The reader who has prepared himself with a knowledge of the position given for hand shuffling, and the definitions of the list of terms, will have no difficulty in understanding the above directions, and executing the blind at the very first attempt. However, as a first lesson in the A, B, C of card manipulation, the following description of the action is given at length, viz.:

In other words you should already know how to do this. The first actual lesson we get to in EATCT is a shuffle to retain the top stock. As far as a false shuffle goes this is probably as simple as it gets. An undercut and an in-jog and you are good to go. Reading though various forums it is often stated that this is not a good beginners book, though it is a book everyone should own, so I am glad that he does start off with some very basic shuffles. I do already know how to do this so am using the learning time to get the hang of it from a right handed position.

Switching hands has become an interesting experience. I have been practicing dealing and simple shuffles while I watch TV or listen to podcasts and the motions are coming along, dealing out five hands of cards does not take a lot of concentration, but I have discovered that keeping the cards in the hand I want does. Last night I was watching Andrew Main’s new magic show on A&E well I dealt though deck after deck. There was a point that I thought ‘this is starting to feel quite natural’ only to look at my hand and realize I had subconsciously switched back to dealing like a lefty. The worst part was not knowing when I had made the switch and how many decks I had dealt though that way. Sigh.

Even though it is not covered in EATCT I’ve decided to stick with a strike-second as taught in Jason England’s Foundations 1. I find it an every so slightly easier transition while dealing particularly while trying to train up opposite hands. I figure I can always come back to the couple that Erdnase discusses at a later point in time.

I’ve been working with a deck of Bee’s for the first time and have yet to make my mind up about them. I see why they would be preferred when dealing seconds and such, even at the extremely inept level of seconds that I am able to deal at the moment, but as general use card they seem to have worn out faster than a pack of bikes. Though now that I think of it I guess I am putting many more hours use into these than I have any other cards in recent years.

As a read though I enjoyed Erdnase’s style and like the use of language in the book. It was published in 1902 and this is evident in the use of language, the quote at the beginning as an example. It could be seen as being a little wordy but, well I like words so I am okay with this. I am probably most looking forward to working on palms and shifts as the are moves that I have little experience with.

Completely unsurprising to myself the bit I probably enjoyed the most was the description of Three Card Monte. EATCT is not a lengthy book so it is a pretty basic look at the game but I am still excited to work the routine with just the moves described. I’ve always loved monte routines and have a growing collection of people take on the ‘game’. Lately I have been working on Ollie Mealing’s handling and am starting to get comfortable with it. Erdnase presents a straight forward ‘this is how it’s played’ set of instructions.

My copy of Erdnase Unmasked has shipped, I look forward to reading and reviewing it soon.