Real Deck Switches

DVD and download by Benjamin Earl
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37 reviews
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Real Deck Switches
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Being able to do a great deck switch is essential for any card magician worth their salt and soon you'll be treating the deck switch like just another sleight thanks to Real Deck Switches! On this new DVD you will learn 25 BRAND NEW switches which are all un-gimmicked, impromptu and require no lapping. 

Ben Earl has long been a master cardman and prolific inventor, and now he has turned his attention to the venerable deck switch, updating it for multiple environments. Thanks to his expert instruction and considerable skill, you'll soon be comfortable with switching decks under any conditions. Check out the trailer for examples. These switches look impossible, but they are not! They are well within the reach of any intermediate card magician.

You'll get:

  • 25 brand-new deck switches, most unpublished before now!
  • In the hands and on the table
  • Deck switches for all environments taught
  • Shot on location in Las Vegas
  • Visual decks switches and covert deck switches.

Just think of the possibilities of switching from a shuffled deck to a memorized deck right under their noses! Real Deck Switches is ready to make the impossible possible and turn deck switches into a powerful new secret weapon for you. Order yours today!

Available as a DVD or a Download. Running Time: 1 hour 13 minutes

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Customer reviews for Real Deck Switches

Ryan
If you have never had much success with deck switches, this is worth the price many times over. What you are getting here is a variety of switches that are all related in technique to a a degree but all have different flows and feels to them allowing you to choose the best type for any given moment.
Most of these are table switches while seated but he does offer several standing switches as well.
The video is about 1hr 12 minutes and contains ZERO FILLER. Every second is used to teach something useful.
Overall I found real value in this product and wound recommend it without question.
Emory
Mr. Earl's technique, timing, and - particularly important for this topic - naturalness are very good. That's a lesson in itself. Out the roughly 70 minutes of instruction, over an hour is devoted to switches performed seated at a table. The ad claims that the switches require no lapping, and indeed decks are never dropped, or raked off of the table, to fall into your lap. However, in many of the switches the table edge is used to conceal decks both before and after the switch, so the feel and appearance of these switches is similar to lapping. A short segment at the end, under ten minutes, covers a few stand-up switches, which, notably, can be done without wearing a jacket.

No routines or applications are taught, so this video is recommended if you already have one or more uses in mind for deck switches and want to find the best possible methods. None of the switches require any exceptional dexterity or coordination. However, most of the switches are best suited to confident, relaxed performers who have spent enough time in front of audiences to make their sleights flow seamlessly with their natural movements. If you're not yet comfortable performing, say, card-under-glass or gambler's cops, you might find the methods feel bold beyond your comfort level, or difficult to do without telegraphing your punch. But if you're ready to be a serious student of deck switches, this is required viewing.
JAIME TREJO C/O
This is a game changer. Benjamin Earl teaches a lot of good deck switches in this DVD, and as the ad says, it has a DS for almost every situation. I have The Art of Switching Decks by Roberto Giobbi and I can tell you that Real Deck Switches is (for me) better, but that doesn’t mean that Giobbi’s book is bad, actually is really good, both sources are very useful if you want to switch a deck, so I recommend getting both of them (obviously from Vanishing Inc)

