My Upcoming eBook - My Reflections

Andrew Loh introduces you to ten of his most cherished effects direct from his working repertoire. 

The material ranges from variations on classic routines and with the objective of delivering entertaining card magic to your audience. The routines explained in this work are all audience tested. They constitute a body of work that dates back to 2006 and there are a number of new items included as well. 

The book is divided into 3 sections; Simple Effects, Impromptu Effects and Effect with Set-Up Cards. It is structured that way for ease of referring to a particular routine.

I sincerely hope you will find something to share with your audience and enjoy the routines as much as I do for years.


CONTENTS & EFFECTS

Royal Mates: An effortless four-of-a-kind production that you will use. Simple, direct and very magical! You will use this in less than two minutes as soon as you read it!

Divide & Concur: This is an amazing two-phase card revelation routine where the work is done by the spectator. There are no difficult sleights involved. In addition, it is so unfair that you devastate your audience in silence.

The Hackers: A story based on cyber intrusion. Two spectators are given an opportunity in witnessing how the Jacks hack certain information on the cards as input by one of the spectators. Be prepared for an unexpected outcome! This serves as a good lesson in "Pasteboard Intrusion" and additional ideas are included as well!

The Proactive Jacks: Perform a card sandwich routine that emphasises on the pro-activeness of the Jacks!

Sandwich in My Pocket: A three-selection card sandwich routine that fries! Three Jacks visually vanish and find the two selections in an amazing manner.

Hofzinser Meets Balducci: A revisit to the classics. As the title says it all, this routine can be done in an impromptu situation and if you are lucky, you may end this routine with another climax that they will never see it coming!

A Double Journey: An amazing and visual  two-phase two-packet card transposition effect.

Cannibals Journey: This is an unusual Cannibal Cards routine where the cannibals devour the missionaries. One of the missionaries hypnotises the rest of the cannibals until an unexpected event takes place!

Clandestine Twister: This routine is a combination on Dai Vernon's "Twisting the Aces" with a card revelation. I presume you are familiar with the original routine before attempting this routine.

The Intuitive Couples: The Kings and Queens work together in locating the spectator's selection in a very magical way. Two minds work at its best.

Here's what a few of them say:

"Nice item (Royal Mates)! It’s quick and easy and is also strong. A very good combination of qualities."
-- Mike Powers

"Great quick trick (Royal Mates). I like a lot. Very simple and effective construction."
-- Peter Duffie

"I really enjoyed it (Royal Mates); nice and simple, but a really novel production."
-- John Gelasi

"I've just read your trick (Royal Mates) and I can say that I love it. Because very easy to do and the effect is very powerful!"
-- József Kovács

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

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

ALSH

My Review - Just Cards Vol.1

Recently, I read another new release by John Gelasi. I am quite excited because being as a card guy, I always look forward to reading any card material from any magician. 

Honestly speaking, the pdf contains some great card material in this collection. There are a few items that I find appealing to me and in fact, I will use them in my performance. The pdf contains 15 pages and the file size is 490 KB. There are five items in this pdf. There is no illustration shown in this pdf but the author films his own performances and uploaded to Youtube where the links are accessible.

This is great as you can see the author in performance on how the effects looks like before you discover the secrets. Alright, without further ado, I will review each of the following items.

Fine Feathered Finks

This is a two-phase routine inspired by the Homing Card plot. I think the first phase is excellent where the selection is placed in between the Jacks and somehow it vanishes and appears on top of the pack. In the second phase, apparently, the selection is back in among the face-up Jacks and a magical gesture, the selection seems to have vanished once again and appeared in the main deck. The transposition looks nice between the phases.

Yes We CAAN

This is an unusual version of ACAAN plot. However, the methodology does not appeal to me much because I believe that the effect of the original ACAAN is very simple, clear and very straightforward. A number is named and the selection is found at that freely called number. In the author's version, a few cutting of cards, a number is written down on a card then re-dealing the cards in the process and finally it reaches to the spectator's selection. Perhaps other readers may find this version appealing.

And Another Thing

This effect is inspired by Richard Sander's "King Thing" which has a few phases but this version also does not appeal to me much as there are lots of cutting, then the Kings jump to the top. And later, they jump back to the performer's hands and at the end, the Kings appear in the card case as well as the performer's pocket. I think this will cloud the spectator from understanding and following the routine. Perhaps other readers may find this to their liking.

