Crewistry

I've had a soft spot in my heart for card flourishes since childhood... perhaps learning things like the "Hot Shot Cut" (and a decade later: Chris Kenners "Sybll" ) from the printed page installed a respect for the craft at an early age... or perhaps my brain is just hardwired for the odd and unusual?
(the latter is more likely to be closer to the truth.)

If you're on the fence about flourishes, I suggest a look at  Daryl's thoughts in his "In Praise of the Lowly Flourish" essay. This can be found in "For Your Entertainment Pleasure" (Stephen Minch)

While I'm here: Open note to Daryl & or Stephen: In my opinion For Your Entertainment Pleasure & "Secrets of a Puerto Rican Gambler" are as important now as they were back in the 80's...  PLEASE REPRINT THEM!

but I digress...

Sub note 2.0" Alex Elmsley also published some interesting thoughts on the subject (these can be found in his "Collected Works"... again Minch ;) ... those who know me , know I put allot of value on just about EVERY thing Mr. Elmsley has published.

Anyhoo
If you don't want to do the right thing and find/read/contemplate the thoughts of these giants, I think I can sum it up in a sentence:

"An audience should expect a professional to handle their props expertly"
(at the very least, they shouldn't be surprised if/when you do so.)

IMO: it makes total since that a performer who handles cards (or coins or balls or whatever) should be able to manipulate the objects extraordinarily. Sure, you must be careful not to overshadow the magic/effect with such displays, but as an interlude or when used to diffuse a hot moment, flourishes can be a wonderful tool (and as in the "Hot Shot Cut" & the "Snow Shoe Sandwich") used correctly flourished CAN also be used within a magical routine...

You cay no?
I say rules are meant to be broken
 Of course, this isn't the right approach for everyone,
but there is a place and a time for some of it, some of the time.

NOte, No, I still haven't seen a full / live performance of "Cardistry" that I think a paying  / viewing public would be interested in.... but I've seen LOTS of interesting web demos that interest me.

Here's one of them below (in fact, it was the inspiration for this post)
These young men perform with a smooth grace that brings a certain elegance to the flourishes

... the editing is sweet too.

Thanks Zach & Crew (Chase Duncan, Tobias Levin)

Good stuff