Ben, thanks for working on deck switches!
Adam
Very detailed. Natural switch movements. Next step is to go out and try it. You only need one deck switch. The tutorial is a menu of switches. Order one and master it. Highly recommended.
Charles
It is a rare thing to have an instruction video that is clear, precise and meticulous. Ben Earl's instructions make these switches easy to learn. His advice on how to perfect them is invaluable. His sense of timing, his attention to detail and his style of repeating the moves several times all facilitate learning and inspire creative thinking about all the different applications of these techniques. Beautifully done!!
Cosmo
I attended Magic Live and Benjamin taught one of these switches, sitting with three other full time (and well known) pros, we unanimously agreed that JUST THIS ONE METHOD was worth the price of the convention. I've been anxiously waiting for this release!
As a full time worker, and someone who does several deck switches in the first 10 minutes of my show, this is invaluable for me.
I seriously wish this was ONLY available to individuals on a private tutoring basis!
Jacob
Ben is a genius who is really a class above most cardmen on the market today. Definitely would recommend and very practical!
javier
There was a need for a deck switch for my performance that I have been working on for some time. The YouTube videos out on the net do give you "some" instruction on deck switches but there is a huge void on methods that are never explained. As a professional you must seek the proper instruction on methods that you need to incorporate in your shows. This video is as professional as you're going to get short of a one on one teaching by great magicians and gamblers. This instructional video touches on methods that one needs to perform and execute the switch not only mechanically but psychologically as well. After purchasing this video I sat down with a cup of coffee and watched the whole thing in its entirety. There are so many switches that you can use and are beneficial to have in the back of your mind depending on the circumstances you are performing in. The switches you need are in this video and I can confidently say that the moment I saw the switch I needed I immediately went to work, practiced, and executed the moves needed in my show within a few days. There are wonderful books on the market that touch on this subject, but if you are a visual learner or short on time, this video is for you. Outstandingly done gentlemen.
Andrew
Demonstrating "standing deck switches" while shot from above-the-waist really doesn't make any sense. Except for a quick close-up of a single move, all the action happens off-camera. It's almost as if Benjamin Earl doesn't realize it -- he says, "See, you see nothing" but of course we saw nothing. His hands, the cards, the pockets, are all off-camera. Very disappointing.
William
Absolutely loved this video. So many ways to pick and choose which ones to use in your own routines, very brilliant effects displayed in this video, all the moves and slieghts of hand are all done so smoothly and very well thought out, I would recommend this video to anyone to add to there collection and arsenal of tricks, I know I will definitely add it to mine, thank you for this video it really helped me a lot with understanding new ways to refreshing some my works
minjun
This is a really good lecture and the video quality is good.
Max
Can't recommend this enough. Ben is a fantastic teacher, with clear and concise explanations for completely practical techniques. Even if you don't do much card magic, which I don't, it's a masterclass in how much attitude and confidence impacts all of your performing. It's a release that truly lives up to its name, and with so many deck switches explained, including a few in the hands, you're guaranteed to walk away with moves you can immediately put into your repertoire.
Marco
Clear teaching by Benjamin, as always. Confident, without hesitation. He teaches various natural ways with two different coloured decks. I am gonna choose four of the 20+ switches and practise them one after another.
Tom
Absolutely excellent! So thorough...simplified. Every once in a while I wish he executed things in slo-mo more because I did have to pause and "rewind" many times but I ultimately believe it's because these switches are just that deceptive even with a casual speed. You don't have to rush them. In fact, the 'no rush' principle helps them fly under the radar.
Patrick
Just fantastic. Ben is just a great teacher and what you’re getting is far more than just a deck switch. He says it himself: It is a system that builds off of two “moves”. These two “moves” are among the first things you learned when you started. This is a great way to improve your audience management and timing while also learning incredibly useful deck switches.
David
Such a wonderful tutorial! There's so much in here, it's amazing. Ben's explanations of both the moves and the psychology behind them are brilliant! If you dive into these techniques you WILL be using many of them to add another layer of deception to your current routines.
Benjamin
This is fantastic. If you've never done deck switches before, you will now. Ben makes it easy to understand the psychology, timing, and sleights so that you will feel confident getting your stacked or gimmicked deck onto the table without drawing an ounce of suspicion.
george
GOOD STUFF! I REALLY ENJOYED THE MANY WAYS OF SWITCHING OUT A DECK. THE SMALL SUBTLE DIFFERENCES THAT WERE APPLIED TO SOME OF THE SWITCHES WERE SUPER HELPFUL. THE VIDEO GAVE ME IDEAS ON SWITCHING IN OTHER OBJECTS INSTEAD OF A DECK OF CARDS. BEN IS VERY DETAILED IN HIS APPROACH OF EXPLANATION AND PERFORMANCE. MY MONEY WAS VERY WELL SPENT. A GREAT PURCHASE OF A DOWNLOAD THAT I NOW ADDED TO MY MAGIC LIBRARY.
Larry
This is not just a tutorial on deck switches. It is a brief class on misdirection, or better on how to direct the spectators' attention to where you want it. Ben uses natural movements and behavior to cover the deck switch naturally. you can readily imagine why spectators would not even think about what the magician might be doing, and can probably think of situations where you have been fooled in the same ways. I find knowing that I am perfroming a slight is what makes it harder to rpefrom naturally, and I like the fact that the best "cover" is simply to do what comes naturally. The one at the end with looking for a pen is great because that is exactly what one would do if one were simply looking for a pen to give to someone.
Jim
I wish there was a table of contents. Not having one makes it hard to navigate. I was disappointed with the standup switches. I want to be able to ditch a deck for a regular deck, but I do not need a Sharpie. Using a card box is fine, but it would have been nice to have more standup options.
Marco
Very well explained , incredibly useful tool . Well done!!!
Mark
This is an absolute masterclass in deck switching. Ben Earl goes through each variation in great detail and takes away the fear that switching a deck can generate.