J.G. Monte

This is a very nice routine! The construction is good and the handling is efficient as well. There are a few phases and I really like the transposition between the Queen and the Tens which is very magical. Nice!

Estimation

I really enjoyed this item very much and it is very strong! It is excellent and the author applies a very good card principle to produce a wonderful effect! I really like all the phases. The apperance of the Aces really sells the idea. The spectator is given a free choice in naming a certain number and arrives to a certain card and at the end, all four Aces are produced based on the "estimation" theme. I really like the selection transposes with the final Ace. This is nice and I think it is the strongest item!

I think that the author once again has produced some great and quality card magic material. Please keep in mind that even though the above items do not appeal to me do not mean that they are not suitable to you. Perhaps you will find them interesting. Last but not least, I enjoyed some of the items in this collection particularly "Estimation" and "J.G. Monte" and most of them are practical.

ALSH

My Review - Trinities

I have spent quite some time in going through Trinities. So, what trinities is all about? Basically, if you are a mentalist who like to perform an entirely different two-phase mind-reading routine; card divination and an electronic book test, perhaps you would like to take a look at Michael Daniels's routine.

However, if you expect to just read-and-go kind of pdf, perhaps this does not suit you because there are a great deal of things you need to go through as well as a solid understanding on how each of the things fits in nicely into the routine.

Let's start off by listing some of the basic information on this pdf. "Trinities" contains 23 pages, the size of the file is 1.08 MB and also included 10 eBook. The eBook are used for the electronic book test performance. Each eBooks contains at least 400 pages long and has the "full text" of the original literary works.

The entire pdf is well laid out. The author introduces how the effect should look like by listing out in the effect section. In addition, the conditions of the routine along with the patter and presentation are covered in detail as well. I think the author has done a wonderful job in terms of explaining the basic card principle behind of this routine. To me, it is like a brainstorm session and once you get the idea, it is easy to follow the rest of the explanation.

However, if you familiar with the principle, you might skip through this session but I find there is something that is worth a visit. After describing the principle, next, the author will walk you through the Trinities Stack. In addition, references and credits are well done, too.

Alright, let's get down to the details of the particular routine. First and foremost, I do not have the right to disclose the card principle used in this routine as this will give too much away. The card principle involved is very well known in card magic.

The first phase takes place where the mentalist correctly divines attributes (colour, suit, value) of playing cards which the spectator has shuffled, dealt and covered fully with his hands while the mentalist has turned away. Is it 100% correct all the time? Yes, it works all the time and you always have the correct divination. However, there is some sort of set up or stack that you need to do beforehand. Once the set up is done and combined it with the card principle, it 100% works all the time. The best part is the spectator can shuffle the deck. I regard this phase as playing a game or warm up exercise with the spectator.

In the second phase, the spectator is asked to form a page number by combining the values of three freely selected cards from the deck. Without the mentalist seeing, the spectator then opens up and freely examines an eBook (standard PDF) from a collection of classic literary works stored on a computer, eBook reader or smartphone. Turning to the chosen page, a word is selected which the mentalist exactly identifies.

I find that the second phase is quite challenging because there is a memory system or code that you need to remember. Once you learn this by heart, I am sure you do not have any problem of remembering its sequence. The strength of the second phase is any books can be freely selected and there is a very cunning way which allows the spectator always to land herself on pages where the performer is able to determine the selected words. That is the page where you, as the performer divulge the particular phrase or word on that very page. This is very good!

In a nutshell, perhaps I should make something clear. Once again, this is not a "touch-and-go" pdf where you will learn this routine overnight by simply glancing it. As mentioned earlier, there are a great deal of things that you need to go through fully before attempting this routine. If you are a patient reader and willing to spend your time in learning and familiarising yourself with the card principles and other memory system, I think this pdf will somehow make you discover the creative side of the author.

ALSH

Do As Chameleon Do

I remember fondly the first time I learned the Do-As-I-Do effect in a beginner card magic book since I was 9 years old. I was very excited at that time because I feel the routine plays well to any lay audience.

