The Effect

To a theme about the difference between magic and mind-reading you manage to locate a card chosen by the spectator. Then show you had already predicted it. And then show that you had also predicted a card they only thought about! This is a really strong effect which is easy to do.

What do you get?

Omen comes with a very special deck of cards which does most of the work for you. Also (a novelty in these days) a DVD which runs to just over half an hour. As with all Alakazam releases you can also register for online updates – so if you don’t have a DVD player you could watch the instructions online if you prefer.

What do we think?

Although Omen doesn’t seem to have made a huge splash in the magic world, it is to my mind one of the best releases I’ve looked at this year. The effect is incredibly strong and clean looking – lots of freedom for the spectator and only a few constraints on the handling. You can do it with one or two spectators – so there is good audience interaction too.

You’ll have to do a small amount of one-time setup – which is easy to do and will only take you five minutes. The routine is easy to learn – the hardest part is remembering the thought of card while you perform the next part of the trick!

For the big kicker at the ending you’ll need some pocket space or wallet space, depending on which route you go down. Neither are excessive. But you will need the special deck just for this effect. I’m not normally a fan of special deck tricks, but this is such a strong effect that I would make an exception.

Re-set is pretty quick – little more than cutting the deck. But you wouldn’t want to perform this more than once with the same spectators.

The only negative thing I could find to say is that it would have been nice to see a live performance or two on the DVD. As you’ll see below – a video is available – so it seems strange not to have included it on the DVD.

All in all, I think this Omen is a fantastic effect which will definitely be finding its way into my close up set. You can pick it up from the Merchant of Magic for £36.99 (at the time of writing).

Here’s a performance of Omen to wet your appetite…

Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.

Chris Congreave – Omen – review

4.5 / 5 Reviewer

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The post Chris Congreave – Omen – review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

Let’s kick straight off with Trick Soup. A confession – I’ve not clapped eyes on this twin DVD set. However, everything that Gary Jones and Chris Congreave put out is worth looking at. They are two top class working pros and have released some superb magic over the years. So I have no hesitation recommending this sight unseen, and look forward to getting hold of my copy! £34.50

Next up is a lovely twist (did you see what I did there?!) on the old Paul Harris Reality Twister (without the lens) and the latest in a long line of effects using the humble sharpie marker. In Spiralled the barrel of a Sharpie Pen becomes tightly twisted leaving a wonderful visual effect. £14.72

I’m a die hard Chop Cup fan, and I love the thinking behind Alan Hudson’s Chop Glass. This is a way of performing the classic chop cup routine but with a glass you pick up from the table you’re working at. This both makes it seem utterly fair and saves pocket space. A genius idea for anyone who does lots of wedding or walkaround gigs. £48.50 (For another, really unusual, new take on the chop cup idea check out the Transformer Chop Cup by Sean Yang – though I’m less convinced by the look of this one!)

Nicholas Einhorn is a wonderfully understated gentleman of magic who also puts out some cracking effects. Just when you thought there could be no more variations on the bill switch a fantastic new alternative comes along. A receipt from a store is folded into 8ths and immediately turns into a banknote. Insta-Change is a great effect and well thought out idea. £34.50 (We’ve linked to the UK currency version. It is also available in Dollars and Euros.)

There have been a spate of new decks out too – so many that I’ll try and do a feature later in the month – but here’s just one of the releases to keep you going which is close to my magical heart. The Hocus Pocus playing cards have been commissioned to celebrate a wonderful US-based bricks and mortar shop – of the kind for which I have a great fondness. A bit of slightly nostalgic yet classy design, in a deep regal purple which is one of my favourite colours. What’s not to like? £12.99

As if all this were not enough, watch out for our (somewhat delayed) giveaway – which will be live soon! Have a great month.

The post Trick of the month – April 2017 – loads of new releases appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

Aqua Ring

An impossibly clean looking escape of a borrowed finger ring from a knotted loop of dental floss trapped in a cup of water. A slightly bizarre premise – but a really clever idea which looks like real magic. Ends clean and examinable – entirely self working. The tiny downers are the need for a little bit of pre-preparation and a cup of water in your performing area – but I can see many contexts where this would be a real worker.

