ADVANCED TUTORIAL Pinky Count and Stewart Gordon Double Lift

[@suburban_samurai]

I honestly never did a pinky count because I never knew to bevel it first. Been struggling for 32 years with it 😅 thanks X for truly adding that nugget for me. You, Sir, are a legend.

[@RICE-lq1zc]

Suburban Samurai 32years... Braahh

[@austinlang4540]

Some other good tips on the pinky count. Michael Vincent recommends that the first card you pinky count do it as softly as you can then after the first card you can pull down more and the top card hides the reaction of the deck from the pull down. Also Jason Ladayne recommends once you get the strength in the fingers to let the ring finger hover just off the deck when pinky counting bc it really hides the break! Great tutorial. Pinky count is a MUST LEARN

[@eldanijel]

Damn I didn't even realise I automatically liked the video, without even start watching it. I've been doing pinky count for about 3 years, I even pinky count one card when I need the top card 😂 It became second nature, damn I forgot how weak my pinky was!! That was annoying to pratice. Great video😊

[@garden-goblin]

I do a pinky count because it's simply the most natural get-ready for most sleights. I prefer to be prepared to perform a double lift the second my hands come together to eliminate suspicion. Simply put, with a little misdirection, I find the pinky count push-off double lift to be as close to invisible as I can get.

[@LtCrispo]

Thank you so much for making a great pinky count tutorial. Great job man!

[@kq2558]

Xavior is the savior. Really appreciate the things you put out here 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@dimitardimitrov3421]

Your tutorials are the best out there! I learned a ton. Thank you so much. As for the double lifts strangely my biggest problem is turning the cards over, I get a split most of the time. I keep practicing, but I feel like I’m doing something fundamentally wrong.

[@christiankretzschmar5606]

Awesome! I love using the Pinky Count, cause I hate having to riffle down the cards to get a break. I've been doing it couple of months now. First I was to nervous to perform with it, cause it didn't always work, but now I really enjoy using it and it's a really good technique. Tipp: Keep Practising it will work :)

[@charnov]

I've been struggling with the pinky count for some months now, then i saw this video and i nailed it in less than 5 tries, thanks man

[@spencermargenna]

I do the pinky count and have never looked back. It was worth the time and effort to make the switch from the thumb count. And if done REALLY well, they can be burning your hands and not see it with the smallest amount of movement. It’s basically the best and leads to the most natural looking double lifts. People say push off doubles are better (mostly those that do them) because they do require a break but the pinky count gets you a break in a microsecond, and leads to the most natural looking lifts. I’m super glad you promote the importance of bettering ourselves, cause slights are with us for life. Totally worth the investment correcting old mediocre techniques.

[@nathancroft]

Xavior, thoroughly enjoying your videos. I've just gotten back into card magic after a hiatus of about 8 years. The thing that sets you apart from so many other KZbinrs (aside from your natural fluidity of handling) is your descriptions on the origin/history of sleights and where you learned them, as well as pointing out available sources etc. For me, this is really important. So, keep it up!

[@quentinbartram4042]

Thank you so much for this!!! My pinky count has been seriously lacking!!!

[@joshnewman3569]

I shattered my dominated hand in football and just hand surgery. I love you vids and your style of teaching. I was wondering if you could teach a 1 hand sleight or flourish. If anyone else wants to see this give this comment a like. Thanks

[@sachasjt7387]

Thanks Xavior! I'm a beginner and I had the opportunity to meet Chris Ramsay & Peter McKinnon and I asked them what I should learn and they both said: pinkie count, double lift, classic pass. Now I can get started!

[@JoePatABC]

I've struggled with the "pinky count" for ages until I saw this video. It's amazing how and emphasis on the simplest thing can make such a difference in ones ability. For me it was the bevel. Nobody's ever said that it needs to be beveled AWAY from the pinky before. All of a sudden the light went on and for the first time ever, BINGO, I can do a pinky break much more reliably using "the count" which I've never been able to so before . TYVM !

[@bassmasta9117]

I do the move with a single card at speed just to see what it naturally looks like, then I do the double after seeing how it looks. Don't forget to lift your singles the same way and be consistent~

[@dvdarkman]

great tutorials every time...Still practice mine pinky count,start to practice art about 2 months ago,not to be magician,but Im very intrestd in sleiths,and how is done...maby something sometimes I show to my friends,but you and your friends hooked me on magic...wish you all best in life.