I have used deck switched that require gimmicks (Cold Case/The Cooler) and although I do think these have a place, being able to switch in a deck using just misdirection is a fantastic tool to have in your arsenal.

The DVD is shot in HD and is well lit with great sound quality.

I highly recommend this DVD/download to anyone wanting to take their card magic to the next level.
Ludovic
Impressive!!
Thomas
Absolutely my favorite video to watch and perform. You would not think it would fool anyone, but it fools everyone!
Jeffrey
Excellent video. I know I will try to learn some of these techniques. So natural and deceptive.
Timothy
Top notch! Real worker material.
Kevin
Good overall, but some of the shots that should have showed the whole body did not. Also, I would have liked some motivational ideas for (for instance) what to do with the card box you are "searching for" once you get it. Still, useful techniques.
Richard
This is a fantastic introduction to deck switches - right hand and left hand, suitable for a number of situations. If you are new to deck switches, this video is for you! The biggest problem you will face is deciding which method or methods will work best for you.
Aidan
Ben Earl is an absolute GENIUS!!! everything he makes is filled with absolute gold. His tutorials are long sure... but it's only because he leaves no stone unturned and is sure to cover even the smallest subtlties. If you're looking for solid deck switches, YOU NEED TO BUY THIS.
David
This is the best DVD or download on the deck week and I have been doing magic since 1971 and have won all kinds of Award, I'm always looking to improve my skills and this DVD or download will definitely do that. Definitely a 5 star rating for this download
Niv
Great project. It not only teaches deck switches as shown in the trailer, but also teaches body language and other fundamental details every amateur and above magician should learn. Ben Earl is amazing as always, even after learning the switches and how they work, they still seem magical. Worth the money!
Scott
So much to work on. But like Ben says, when you have the basics down, they all kind of flow together depending on what you need at the time. I was definitely worth the money. I perform behind a counter and it's perfect for me.
Vitaliy
Awesome. Great tutorial with all the switches youll ever need. No need to learn more once you watch this video :)
KENNETH
I gave this video 4 stars only because it was thin on standing deck switches, and it has an object as part of the deck switch routine. It never addressed the most direct problem, which is if you want to go from a spectator shuffling the deck, into a routine with deck set-up, there's no reason to have a pen, or to put the deck back in the box. I didn't see any standing routines where this was addressed, hence the 4 stars. I don't do card tricks sitting down, so that entire segment wasn't that helpful. I don't have people sign cards, so that excuse wasn't much help, either. And I don't keep putting the cards back in the box. Other than these issues, it was an interesting and highly educational video.
Bob
All you need. Great stuff.
Joshua
A great video on deck switches. no annoying gimmicks to deal with and these switches feel natural and make more sense. can switch between trick decks and normal decks super fast too w/o even magicians realizing you switched a deck. my only criticism is I wish there was more on how to get a cold deck (the deck to be switched in) into position to make the switch without being noticed. also, i wish there were some examples of card tricks and switching decks in between them.
Kris
Excellent! Both standing and seated switches are covered. Benjamin Earl is a good instructor. Exactly what I've been searching for. I've been on a deck switch hunt for months and it ends here! I'm a mentalist so cards aren't something I'm good with but card sleights are so useful. I feel comfortable I no longer need a gimmick.

Community questions about Real Deck Switches

Have a question about this product? It's possible others do too. Ask here and other Vanishing Inc. Magic customers will be able to respond with assistance! Alternatively, email us and we can help too.

  • Jim asks: I purchased this video and am learning a great deal. However, I want to be able to switch a deck during a poker game (for demonstration purposes). For example; the player to my right is shuffling the deck, then places it down for me to cut. Normally, I would cut the deck in half, then the dealer would complete the cut. How do I switch the deck in this scenario? I've been looking on line, but have not found a way to do it. Thx,

    • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:Unfortunately, we are not able to give you that information. These deck switches are used for entertainment purposes only.

  • Mason asks: Would I be able to do some of these with pretty small hands? Thanks!

    • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:You should be able to!

  • Joerg asks: What level of sleight of hand is required? Are there switches suitable for a beginner?

    • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:This would be intermediate to advanced.

  • Mason asks: About how many of these can be done standing, and how many can be done seated? Thanks!

    • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:There is only one switch that is taught in the standing position, everything else is seated.

  • John asks: Does Ben discuss the getting into and cleaning up nuances for before and after the switches.

    • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:Yes.

  • Dave asks: The DVD is cheaper that the download?

    • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:That’s correct, the DVD is cheaper so it will help us move overstock

  • Dan asks: Would any of these switches work for ringing an Omni deck?

    • 1. Mr. D T responds:There are few switches will help you bring out an Omni deck.
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