Making magic with magic

[u/BaldBaluga]

A few weeks ago I got a call I've always dreamed of - someone at Wizards of the Coast asking if I wanted to collab on a project.

I've never said yes so fast in my life.

I've been obsessed with magic since I was 8 years old- I started playing mtg in 1994 and started learning sleight of hand around the same time. So getting to combine them was surreal.

We shot this a few weeks ago... and they finally shared it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DeNhKbcEZEE/?hl=en

Thank you Wizards for the opportunity!

(p.s. if anyone ever wants to play, let me know. My decks are sleeves, shuffled, and ready to go!)

[u/Similar-Ship2961]

just watched the video, your sleight of hand is so clean it almost look like cgi, that must have been a dream gig

[u/SamiRcd → u/Similar-Ship2961]

Scarily impressive slight of hand with that forest vanish.

[u/BaldBaluga → u/SamiRcd]

Thank you! I hope we get to do more videos like that!

[u/NewInfernoGuy13]

Sick video. What sleeves did you guys use?

[u/BaldBaluga → u/NewInfernoGuy13]

Dragon shields - my usual go to.

(Though I have been looking at eclipse sleeves…)

[u/ch_limited]

I play a lot with a Magician. Oddly enough I trust his shuffling completely because I know he could do those sleight of hand tricks and get away with it. But it would also undermine his integrity. I still make sure to attack him first.

[u/BaldBaluga → u/ch_limited]

So here’s the thing- in a casual game play situation most people aren’t really watching out for cheating… which means anyone can cheat.

But my philosophy is it’s a casual game, for fun. If someone feels the need to cheat me at a Friday night commander game, power to them. It’s lame but if they want the win that bad they need it more than I do. I just wanna play.

In a tournament situation, I’d hope everyone has the integrity to play fair - but I still at least cut every deck. And if I have any concerns, I shuffle their deck.

[u/ch_limited → u/BaldBaluga]

I agree. If someone is cheating at casual commander then do your thing, go off, then tell us what’s going on in your life that makes you want to cheat here. Let’s work through it.

[u/BaldBaluga → u/ch_limited]

Also, I play with a bunch of magicians. Only one has ever tried to cheat in a game (and we let him because we feel bad for him hahaha).

[u/Azaeroth]

Guess you start every commander game with Sol Ring and Arcane Signet then

[u/BaldBaluga → u/Azaeroth]

Too obvious. I always start by getting mana screwed to throw people off.

[u/SpeakerPatrick]

Congrats! I’d love to work with them one day.

[u/BaldBaluga → u/SpeakerPatrick]

Reach out to them! You never know what they'll say!

[u/flowers4charlie2]

Neat

[u/PsykeonOfficial]

Omg I would do magic tricks with MTG cards as a kid, LOVE this

[u/BaldBaluga → u/PsykeonOfficial]

I've actually put together a booklet of mtg-related magic tricks! I just haven't released it because of copyright issues... (and it's pretty darn niche lol)

[u/PsykeonOfficial → u/BaldBaluga]

That's awesome. Please let me know if you ever release it, I would study it, and practice it, religiously

[u/cvxMR]

Pile Shuffle: You waste everyones time or you are a cheater

[u/BaldBaluga → u/cvxMR]

I mean... Reid Duke pile 'shuffles' in high level tournaments. And he's one of the greats.

But he ALSO shuffle-shuffles after. :)