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Ian Baxter

Ian Baxter

Entered the world in 1946, the magic world in 1952, witnessing his first trick from a great uncle, who threaded a door key on to a piece of string and with a wave of the hand, the key fell to the floor. The magic bug set in right there and then.

Grandfather followed up with a coin trick and then his father took him in to Bernard's Magic Shop in Melbourne. A few pocket tricks were purchased and this further encouraged the young Baxter towards performing. By the time he was 14, sleight of hand had taken a firm hold.

Decades down the track and magic with cards, coins, small objects and an occasional venture towards mind reading is what keeps the fascination on hold.

Still not retired from vocation as a piano tuner and technician, but has cut back on commercial gigs in order to spend more time with family. Enjoys writing up tailored versions of known classics and when time permits, relaxing over a quiet game of chess.

Coauthors: Barry Govan, Murray Cooper, Gerry McCreanor

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Ian Baxter
Ten on Deck by Ian Baxter

Ian Baxter’s first book, first published in 1970. Card men everywhere enthused about the contents and the endorsements it carried from the likes of Dai Vernon, Ed Marlo, Card Mondor, Robert Parrish, Jon Racherbaumer and others, are testament to the quality of content. Alton Sharpe wrote the Introduction.

Ten reputation making card miracles.

"The material is not only interesting, but clever and workable. Yes, l recommend it." - Edward Marlo

"Ian Baxter is a creative and skillful artist." - Dai Vernon

"After what I have seen of the contents, I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the book. What I have seen is really impressive." - Jon Racherbaumer

"I must say l will use...

★★★ $10
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Ian Baxter
Simple ACAAN by Ian Baxter

Five approaches to the popular 'Any Card At Any Number' problem that rely more on subtlety than sleight of hand. As the title implies, the approaches are uncomplicated and well within reach of the beginner in card magic. One of Baxter's most popular titles.

From the Preface:

The evergreen Any Card At Any Number equation continues to attract new and novel approaches from card experts of all levels.

This modest manuscript unleashes five techniques of my own devising, each the result of reading Ken Krenzel's inspiring book Relaxed Impossibilities. With a careful text by Stephen Minch, the chapters...

★★★★ $5
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Ian Baxter
The Turnstile Pass by Ian Baxter

It was none other than Channing Pollock who stepped forward with this keen endorsement of Ian Baxter's The Turnstile Pass: "Beautifully written and detailed. Yes, I recommend it! And - I just love your self-deprecating humor." A smooth card pass that enunciates the importance of using a distractive move to cover the mechanics. Three first rate effects are included as well.

The Turnstile Pass is Ian Baxter's variation of a Hermann style pass that does not require a turnover of the packet, as is typically the case with Hermann type passes. As a bonus you will get three routines using this pass: ...

★★★★★ $7
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Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor
The Blueprint Volume 1 by Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor

An Australian sleight of hand monthly magazine
Barry Govan & Ian Baxter, editors
Published in Victoria, Australia from July, 1974 through April, 1982 (Vol. 7, No. 10); 54 pages in Volume 1

  1. Volume 1, Number 1, July, 1974, 4 pages - cover has drawing of W. C. Fields
  2. The Blueroom - introductory editorial
  3. Your Card My Card - Anton York
  4. Thumb Flip Flourish - Barry Govan
  5. Blueprint In-Print - Ian Baxter reviews:
  6. Back Clip Coins - Barry Govan
  7. Trio Surprise - Ian Baxter

  1. Volume 1, Number 2, August, 1974, 4 pages - no cover
  2. The Blueroom - editorial comments ...
$9
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Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor
The Blueprint Volume 2 by Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor

Includes an extra manuscript "The Magic of Tom Gagnon".

An Australian sleight of hand monthly magazine
Barry Govan & Ian Baxter, editors
Published in Victoria, Australia from July, 1974 through April, 1982 (Vol. 7, No. 10); 75 pages in Volume 2

  1. Volume 2, Number 1, July, 1975, 6 pages - cover has drawing of Laurel & Hardy
  2. The Blueroom & A Thought - editorial comments
  3. The Unwritten Prediction - Edward Marlo (USA)
  4. Gadabout Balls - Barry Govan
  5. Blueprint In-Print - Ian Baxter reviews:
$9
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Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor
The Blueprint Volume 3 by Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor

An Australian sleight of hand monthly magazine
Barry Govan & Ian Baxter, editors; 52 pages in Volume 3

  1. Volume 3, Number 1, July, 1976, 4 pages - cover has drawing of a monster with cards
  2. The Blueroom - editorial comments
  3. Coin Sandwich - Barry Govan
  4. Blueprint In-Print - Ian Baxter reviews:
    • "The Complete Mike Rogers"
  5. The Dice of Zohar - Tom Gagnon (USA)

