Reviews: Read What Others Are Saying: page 12
216 ★★★★★ reviews
150 ★★★★★ reviews
93 ★★★★★ reviews
139 ★★★★★ reviews
The 'Holy Grail' of Phone Effects
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Wesley Schield (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 23 November, 2024)
So many tricks do not live up to the hype, this one surpasses it. No misleading wording in the ad, everything is exactly as described. You may present it as written or you have the freedom to personalize it. I’ve performed magic for over 50 years and I have never seen anything like this method used before. I can honestly say that I believe this will fool everyone who sees it, just like it did me.
Miraculous Hindu Feats
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by John Kauth (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 21 November, 2024)
There's really not much here. It's nine pages when you get past the cover, introduction, and table of contents. One of two "secrets," the rest is not a surprise. Going in, I knew that there would be nothing useful performance-wise, but I thought it might contain some interesting bits of Indian Fakir performances. There is not really much here that is surprising or interesting. It is $6 for a 10-minute read that I will not look at again.
Peek Steal
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Edwards Melvyn (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 21 November, 2024)
Very clever and practical. Explained and demonstrated by a master of this move. Very clean and convincing and surprisingly easy to do.
ESPerience X
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Marc Rehula (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 13 November, 2024)
This routine is very interesting, but what you get is a little weird. The pdf and the video are both incomplete; you need both to piece the explanation together. And that explanation is rather spare - you'll need to find a way to 'explain' why the cards are blank in the end (for example, why do they hallucinate?). So the trick is worthwhile, but the magic? - some assembly is required.
Sfida Impossibile al New Zealand Poker: Trionfo sotto Steroidi
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Davide Rubat Remond
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 11 November, 2024)
Se Sfida impossibile al Poker Neo-Zelandese, il nuovo effetto di Biagio Fasano, fosse una magia da palcoscenico sarebbe certamente una grande illusione, paragonabile al baule della metamorfosi o ad una bella cassa per sezionare in più parti l’essere vivente al suo interno. La sfida consiste in un’inedita versione di poker, dalle regole un po' strampalate, ma comunque divertente e semplice da seguire: si presenta come una classica routine con il mazzo di carte da distribuire e tagliare in vari mazzetti, ma sul finale cambia direzione e culmina nell’impossibile. La sorpresa della sconfitta da parte dello spettatore, in una sfida che aveva tutte le caratteristiche per una facile vittoria, si produce quando le aspettative sono tradite dalla comparsa di un incredibile poker d’assi finale. L’illusionista vincerà la sfida se, alla fine delle varie fasi di gioco (che potranno essere tre o quattro), aprendo il nastro di carte, tutti e quattro gli assi risulteranno voltati a faccia in su, mentre tutte le altre carte saranno voltate di dorso. Se anche una sola di queste condizioni non si dovesse verificare, lo spettatore sarà decretato il vincitore.
Lo spettatore inizia la sfida con il grande vantaggio di giocare con il doppio delle carte coperte, rispetto all’illusionista che gioca a carte scoperte, e i quattro assi di dorso (le condizioni essenziali per la sua vittoria); per tutta la durata dell’effetto le carte saranno continuamente distribuite in vari mazzetti, poi ricomposti dopo essere stati eventualmente voltati dalla parte opposta, secondo la volontà dello spettatore. Un’attenzione particolare al movimento dei quattro assi da un mazzetto all’altro, da un verso all’altro, in ogni momento delle varie fasi di gioco, restituisce il senso di genuina casualità ottenuto dalle scelte assolutamente libere dello spettatore.
La cosa davvero incredibile di questo effetto di Biagio, che è ispirato ed è figlio del suo precedente Virtual Revelation Triumph, è la grande, totale libertà di azione dello spettatore sui mazzetti e, in particolare sulla distribuzione delle carte nella seconda fase, senza alcun ordine prestabilito. Allo stesso modo la terza fase (facoltativa perché allunga i tempi di esecuzione) simula l’utilizzo di alcuni dadi, che sono emblemi stessi di casualità. Ho avuto modo di testarlo prima della pubblicazione e devo dire che la prima volta non ho creduto ai miei occhi, ero sicuro non potesse riuscire, e invece i quattro assi si sono presentati puntuali tra tutte le altre carte di dorso. È assolutamente incomprensibile ad un primo impatto la meccanica di questo effetto che sfrutta il principio CATO (Cut And Turn Over) di Bob Hummer in una forma evoluta. Anche le versione contactless, offerta come alternativa all’effetto principale, da eseguire al telefono è qualcosa di incredibile (provato personalmente con Biagio) che accade direttamente tra le mani dello spettatore.