Fixed Quote

This is Dave’s take on a self-working book test using (though not limited to) a book of quotations. In order to make this self-working there is a slightly drawn out (see how I’m resisting the use of the word contrived) process for selecting the page. I don’t think this is an inherent drawback – but does require some personality/presentational ability to carry it through. Dave has this in spades which makes it an entertaining routine – and as the reaction of his spectator shows. There are also a number of levels of subtlety/dressing which hide the principle quite well. I love book tests – and the use of a quotation book certainly adds lots of scope for extra reveals and presentation.

Lead Free

This is a really clever idea which enables you to do a self-working coin bend. You show the spectator two contrasting coins, they choose one, and it bends whilst in their hand. That’s really the way it plays. It requires a gimmicked coin which you may already have (especially if you own Automata 1 – no more hints!). There is also an extension of the routine which gives you a double bend and still virtually no moves, and other ideas which use the principle in different ways! The very simple handling is completely disarming – and I can certainly see this making its way into my walkaround set. Great stuff.

My Hero

This is a clever idea using the latest technology! You send the spectator a photo of themselves, and then they make a choice from a selection of cards with the names of different superheroes on them. When they look at the picture it shows them looking like their freely chosen superhero! You will need a smart phone to do the routine as presented (though you could, of course, do the whole thing with just an ordinary prediction, but the photo is much more effective). This is a really fun routine – the selection process is engaging and easy to do. Makes me wish I had a smart phone!

No Luck

This is a prediction effect using three dice and a nice premise about being ‘out by one’ all the time. A clever principle is in play here which is surprisingly deceptive. Not my favourite routine on the disk but worth a look.

P.O.A.

This starts off looking like a memory test, and turns into a coin which vanishes and re-appears on a card previously signed by the spectator. Uses a couple of old principles to create a nice routine – which could also leave a business card in their possession at the end. An unusual and self-working trick.

Chip Shot

A poker chip passes through a solid table top. A very simple method first found in Bobo, but with a modern twist. It looks like clever slight of hand but a very simple ‘gimmick’ does all the work for you. I’m not sure it makes a routine in itself but could be a nice extra in the context of a longer routine.

Peeky Blinder

Three spectators draw pictures on business cards and you correctly identify who drew which one – revealing the final picture without even looking at it. Gary explains how you can make the necessary wallet very cheaply – though I can see myself using this routine with the Jaks Wallet. There is something very poweful about this routine which far outweighs the simplicity of the method – and the emotional involvement of drawing a picture always engages the spectators. Well worth a go.

Ear Worm

This is a clever mind reading effect where you can reveal the song a spectator is merely thinking of after a very fair looking procedure mixing up a stack of cards with different songs and artists on them. The clever principle used here is not new, but is not widely known – and you will fool yourself when you use it. This is a nice routine – and I could also imagine re-using the principle with other applications.

Weird Wallet

This is a sort of just chance routine using a wallet with four different coloured compartments. The spectator(s) chooses 3 out of 4 pockets and, of course, the remaining one is the one with the cash. This is an old principle (which I first met in a wonderful Larry Becker book) applied to a prop which you can buy online (Full 52 can supply these if you can’t find your own). Easy to do, very clean and very fooling for a spectator.

The Amazing Business

A nice little prediction effect where a set of business cards are mixed face up and face down according to the spectator’s choices. You correctly predict two outcomes and then the final card is found to be your own business card. It is essentially a Peter Duffie routine (from Cards by all means) re-imagined with business cards. This one didn’t do that much for me but is certainly in the puzzling category. You can re-use the principle in a number of ways – I rather like the idea of using it with lottery cards.

What do we think?

The interaction between Dave and Gary makes the teaching segments engaging and everything is clearly explained. They bounce off each other well and often chip in thoughts and subtleties which are really helpful. Almost all the routines are in the hands with very easy re-set. Several involve business cards – which is always a bonus if you’re looking for more work!

We think this is another cracking DVD and are excited to hear that a 3rd disk in the series is in the offing (with the return of Chris Congreave). There is a great variety of routines here, all of which are very easy to do. But don’t despise them because of their simplicity – these are almost all strong effects which will play very well in the real world.
Highly recommended.

Available direct from MagicShop.co.uk (with thanks to Full 52 who kindly supplied the review copy). £19.99 (at time of writing).

