Read What Others Are Saying: page 9
109 ★★★★★ reviews
67 ★★★★★ reviews
54 ★★★★★ reviews
75 ★★★★★ reviews
Camouflage
reviewed by Christian MachRating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 17 October, 2018)
I did not know the specific thing that you have in a deck of cards such the Bicycle cards. I'm very pleased that Gerard Zitta reveals this secret, because it is an interesting thing that you can use in some of your own routines. But I thing the price of this booklet is a little too high.
King Stack
reviewed by David Burmeister (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 14 October, 2018)
This is one of the simplest stacks I have ever learned. It took me about 10 minutes to get the stack and the random suit order firmly implanted in my mind. To me the advantage in using this stack is that you can QUICKLY calculate the next card in the stack when you need the information almost IMMEDIATELY for certain mentalism effects. Another couple of bonuses are you can easily use this stack as a memorized deck and also the bonus which hand effect is also good.
Now my favorite stacks are the SLOKA DECK, KARMA DECK and KING STACK!
I recommend this very highly!!!
Well done UNKNOWN MENTALIST
1089 Refreshed and Reloaded
reviewed by David Burmeister (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 14 October, 2018)
I was a little skeptical about buying this because the force is so old. But after having said that THE UNKNOWN MENTALIST HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!! THE UNKNOWN MENTALIST has definitely breathed new life into this force. By combining different principles I believe that most mentalists / magician's and definitely lay people will be fooled by this. I recommend this very highly!
Watch Me Closely
reviewed by Angela X (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 13 October, 2018)
I found some gems in here. I'll be using at least 3 routines and that's a steal for just $6. And the best part is the principles involved make you think and that is good for me, I guess. The little bio of the author at the end of the book, though brief, was informative, although it was sad to read the tragic end.
1089 Refreshed and Reloaded
reviewed by Dan BeachRating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 07 October, 2018)
(I don't own the book; the rating is for the trick) Don't let the age of a trick keep you from making it your own, and doing it in a fresh new way. I think it is remarkable someone wrote a book about this old standby. I actually opened a show with this one, in a retirement center. My take on it was, after I had my volunteer do all the math, (first of all, do whatever you need to do to avoid using the phrase "three-digit number" as you start introducing the trick) I pretend to fail to be able to reveal the number by myself, after some effort. So I get more volunteers who draw "random" cards from a "shuffled" deck. They don't even look at the cards, they're just holding them. (If they don't know the value of the cards, how could the magician?) Then yet another volunteer with another pad writes the numerical value of each of the cards as they are read off, then they turn their pad around, to show their number; the first volunteer turns their pad around, and bingo-bango the numbers match! To my delight, this got attention! I never read this or anything, but it sure worked. I don't know if this is in the book or not, but you are more than welcome to it if you can use it.
Perfectly Possible
reviewed by Chris Aguilar (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 04 October, 2018)
Within a day or two of reading (and practicing with the including testing webpage) this "Math Challenged" guy is able to quick generate the magic squares in less than a minute. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn a very easy, effective way of creating 4x4 magic squares.
The Red Hot Coin Revealed
reviewed by James Perry (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 21 September, 2018)
Love this trick! It is wonderful to take long forgotten effects and perform them for those who have never seen them. You will have a one of a kind show just by adding tricks like this to it. No one will ever guess how the heck you make the coin too hot to hold.
Victory Carton Illusions
reviewed by James PerryRating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 21 September, 2018)
I own the hardcopy of this book. I bought it when I was a kid in the 80's, and it is my favorite illusion book of all time. Just looking at the easy to make illusions let me dream of the Copperfield type show I could someday put on. The best illusion book for any beginner in magic you will find.
SharPen
reviewed by Fred Rosenbaum (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 13 September, 2018)
This is a cute little effect, definitely close up, probably 1 on 1 is best. It will take some arts and crafts, finding the right pen and finding the correct 'thing' to use in the construction. But once it is made it should last a long time. You can't write with the pen and you can't hand it out. My guess is that very few people will actually do the work to construct it, but you really should. And you can't beat the price so check it out.
IGG Instant Gig Getter
reviewed by David Burmeister (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 02 September, 2018)
This is an effect that I mentioned in an email to THE UNKNOWN MENTALIST that I wasn't particularly fond of because of the methodology.