Oltre alla caratteristica di essere un effetto incredibile, incomprensibile, di grande impatto è totalmente automatico e impromptu, consente l’assoluta libertà di scelta allo spettatore, senza calcoli matematici, senza alcuno sforzo di memoria, senza tecniche particolari, anzi nessuna tecnica cartomagica. Solo un mazzo di carte, anche non completo, può essere personalizzato a proprio gusto personale.
Questa volta Biagio ha superato sé stesso, sarà difficile pensare a qualcosa di migliore di questa Sfida impossibile al Poker Neo-Zelandese, in termini di qualità dell’effetto magico, semplicità di esecuzione e totale libertà di azione.
Impossible Challenge at New Zealand Poker: Triumph on Steroids
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Davide Rubat Remond
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 11 November, 2024)
If Impossible Challenge to New Zealand Poker, Biagio Fasano's new effect, were a stage magic, it would certainly be a great illusion, comparable to Metamorphosis or a beautiful crate to dissect into several parts the living being inside. The challenge consists of a novel version of poker, with somewhat wacky rules, but still fun and easy to follow it looks like a classic routine with the deck of cards to be dealt and cut into various bundles, but at the end, it changes direction and culminates in the impossible. The surprise of defeat on the part of the spectator, in a challenge that had all the hallmarks of an easy victory, is produced when expectations are betrayed by the appearance of an incredible final poker of aces. The illusionist will win the challenge if, at the end of the various stages of the game (which may be three or four), on ribbon spreading the cards, all four aces appear to be turned face up, while all other cards are turned face down. If even one of these conditions does not occur, the spectator will be declared the winner.
The spectator begins the challenge with the great advantage of playing with double the number of covered cards, compared to the illusionist who plays with uncovered cards, and the four back aces (the essential conditions for his or her victory). Throughout the duration of the effect, the cards will be continuously dealt in various piles, then reassembled after eventually being turned to the opposite side, according to the spectator's will. Special attention to the movement of the four aces from one pack to another, from one direction to the other, at each moment of the various stages of the game, restores the sense of genuine randomness obtained from the spectator's free choices.
The truly amazing thing about this effect of Biagio, which is inspired by and is the child of his previous Virtual Revelation Triumph, is the great, total freedom of action of the spectator on the packets and, on the distribution of cards in the second phase, without any predetermined order. Similarly, the third phase (optional because it lengthens execution time) simulates the use of some dice, which are emblems themselves of randomness. I had a chance to test it before publication and I must say that the first time I did not believe my eyes, I was sure it could not succeed, and instead the four aces showed up on time among all the other back cards. It is absolutely incomprehensible at first glance the mechanics of this effect that exploits Bob Hummer's CATO (Cut And Turn Over) principle in an evolved form. Even the contactless versions offered as an alternative to the main effect, to be performed over the phone is something incredible (personally experienced with Biagio) that happens directly in the hands of the viewer.
In addition to the characteristic of being an incredible, incomprehensible, high-impact effect, it is totally automatic and impromptu, allowing absolute freedom of choice to the spectator, with no mathematical calculations, no memory effort, no special techniques, indeed no card magic techniques. Only a deck of cards, even an incomplete one, can be customized to one's personal taste.
This time Biagio has surpassed himself; it will be hard to think of anything better than this Impossible Challenge to New Zealand Poker, in terms of the quality of the magical effect, simplicity of execution and total freedom of action.
The Invisible Man Effect
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Ethan Robarts (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 09 November, 2024)
This manuscript details effects already known in countless "spook show" writings as well as employing a reference to a levitation effect that is not included nor explained in this writing. More of a "take these effects from different sources that you know and put them together to create this". Not worth the purchase.
Memory: a home study course in memory and concentration
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Frank Ainslie
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 06 November, 2024)
I studied this course sixty plus years ago. Over the years, it has proved to be an incredible asset because it enabled me to remember many things that I needed to recall when sitting for various exams and in life generally. Highly recommended!
More Mind Magic
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Larry Ekin (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 06 November, 2024)
More Mind Magic is a collection of four mentalism effects that are suited to close-up and especially one-to-one performance. Michael Daniels' crisply written collection will stimulate your thinking and, if you do any mentalism at all, there is likely an effect among the four that you will pick up and try. My personal favorite is Cyclops, which allows the mentalist to correctly identify and name in order a stack of 5 ESP cards while they remain stacked. You do not touch the cards.
Bammo Crambazzled Dossier
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Larry Ekin (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 06 November, 2024)
Bob Farmer's guide to the Ramasee Principle provides clear instructions as well as multiple effects. This is one of those thought-stimulating works that will have you thinking about developing your own presentations. He throws in some extra ideas such as how to have your spectator complete a false cut.
A Hobsonian Handbook
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Larry Ekin (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 06 November, 2024)
Jon Racherbaumer's excellent treatment of Equivoke includes well-chosen examples to illustrate multiple ways to approach the subject. Well worth a read and re-read.