  1. Volume 3, Number 2, August, 1976, 4 pages - no cover
  2. The Blueroom - editorial comments
  3. The E.R. Thimble Routine - Errol Robinson, described by Murray Cooper
  4. Blueprint In-Print - reviews:
    • James B. Alfredson...
$9
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Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor
The Blueprint Volume 4 by Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor

An Australian sleight of hand monthly magazine
Barry Govan & Ian Baxter, editors; 52 pages in Volume 4

  1. Volume 4, Number 1, July, 1977, 5 pages - cover has drawing of Lou Costello and Boris Karloff
  2. The Blueroom - editorial comments
  3. Variations on a Theme - Extracting a deck of cards from it's case - Murray Cooper & Ian Baxter
  4. One on the Way Down Cut - Tom Gagnon (USA)
  5. Blueprint In-Print - reviews:
    • Ronnay's "Cardorama" packet trick
    • Ronnay's "Multi Colour Card Change Climax" packet trick
  6. Double Impact in Red and Blue - Franz Rosensteiner (Magic Ronnay) (Austria)
  7. cartoon ...
$9
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Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor
The Blueprint Volume 5 by Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor

An Australian sleight of hand monthly magazine
Barry Govan & Ian Baxter, editors through Issue Number 5
Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor, new editors starting with Issue Number 6; 47 pages in Volume 5

  1. Volume 5, Number 1, July, 1978, 4 pages
  2. The Cardsharps Apprentice - Barry Govan
  3. Patter for ... The Cardsharps Apprentice
  4. Blueprint In Print - Ian Baxter reviews:
    • Paul Harris' "Supermagic"
  5. The Blueroom - editorial comments

  1. Volume 5, Number 2, August, 1978, 4 pages
  2. Control Ace Transpo - Derek Martin
  3. Blueprint In Print - Ian Baxter reviews:
$9
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Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor
The Blueprint Volume 6 by Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor
  1. Volume 6, Number 1, July, 1979, 4 pages
  2. Impossible Coin to Pocket - Bob Chesbro
  3. Blueprint In Print - Ian Baxter reviews:
  4. Crooked Dice - continued
  5. The Blueroom - editorial comments

  1. Volume 6, Number 2, August, 1979, 4 pages
  2. Hocus Focus - Barry Govan
  3. Crooked Dice - continued
  4. Blueprint In Print - reviews:
    • Gerard Majax's "Secrets of the Card Sharps"
    • Jerry Mentzer's "Card Cavalcade Finale"
  5. The Blueroom - editorial comments

  1. Volume 6, Number 3, September, 1979, 4 pages
  2. Flip - Errol Robinson
  3. Marlo Plus
  4. Blueprint In Print - Murray Cooper...
$9
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Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor
The Blueprint Volume 7 by Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor
  1. Volume 7, Number 1, July, 1980, 4 pages - Phil Goldstein Special Issue
  2. Red Uprising - Phil Goldstein
  3. Newsworthy - Phil Goldstein
  4. Split Octet - Phil Goldstein
  5. The Blueroom - editorial comments

  1. Volume 7, Number 2, August, 1980, 6 pages
  2. The Mysterious Cross of India - Daryl
  3. Think Ace - Ray Grismer
  4. Blueprint In Print - Murray Cooper reviews:
    • Ray Grismer's "Shorty"
    • Ray Grismer's "Handy"
    • Ray Grismer's "Thirty"
    • Ray Grismer's "Loopy"
    • Ray Grismer's "Shorty"
    • Ray Grismer's "Charts" lecture notes
  5. Blueprint Review - Murray Cooper reviews:
    • Phil Goldstein's...
★★★★★ $9
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Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor
The Blueprint: all volumes by Barry Govan & Ian Baxter & Murray Cooper & Gerry McCreanor

Originally launched as "Australia's Only Sleight Of Hand Monthly" and published between 1974 and 1982, The Blueprint still retains that claim today. Editors Barry Govan, Ian Baxter, Murray Cooper and Gerry McCreanor churned out a much-discussed journal that featured contributions from the likes of Ed Marlo, Jon Racherbaumer, Tom Gagnon, Dan Tong, Ray Grismer, Phil Goldstein, Jeff Busby, Jerry Mentzer, Harry Lorayne, et al. For the Close Up performer, absolutely certain to please.

The Blueprint was started by Barry Govan and Ian Baxter and taken over for the last two volumes by Murray Cooper and Gerry McCreanor. It ran from July 1974 to April 1981,...

