card scans from the Soviet era of Russia. Acording to EnglishRussia’s article, Mayan motives were quite popular during the era and the only vendor for playing cards, and most other products was the Soviet State, hence these awesome playing cards. I got my first dose of Mayan culture about 6 or so years ago from a “workshop” I attended at a music festival for the band STS9. Someone asked the band if they followed the Mayan calendar. The band’s reply was ultimately “yes” however they also briefly explained the correlation between the Mayan Calendar, time, and sound in which the Mayans concept of time was quite different than most modern societies. From what I understand, the Mayans believed in an ever changing present moment rather than the linear (a to b) time-line most are accustomed to these days due to fast pace society. The Mayans followed a lunar cycled calendar in which the moon orbits the earth once every 28 days and 13 times a year. Every day is associated with a particular tone as are objects in reality, for instance the earth. The band went on to explain that they craft their music around these concepts, which is probably why they totally blow my mind every time I see them perform. Needless to say, the Mayan culture in itself is quite magical and I wouldn’t be surprised if these cards somehow represent these amazing concepts.

Free PDF copy of “The Expert At The Card Table”

Pyro222 — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:52:58 +0000

From what I understand, through the various posts I have come across recently, the classic book “The Expert At The Card Table” has been out in the wild as “public domain”. Geniimagazine.com will give a free PDF download link by answering a simple question (who’s answer is blatantly obvious). Follow this link to get the goods. http://geniimagazine.com/erdnase/

(note: The answer is case sensitive)

Anti-Gravity Ring Trick

Pyro222 — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:27:26 +0000

Instructables user greenpro lets us in on yet another great trick. This time, an anti-gravity ring illusion that is totally impromptu and guaranteed to fool the masses.

[via greenpro @ instructables]

Needle Through Balloon Trick Revealed

Pyro222 — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:42:04 +0000

Here is a well put together tutorial video of the classic needle through balloon trick from Instructables user SaskView. A little bit of setup is involved however it is minimal and quite discreet. Check out the tutorial video below.

[via instructables]

How To Make Sugar Glass

Pyro222 — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:37:42 +0000

Sugar glass is essentially a large piece of candy disguised as real glass like beer bottles and such. Used for years in Hollywood special FX, this stuff is a score for any performer. In this tutorial, instructables user ERNesbitt will show you how to craft some fake glass of your own. Unfortunately they do not discuss the molding process for making bottles and its likes however this tutorial should get you started. Add a little fake blood and you have the potential for some rather gross and stunning illusions this Halloween.

[via instructables]