Analects and Analogues
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Larry Ekin (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 05 November, 2024)
Some nice effects, all cards, many needing gaffs or stacks. I am not that much of a card guy but there is some food for thought.
Blindsight: the original
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Larry Ekin (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 05 November, 2024)
This is one of those routines that requires a certain boldness and, until you do it a few times, you wonder if it can be pulled off with its wonderful simplicity. You quickly learn that Devin Knight understands that people make assumptions about certain everyday objects that allow your methodology to fly right under their radar. It is fun to perform and easily lends itself to transition into other effects with related themes -- colors, for example.
Understanding and Using Gilbreath Principle
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Larry Ekin (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 05 November, 2024)
Well-written, succinct, and focused. Highly recommended.
Balloon Detective
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by James Gadbois (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 03 November, 2024)
This is an excellent routine. It really adds something to a magic show and it eats a lot of time, which can be very helpful for those annoyingly long 2-3 hour gigs we might sometimes find ourselves questioning whether or not to accept. This routine can turn the much beloved and highly profitable skill of simple balloon animal making into a GENUINE MAGIC TRICK, instead of... Well, instead of just being balloon twisting.
If you're a magician thinking about getting into balloons, you can't go wrong with this one.
Be warned however, once you start twisting balloons your show is basically over and you will be twisting balloons for the next 30 minutes or so until all the kids who want one get one.
Trust me, done strategically, this is a GOOD thing!
John Mendoza Lecture: 1982 in United Kingdom
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Shabert (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 31 October, 2024)
Good teaching but video was sub quality.
Comedy Coin Prediction
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Joe Libby (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 28 October, 2024)
This is a fun close-up prediction effect that should get a good laugh. It's based on an old math trick that Devin has brought up to date. Virtually everyone on Earth has a mobile device with a calculator app, so you can do this at the drop of a hat. You will need a penny that is cut in half; in the ebook, Devin explains how to make it. Once you have that and have the simple math steps memorized, you'll be ready to entertain!
Auto-Spell Deck
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Joe Libby (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 28 October, 2024)
This ebook is about a really good effect that is easy to make up and perform. Perform this as a magic trick or as an unusual mental effect. You cannot use the deck for any other tricks, but you could always do a deck switch. It's also not really good for strolling performances because of the reset, but it's ideal for formal close-up and stand-up shows. Recommended.
Theory of Sequential Decks
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Gregg Webb (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 26 October, 2024)
This is very technical writing about kinds of sequences for set-up decks, but given the price I don't see why a cardman wouldn't get it and look it over in case something strikes his fancy. I am a card enthusiast and have tried many systems in my time, and I can see going through this a few times more. Why not? I might learn something. Personally I avoid using true memory although I did the cover art for a number of memorized deck systems, but favor the Bart Harding stack which is a calculation and not a memorization, but I try to keep an open mind about the field. This book explores a number of approaches. Just a false shuffle or false cut and you are a miracle worker. If you do true memory work, you can really even spread the deck face up. I also know a few mnemonic stacks that can be spread face up and don't seem to be in any order, but are. Have fun going through this.
Just Coins!
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Gregg Webb (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 26 October, 2024)
Mr. Malinchock put a great deal of thought into this book. There are also video links provided so you can watch the routines being done, as well as read them. I recommend it highly to any coin lover. His handlings are enough off-beat as to keep your interest even if you are well versed in coin magic. I was a working pro and am now a writer and illustrator about magic, and also a hobbyist. I don't understand the price or lack thereof, but there it is.
The Words I Can Draw
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Alton Knight (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 18 October, 2024)
I love the premise of the effect. The only thing missing from the manuscript is an explanation on how to easily reset the stack without having to essentially recreate the original set up described in the written instructions.
Classic Secrets of Magic / Great Secrets of the Master Magicians
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Amado Narvaez (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 18 October, 2024)
The classics are classics for a reason!
Abbott Magic Catalog #13 1952
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Amado Narvaez (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 18 October, 2024)
A great nostalgic trip into my magic past.
Ear Marked
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Michael Critchley (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 16 October, 2024)
Some very strong and unusual effects in this publication. I have a deep fascination and love for self working magic, self working and semi automatic card magic and mathematical principles. I am a huge enthusiast of Werner Miller's work, whom I first discovered through the excellent Colombini magic videos available on lybrary showcasing the incredible self working magic of Werner Miller.
I am now collecting all the Werner Miller publications which are all excellent. This one though has a lot of material and is jam packed with strong and unusual effects which you can easily add your own spin to and create your own embellishments and presentations.
TCF: The Counting Feint
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by John Searles (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 15 October, 2024)
This is the best $10 I ever spent! Just get it.