The Effect

If you’re familiar with an effect Alakazam put out a long time ago (Duel Match) then you pretty much know the effect. The spectator rolls a pair of ordinary dice, decides whether to count from top or bottom of the deck and the card at that location represents a back design. This process is repeated to choose a face design. Needless to say, when you open a prediction envelope which has been in full view from the start of the effect it contains only one card – which matches the freely chosen elements.

It’s a straightforward and strong effect. And without doubt very fooling.

What do you get?

You’re supplied with a DVD (yes – an actual DVD – not a download link) which runs to about 1 hour long. Also a special deck (which is gaffed to the nines and full of beautiful Bicycle cards!), a prediction envelope and card, and a nice quality pair of dice. The whole thing comes in a neatly printed package.

It comes ‘ready to go’ – there’s nothing to assemble or set up.

The teaching is clear – in fact if anything I feel like David Loosely slightly overblows the explanation. He almost falls into the trap of making something which is quite simple more complicated than it needs to be!

You then get some repetition in the teaching as the second half is footage of the creator (David Jonathan) explaining the history (which is interesting) of the effect followed by its working and further tips. Some of these tips are very handy – and are a sign that he has worked the effect in the real world at some length.

What’s the verdict?

Your attitude to Fortuity will depend a lot on your attitude to gaffed decks. This is so cleverly set up that the mechanics of the trick are very easy allowing you to concentrate on presentation. This is always a good sign in a magic trick. Furthermore reset is more or less instant. On the down side, the deck is a one trick pony – and so if pocket space is limited you will have to weigh up that issue.

I do like the effect, and with a decent presentation I think it would be very entertaining. But I can’t help thinking that there might be more straightforward ways of accomplishing a similar level of impact. I think it’s real strength is the very high degree of freedom which the spectator has which seems to make it extremely fair.

Probably worth a punt.

Fortuity is available from the Merchant of Magic for £36.99 (at the time of writing).

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

David Jonathan – Fortuity – review

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The post David Jonathan – Fortuity – review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

Many of our crew enjoy the self-working kind of magic, and for them Fortuity by David Jonathan may be worth a look. The plot is loosely based on the classic Duel Match type effect – but the method and detail have been changed – leaving an easy to do prediction effect. £34.99

But we never forget that we started out as a sight entirely focused on playing cards for magic. So here’s a heads-up on some rather good looking cards. The Whispering Imps are a striking set of cards which would work particularly well in any gambling-themed routine. They feature a minimalist back design, and dual-orientation indices. As well as the Red and Black versions (£10.50) which have been available for a while, the Green Limited Edition deck is now available individually (it was previously only available in a wooden collectors box set) for £37.50.

I have a significant birthday this month, so am going to indulge by mentioning a whole shelf-full of wonderful magic books.

Nick Trost’s Subtle Card Creations series have been ram-packed with wonderful magic, often requiring little sleight of hand. So volume 6 is a must read. £38.99. Anything with Robert Neale’s name on it is also worth reading – he has an incredibly creative take on story-telling magic and his books always stimulate ideas. Why not pick up Magic Matters ready for some ideal holiday reading? Like Neale, but often more provocative, is Jamy Ian Swiss. I loved Shattering Illusions so have no hesitation recommending Preserving Mystery without even having laid my hands upon it. [UPDATE – we have now read and done a full review of Preserving Mystery – it is Superb!]  [And if anyone wants to buy me something for my 40th then this beautiful collectors edition of his complete works would be a nice idea :-)]

And last, but not least, here’s a welcome re-release. Marc Oberon’s Bang On has always been, to my mind, one of the best solutions to the thought of card in envelope plot. I have seen many variations over the years and have performed several, but there is something about the direct simplicity of Marc’s version which makes it very strong. It’s been re-released on Bicycle stock, and I gather there may be a few other refinements – though I haven’t picked up a copy yet. £96.50

That’s all for now. Have a great month, and check back in for a stack of new reviews – including the latest Bannon DVD – coming soon…

The post Trick of the Month – May 2017 Edition appeared first on Bicycle Cards.