{"product_id":"small-but-deadly-packet-tricksters-handbook-paul-hallas-card-magic-1st-ed","title":"Small But Deadly - Packet Trickster’s Handbook - Paul Hallas - 1st Ed - ESTATE","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"x-item-description-child\" data-marko-key=\"@container s0-2-12\" data-testid=\"x-item-description-child\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eESTATE Condition - very good\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublished in 2005 by H\u0026amp;R Magic Books, \"Small But Deadly: The Packet Trickster’s Handbook\" by Paul Hallas is widely considered the definitive reference work, historical guide, and consumer buyer's guide for packet card magic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRather than just being a simple collection of instructions, the book serves as an exhaustive, witty, and highly structured exploration of the history, evolution, and creators behind the world's most famous small-packet card effects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Core Themes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1. A Comprehensive Historical Reference\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt its core, the book is an analytical history of the packet trick genre. Hallas traces the lineage of classic plots, exploring how basic concepts from early magic history evolved into modern miracles. He meticulously documents who invented which variations, which gaffs were introduced when, and how classic sleights changed the landscape of card magic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIt covers the pioneering packet effects of Theodore DeLand and Charles Jordan (including historical notes on the Jordan Count), tracing their influence on modern plots.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIt pays deep respect to innovators like Brother John Hamman and Alex Elmsley, whose contributions completely revolutionized what could be achieved with a small handful of cards.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2. Analysis of Classic Plots \u0026amp; Variations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHallas dedicates chapters to major, iconic packet trick plots, breaking down their history, variations, and where they can be found in magic literature. Instead of reprinting every routine, he acts as a guide, telling you which books or marketed items to look for to study specific versions. Some of the major plots analyzed include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe Wild Card \/ Watch the Ace variations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTwisting plots (Vernon’s Twisting the Aces and its countless descendants)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOil and Water \/ Jazz Aces variants\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe Homing Card and Six Card Repeat adaptations for smaller packets\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe Princess Card Trick, MacDonald’s Aces, and The Last Trick of Dr. Jacob Daley\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePacket Printing Effects (tracing ideas back to roots that inspired tricks like Daryl's Presto Printo)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3. Practical Performance Advice\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe book isn't just academic; it features practical essays on the theory of packet magic. Hallas includes sections like \"From Big Time to Small Time\" (transitioning full-deck effects into concise packet tricks) and \"The Sensible Use of Packet Effects,\" offering advice on how to naturally introduce, perform, and transition between packet tricks in a real-world close-up or cabaret set without fatiguing an audience with endless \"special\" small packets.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4. Fully Detailed Routines\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile it serves primarily as a reference work, Hallas includes over a dozen fully explained packet routines—including several of his own marketed or signature effects—complete with performance tips and presentation scripts. Notable routines detailed in the book include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eClone Zone (Peter Duffie) – One of Duffie's favorite commercial routines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe Vain Queen (Mark Townsend) – A story-driven packet trick utilizing a jester and a queen who accidentally makes her own face, and eventually herself, disappear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVampire Dawn (Paul Hallas) – A spooky, narrative-driven presentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe Beautiful Witch (Paul Hallas) – A themed effect where homely witches transform their appearances.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePaul’s Bread and Butter Trick (Paul Hallas) – The author's personal, highly commercial variation of the classic Oil and Queens plot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe Monster Mash (Paul Hallas) – A fun, family-friendly variation of MacDonald's Aces using custom artwork cards featuring monsters and blank faces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSummary of Book Structure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe History \u0026amp; The Sleights: Early history from DeLand and Jordan to the mid-century explosion of gaffs and counts (such as the Elmsley, Jordan, and Hamman counts).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe Plot Deep-Dives: Individual, thematic chapters examining every conceivable packet plot—assembly tricks, color-changing backs, printing themes, gambling routines (poker\/blackjack themes), and mentalism packet tricks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe Practical Repertoire: The final sections shift from reference to instruction, laying out ready-to-perform routines utilizing both standard cards and easily crafted or sourced gaffed packets.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Bottom Line\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall But Deadly is essentially the ultimate consumer's guide and bibliography for the packet trick enthusiast. It prevents magicians from reinventing the wheel by clearly laying out the credits of the past, while simultaneously delivering highly commercial, story-driven routines ready for the modern close-up repertoire. (Note: The success of this book later prompted Hallas to release a massive expanded sequel in 2010 titled \"Still Small, Still Deadly\").\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"hillcountrymagic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52620980519199,"sku":null,"price":18.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0787\/9409\/6927\/files\/s-l1600_720416d2-ccf7-480f-a5f9-28a4b5f7f8fc.webp?v=1781709587","url":"https:\/\/shopdocstudios.com\/products\/small-but-deadly-packet-tricksters-handbook-paul-hallas-card-magic-1st-ed","provider":"shopdocstudios","version":"1.0","type":"link"}