★★★★★ $40
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Ian Baxter
Three Jacks Bettered by Ian Baxter

Jon Racherbaumer steps forward with a very keen Introduction to this Baxter treatment of the classic Three Jacks Deal. “…celebrate and perform Baxter’s latest, evolutionary entry.” It has been around since 1928, but this version guides it well into the 21st century.

Ian Baxter has accomplished something remarkable. He has taken a wonderful classic self-working effect, that has been described and worked on by such luminaries as Walter Gibson, John Scarne, Rufus Steele, Harry Lorayne, Ed Marlo and made it even better, more direct, less dealing procedures while preserving the effect, the sleight-less feature as well as adding an additional climax....

★★★★ $6
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Ian Baxter
Three For All by Ian Baxter

A collection of three re-worked card classics and as Dan Tong says in his Introduction, “Ian has produced three very usable approaches to three classic effects.” That says it all!

Easygoing Carlyle is a no-palm Card To Pocket with a repeat phase that any serious magician can do in a few days. It is almost self-working.

With Nicely Controlled, Ian has refashioned an old trick that was a favorite of none other than S. Leo Horowitz.

Follow The Leader is certainly a classic. What Ian offers here is a six card routine that is simpler to set up than most of the older eight card routines...

★★★★★ $6
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Ian Baxter
Five Kinks by Ian Baxter

From the introduction by David Jones:

Ian loves to tinker! Given his strong creative abilities, this tinkering has more often than not, resulted in much improved effects, more streamlined methods, or both. Over the years, Ian has released a number of books and manuscripts that detail some excellent card effects. Numerous One Man Parades in the IBM monthly magazine The Linking Ring have also been published.

On one occasion I remember fooling many well informed card men at the prestigious FFFF meeting in New York State, with one of Ian's streamlined handlings of a classic card effect. ...

$10
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Ian Baxter
Another Five Kinks by Ian Baxter

Five old chestnuts from the literature of card magic which were given the Baxter 'treatment', resulting in streamlined handlings and giving these venerable plots a breath of fresh air.

Underhanded Overhand is an extremely well finessed handling of the old ruse of appearing to have the entire deck shuffled with each half being shuffled independently.

The Cross Cut Force has been around since the 1920's and has remained virtually unchanged ever since. It is a simple move, but difficult to perform convincingly. Ian has taken another tack and by slightly changing the choreography of the move,...

$10
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Ian Baxter
A Further Five Kinks by Ian Baxter

Ian delights in finding forgotten gems in classical card literature, which he then refines and updates for modern day audiences. In this manuscript, you will find a further five effects which have received Ian's careful study and are sure to delight both you and your spectators.

In Miraskill Detour Ian has taken the classic Miraskill and turned it into a totally impromptu and self working mystery, while in the process managing to streamline the procedure and still maintain the strong impact of the original routine.

MBJ Echo is a re-working of an old Henry Christ trick, simple both in effect...

$10
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Ian Baxter
Fifteen Kinks Bundled by Ian Baxter

A sparkling assortment of card mysteries from Ian Baxter, five in each of three manuscripts. Introductions to all three are from David Jones, who very keenly endorses each and every effect. If you are into card magic, these are not to be missed.

★★★★ $25
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Ian Baxter
Pointless! by Ian Baxter

Here is a fall-over-easy card trick that has taken in well-informed magicians. Based on Ken de Courcy’s ‘You Do As I Do’ approach called [lp=922355You’ll Get The Point], Baxter rises to the occasion with a baffling presentation using a cleverly concealed, ancient principle. Totally impromptu, no gimmicks, set up or sleights.

Why the extraneous procedure of changing packets? To Ian, this seems totally unnecessary, although (obviously) the mechanics of the trick, as is, necessitate it. This effect is almost exactly the same as the de Courcy contribution, but the method is altogether different.

1st edition 2018, 2 pages....

★★★ $4
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Ian Baxter
Strands ... by Ian Baxter

Five of Baxter’s best with cards – all impromptu, all straightforward, all within reach of the average card man. Included is Easy Going Triumph, which puts the famous Vernon effect into an even more convincing mode and not a sleight in sight.

Direct and clean effects achieved by simple methods. With an introduction by Charles Gauci.

  • Shared Sandwich
  • Staying In Touch
  • Rag
  • Coin Spell
  • Easy Going Triumph

1st edition 2018, 16 pages.

$10
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Ian Baxter
Vernon's 1-2-3 Revisited by Ian Baxter

A perennial favorite in card magic: A chosen card is lost in the deck and the performer, showing the Ace, Two and Three of one suit, offers to change whichever is picked into the selection. That is exactly what happens, with Baxter’s smooth method making good use of The Ascanio Spread, achieving just that. Full instructions given, straightforward and easy to learn.