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The spectator has a choice of using one, two or three dice. You deal down to the playing card at that number and it is found to match a prediction made earlier on a contrasting-backed playing card. The prediction names both the number and the card! It’s that simple.

What do you get?

You get all the necessary cards to make up a ‘Diception Deck’, three plastic dice and a link to download or view the 21 minute instructional DVD. The video is clearly shot and well explained and includes a nice live performance too.

As hinted at above, you will need to spend a little bit of time making up the deck which enables this bit of wizardry. It will only take you ten minutes to do and once you’ve set it up you can use it as many times as you like since the effect basically re-sets itself. It is not difficult to set up but you will need to watch one part of the explanation carefully to make sure you write on the right cards!

What do we think?

The basic routine is extremely easy to perform – and really falls into the self-working category. There are a number of slight variations taught which require a tiny amount of sleight of hand. But for my money they make the effect much more impressive and are well worth the small extra effort (the only real ‘moves’ are well covered and there is very little heat on them so this should be well within the reach of most).

Strong points are that the thing basically resets itself instantly so you are ready to go again straight away. The outcome is different every time. It is easy to do. I think the use of dice adds interest and makes the whole thing seem incredibly fair. Chris credits Cameron Francis’ excellent Annihilation Deck as part of the inspiration for this routine.

Slight negatives are that it is much easier with a table (though you could use a spectator’s hand as a table) and that the dice provided are very basic. Though that does take any heat off the dice, I will probably upgrade to a set of casino dice (like Chris uses in his explanation and performance) which are a little more interesting and aesthetically pleasing. It is also really a one-trick deck – not necessarily a problem for the amateur, but for the pro when pocket space can be an issue it might be.

But these are extremely tiny niggles. And we think this is a super-strong and fooling effect which is easy to do. Nice one Chris!

Available from MagicShop.co.uk for £30.50 at the time of writing.

Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.

The post Chris Congreave – Diception – review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

52 on Rye!

A thought of card appears between 2 jokers after cheesy gag (let’s face it – there are likely to be lots of them given the title gaff and the performers involved). This is easy and effective – though for me the set up (which happens at the start of the trick) feels a bit obvious/without motivation – so I prefer the ‘signed’ version later on the disc (Sign This).

Welcome to the underbox

Signed card appears under card box after a cheesy gag. This seems very strong and dead easy to do. It requires basic card control but one of the strengths of the routine is the nice strong misdirection for the actual load of the card.

Sign This

A signed card appears between 2 jokers. Largely the same routine as 52 on Rye. Basic card control required again.

The J in B Trick

A neat transposition where a spectator’s signed card changes place with another card inside the card box. This made a nice change to the routines so far and is a pleasing effect. It doesn’t use the 52on1 gaff.

Kickback 52

This is another interesting transposition effect where the chosen card ultimately ends up between the jokers after leading the spectator up the garden path. In some ways a similar routine to the J in B one, but uses your wallet.

Miracle Vanish

An old trick providing a clean vanish of a spot card amongst 3 jokers. The spot card can reappear wherever you have a duplicate Not much new here, but an easy to do effect.

Card to Pocket

I can’t decide what I think about this one. 4 cards are signed and travel to the performer’s pocket one at a time. The final card disappears from the spectator’s hand leaving an impossible object… The salami from ‘Dupes’ (or at least a duplicate salami!) makes a brief appearance here too. For me this all feels a bit too involved/contrived, which I find surprising because its near cousin from Dupes (Predicto Pocket) I love and use. It requires a bit of palming and an Elmsley count.

Extras
The Sharpie Doctor – a tip to get some extra life out of the magician’s favourite pen.
Top Con Control – an explanation of a move which is used (unexplained) in an earlier routine. A neat way of controlling a selected card to the top.
There are also trailers for my current top 3 BBM DVDs – Dupes, Annihilation Deck and Bullets after Dark.

Overall

I think I preferred the variety of effects in the Dupes DVD. I suppose given the title/premise of this DVD we would expect there to be less variety, but I think it is perhaps slightly overpriced for what you get. On the other hand, I really like several of the effects – especially the underbox effect and the J in B effect – and the gaffs are included. So it is well worth a punt.

