Double Scam - My Review

"Double Scam" is a lovely card effect by Michael Daniels based on Tommaso Guglielmi's "Subtle Scam" idea. I really admired his work in this collection. To those of you ACAAN fans out there, "Double Scam" may be your delicious treat because in this version, this can be done with a borrowed deck, completely impromptu, no force, and best of all, no complicated calculations. That's right, no counting numbers again in your mind. That's the beauty of this version and once you understand how it works, it will work automatically.

Let's start off by listing some of the basic information. It's a 13-page eBook, file size is about 1.12 MB and the overall layout of the eBook is excellent. Mike starts off by explaining the presentation of the effect which is good because it gives a brief idea how the effect plays out to the audience.

It's my preference to read any effect before indulging myself straight into the secret or explanation section. Mike did an excellent job for that. In addition, many colourful photos are shown in the explanation section so, you don't need to worry about following the routine.

I also like the way Mike gives some good introduction at the "Method" section to the reader how his version evolved based on Tommy's "Subtle Scam" in great detail and to be honest, if you are a vivid fan of ACAAN, I urge you to read Tommy's "Subtle Scam" and this guy has a wide range of excellent ACAAN effects in other eBooks as well. However, I don't have the intention to make a comparison between Michael and Tommy's work on the ACAAN because I believe each versions has its own strengths and merits.

Let's discuss in terms of the methodology. First thing first, if you expect this is a "Hands-Off" approach, I'm afraid I have to tell you this is not. But, to be honest, I don't mind at all simply because this can be done completely impromptu and ends with a big ending. In this version, it's a two-phase routine where the mentalist and spectator each selects a card and number. I know what you're thinking. Maybe you think that there's a "fishing" technique involved. But surprisingly not! Keep in mind that, you won't find any "fishing" technique and best of all, you just need to remember some very simple arithmetic calculations which you will understand easily in minutes!

However, there is some slight weakness in the methodology but you don't have to worry, because Mike explained how to overcome this in "Dealing with a Card Shortage" section. There is some additional work needed from the performer to handle this particular phase.

Some of the essential card sleights such as Mike's "Passover Cut" that is very deceptive, Jay Ose's "False Cut" and "False Three-Heap Cut" (after Walter B. Gibson) are explained clearly as well. Mike also includes useful notes that you may want to refer in the explanation section.

As I mentioned earlier, if you are a fan of Tommy's work, it's worth your time and money to check out "Double Scam" which I can see myself using. I look forward to performing this for the next event!

Highly recommended!

ALSH

Lucky Charms - New Packet Trick

This is one of my most favourite packet tricks. Basically, this effect does not require intensive sleight of hand and is highly entertaining.

In performance, the performer removes and displays the "stars" cards and places them into the four-leaf-clover cards. Magically, the star card disappears in the four-leaf-clover cards! For the end climax, the performer picks up the blended cards and deals the JUMBO four-leaf-clover cards on the table!

Don't miss this wonderful packet trick as it plays well with any audience and they will love the final climax that they don't see it coming.

Add this packet trick into your working repertoire today!

Comes complete with the necessary Bicycle cards, a transparent card wallet and instruction booklet.

Here's what a few of them say:

There is much to like here. The presentation with the stars and four-leaf clovers is great fun and great magic. I also like that it is well-constructed and requires minimal sleight of hand (a couple of easy counts). A nice routine to carry and perform for all types of audience.
-- Peter Duffie

Available at: http://www.cardicianden.com

ALSH

Magicians Do Red Nose Day

This month, I contributed one of my items from my upcoming "Fiver with a Deck of Cards" to the Red Nose Day (http://www.rednoseday.com/) to Jamie Daws, whose in charge for compiling the materials and producing the pdf to raise fund for the charity event.

I would like to thank Jamie Daws for taking the effort in compiling the materials from other top names in magic such as Ben Harris, Liam Montier, Peter Duffie, Darren McQuade and others. In addition, Jamie's design and layout of the pdf deserved to be praised. The materials are great and it's just £5 to donate. However, this pdf is only available temporary from 17th Match until 1st April 2011.

There are a total of nine effects in this pdf and I find the materials are interesting. I hope fellow readers may purchase the pdf to raise the funds to help those in needs and at the same time, you will get a taste to some of the excellent materials.

Available at: http://jamiedaws.com/rndpdf and http://www.peterduffie.com/

ALSH

Dark Thief & Entanglement - My Review

This is my second attempt in going through Tommy's latest offering - Dark Thief & Entanglement. Once again, I would like to say I'm impressed on most of his ACAAN work and admired his thinking in all his creations. Although at first I had some difficulty in going through some of the materials, but eventually I got through them.

To be honest, my background as a serious cardician, I am so used to sleights or moves to create card effects all over the years or in that kind of category. When comes to ACAAN, I really seldom read those stuff even if I do, most of the stuffs involve gaffs which eliminate principles or other tools.

