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 ULMEN4
TRIALS PRELIMINARY RULES
The Ulmen4 Trials consists of thirteen challenges.
Successfully meeting each challenge entails performing
an extremely advanced manipulative stunt with playing
cards. Completion of all thirteen feats confers upon
the performer the title of ULMEN 4 MASTER. This is
a title that will objectively reflect true mastery of
the art and that will carry with it honor and prestige
to which few will rightfully lay claim. The challenges
must be completed in the prescribed order. Failure
to complete a given challenge precludes the challenger
from attempting further challenges. Successfully
completed challenges may be applied toward future attempts
at full completion of the Trials.
GENERAL PARAMETERS
The challenger will be allowed the use of no more
than six decks of cards of his own supply. At most one
deck can consist of no more than 54 waterproof or all-plastic
cards. The waterproof or all-plastic deck can only be
used for performance of the water elemental. The remaining
five decks must be standard, unaltered regulation playing
cards consisting of no more than 54 cards per deck.
The only augmentation of the cards allowed will be the
application of fanning powder. Fanning powder must be
applied prior to entry into the challenge chamber. Decks
may be bridge or poker size, in any condition. Bending,
creasing, folding or otherwise altering the planar condition
of a card is not permitted. No fanning decks are permitted.
All cards may be examined either before or after the
execution of a stunt by a judge wearing cotton gloves
to avoid contamination of the cards. A different deck
may be used for any individual challenge and/or any
attempt within a challenge phase. Any two non-plastic
decks may be combined for the thirty-packet cut (see
Sixth Challenge). Any two decks may be used for the
double one-hand shuffles (see First Challenge). No augmentation
of the hands or body or clothing of the performer is
allowed. No assistance from any other person that is
not the challenger will be permitted at any time. The
water tank, wind apparatus, suspension apparatus and
variable surface apparatus will be that supplied by
the Ulmen4. Specifications for these equipments (for
training purposes) are supplied in conjunction with
the description of each stunt. No other equipment of
any kind, including lights, audio, video, smoke, or
gimmicks of any kind whatsoever are permitted. The determination
that a violation of the rules and parameters of the
Trials has occurred shall be at the sole discretion
of the judges.
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The challenger will be given three chances to complete
each challenge. There will be no more than one minute
of elapsed time between attempts of the same challenge.
The objective criteria for completion are given below.
The challenger may switch decks for any challenge or
for any of the three attempts at completion of a challenge.
Judges have the final say as to whether a challenge
has been successfully completed. All proceedings are
videotaped and these tapes become the property of the
Ulmen4. No other non-sanctioned recording equipment
is allowed.
THE CHALLENGES
Here are the first six Ulmen4 requirements. These
first six are fairly simple.
FIRST CHALLENGE - TWO
ONE-HANDED SHUFFLES
The challenger is to perform one-hand weave shuffles
with waterfall finishes using two decks of cards,
one in each hand, blindfolded, with both hands tied
behind the back. Any method of the one-hand weave
may be employed. The "blindfold" will be
that supplied by the Ulmen4, and shall consist of
a peek-proof cloth sack, to be applied by the judges.
The challenger may position his decks on a table
prior to being blindfolded, or may hold them throughout.
No cards may hit the ground, and the hands must not
help each other. |
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SECOND CHALLENGE - SELF-STANDING
SCULTPURE
The challenger must construct a self-standing sculpture.
The sculpture must be created with one hand, and
closed with one hand. Sculpture must consist of 4
or more packets. After the sculpture has been formed,
it must not touch the finger tips, or be clipped
in any way. At least 70% of the sculpture must be
off of the hand. The other 30% can conform to the
shape of your hand. It must stand on its own for
at least 5 seconds with finger tips at least 1 inch
away, and must collapse with all cards facing the
same direction. The sculpture must be to
the artist performing. |
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THIRD CHALLENGE - DOUBLE
CROSS COBRA CUTS
The challenger is to perform double cross Cobra
Cuts and switch airborne packets for the catch. The
challenger must execute simultaneous three-packet
Cobra Cuts in each hand cross handed, up to strike
position. Each elevated packet must be caught between
the two mouth packets of the opposite hand without
tilting the mouths upward. The packets must rotate
at least ninety degrees, side over side. The challenger
may use one or two non-plastic decks. The cards must
start all oriented in the same direction before and
after the stunt. |
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FOURTH CHALLENGE - FOOT
SHUFFLE
The challenger must perform a standard riffle shuffle
using only his feet. The challenger may accomplish
the shuffle standing up or sitting down. The shuffle
itself may be a table shuffle or in-the-feet shuffle.
No waterfall finish is necessary. A full deck must
be used. A variety of chairs will be supplied by
the Ulmen4 for this stunt. No contact assistance
of the hands is allowed other than placing the deck
on the floor or placing the undivided deck in the
feet, prior to the execution of the shuffle. The
hands may grip the chair or touch the floor in any
manner needed to stabilize the challenger. |
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FIFTH CHALLENGE - DOUBLE
ARM SPREADS
The challenger shall perform Double Arm spreads
with simultaneous aerial catches. Any one or two
decks may be used. The performer must spread one
deck or half a deck on each arm, execute simultaneous
turnovers of the spreads, and then perform simultaneous
aerial catches. Any method of spreading the cards
is permitted. All cards of both ribbon spreads must
be completely free of the hands and arms prior to
the actual catch. Glide catches are not permitted.
Successive turnovers or catches are not permitted.
All cards must be facing the same way before and
after the stunt. |
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SIXTH CHALLENGE - THIRTY
PACKET ARRAY
The challenger must construct a thirty packet array
using two decks. Any two decks can be used. A packet
must consist of at least three cards. There must
be at least one quarter inch of space between the
non-nexus ends or sides of any two adjacent packets.
No stepped or stacked packets allowed. The packets
must be completely separate and visible during the
display. Any part of the body may be used to hold
or stabilize packets. Use of the ground or table
is not permitted. An unlimited amount of packets
may be placed on the body in a static position. The
array must be generated and then gathered or closed
such that all cards of both decks are facing the
same way both before and after the cut. There must
be a flow, style, or rhythm to both creating and
taking down the display. |
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Want to know more?
Check out our Ulmen Trials 2004 Review
If you are seriously interested in taking the Ulmen Trials,
email us at: handlordz@msn.com and
we will assist you to get in contact with the Ulmen
4, so you may be scheduled to take the challenges
during next year's Ulmen Trials.
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