New David Berglas Book

[haroldross]

The Berglas Effects (shipping 5/27/11)

Do you think he has actually revealed the 'Berglas Effect' in the book?

[rushstriker]

Well if it is a prank, then well played.

[haroldross]

Where is the prank?

The book is shipping now.

There is an extensive section on the 'Berglas Effect' and ACAAN. Just how much he reveals, is another thing.

[Boomstick]

Waht is the Burglas Effect Harold? I think it's the first time that I hear about that.

[Afields]

He does not reveal THE berglas effect. However he does give many solutions to the problem. Very good ones I hear, but not the "official" method.

// Staff Edit //
Richard K. has responded to this comment @ (New David Berglas Book)

Quoted by Richard Kaufman:
"You can SEE Berglas perform the trick many times on the DVDs which accompany the books, and if one reads the 75 pages explaining the methods in the book, it's quite easy to see that the methods described in the book are exactly the ones which David is using on the DVDs."

[haroldross]

The 'Berglas Effect' is the holy grail of the Any Card At Any Number (ACAAN) effects. A standard deck is used and in sight of the audience the whole time. The magician sets out the deck and does not touch it again. A spectator names any of the 52 cards, another spectator selects a number between 1 and 52. The third spectator picks up the deck and deals the cards out face up to the number the spectator has given and there is the card named by the first spectator. There are no stooges used.

As far as David revealing the effect in the book, I believe he comes as close to it as he can. David is gifted at audience management and has a brilliant mind. From my understanding, the 'Berglas Effect' is a combination of methods and techniques.

I do hope that the book does generate the imagination of the younger magicians. Yes, it does include 3 DVDs with performances and interviews. After reading the book, I'll post a review.

[Richard Kaufman]

I'm really disappointed to see this assinine remark from a "site staff" member: "He does not reveal THE berglas effect. However he does give many solutions to the problem. Very good ones I hear, but not the 'official' method."

That is an outright lie. Have you bought the book and read it? If not, then perhaps you'll do that before making ignorant remarks.

If your friends have told you that the book doesn't contain the real method, it's because they're either lying to you, or they're too stupid to recognize the real method when it's in front of them.

You can SEE Berglas perform the trick many times on the DVDs which accompany the books, and if one reads the 75 pages explaining the methods in the book, and you have a brain, it's quite easy to see that the methods described in the book are exactly the ones which David is using on the DVDs.

[Alex Hess]

Richard,

I appreciate you taking the time to comment on our message board, but no reason to flame someone to that extent. I think a simple "Afields, you are mistaken..." and so-fourth would have been acceptable. A website staff member should make no difference, these are volunteers that help maintain the website for everyone, keep spam out, and maintain a healthy community. They're not product-specialists that are well versed in every product on the market, but rather regular every-day magicians that perform professionally or as a hobby.

We appreciate you clearing some things up.

Cheers,

[Eoin Lavery]

Seems like a rather interesting read. I may have to get myself a copy of this just to see how far Berglas goes to revealing the effect. It has to be the best ACAAN trick of all time. However $125 is a little bit of a stretch for me right now. Berglas is down as a speaker for EMC 2011. I bet he will be flooded with questions on the ACAAN

[haroldross]

After a quick read through the book, I can say that it is very well written and an easy read.

As far as ACAAN, you may have to re-think your ideas here. I am feeling a little letdown as I read about his methods. There is far too much handling of the cards. For the typical observer, you don't notice it, but now it is very obvious to me.

David is a tremendous entertainer and performer. The book does a great job at revealing the psychology behind the effects of David Berglas. Although the book is primarily card magic, there is a great chapter on Mind Mapping for Magicians.

Here is a quote from the Preface:
"Forget tricks with elaborate stories.

Forget most sleight of hand.

Forget the notion of relying on sleights to get you out of trouble.

Forget mathematical card tricks.

Forget everything you have ever learned about card magic."

If you approach the book with that mindset, you will get the most from it.

The DVDs are done very well. You may want to watch DVD 2 before you read the book, especially if you are unfamiliar with the work of David Berglas.

[Pussycat]

Originally Posted by Richard Kaufman

I'm really disappointed to see this assinine remark from a "site staff" member: "He does not reveal THE berglas effect. However he does give many solutions to the problem. Very good ones I hear, but not the 'official' method."

That is an outright lie. Have you bought the book and read it? If not, then perhaps you'll do that before making ignorant remarks.

If your friends have told you that the book doesn't contain the real method, it's because they're either lying to you, or they're too stupid to recognize the real method when it's in front of them.

You can SEE Berglas perform the trick many times on the DVDs which accompany the books, and if one reads the 75 pages explaining the methods in the book, and you have a brain, it's quite easy to see that the methods described in the book are exactly the ones which David is using on the DVDs.

Richard...I purchased the book from you. It is well written as I expected and contains interesting material. The DVDs are very entertaining as well. However, those who expect a CLEAN method for the ACAAN will be greatly disappointed. There is misdirection employed without any cover. It is performed openly, and although it might seem convincing to the untrained audience, in this day and age, my guess is that most magicians would not take a chance with Berglas' blatant misdirection. There is just too much peeking and fumbling with the cards.



It's ironic that you produced an excellent DVD on the PASS which is essential for a clean control. I use John Born's method from his book Meant To Be. It requires a memorized stack, indexing, and a pass or his flip shift method. It is much harder to achieve then Berglas' method but well worth the effort as it looks less suspicious. All the fumbling that Berglas does in front of the spectator is just too risky for my taste.



It is only fair that potential buyers be informed not merely by the book's Table Of Contents (which I feel is being used as a marketing tool to lure the curious) nor by reputable critics, but by average magicians as well.

[retired]

The Berglass Effect reminds me of Chan Canasta's Book Test approach. Pure guts,audience assessment and control and having the confidence to fly by the seat of your pants. The purported effect is of course really not possible. However the effect as perceived by the subject is just as described. On very rare occasions the effect is both as described and as perceived. The Berglass Effect is just one more example of the completely individual style of one of last centuries greatest practitioners of the real art of magic. I put him at the same or greater level of that wonderful mentalist couple the Piddingtons. Many, many years ago I performed a telepathic effect used by the Piddingtons and like Berglass was fortunate enough that the transmission of a chosen card to the telepathic receiver behind a closed door was done in complete silence making the effect seem to require that the outcome really involved mind reading. David was the master of taking advantage of a situation. Few practitioners today would be game enough or skilled enough to use the daring methods he employed.

[haroldross]

At this point in time, I prefer the older book by David Britland, "The Mind And Magic Of David Berglas".

Personally I gained more from it than I did from the new book. David Berglas is one of the great magicians. I wish my mind was as sharp as his.

It's too bad that when most people think of him, all they think about is ACAAN. There is so much more to the magic of David Berglas than ACAAN. Get either book and see for yourself.

[Pussycat]

Originally Posted by haroldross

At this point in time, I prefer the older book by David Britland, "The Mind And Magic Of David Berglas".

Personally I gained more from it than I did from the new book. David Berglas is one of the great magicians. I wish my mind was as sharp as his.

It's too bad that when most people think of him, all they think about is ACAAN. There is so much more to the magic of David Berglas than ACAAN. Get either book and see for yourself.

I agree that there is more to the book then the ACAAN effect. However, I foresee this latest book as being a major disapointment to numerous readers, in particular the ACAAN as performed by Berglas. Yet, expressing a negative opinion on the GENII Forum (which is run by Mr. Kaufman) about his Berglas Effects book, will most likely get you banned. I'm speaking from experience!

[dupont]

I really want this book but $125 is a lot of money..