I am sure most readers would familiar with this basic routine where a few cards are involved and the spectator is asked to follow the magician's instruction such as turning and flipping a number of cards in the packet. However, if you don't, I have added an extra something to enhance this plot further and of course, everything can be given out for examination. This is done with a regular deck.

I really enjoyed the effect as audience participation is of paramount importance in the routine. This routine is not limited only to a few spectators. I have performed this routine for a number of years.

I realised that the more people that are involved, the better it will look. And as it gets interesting it will seem more and more comical to the audience watching and those participating. At the end, somehow the spectators manage to follow exactly the instructions given by the performer with an exception when one of the cards is turned over, it has an odd back! Did I say both the magician and the spectator exchange each of their own packets in between the phases?

Here's what a few of them say:

"Do As Chameleon Do is a great audience-participation effect. I particularly like the odd back ending. Gives it a great kick."
-- Peter Duffie

"I like the Do As I Do theme and I think that your packet version is very amazing. The climax is very strong for the spectators because they handle the cards!"

-- Jozsef Kovacs

"The "Do as Chameleon Do" effect was awesome, very neat handling and a great finish; I'll definitely be using it."

-- John Gelasi

"These are two very strong effects. The "Do As Chameleon Do" is really unique and interesting. Very cool trick. I also love "Majestic Jokers". Lots of magic going on. Really fun. Andrew has once again stared two powerful and effective routines with us!"

-- Cameron Francis

Do As Chameleon Do is great with a surprising twist. Good thinking!
-- Raphaël Czaja


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

ALSH

Majestic Jesters

I really enjoyed performing Majestic Jesters during Christmas festival. This is a non-impromptu item but towards the end of the routine, it packs a punch to those who like gambling. A story on how the Jokers help a gambler wins in gambling. Basically, this effect is inspired by Jack Parker's "Court Jesters" and I have added a few plots to enhance the effect with a final kicker.

In performance, you introduce the four Jokers and have a card chosen and lost in the deck. The spectator is asked to cut the pack into four piles and each of the Jokers is placed on top of each of the piles. Magically, you cause the Jokers to appear one at a time into your packet. At the end, you will show the Jokers transform into odd backs with an amazing revelation that your spectator will never forget! Everything can be given out for examination.

I released this routine just before Christmas and I would like to thank to those who support my works and products. I consider this as my pet routine and it has been in my repertoire for years. This routine is quite challenging because I assume you have the experiece or skills in handling cards.

Here's what a few of them say:

"Majestic Jesters is a powerhouse routine of magical effects. Really strong."
-- Peter Duffie

"I very like Majestic Jesters!! It's very strong. I like that it has more climaxes than the spectators expect. I am sure that many magicians will put it in their repertoire. This trick is one of my favourite at the moment. Thanks a lot for this great trick!"

-- Jozsef Kovacs

"It's a great routine packed with magical moments. The Jokers transpose from the table to your hand, fuse into the selection, and change color on the back (one of my favorite finales). The selected card also reveals an additional surprise with a production of a royal flush at the end of the routine. Definitely one to check out!"

-- John Gelasi

"These are two very strong effects. The "Do As Chameleon Do" is really unique and interesting. Very cool trick. I also love "Majestic Jokers". Lots of magic going on. Really fun. Andrew has once again stared two powerful and effective routines with us!"

-- Cameron Francis

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

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

ALSH

My Review - Four Cast

Christmas is around the corner and I guess this is a great time to make a purchase during this season. It is shopping time!

If you make a purchase at Peter Duffie's online shop right now, you are entitled to receive a copy of "Four Cast" featuring four lovely card routines.

The pdf contains 17 pages and easy-to-do card routines. It is a fairly small file (297 KB) and as always, the author provides colourful photos to support the explanation and everything is well laid-out.

So, let's get down to serious business by reviewing each of the following items.

Revelations

This is one of my favourite items of the book. Somehow this routine reminds me of or has a feel when I first read the author's previous "Cards in Principle" and "Ulterior Motifs" eBooks. The author has a knack of applying a very simple card principle to end this two-phase routine. I believe you will use it as soon as you read it. The plot is very simple, have two cards chosen and you reveal the selections in a very interesting way. I think the second phase is very strong where the second spectator ends up with all the Spades cards in her hand. Sounds coincidence? Not really. I really like this and it is good!

