This is from an email that Ellu******* has been sending out. I thought that it might be useful to share it here.

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Perfecting Your Sleights - A Checklist

This is a check list that I use whenever I think I am ready to perform a sleight.

1. Are there any fingers that jerk or jump?
2. Do the fingers that should stay stationary stay stationary?
3. Does anything make a noise when it should not?
4. Is the get-ready for the move well covered?
5. If it is supposed to look like something else, is it identical to that?
6. Can you perform it even if people are burning your hands?
7. Can you do it without looking at the deck?
8. Is there any stop in the movement / does it flow?
9. Is your hands/arms relaxed?
10. Do you move your body when you perform it?
11. Did you practice the sleight in the actual effect? Is it flowing with the routine/effect and the presentation?

Also, This is an Angle-Checker.
Even if the sleight is originally angle-sensitive, it's good to think about these.

Can it be done. . .

1. When the audience is looking at it from the very front?
2. When the audience is looking at it from the right?
3. When the audience is looking at it from the left?
4. When the audience is looking at it from the top?
5. When you are standing up and the audience is sitting down?
6. When you are sitting down and the audience is standing up?
7. When there you are sitting at a table?

If not,

1. Do you have a method to cover those angles?
2. Do you have a way of not letting people view from those angles?

Hope this has helped.

-Nate River / Ellusionist forum member