[@AnonymousAnonymous-dn2pk]

Thanks for the tutorial. Michael Vincent makes the Gordon turnover look better than anyone I’ve ever seen… pretty much everything he does I can say the same for. I love using this turnover at the end of a flushtration count! I love the mechanics of this move as it allows you to scoop up a tabled packet and you can even lay a double flat down on the table as a single in the action of this move also.

[@claudia31413]

Thanks for all your infinite wisdom X! I know how to do a pinky count, and practice it all the time, but I rarely do it in performance which is something I'm gonna need to address!

[@caseylewis6098]

I do the pinky count because it makes me feel good to shame those who don't do the pinky count😂😂😂, then I can show them the move, so we can all be good magicians

[@joeinsouthbeach1500]

Great concise explanation. Probably the best I've seen to date on this move.

[@danielm9445]

Your tutorial on the pinky count helped me BIG TIME. I’ve been practicing since this afternoon and now I’m able to count 2 cards with ease. Peace ✌🏽

[@TheGreedypot]

I started using the pinky count because you taught it. I was new to Magic at the time. I've been doing or a while I and have not messed it up in public. 👍🏽

[@boballen6024]

Thank You, Thank You, I always thought your methods were out of my league. Now I can do the Pinky count and the SG Double. Your teaching style and your confidence in us is awesome, thx again.

[@SilverVayne]

Bob Allen It's crazy right? I read this after commenting myself and obviously we feel the same. His standards are really high yet easily makes you feel you should be shooting for nothing less.

[@nolanatm]

Xavior thank you SOO much for this video. I kept having difficulty with my pinky count and realized I was having the same problem with beveling you brought up.

[@severedmetal]

I'm so glad you made this video. My pinky count and double just improved from this video alone.

[@zacharygarza1]

4:31 "And I think that's PRETTY ridiculous...' 🤣 Too much, Xavior. GREAT video with incredible detail and powerful insight. And I promise, I'll never pivot the deck up with a double on top and show the "no funny business" move.

[@jerodyoung3243]

thanks for the tutorial x! i almost didnt watch this video because i thought i already knew these moves but i still learned something so thanks!

[@mtb1392]

Thanks for the great tips & tutorial, you're really good at explaining things simply (very easy to follow, even if you're teaching something complex). I use the pinky count often bc the double lifts I learned before always looked super unnatural & suspicious.

[@erinrbarger9015]

I lost the use of my pinky in a bar fight at Octoberfest so the pinky count & most cardistry is out but I am determined to get a top shot down using my ring finger if I have to. Thanks for everything you do for us #XavierSpade

[@justinvaldez5054]

I struggle with the pinky count in performance but it’s been a while since I’ve even attempted it. Very comfortable with my push off double at this point but I’m going to start utilizing this in front of people to get performance comfortable

[@BboyFrancePants]

Best Double Lift on KZbin, thanks Xavior!

[@konstantkrash]

Thanks for the tutorial. Pinky count is a good move to master. I have several double lifts that I use. Using only one can be telling.

[@kylek1508]

Great video Xavier thanks for upping it, pinky count is a biiitch to get, working hard on it!

[@alfodr_52]

That new intro tho...It's f***ing lit 🔥🔥🔥

[@ddyoder]

yeah Chris Ramsay has used it on his channel for awhile and it's a great one

[@kamehamehaDdragon]

Great video, pinky moves are dope.

[@cloggedcord4612]

Great tutorial Xavier! I love the explanation and crediting as always. Just curious, what's the song in the beginning?

[@philipg6905]

New to practicing magic (always fascinated with it) and I’m totally gonna practice the pinky count! Thanks Xavier - you’re a big inspiration

[@garethwilliams1781]

Man, I've been struggling with the push off double lift for so long, I lost all hope. The pinky count has made the double lift so much easier for me personally...cheers dude. Big love :)

[@fngrusty42]

Very nicly done, enjoyed watching, keep it up ,

[@fouadmikail8945]

that is the way i do my double lift now. pinky count than either Stewart Gordon D.L or the push off D.L that the russian genius uses all time. before few months i used to do a thumb count and than do a double lift but when i started watching xavior videos and checking his instagram account i was convinced by his posts to stop the thumb break and start learning the pinky count! thanks xavior and guys the the pinky count is a little bit difficult at the beginning and you'll count 3 cards instead of 2 by mistake but if you keep practicing you'll get it down as i did!

[@Graciousweasel]

I dont do pinky counts because i dont know how. But now imma learn it. Thanks x!