This revision of the Vernon classic not only underlines the all-important simplicity angle by using a shortcut display move, but dispenses with Vernon's need for Palming. Bruce Elliott briefly touched on this in the concluding lines...

★★★★ $4
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Ian Baxter
Elective One-Eyed Jacks by Ian Baxter

That popular card plot One-Eyed Jack Sandwich is given a new lease of life here, with the assisting spectator being asked where the magic is to take place – within the deck or out of it. Themed after a 1930’s classic The Charmed Watch, this smooth handling is sure to delight the most fastidious card man.

The One-Eyed Jack Sandwich theme was popularized by Harry Lorayne. However, it was none other than the Australian Charles Wicks who started the ball rolling, with his contribution The Charmed Watch appearing in The Magic Wand journal over eighty years ago. Ian's streamlined version keeps within the guidelines of...

★★★★ $4
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Ian Baxter
Scarne Thinks Again by Ian Baxter

Here is a 21st Century version of John Scarne's Think-A-Card, published by U.F. Grant back in 1938. Whereas Scarne's version relied on the convenience of writing predictions on cigarette papers, Baxter completely dispenses with this quaint idea with a new, slick presentation.

Daley was really fired up about this highly effective mental test from the ingenious Scarne: "You are about to become the possessor of a rare and beautiful gem in mental magic" he enthused. "Simple in its modus operandi and yet so tremendously effective...an almost perfect demonstration of mind reading."

Scarne, a universally recognized...

★★★★ $4
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Ian Baxter
The Guarantee Card by Ian Baxter

"Another look at the Three Of Clubs problem" and you will be hard pressed to find an easier, more practical application than this one. Performer places a card on the table, spectator thinks of and names any card in the deck. Performer turns over his prediction and wow...that's it!

The raw effect is impressive: Performer extracts a card from the deck, placing it face down to the table. Spectator now names any card that comes to mind, with the tabled selection revealed as the one thought of. Yes, as brief and as straightforward as that.

A firm favourite that has been making the rounds for...

★★★★ $4
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Ian Baxter
Three To Consider by Ian Baxter

This ebook continues where Ian stopped with his Five Kinks series. His tinkering with classic routines continues.

Too Easy Ace Cutting sees Ian reducing sleights to an absolute minimum for this timeless favorite, adding a surprise ending.

Distinctive Side Steal describes a handling for this sleight which resolves the one fundamental problem with the move, making it far easier to acquire.

Brown's Wandering Card: Ian describes his own version here and includes a subtlety which significantly enhances the deceptiveness of Brown's routine.

1st edition 2019, 17 pages.

$6
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Ian Baxter
Another Three To Consider by Ian Baxter

Australian card and close-up identity Ian Baxter steps forward with yet another assortment, "...three gems which he has dusted off and streamlined for your enjoyment in the pages that follow." So says David Jones in his enthusiastic introduction.

Jones continues: "As with his Five Kinks series, or his previous offering Three To Consider, Ian has once again provided us with three very entertaining card mysteries, all of which are high audience impact, but require minimal sleights."

Scarne's Certified Thought, Mark Of The Whistler, and Random Paradox all attest to Baxter's revisions.

1st edition 2019, 13 pages....

$6
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Ian Baxter
A Further Three To Consider by Ian Baxter

Baxter jumps in yet again with three stunning revisions of classics mined from the past. "Marlo Off The Cuff", "Above And Below" and "Redemption Poker Deal". David Jones once again steps forward with a pertinent Introduction: "...another collection of highly effective card tricks accomplished through careful construction rather than complicated sleight of hand. Each of these is a 'worker' and worthy of your attention." That says it all!

1st edition 2019, PDF 11 pages.

$6
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Ian Baxter
Departure Lounge by Ian Baxter

British magician Alex Elmsley carved a permanent niche for himself into the field of card magic, not only for his Elmsley Count, but two outstanding effects: "Between Your Palms" and "Point Of Departure". This manuscript explores a new and combined approach to these, put together by Ian Baxter. Easy, straightforward and uncomplicated. One of Baxter's best and highly recommended.

1st edition 2019, PDF 4 pages.

$4
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Ian Baxter
2020 Vision Fault by Ian Baxter

Ian Baxter steps forward with yet another twist on a classic from the past. Eddie Clever's Hallucination gets a working over here, thanks to a recently published variation from Todd Karr.

"A very direct effect here - entertaining presentation, plays big, kicker ending and can be done with a borrowed deck. This card mystery has it all!" - David Jones

1st edition 2020, PDF 4 pages.