I always attracted to non-gaff stuff because the nature of my performing style. But I don't mind if there is a slight set up which I believe it can be done in a matter of seconds. However, in Tommy's offering, the stuffs can be done without any gaff which really surprise me. But of course, there is some other trade offs too. This is where I think (even now) Tommy has invested his huge amount of time in experimenting the routine as well as the methods. I am not going to list all the items but rather I'll start off reviewing with three of my favourite items.

The first one is "The Dark Thief" and this is one of my favourites. According to the author, this version is an improvement based on his previous released that published in Silent Running by Ben Harris. I can't comment that previous version because I haven't read or tried it. I really like this effect and the reason is simple, you can perform this with a normal deck of cards. I really like this two-phase routine where two spectators are involved. I have been using this and I really like the reaction from my friends. It's just that good, really.

My next favourite list is going to be "Entanglement" that I thought awesome! Again, the deck is non-gaff and in the process, everything seems fair and involves two spectators. I am not going to reveal much on this one. In short, I really have a great time in performing this one.

The next list is "Enigma" and once again, a hands-off, two-phase version and best of all, it's so easy to perform. I really like the patter given by Tommy. I haven't tried this effect with my friends so I cannot guarantee how it plays with layman. But by judging the nature of this effect, in the first phase, it looks like you are able to reveal the spectator's selection based on the tone of her voice. However, this phase is quite tedious because it involves some writing. But it pays off later for the next phase. The final phase it's my favourite because it combines with ACAAN that works automatically (remember I explained in the first phase was quite tedious in terms of writing?). I am not going to explain in much detail but I think I will definitely try performing this when I have the chance.

Overall, I really like the materials in this collection. I think if you invest your time in reading and trying Tommy's stuffs, not only you enjoy his creative materials but you will appreciate some of the ideas or methods that can be used to create another effect or routine. I think it's possible because once you know the secret or work, you may come up with your own handling. I think if you like ACAAN stuff, you will enjoy the material in this collection.

I'm addicted to Tommy's materials, I really can't wait to read his new material in the future.

Highly recommended!

Available at: http://sites.google.com/site/m2mmagictrick

ALSH

The Charred Cards - New E-Book

I just released my latest eBook "The Charred Cards" and this effect has been in my mainstay for many years simply because the nature of the effects that involves fire and ashes.

This effect is based on combinations of plots and the interesting part of this trick is that you can perform for a normal setting or as bizarre magic.

Anything that has a relation to ashes you can optimise your presentation whatever you think fits its premise. I have been using this in my entire career as a cardician.

Basically, the plot is you burn the back of a court card and will use it to locate two freely selections in the deck. The first phase is you cause the burnt card to turn invisible and locate the spectator's card. For the second phase, you apply the ash mark onto the spectator's palm and you transfer the ash-mark to locate the final card.

Here's what a few of them say:

"This is excellent."
-- Peter Duffie


"I had the pleasure to read about the The Charred Cards. What I can say, that it is an excellent effect that I will use over and over again."
-- Tommaso Guglielmi


"This is indeed a very good effect. It takes Sankey's Carbon Paper to a new level. Really, really good and well constructed routine."
-- Cameron Francis


"Everything is well explained and although there are some sleights in it (which are not explained), it's a great "simple" effect. The "convincer" method makes the trick complete. That's what I like in this method; the convincer. It's not the effect that's new or stunning, but it's the way it's brought and achieved. Is this trick worth it? Yes, because it will allow you to create a "miracle" with a little effort." 
-- Kevin van Hoof

Available at: http://www.cardicianden.com

ALSH

Manual Impact - My Review

Let me start off by saying, "This is an awesome card magic eBook!" I really like some of the card magic routine. I received a review copy from Chris and honestly speaking, by reading this book, you will appreciate Chris's thinking and construction some of the effects which I thought very clever.

The entire eBook is well laid out but the only criticism I would like to make is, it would be great if Chris could make the background in plain colour such as white, etc because that would make the reader feels comfortable to read through the screen. Chris covers everything in vivid details with colourful photographs. For the effects as reviewed by the top reviewers, the first section starts off with detailing some of the key sleights that used in the eBook. I also appreciate some thoughts from Chris which the way he handles some of the moves that covered in this section. Obviously, by reading this section, this entire eBook is telling you the story that, this eBook is definitely not suitable to beginners. The skills range from intermediate to advanced. I found some of the sleights and moves are not easy such as CP Fling Change but I really liked the idea.

I am attracted to the effects such as Animate 2.0 which I find the climax is very surprising. Other effects such as "Are Blue Reddy?", "Tranpost", "Unprint" and others really caught my attention in terms of the ideas. I am sure by reading Chris's effects, you may adapt your own handlings in order to achieve those plots.