[@przemoc56]

Xavior, I'm a bit late watching this video (and some other videos, slowly catching up), but I enjoyed it very much. So much that I liked it (yet I am a guy who's using this button rarely and when "forced" to do so, because I like practically all the videos from people I follow, so I want to mark those especially great). I believe that having good pinky count is crucial for a magician and I can somehow imperfectly manage it unless I have to go past several cards (I know, practice!). But! My pinky counted DL (not SG one, at least I haven't tried it on anyone) is immediately recognized as DL, because I am kind of tensed when doing it and I am bending the deck upward to be able to reliably perform pinky count, which I know must be wrong, but otherwise it's almost impossible to feel if pinky got to another card or not. Another problem is sound (BTW I feel sound in magic is not often enough discussed by magicians, and I'm saying that in general, not as an accusation towards you), because unless there is some louder background noise, I can literally hear the pinky count, which is extremely unwanted. But it may be the effect of me doing pinky counting on slightly bent deck leading to audible snap of the card. I cannot clearly tell from the video, whether you're bending the deck during pinky count or not. It may be so, but rather very very slightly, much less than I do, and it possibly makes your card snapping inaudible. Well, I'll surely practice more, both counting and SG DL. I was happy when Alex put his tutorial on push-off DL, as it wouldn't make me so tensed, but pushing off exactly two cards somehow seems impossible atm. I am always pushing 1 or more than 2. I wouldn't call push-off as easier move, though, at least yet. I can perform not reliably SG DL, but, as I wrote already, I cannot perform push-off DL at all. And I'll surely practice push-off DL too.

[@voit956]

Great video! Great double lift! Nice job c:

[@hbhbhbhbhbb5527]

I use the pinky count for the vernon push off but I don't like how the ring has to flicker/move a little to reposition under the break for the push off. Otherwise I prefer the strike double as it is a lot faster in performance and there is no wait time for break/transfer to ring finger etc.. maybe a ring finger count would solve this ? Idk?

[@DefoNotMe128]

I already knew these moves but I had to watch the video cos I knew that xavior would add in some fucking amazing tips and I was right amazing video u Jedi master

[@DefoNotMe128]

Always worth watching ur videos

[@DefoNotMe128]

Also I don't know if u will see this but in ur next vid can u show us how ur snakebite flourish is coming along?

[@TheWorstWurst]

Great Video. You are amazing. Your style of teaching is so relaxed.

[@filipbaader]

Hi man, i tried to learn the push off without a get ready, because it felt the most natural for me.

[@scottponciroli6448]

I like the detail thank you Mr X

[@dylan.wallace22]

I like using the pinky count because it's pretty clean and very reliable. I used to do the strike double, but when I went out and performed and got a little nervous or tense, I would miss from time to time

[@nawafalbahri9776]

I fucking love the way you edit your videos amaaaazing

[@jamesfleming1155]

Never used a pinky count before. Saw your at the table lecture where you taught raise rise by pulling down instead of up. Got that down and then realized I could pinky count. Now I use a push off double. Great video as always. Thanks.

[@littlelegend5133]

where is this lecture available?

[@jamesfleming1155]

LittleLegend vanishing inc

[@littlelegend5133]

+James Fleming thank you

[@jamesfleming1155]

Xavior Spade my bad man, I didn't know that.

[@littlelegend5133]

thanks a lot

[@harrisonbridgens6778]

I don't really use the pinky count much but it is an important move to know.. I use the Andi Gladwin master push off so you don't need a get ready and still able to do the stuart gordan double.

[@supoxeluder2168]

Thank you for the tutorial. You have fantastic control!

[@wreckingrow6566]

Nice! You make these look very natural. One issue I've noticed with performers using the pinky count is the move is telegraphed by the tension in the hands. No offense, cause he's a magical genius, but Darwin Ortiz has this problem. I can always tell when he's prepping a double. Yours is absolutely beautiful!

[@ddyoder]

... signature Chris Ramsay music opening FTW!

[@t-rex869]

Mr. Spade you are amazing. Thank you so much.

[@jaxhillhome]

Never tried pinky count really just because i was thinking i cant do it anyway. Finally got closer to get it thank you...but yep it kinda hurts

[@MaxenGaynier28]

I always do a pinky count, it was just one of the first things I learned and i feel like its more clean and accurate

[@khashayarmirsadeghi]

I love the pinkie count and I used it a lot until a while ago, but for double lifts I'm beginning to like the lifts without breaks (like the push-off)

[@xnohr4]

I do the pinky count because I'm uncoordinated and have always had trouble doing a push off double lift. I never liked the riffle down and a pinky count was the best way for me to get a smooth lift.

