Seeking the Bridge by John Born
John Born’s Seeking the Bridge is a very interesting read. If you are familiar with John’s work, you know that he thinks very, very, very carefully about his card routines, and each one builds a thick tapestry of deception: elements of psychology, risk, sleight-of-hand, and gaffery play into his work at different points, and the result is devastating magic that fools your audience now, and will have them talking about your work a year from now.

Seeking the Bridge is divided into two parts: the first part deals with John’s innovative and extensive work on memorized deck magic. Nearly all of it can be done with any stack; instead, these routines deal mostly with a smart way of connecting multiple selections to each other using a “bridge” mindset (you have to read it to grasp the idea).
But the book isn’t for memorized deck users only. There is plenty to offer including a very intriguing deck switch idea and some fine gambling effects. It is very clear that John Born has become a real “worker” as his effects are practical and original.

The quality of the book itself is beautiful: blue cloth-bound, matching his previous Meant to Be in size, and 189 pages full of illustrative photos. John continues to push boundaries as a performer and a creator, and Seeking the Bridge is worthy of careful study.

Contents of Seeking the Bridge
Perfect Pick

Seeking the Bridge

Sticking the Bridge

Hands-Off Deck Switch

Pocket Change

Bridging the Deck Switch

Time to Shine

Numerical Reverse Revisited

The Second Push

An Instinct for Cards Revisited

The Way for One-Way

Jazzing Baker

Mind Mix

The Delayed Crimp

Lucky Penny

Slugged

A Blackjack Bet