HOWEVER, after buying the eBook and receiving the cards in the mail and seeing THE UNKNOWN MENTALIST'S thoughts behind this all I can say is I WAS WRONG.
I haven't really tried this effect yet but the spectator thinking that you thought of the card he selected AND the word will drive them crazy.
THE UNKNOWN MENTALIST'S thinking on this effect is SUPERB along with the price right now.
You owe it to yourself to get this GREAT, SIMPLE EFFECT, and try it on the spectator and see their reaction.
I suggest using THE UNKNOWN MENTALIST'S handling of this effect where he writes something down instead of using a playing card for the prediction. I also suggest using performance tip number 3 in the eBook.
I recommend this very highly for the spectator's surprise for the card and word reveal.
Well done UNKNOWN MENTALIST
Janus: The Magic of Kevin Casaretto
reviewed by Enrico VarellaRating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 31 August, 2018)
The cover of ‘Janus’ alludes to a hidden message: a lesser-used method/principle in card magic. This two-faced gaff acts as a portal, forwards and backwards, to create a direct pathway between method and effect. The 10 routines featured in these 35 pages are simple to perform, yet they pack a punch on entertainment value – this should appeal to the bold-faced strolling magician.
I boldly predict that Kevin Casaretto’s broad body of work on the use of these dubious faces, should receive far more attention through the authorship of Paul Lelekis (with 52 ebooks to his writing credit). I enjoyed the various applications of these tools, especially ‘Magazine Mental Test’, ‘Five Colour Twist’ and ‘Signed, Sealed & Delivered.’
Do buy this book, and ‘ring in the fooler’. I back up this book with a very high recommendation.
Chapeaugraphy Act
reviewed by Greg Phillips (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 30 August, 2018)
Nothing new in this publication. He mentions "plastic" to make the brims but is more likely speaking of thin foam. Save you $5.
Janus: The Magic of Kevin Casaretto
reviewed by Roy EidemRating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 25 August, 2018)
If you have never used double back or double face cards before you are truly missing out on some truly magical affects. The diabolical concept of these gaffed cards is something that is not in the psychological realm of laymen. They have nowhere to go. The resulting magic visual & stunning. These "little helpers" streamline and elevate the magical impact well beyond that which even advanced, difficult sleight-of-hand can accomplish. There are some great routines here once you try, you will smile and use.
Janus: The Magic of Kevin Casaretto
reviewed by Christopher WeberRating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 24 August, 2018)
JANUS: The Magic of Kevin Casaretto compiled and written by Paul A. Lelekis is a very welcome addition to the card magicians’ library. All the effects require the use of gimmicked cards that I’m sure most card magicians already have or can easily acquire. These brilliant effects are well written and have really no very complicated moves. They are streamlined and straightforward and they will have maximum impact on your spectators. I really enjoyed working through these effects. They proved to me that with the use of just a few gimmicked cards it can really kick up the overall effect to a whole new level of Wow Factor for your audience. Well worth the effort of having just a few extra cards on hand! I learned some fun new handlings along the way particularly in the effects JANUS, Magazine Mental Test, Turn Over Cards and Card to Wallet. The 2-Card Monte move is awesome; you’ll be fooling yourself in no time. Overall, these are real workers effects that again are not complicated or confusing. The book includes two videos by Paul Lelekis to help you learn two of the moves. Kevin Casaretto has offered effects that are fun to perform and amazing to your audience. I think you’ll find JANUS to be refreshing and well worth finding a few of those cool little gimmick cards. You’ll be happy you did!
Janus: The Magic of Kevin Casaretto
reviewed by Rick CarruthRating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 24 August, 2018)
Janus is the card magic of Kevin Casaretto of Salisbury, South Australia ... as told by Paul Lelekis. Kevin compiled this exceptional collection of original effects through years of hard work and recently contacted Paul with the enviable task of putting everything together into an ebook. There are a total of ten effects and all effects use a simple combination of gaff cards.
Nothing other than double backers, double facers, and red/blue backed cards are used. Nothing is used that you could not create in a minute or two with regular cards and a roll of double backed tape or rub on and/or white children's glue. Of course, you can buy gaffs at most magic shops and online ... and they are very affordable.