[@felixoquebec]

i use to do the pinky count but i'm working on the push off (andi gladwin) i prefer that a lot, the pinky count takes just this little akward time before the double lift that i hate. i do the push off with the gordon lift though.

[@jordanhoke2511]

Them butterflies sitting on the shelf though favorite cards for sure

[@TheBenjaboyy]

I need to do more pinky counts, this one was realy nice

[@spilledsoda285]

the pinky count feels like learning a fucking muscle pass.

[@peterfalconer]

Really need to stop looking at stuff that’s *way* too advanced for me right now. Totally demoralising! 😆

[@SilverVayne]

Commenting at 3:42 in. You're a fucking monster dude. I haven't had a break through like this since within the first couple months of learning sleight of hand about a year and a half ago. I cannot read books on the subject and walk away with the sleightest ;) bit of understanding. So KZbin is my only platform and I don't know anyone who practices irl, the only magic shop I found closed after I got to visit twice. Anyways, thanks for the simple ass explanation. I like hearing how it's not supposed to be done just as much, it brings the learning process all together.

[@strangetranceoffaith]

i've always treated magic as a hobby but i realised recently that everything i learnt i learnt quickly which probably means if i put in some work i could be fairly good. I'm learning the pinky break but i still occasionally count three instead of two so it is building the muscle and finess

[@matthewjacobs9618]

3:40 Don't tell me I've never used my pinky. You don't know what I do with my fingers!

[@tiziano7071]

Matthew Whittaker two in the pink one in the stink

[@mranderson4469]

Omg i can do a pinky count without even knowing it until now. thanks for the tip of proper deck handling muchos garcias!

[@krookt]

Thanks for the pinky tutorial. This is the most helpful video that I've found about the pinky count. And one more thing, Can I still do Card tricks even though I have small hands? Cuz I'm really having trouble doing some pinky count.

[@Punishment_for_Decadence]

You could always use bridge-sized cards instead of poker-sized cards if you aren't already

[@krookt]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try using bridge-sized cards instead. Really appreciate the reply

[@reidcenter4915]

I've been doing the push off double lift by Alex Pandrea because pinky counts feel very difficult to make seem natural and it this actually makes it a million times better. That one is great, but I never liked the way he picked it up, but taking it straight into a Stewart Gordon makes it look amazing. Thanks

[@AnimGraphLab]

You looks like Ice Cube. By the way, great tutorial!

[@YesExit]

Started learning magic 1 month ago. I'm learning the pinky count for double lifts. It's the only way I ever learned to do double lifts, thanks to this channel :). I like it because it's sneaky. My pinky count is starting to become more and more reliable but sometimes I still have it that 2 cards pass by instead of 1. Are there any hints for this? I assume it is the beveling that is not perfect?

[@fouadmikail8945]

the tip is just practice more believe me this used to happen with me a lot when i was practicing the pinky count but now i can do it easily and one other tip practice the pinky count with more than 1 deck because at the beginning it will differ with you doing it in a thick and thin edged deck! good luck with it man

[@YesExit]

Thanks for the tip, will do :).

[@garden-goblin]

I think you'll find with more practice, this will become less and less of an issue. However, a tip that I find useful is to give the deck a slight bevel towards your thumb, this will make it much easier to release cards singly. Additionally, make sure that you're not holding the deck too tightly. The deck is like water, your hand is the glass that holds it in. It's not a can that is pressurizing it and forcing it to stay in position. With a light touch and a slight bevel to the deck, you'll have a graceful and sneaky double in no time. Now, a practice tip: Flip over the top card, pinky count down to that many cards. My top card was the 9 of Spades, so I pinky counted down nine cards. At first you'll make mistakes because you probably won't be used to counting down below 2 or 3 cards, but with time you'll be able to consistently hit counts to 13 (King = 13, Queen = 12, Jack = 11). This will also improve your speed in getting doubles.

[@mtb1392]

That happened to me a lot too. When you bevel, try to make the shape of the bevel as close to a perfect line (going down & to the right, assuming you hold the deck in your left hand) as possible. I would have some of the cards near the top hanging to the right & making a "C" looking shape... that made getting 1 card at a time very difficult. & most importantly, keep practicing. Good luck

[@fouadmikail8945]

James ramey... yes I forgot that tip bending the deck just slightly horizontally towards down help a lot doing the pinky count! But if it's a new deck it's the same if you bended it or not. When I was learning the pinky count I used to find it much difficult to do it with a brand new deck that a used deck!

