Minch, Stephen: Secrets of a Puerto Rican Gambler
©1980 The PR Press
Softcover, saddle-stitched, 5.5x8.5", 115 pages

©2018 Vanishing Inc.
Hardcover,

Comments (DrDanny): "The Conditionally Guaranteed Magic of Daryl". Photo illustrated. A classic. This book is almost as much fun as seeing Daryl in person. Fine writing by Minch, and highly recommended. Each chapter includes handling and presentation details that really make a difference. No gaffs, all impromptu, seated or standing. Get it, if you can find an affordable copy. (You may need to refine your definition of affordable.) Final comments: I can't overstress this - as good as the effects themselves are, it's the thinking behind the methods (and Minch's explanations) that makes this book worth finding.

Contents:
5 Introduction: The Puerto Rican Gambler Unmasked: an essay on Daryl's philosophy of improvising within structured routines - the "conditional" of the title.
13 The Boomeranging Card of Mystery: Daryl's handling of the classic tossed-card-caught-in-deck-locates-selection. All the details that make this chestnut such a joy to behold when Daryl does it.
29 Variation One The Chicago Conspiracy: variation #1 of previous effect, this time without the tossing.
33 Variation Two Quick Silver: variation #2, locator card is replaced by a coin.
38 Holding On!: Daryl does Alex Elmsley's Between the Palms with the (now-common?) kicker: the misses change to match the selection. Worth studying.
54 The Puerto Rican Triumph: another classic, with the now-famous topsy-turvy cutting display sequences. You decide if it's over-proving or not.
70 The Mysterious Cross of India An Interlude and Lecture: a coins-across effect with deceptively simple method, and perhaps the most important lesson in the book.
81 In the Pinch: selected card grabbed in mid-air as spectator dribbles a packet. This is so good that Martin Nash used it for years.
88 Conditional Variations Just Tweezing: conditional handling variations of In the Pinch
94 Conditional Assembly: a nicely constructed four ace assembly done with A,2,3,4D.
105 Twisted Aces Redivivus: corrected/improved from the version in "Paul Harris Reveals..." It looks good when Daryl does it, really!


Secrets of a "Puerto Rican Gambler"
This masterwork encapsulates not only some of world champion Daryl's finest work, but also some of the most influential material of the 1980s. Here we see Daryl's now legendary Cutting Display for Triumph, his stunning, perfect "Mysterious Cross of India" Coins Across, and "The Boomerang Card of Mystery." There are also some forgotten gems, waiting to be resurrected from the early 80s and introduced to a new audience. "In the Pinch" allows you to snatch a selection from a cascading pack of cards. You will also find Daryl's touches on Twisting the Aces, an impossible card location, and more.

Secrets of a "Puerto Rican Gambler" is Daryl's rarest and most acclaimed work, and we're thrilled to present this updated reprint to fans worldwide. In addition to a sparkling new edit and layout, there are more than double the original photographs. Also included is a bonus routine not found in the original book but created during the same time period: Daryl's astounding "Double Dazzling Triumph." Table of Contents: The Boomerang Card of Mystery - Catch a selection from a falling waterfall of cards. The Chicago Conspiracy - Trap two selections by causing them to come together. Quick Silver - Two selected cards are attracted to a half dollar, as if by magic. Holding On - Alex Elmsley's "Between Your Palms" is a modern classic, and this is Daryl's terrific take. The Puerto Rican Triumph - This is it! This is where Daryl's now-famous Cutting Display debuted. The Mysterious Cross of India - A Coins Across of the Finest Order. No hand-to-hand transfers. A modern classic! In the Pinch - You trap a selection as a spectator dribbles the cards to the table! Just Tweezing - A variation of the above. Conditional Assembly - A beautiful, thoughtful take on the classic four-Ace Assembly. Twisted Aces Redivivus - If you love Vernon's Twisting the Aces, you'll love these fine finesses. Double Dazzling Triumph - A show-stopping closer in the key of Triumph.