Available direct from BBM at £17.99 + £1.50

The post The 52 vs Joker Project – review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

What about the tricks? Here’s the contents with a few thoughts.

Nearly CAAN
A very fair looking selected card at any number and dead easy to do thanks to the use of duplicates. They also teach a little 4 ace production at the start which reappears in a couple of routines using four of a kind. I like this routine a lot, but the deck is a bit of a one-trick pony…

Kicked Right Back
A nice little sandwich effect with a surprise kick. Two cards are selected and lost in the pack. The two black queens ‘catch’ 2 cards between them – but when the cards are removed they turn out to be the two black queens, whilst the queens in the performer’s hands have turned into the selections. This is a real worker and doesn’t require too much finger-flinging for a really strong effect.

Joker Surprise
The spectator’s selection is the only card which isn’t a joker. No real surprises here for the performer, but a funny effect for a layman. Again a one-trick pony, but a nice easy effect which would play well for lay-people.

C2B with Zilcho palm
2 black aces are placed in card box. Spectator’s card ends up sandwiched between the 2 aces in the card box, and the aces have changed to red ones on the way! This, for me, is one of the strongest tricks on the disc. A lot of magic happens – it looks very fair, and requires only basic card handling – and no palming.

Packed Wallet
2 chosen and signed cards are lost in the pack. The first one is found in performer’s pocket. Second is meant to appear in his wallet, but in fact the remainder of the pack turns up in the wallet, and the selection is in the performer’s hand all along. Another strong effect with a striking twist, and also a handy way to switch in a new deck! Requires some card controls and a rather bold move, but the latter is really easier than it looks.

Pocket Aces
A nice 4 aces to spectator’s pocket. Requires palming (and again some card controls) but a helpful discussion of this to reduce your fear! I rarely use palming but think I could manage this…

The Big Transpo
Spectator’s card apparently swaps places with a card in your pocket. Also a way of introducing a duplicate card to the deck. For me this is not a particularly entertaining effect, but it is fairly easy to do.

Jump Back Sandwich
Repeated signed card to joker sandwich. The use of a duplicate allows some really clean displays but this doesn’t appeal to me as much as some of the effects.

Sucker Deal
The old ‘next card I turn over will be yours’ sucker trick – but made much more powerful and visual with a dupe… However, I wonder if the dupes are seen in too close a succession in this routine which may make the workings a bit obvious.

Box Sitter
Chosen card appears under box in impossible conditions. Very clean. I like this a lot and can see this being a worker.

Pocket Interchange – and variations
The four aces and queens change places (from pockets to table) instantaneously. Very easy handling. As well as being a nice routine, it is a useful way to ditch a dupe. After the original handling several variations are provided.

First a non-pocket handling where the packets swap places on the table. Then a no gaff (i.e. no duplicates) handling is provided – which is a slightly odd inclusion on a dupes DVD (!) – but does mean you can do the routine impromptu. This requires a bit of extra handling and a slight discrepancy, but it still works! Then there is a third handling using sticky card – which is possibly even cleaner – but is obviously more gaff-intensive. Overall, I think I like the original best.

Lee Smith’s Predicto Pocket
Another ‘impossible’ signed card trick – where the previously shown ‘prediction card’ becomes the actual signed card the spectator chose. A few subtleties with the Hindu force which are nice. Possibly my favourite trick on DVD. Does require some palming (explained).

Hypno-Tastic
An easy to perform routine incorporating some gentle hypnotism (suggestion) to lead to a really nice reveal at the end. Also an extra non-dupe version for when you’re caught on the hop… This could be a real worker for my money.

The disc ends with a brief discussion on the use of duplicates and some tips for extra convincers.

Final Thoughts
Although most of the moves required are taught, it is probably fair to say the DVD assumes basic card control – however, I emphasise the ‘basic’ here – there is nothing out of the reach of most performers (with the possible exception of the palming).

I think most people would take at least a couple of effects from this DVD to use, and it should also stimulate further ideas with this under-utilised technique. For me – if a simple ploy like a duplicate card can reduce the amount of sleight of hand and increase the wow-factor of an effect, it is worth doing.

And if you buy it direct from BBM at the moment (£19.99) they will throw in a free copy of ‘Get Connected’ (worth £15)

The post ‘Dupes’ from BBM – a mini review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.