One at a Time

I am sure most of us (cardguys) like the "Collectors" routine and this version somehow caught my attention. It does not involve heavy sleights or moves and is a nice three-phase collectors routine. The revelation of the three selections appeals to me especially the third selection. I believe if it is done correctly and smoothly, it is a nice piece of eye-candy item.  

Table d'hôte

This is an interesting revelation on the spectator's selection which can be done seated or walkaround situation. The author has added a neat touch on Alex Elmsley's "Repulsive Aces" with an emphasis on card through table with a nice display. It is very easy to do and there is a proposed handling that you cause the spectator's card to pocket. I think both handlings are equally excellent.  

Psychologistic

This is my favourite card discovery based on a principle published by Phil Goldstein and has a little CAAN feel to it. I really enjoyed this effect very much coupled with an interesting presentation. I really like the phase where the performer shows four cards that represent the four suits of playing cards and one of the cards vanishes that matches the suit of her selection. The spectator then counts the cards and her selection is found at a number. I really look forward to performing this very item for my next Christmas gathering. 

To sum up, I really enjoyed the four card routines in this collection especially "Psychologistic" and "Revelations" perhaps I should say they are very easy to do and great impact to any lay audience.  The four routines can be done with a regular deck. In addition, the above routines somehow make me feel as though I revisit the author's previous excellent work on card principles. The author is pioneer in card principles. If you favour card principles and would like to explore your horizon and the amazing possibilities in card magic, then I urge you to take a look on the above eBooks.

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

ALSH

Designing Card Miracles (Hardback)

This is one of my largest projects featuring my first hardback card magic book. It is my dream to publish this book since I got serious in card magic for the past few years. This book is available exclusively at my online shop.

The book contains 27 card effects which include sleights that are culled directly from my working repertoire and personal note books. It is divided into five sections; "Simple Tricks", "Impromptu Tricks", "Tricks with Odd Cards", "Tricks with Set-up Cards" and "Sundry Sleights".

In this collection, you will find the material ranges from easy to difficult with various plots. Most of the material puts more emphasis on direct and entertaining card magic.

The format of the book is A5 and hardback format. However, the book is not available at the moment and I have no intention to print this book in large quantity. Once I have a number of buyers, then I'll send this book for printing. If you would like to secure a copy, kindly send me an email to pre-order this book. Thanks!


CONTENTS & EFFECTS

CDP: An effortless four ace production that you will use! A spectator cuts the deck a few times and you produce the other two Aces by casting a magical gesture over the cards! This is a very simple and magical production of the Aces!

ROYAL HIGHNESS: Spectator freely names out certain number. After some byplay and counting the cards in the process, the spectator unknowingly produces the four Kings. 100% works all the time!

TRIU3PH: This is a three-phase version inspired by Dai Vernon's "Triumph" and with a strong emphasis on visual card magic. Perfect for walkaround situation.

TRANS-CASE: The performer introduces two packets of cards; the four Aces and Kings. The Ace-packet is placed in the card case and the flap is closed. The King-packet is placed on top of the card case, with a magical wave over the Kings; the Kings visually change into Aces! The performer places the four Aces on the table and the card case is opened, the performer tips out the four Kings. Everything can be examined both before and after the routine. A visual card magic at its best!

THE HUNTERS: My personal favourite card sandwich effect to date! A two-phase routine where each of the phases seems impossible. The spectators have no idea how and when the magic takes place until they discover the big final climax by themselves!

INVISIBLE ENTITIES: The performer turns a freely named four-of-a-kind into invisible cards! None of them can be seen in the deck. With a snap of fingers, the freely named four-of-a-kind appears in the centre of the deck!

DIVIDE & CONJURE: This is my best-selling item in the year of 2009 and also published in The Linking Ring (August 2010) magazine. This effect is inspired by "Spectator Cuts to the Aces" theme and an added powerful twist that involves 3 selections.

CARLYLEBON COPY: An impromptu card magic effect inspired by the “All Backs” plot. Four awkward cards that have no faces, only backs on both sides are outjogged in different parts of the deck. With a snap of fingers, the four outjogged cards magically change into freely named four-of-a-kind and the deck can be given out for examination.