★★★★ $4
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Ian Baxter
Himber Happening by Ian Baxter

From Ian Baxter, a breathtaking new approach to Al Koran's classic Five Star Prediction. The effect is as straightforward as could be expected: A prediction removed from a wallet and handed to a spectator, matches a freely chosen card from a shuffled deck.

"A significant improvement with a radical new use for the Himber Wallet. Very clever thinking indeed. Perfect!" - David Jones

"Loved It. Very, very clean, Loved the fact that the deck is shuffled at the outset. Cannot fault it." - Charles Gauci

1st edition 2020, PDF 6 pages.

★★★★ $4
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Ian Baxter
More Strands by Ian Baxter

Three more stunning, completely impromptu card gems from Ian Baxter. Taking It Easy is reason enough to acquire this manuscript. You won't ever find a smoother, easier version of The Lazy Magician than this. Simple, concise and with a first rate presentation slant, as are two other mysteries ... Guide Card and Jump.

1st edition 2020, PDF 9 pages.

$6
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Ian Baxter
Further Strands by Ian Baxter

Third in his 'Strands' manuscript series, Ian Baxter shares his version of Charlie Miller's classic Dunbury Delusion, an extremely effective transposition of two chosen cards entitled Open and Close, plus an unusual handling of Dai Vernon's Multiple Card Pass. Card men everywhere will be sure to benefit from this material.

1st edition 2020, PDF 12 pages.

$6
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Ian Baxter
Essayed Prophesy by Ian Baxter

From Ian Baxter, here is a remarkable 21st Century version of Bill Simon's famed Business Card Prophecy - virtually sleight-free and within reach of any card handler.

"A modern-day approach based on casual handling and natural misdirection, achieving the same outcome while eliminating the move entirely. Very clever thinking." - David Jones

1st edition 2020, PDF 4 pages.

★★★★ $4
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Ian Baxter
Smooth Elevator by Ian Baxter

Edward Marlo originated The Elevator Cards back in 1948 and now, Ian Baxter's latest streamlined offering is available. Short, snappy and to the point, with several strong magical moments. This is totally impromptu, practically sleight free and is sure to please the most discriminating card worker. This is one of Baxter's best!

1st edition 2020, PDF 7 pages.

★★★★★ $4
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Ian Baxter
Three Extras by Ian Baxter

Francis Carlyle and Faucett Ross get coverage in this latest manuscript from Ian Baxter. In a tribute to both of these giants from the past, Baxter examines Carlyle's 'The Card That Finds Itself' with a new and novel approach, while the Ross classic 'Twice Turned' gets a dusting off that adds value-plus to this popular effect from the Vernon Chronicles. The third entry is Baxter's technique for the Top Palm, unbelievably fast, straightforward and appreciably easier than most other methods in print.

1st edition 2020, PDF 9 pages.

$4
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Ian Baxter
Three Good Deals by Ian Baxter

Growing tired of long, arduous Poker Deals that magicians love and audiences can loathe? All too often when a spectator remarks: "I wouldn't like to play cards with you!" the performer unleashes a twenty-minute Poker demonstration, often laced with countless sleights and bloated yarn about a shady Mexican gambler. The entertainment quotient is immediately stifled; it is all just 'too much.'

Looking to jettison these overbearing routines? Author Ian Baxter has put together some practical alternatives - three highly entertaining, well-paced Poker Deals in one exceptional manuscript. Easy, delightful...

★★★ $6
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Ian Baxter
Delightful by Ian Baxter

The ingenious Paul Curry, creator of 'Out Of This World' was also responsible for a number of other timely favourites - 'Open Prediction' being a standout and attracting variations a-plenty from card experts everywhere.

Ian Baxter has fashioned a particularly appealing version of this classic, written in his inimitable style and now available in an easy-to-read manuscript - totally impromptu, simple to perform, no fakes, stranger cards, or hidden accessories. Skills need are minimal. A delight indeed!

1st edition 2021, PDF 4 pages.

★★★ $4
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Ian Baxter
Baxter's Ambitious Card by Ian Baxter

A treasured classic in anyone's language, "The Ambitious Card" absolutely runs rings around most other card effects. Of the versions in print, a few too many are on the difficult side, but not this one.

Ian Baxter has finally released his extraordinary version - a streamlined, baffling approach that he has used for decades. And the best part of this? It is, as you might guess, straightforward and undemanding. No more than basic card skills are required ... Hindu Shuffle, Overhand Shuffle, Double Lift, Bluff Pass, very little else. Guaranteed to please!

1st edition 2021, PDF 10 pages.

★★★★ $6
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