Card to impossible location seems to be an enduringly popular card magic plot. We noticed ‘The One 2.0’ advertised a while ago – at a point where we were overwhelmed by the spate of ‘card to transparent box’ releases – and liked the look of its simplicity. And now, we’ve finally got round to reviewing it!
The basic effect (and a number of alternatives are taught) is that a card is folded into quarters and placed in full view on one side – perhaps underneath a wine glass. The spectator then chooses and signs a card which is lost in the deck, and when the card placed aside at the beginning is opened up it turns out to be the spectator’s signed card. The effect is simple, direct, powerful.
What do you get?
Basically a DVD, and also a couple of cards which you might use for some of the variations. The teaching is a little on the underwhelming side – I’m not sure whether that was because I was watching the English version (the creator is French I believe). So it relied more on showing/miming the explanations than using words. That being said, it was still fairly easy to follow.
The idea at the heart of The One 2.0 is a little move which makes it all possible. It is a little knacky – but not very difficult. In fact I would suggest that it is easier than the Mercury Card Fold which (as with many of these effects) you will need to be able to perform. (The MCF is taught – though again, not in any great detail.)
Variations on a theme
A variation is taught where the effect is the essentially the same – but the ‘prediction’ card has a different coloured back – and yet their chosen signed card still ends up there.
There’s also a variation called Any Number and Any Card. The spectator chooses a number, deals down to that number and folds the card at that location into quarters, placing it on the side. Then they name any card, look through deck and it’s not there – because it was the one already counted to and set aside earlier.
Transpo – is a different effect using the same move. Two chosen (signed) cards which have been folded into quarters switch places in the spectator’s hand.
Revea’Lighter – takes the same idea to create a revelation as a drawing set aside earlier changes into a prediction. And clearly you could come up with other variations on the theme fairly easily.
Slight handling variations are taught allowing you to leave the card on the table, under a glass or in your top pocket. There’s also a more ‘gimmicked’ version taught. To my mind, what this gains in a fractionally cleaner initial display it loses because it requires an extra move later – so I would have thought there’s not much advantage in this version.
The One 1.0
As its name implies, this is the second version of this kind of effect created by Anthony Stan. The DVD includes explanations and performance of the original version. This is a similar ‘mystery card’ plot but with an unfolded card. It is rather more involved in terms of set up – but if you can be bothered with the more complicated set up it is very easy to do. But to my mind version 2.0 is a significant improvement – as long as you can do the mercury card fold.
Using the version one set up, there is a version of Transpo – but to be honest the ‘sleight of hand’ version is really easier. The use of the gimmick makes some of the moves feel somewhat unnatural to me. If you’re a fan of version 1, a sandwich and a card to pocket effect using same kind of approach are also explained.
The final section of the DVD contains some ideas for different switches involving further gimmicks. For me, these lose the simplicity of the original version, but if you like fiddling with these things, why not?
Is it The One?
Compared to some of the more ‘prop-based’ variations on this theme, the great plus of The One 2.0 is its simplicity. You don’t need any extra gimmicks so you can do it anywhere, there are no unusual looking boxes or props, and its really very clean. It’s a simple idea which are often the best. The switch used could have many other applications if you’ll only get creative.
The only two minor negatives are that the teaching quality is adequate but not the most thorough, and at the end of the day you’re really simply learning how to do a neat switch. And you might think at £22.99 it is a trifle over-priced.
Available direct from Merchant of Magic at £22.99 (at the time of writing).
Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.
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