I am not sure whether this is Chris's ever first release of his material but I am sure that he has a brilliant mind in creating wonderful card magic and I look forward to reading his material (if any) in the future. Highly recommended!

ALSH

Majestic Triumph - New E-Book

This effect has been in my repertoire for about 8 years and I regard this effect as one of my pet routines.

I have been performing this in every part of my act as an opener. Basically, this effect is inspired by Dai Vernon's "Triumph" and Hofzinser's "Ace Problem" as well as combined with other magical elements such as changes, transposition and the like.

In addition, there is no set up or gimmick cards involved in this effect.


Here's what a few of them say:

"I think this is one of your strongest routines to date! A lot happens, with many magical effects, all well constructed to flow nicely. Very nice, indeed."
-- Peter Duffie

"Very nice effect. I like it."
-- Harvey Rosenthal

"I do like your thinking behind "Majestic Triumph" and think that the combination of effects (Triumph & Hofzinser Ace problem) works well together. Your handling and construction are reasonably tight and I suspect this does play well for layman. I also like that with just slight (or sleight) change or two, it can be done "in the hands" without a table and so would be great for walk-around "strolling" magic. Andrew is obviously a clever guy and this effect is a nice example of clever thinking! Keep up the great work!"
-- Michael Szilagyi

"If you want to pack a multitude of magical moments into a single routine, you might want to consider looking into 'Majestic Triumph'. It is a two-selection effect which merges two beautiful plots in the craft that is loved by many: Hofzinser's Ace Problem and Vernon's Triumph. Andrew did a pretty neat job in explaining the methodology. If you are fond of routines that is packed with magical moments, I recommend Andrew Loh's Majestic Triumph."
-- Bezalel Hermoso

Available at: http://www.cardicianden.com

ALSH

Cardrology - New E-Book

This collection contains four card effects that are my favourites which all can be done impromptu.

I have been performing these effects in my entire career as a cardician. Each of the items has been my personal favourites and most of the effects are perform for stand-up or walkaround situation.

There is only one effect that requires you to use different odd-backed cards from other deck. In addition, there is no pre set-up of the deck, gimmick or special cards and the like.

Table of Contents:

- Cullectors -
This is one of my cleanest versions of "The Collectors" plot. Four Jacks are placed aside and three freely selections are lost in the deck. The Jacks are placed on top of the deck and they collect three selections instantly.

- HaLo Keepers -
An instant two-card sandwich routine that uses Harry Lorayne's "HaLo Cut" that is easy to do.

- Speedy Collectors - 
I consider this effect as the fastest or instant version of Roy Walton’s “The Collectors” which essentially inspired by Edward Marlo with the use of three mates to collect 2 selections. The spectator would be surprised to see the odd-backed court cards instantly come together to collect their signed selections.

- Overly Jackbitious -
This effect is inspired by the “Ambitious Card” routine. All over the years, I have seen many excellent versions available. Finally, I came up with my own handling to suit my preference in this effect. You must be proficient in the culling technique in order to perform this effect smoothly.

Here's what a few of them say:

"An excellent booklet. Cullectors (good title!) is a great combination of methods. The Faro and the block-pushoff (thank you for the credit!) work well together to create a very cleam method. Halo Keepers is one of my favourites here - I like the stepped display of the Jacks in seemingly different positions. Speedy Collectors is a really nice use of the Cull to create a Collectors effect. Overly Jackbitious has a great finish to the Ambitious Card theme."
-- Peter Duffie

"Cardrology has some really nice sandwich/collectors stuff in it. It is a little more advanced, though. Not beginners stuff. But some very clean looking magic."
-- Cameron Francis

Available at: http://www.cardicianden.com

ALSH

The Confusing Jokers - New E-Book

This is my second sequel of my previous “Hallucination” packet card trick.

This is one of my current favourite packet card effects that I came up few months ago while I was playing around with the Jokers. During the process, I realised that the Jokers could be used to create another new packet card trick that relates to Dai Vernon’s “Twisting the Aces” but with a different theme.

You must be proficient in the Elmsley and Jordan Counts as these two sleights are heavily used in this effect. If you are familiar with the "Asher Twist", that would be an added advantage because it fits nicely in this effect as well.

In addition, there would be an additional idea from Peter Duffie and myself which I include two alternative handlings.

This e-book is not suitable for beginners. While all the moves are explained clearly but some previous card handling experience is preferable.

Here's what a few of them say:

"The Confusing Jokers is a lovely packet effect."
-- Peter Duffie

"I thought it was very original to play with the asymetry of the Jokers and that they turn upside down instead of the usual face up/face down. It's a fun routine with an unexpected ending. Congrats!"
-- Raphaël Czaja

Available at: http://www.cardicianden.com

ALSH