tips for neophyte conjurors #6-10
100 tips for budding card magicians
On the top change.
6. Consider a top change in lieu of a double turnover. The great advantage of using a top change is that there is perceived spatial separation between the deck and the card. In a double lift a card is displayed and then removed from the top of the deck, whereas a top change allows the card to be separated from the deck from the onset. A well executed top change should leave the impression that the card never touches the deck.
7. When performing a top change, the card to be changed must approach the deck from the same plane. This is key in order to minimize noise and excessive adjustments during the process.
There are two major tells that must be avoided when executing a top change.
8. Do NOT lift the left thumb when exchanging the card. The right hand simply slides its card under the left thumb and the former top card is taken. Roger Klause has a good tip - try to keep the left thumb and forefinger in contact during the change to minimize excessive movements.Â
9. Do NOT switch fingers when exchanging the top card. There is a tendency when first learning the top change to take the exchanged card between the first and second finger instead of the thumb and first finger. This must be avoided at all costs. A simple 'push and pull' action with the right thumb and forefinger at the moment of execution will facilitate a smooth exchange.
10. The top change cannot be 'burned'. Like all techniques, the top change requires misdirection. There are many good covers for the move - two excellent resources for the top change are:
Further Inner Secrets of Card Magic (1961)
The Card Magic of LePaul (1949)