I truly appreciate all the time, thought, and effort that went into JANUS ... and I thank Kevin and Paul for their efforts. Well worth your time and money.
Coins by Roy Volume 1 (download DVD)
reviewed by Paul LelekisRating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 24 August, 2018)
I have known Roy for quite a while and his coin magic is exquisite! When he came to my house a few months ago, there was non-stop magic! I was fooled over and over again! Not only will you learn beautiful moves and routines - but also HOW to execute them flawlessly. Roy Eidem makes coin magic very easy to learn. In my many years of performing, I always noticed the big smiles that coin magic puts on everyone's faces...but when Roy Eidem performs his brand of coin magic, he makes everyone's' jaws DROP! Coin magic should be in every magician's repertoire, and Roy Eidem is the man to learn from. Roy Eidem is THE 21st Century coin magician's, coin magician!
Bad Influence: Before Computers Series 2
reviewed by Dave Campbell (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 17 August, 2018)
This is a nice packet trick in the theme of Dazzle all that followed.
It's fun that the original is as it was in all it's 1970's glory. Ahead of the original there is material including screenshots elaborating on one of the moves used. I was able to quickly make up packets for this from my various open decks, and after a couple tries, it moves quite nicely.
Definitely worth the price!
9-2-1 Prediction
reviewed by Ewen McLachlan (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 16 August, 2018)
I agree with Trevor Fletcher's review. The statement 'The cards are then cut by the spectator and shuffled' is a stretch beyond the limit of how it actually appears. Not worth it.
9-2-1 Prediction
reviewed by trevor fletcher (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 15 August, 2018)
I rarely write a bad review. That being said, this is an awful "prediction" and left such a bad taste in my mouth I had to say something.
It's too convoluted for such little reward. All these "cuts" and counts for a very "blah" ending. With all the other available packet style tricks out there, this one is just too forgettable.
In The Hole
reviewed by Jean-Paul Mercier (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 25 July, 2018)
I just paid $7.50 US for this.... Sad !
XPERT (X Personality Test)
reviewed by Michael Lyth (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 12 July, 2018)
Great and easy to perform if you have the right performing skills which is a must for successful magicians. This fits well in my lybrary of the section marked ''unknown mentalist'' next to 99 more of his works
1415AD
reviewed by David Burmeister (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 06 July, 2018)
This is another nice deck stack which has been out for awhile. The UNKNOWN MENTALIST has really done a lot of thinking outside the box with this stack. Well done UNKNOWN MENTALIST. I highly recommend this!!!
Fun Stacks
reviewed by David Burmeister (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 06 July, 2018)
I have known about this type of stack for quite awhile and it is excellent for anyone interested in learning easy stacks which appear to be in a very random order and are easy to learn. Well done UNKNOWN MENTALIST!
XPERT (X Personality Test)
reviewed by David Burmeister (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 06 July, 2018)
This is another GREAT effect by the UNKNOWN MENTALIST. I see myself doing this (When I get the time to simply write words on the business cards) AND PRACTICE IT. The impact of this effect far exceeds the method used. And for ONE DOLLAR it is a worthwhile investment whether you use it or not. Well done UNKNOWN MENTALIST! I definitely recommend this.
Optik Deck
reviewed by Simon George (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 29 June, 2018)
The idea, in theory, is great. This is an easy way to memorize the number cards in a deck. However, the description is very misleading.
First, when someone looks at the deck, most of the cards are clumped together with their matching four mates. While there is no "pattern," it's obvious and very suspicious looking. In other words, the deck looks like the cards are placed in a specific order and not random at all. The basic Si Stebbins looks more random than this. Even a quick glance at the cards and they just look wrong. I can't even ribbon spread through the deck in portions because most of the cards are clumped together. In other words, spreading through any six or seven cards will almost always show a four of a kind at any given part of the deck.
Second, there is no "optic" way of memorizing the court cards. The only method is brute memorization. The way he words it in the book is even misleading.
In most cases, the whole point of a memorized deck is for the cards to look like they are in no particular order. If I can't show the faces of a deck, I might as well just use new deck order because that's easier than trying to use this system.