In a column for The New York Times, a student attempts to learn card tricks from mentalist Asi Wind ahead of the publication of his new book, “How Did You Do That?,” scheduled for release on Nov. 17.
The lesson took place at a circular table inside an Upper East Side apartment. The student struggled with basic maneuvers, describing their hands as feeling like flippers while attempting card tricks.
Asi Wind Releases New Book on Nov. 17
- Asi Wind’s new book, “How Did You Do That?,” arrives on Nov. 17.
- The author describes struggling immensely with basic card tricks and counting on fingers during a lesson on the Upper East Side.
- Wind offered steady encouragement while teaching maneuvers intended to be simple enough to execute over the phone.
Learning From a Mentalist
The session involved fumbling through a series of card tricks taught by the mentalist. Turning a card under the table proved difficult, making the student feel like a shifty pervert while elbows trembled during shuffles.
Calculations required counting on fingers to complete a trick that Wind declared simple enough to perform over the phone. Throughout the fumbling attempts, Wind maintained an encouraging and patient demeanor.
Wind Advises Rehearsal and Patience for Mastering Maneuvers
The dynamic brought to mind a long-ago algebra tutor who offered assurances that parabolas and coefficients would eventually become friendly concepts. Those mathematical elements never did befriend the student.
Wind quoted advice straight from his upcoming publication to steady the lesson. “Rehearse, breathe, slow down,” Wind said, according to the column.
“There’s a learning curve for everything,” he added, noting that the exact maneuvers needed would eventually be mastered.
