Wednesday 29 June 2011

The "Gilbreath" Principle My ASS!!!

Back in the 50's, when I was a math professor at Columbia, I discovered an interesting principle that could be used as an application in card magic. I called it "The Solayme Principle". And even though I PUBLISHED IT IN ARMAGEDDON, JUNE 1957, all the credit went to some bozo named Norman Gilbreath, WHO DIDN'T PUBLISH UNTIL JULY 1957!!! Since then, it has always been referred to as the "Gilbreath Principle". Well I'm finally going to put this matter to rest once and for all. THAT IDEA WAS MINE, I DID THE MATH, AND HE STOLE IT!!!

So next time you do an effect using this principle, just remember who came up with it: ME, THAT'S WHO!!! It's about time people gave it its proper name: "The Solayme Principle".

BS

An Unequivocal Apology

Well folks, it seems I made a mistake. I may have got a bit carried away in the comments on my classic Ambitious Card Routine. It seems that Sebastian (A.K.A. XCM Master) is actually a fine upstanding young man, who happens to have dyslexia. Sorry Sebastian, I too suffer from that affliction, and have only overcome it using spellcheck and hard work.

Also, Sebastian's mother, who as it turns out is a prosecuting attorney, has never, repeat never, prostituted herself for crack cocaine, nor has she ever, at any point, had sex with a mailman. Sorry Mrs. deWeert, I mis-spoke.

To make up for it, I've sent young Sebastian a complete collection of my 893 books, retail value $45,000. I hope you enjoy, Sebastian, and keep practicing!

BS

Tuesday 28 June 2011

ACR - A Solayme Classic

Many people ask me, "Barry, what's your single greatest achievement in the world of magic?"

Well folks, that really is an IMPOSSIBLE question!!! There have been so many, you see. But I thought I'd make an occasional feature of some classic gems that I've contributed to the world of magic over the many years of creating miracles. So, if you see a post with 'A Solayme Classic' in the title, be sure to PAY ATTENTION!!!

Here goes with Barry Solayme's Ambitious Card Routine (ACR), first published by yours truly in Armageddon, back in the day. I don't remember the exact date: Richard?!

   First off, I get the spectator to shuffle the pack. Then ask him to deal it into 26 piles, with two cards in each pile. Next, ask the spectator to choose a pile. Eliminate that pile, asking him to choose again. Continue doing this until there is only one pile left. Now the spectator must choose between the two remaining cards. Whichever card is left becomes 'The Ambitious Card'! Some folks like the spectator to sign the card, but I find that adds little to the impact.

   The second phase involves some difficult slights, so lesser magicians may wish to skip to the next phase. First, ask the spectator to replace the the card to the top, then over-hand shuffle the selection to the bottom. Now over-hand shuffle it back to the top and ask the spectator to remove the top card - this will blow them away, because it is, of course, their selection!!!

   For the third phase, have the card replaced back on top. If you know a false cut then now is the time to use it! If not, then palm off the top card, hand the deck to the spectator and have them shuffle it. Now ask them to check the top card, NOT their selection, and take back the pack, secretly replacing their selection to the top. Now, after an appropriate magical gesture, show them the top card - THIS WILL KNOCK THEIR SOCKS OFF!!!!

   Finally, using the 'Solayme Tilt' (Armageddon 1948), position the selection 2nd from top. Now show the top and bottom card. Place the top card roughly into the center of the pack saying, "Let's burn that card". Then, after a magical gesture, show them for the final time that their selection has come to the top!!! This gets me a standing ovation from family and friends alike!!!

Enjoy, and keep practicing!!!

BS

A MESSAGE TO THE HATERS

DON'T THINK I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE YOU MOTHERFUCKERS. DON'T THINK YOU CAN HIDE IN YOUR ANONYMOUS BLOGS YOU MINDLESS BASTARDS. I'M BARRY FUCKING SOLAYME, I CAN SQUASH YOU LIKE A FUCKING BUG YOU MAGGOTS. GO FUCK YOURSELVES - I CAN USE THE GODDAM DELETE BUTTON. THIS IS MY BLOG, NOT SOME TURD PARTY FOR NO-TALENT HATERS.

DON'T BOTHER WITH THE SHITWAD COMMENTS, THEY'LL NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY ON THESE PAGES.

BS

The Classic Pass - its TRUE origin!

The 'classic pass', or 'shift', or 'hop' has had many claimants over the years as to its originator. Now I don't want to get into a debate on history. I'll leave that to the experts. I'm just a humble card man, and I don't want to get into politics right now. But here's a thought: has anyone noticed the similarity between the pass as described by a certain S.W. Erdnase in 1902 and the pass as described by me, Barry Solayme, in the December 1901 edition of Armageddon?

I thought as much. Apart from the fact that the guy COULDN"T WRITE TO SAVE HIS LIFE, and the TERRIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS, there are a hell of a lot of coincidences. Too many to be a coincidence, if you take my meaning...

Now, no one claims that Erdnase invented the pass, some say it's hundreds of years old, as old as playing cards themselves in fact. I'm not disputing that. Like I said, I leave that to all you historians. But when I was court magician to a certain King Arthur, back in the day, let's just say I had a pretty radical idea involving 52 pieces of rectangular, stiffened parchment. Let's just leave it at that.

Oh, and by the way, it might not be a COINCIDENCE, that if you take the letters of BARRY SOLAYME, mix them up, take some away, then add a couple, you get "MERLIN". Just saying.

BS

Lennart Green, that no-talent rip-off schmuck!

Everywhere I look now the kids are praising Lennart Green, that Swedish bozo. Lennart Green: they say he re-invented card magic. Ha! THAT GUY IS JUST SLOPPY! Look at his handling, the man's nothing but a bungling amateur. His so-called 'Lazer Deal' is really one of my sleights, published in Armageddon, (I forget when exactly), and it was called Barry Solayme's 'Phazer Deal'. A lot of people don't realize it, but I gave Gene Roddenberry the idea for Star Trek, only my idea was called 'Star Wars'. Some other guy ripped that off too, but I won't get into it right now.

Anyway, that herring-guzzler stole my 'Phazer Deal', my 'Wind-turbine Crescent Move' and many others besides. He followed me around Sweden back in the 40's, then stowed away on the plane back to New York. Then the guy stalked me for a decade while I got my medical degree (a lot of people don't realize I invented open heart surgery). Meanwhile, what did Green do? Just your basic rip-off no-talent card man. He never even took the time to clear up his messy sleights. My mother had more skill with cards.

Where would he be if it wasn't for yours truly? NOWHERE! THAT'S WHERE!!!

BS