[@mergedown9352]

I used to do the pinky count before, but after an accident my middle, ring finger and the pinky ware broken all the way to the wrist. Since then when I try to pull with the pinky (or do any kind of moves involving the pinky) it hurts and I can't move it till it stops hurting. That is why I don't use the pinky count. Instead I use a thumb pop-out

[@mahdirj47]

well I learned the pinky count on Ellusionist channel and I like the pinky count more then any other moves cause it's hidden the most and it's also more accurate my problem with it is the speed as I wrote in a comment on your IG I need to do it for 10 cards in maybe just 1or 2 seconds it is pretty hard for that situation there is a bit faster way with the riffling and peeking method and it needs correct estimation but it's too exposed so I prefer not to do it. since I'm not that fast in pinky count I can't use it right away and some times I use a method that involves a slight riffle and moving my fingers on the short side of the deck but when the time does't matter always pinky count and of course I'm practicing to get faster... WOW that's a long comment :D

[@jacksondeshazo4814]

Ed Marlo published the pinky count but he did say that almost everyone created the move at the same time like Vernon. Basically a step forward that's everybody figured out independently.

[@zakariaelmahalli3835]

The best teacher ever

[@BellytheRubber]

Speaking of "advanced" moves... Hi, Xavior, I've been asking this on a few vids now (haven't watched this one yet), with no reply: When do you intend on releasing your work on Raise Rise (Xmas?) and how much more into will you dive in comparisson to your 2016 at the table lecture (or did you cover your touches, most of them at least, over the lecture already). Cheers.

[@KevinLudwig]

Great video, Bud!

[@jassferpaiso7930]

I love pinky count and I will practice hard and show you this when we meet !

[@ShR21]

I am trying to do pinky count but its difficult for me because I have really big hands. A lot of tricks I have problem with because of that. I am from Poland and I very like your videos man! Pozdrawiam ;)

[@mahdirj47]

I thought big hands can be really helpful in card magic!!!!!

[@panda2069]

Im gonna lern the pinky count now because everybody is already used to how it looks when i do a double Lift. I Hope i can fool them with a pinky count double fift ^^

[@TheBetcard]

I always do the Pinky Count for most of the breaks that I need. I've been doing it for about 5 or 6 years. Jorge Betancourt

[@daftsquiddy]

Your wizzard is starting to show with that one grey hair bro! Thank you for the instruction ^_^

[@lydda9353]

Thanks for the tutorials! I learned a lot from you. But I was learning a trick and cant fight it anymore. Can you help me to find it? the soectator picked a card. Riffle the deck but the card in and outjogged (Dont know how its written :D) while put it down. then take the outjogged card with your thumb and put it to the top

[@mrwright82468]

Thanks!

[@mike-cc3dd]

I like your use of transitions in post

[@conquestv4024]

it took 4 week to even do pinky count but i finally learn it at the beginning it was impossible now the stewart Gordon double lift wish me luck

[@johnbrogan5852]

Dont do a lot of pinky count because i dont have alot of control with it. Some times i count off to many and sometimes the cards stick together. I do like the stewart double gonna have to use that one.

[@mikefishermagic]

That's why you have to practice mate - most folks understand a move intellectually but what's needed is time + good practice to get muscle memory. They get frustrated and quit...

[@mainakchakraborty12]

Dude....you are doing an amazing job. #respect. Love from India.

[@dalechildress]

Great tutorial thank you

[@abhilakshyashverma1760]

Phenomenal logo man...

[@akshaykalta08]

Hi Xavior can you please teach the marlo tilt variation you did in one of Chris's video(new york meet up').

[@gavinlowe9782]

Love that double lift! Thanks again for a great tutorial!! Btw, what kind of cards are those?

[@drhorticulture1895]

I think all tricks have a place depending on the effect or the person grilling you aha.. It might be my small hands or maybe just need to work that pinky out but I find the pinky count a little hard to pull off 100% of the time.

[@littlelegend5133]

it gets better over time =)

[@callmegoats]

I am actually fine with my current DL but I learn this to just show the card to the spectators.

[@GianniDio]

hey thank you bro

[@HeyUTheClown]

What is your openion of the thumb count..i have a Daryl ambitious card DVD and he uses a thumb count for a get ready for a double/ triple lift.. thanks in advance

[@chadgarnaat5882]

I do push off double