ASTRAL PROJECTION: Inspired by the famous Hofzinser four ace problem. Four Kings are removed and placed onto the table. A card is selected and it's placed under the spectator's covered palm. The performer casts a magical gesture and one of the Kings changes places. The performer has the spectator's selection and the King that matches with the spectator's selection (suit) is now under the spectator's palm.

VISITOR IN MY POCKET: This is my impromptu handling of Larry Jennings' "The Visitors" that takes place in the performer's pocket. A fusion with transformation and transposition that will fry both layman and magician!

FOUR-ACE PRODUCTION: An impressive looking three-phase four-ace production you will enjoy performing!

THE CHARRED CARDS: The performer burns the back of a court card. The first phase where the perfomer causes the burnt card to turn invisible and locates the spectator's selection. For the second phase, he applies the ash mark onto the spectator's palm and magically transfers the ash-mark to locate the final selection. Bizzare card magic at its best!

INVISIBLE TRANSITION: Three ghost cards take the image of a spectator's card. What is left in the remaining packet will astound your audience.

A BANDED HOFZINSER: One of the Kings reveals the suit of the spectator's selection in a very bizarre manner.

A STRANGE CARDSHARP: Inspired by Magician vs. Gambler plot that ends with a colour changing deck kicker. Imagine Mr Elmsley meets Mr Vernon and they sit together for a gambling demonstration. In the game, the spectator is accused at cheating by using marked cards! This is one of my challenging cards routines.

CHAMELEON COLLECTORS: An interesting two-phase collectors routine that ends with a colour changing on the collectors cards!

JOKERS ON THE WILD SIDE: An effect nearly looks like CAAN that combines with Card Fusion concept and it looks impossible in the hands of the performer!

A LUCKY HAND: A five-card packet is used to locate the spectator's mental selection and ends with an unbelievable climax that you think it's unfair to kill them in silence!

THE SUMMONER: First published in Magicians Do Red Nose Day (March 2011) for a charity purpose. A spectator cuts the deck a few times and in the process, she produces the four-of-a-kind without knowing how. Included a bonus handling that focuses on a gambling theme.

HOF FOR A CHANGE: Hofzinser Ace Problem combines with card flourish and a magical transformation that will astound your audience.

MIX FLUSH ASSEMBLY: This is one my favourite Ace Assembly routines with a kicker ending. I usually reserve and perform this routine as my final closer as I consider this is one of my strongest routines in my current working repertoire.

THE ESSENCE OF SPADES: My personal all-time favourite effect! This effect involves transposition and transformation that ends with a big finish! No one will ever play cards with you again!

A DELIBERATE APPROACH: Inspired by Aldo Colombini's "Slow Approach" with added phases and kicker ending. This main emphasis is on solving a mystery puzzle.

THE ESSENCE OF COLOURS: Inspired by Mike Powers' "Virus" with a strong emphasis on a strong and kicker ending.

TWISTING ON THE BIDDLE TRICK: A multiple phase routine combines with three spectators' selections. Imagine Biddle meets with Vernon and they end up having a card sandwich! This is my all-time favourite card routine.

THE A-FLIP SHOT: This is a visual production of a single card or cards in your hands instantly! Can be used as a revelation and has endless possibilities. For those Lennart Green lovers, you might like this but it would be great if someone says this rather than myself.

FLIP-DROP SWITCH: This is my version of "Drop Sleight" that is very easy to do which has multiple applications to other popular card work.

ALSH

Covert Assembly & Embellished - My Review

I couldn't recall when was the last time I was being fooled by a magician. Well, this month, Peter Duffie offers his latest two routines and they fooled me very badly. Please do yourself  a favour by going to Peter's online store and you will see what I mean.

You may purchase the downloads in WMV (Windows Media Video) format. The duration of "Covert Assembly" lasts about 11 minutes (83.7 MB) which includes the performance and tutorial whereas, "Embellished" lasts about 9 minutes (65.8 MB) that also includes both the performance and tutorial. 

The two routines to me are extremely powerful especially "Embellished" which is surprisingly not very difficult to do and it kills! However, I do not mean that "Covert Assembly" is not great but the card-changing phase seems appeal to me a lot. And I really like the Ace, Two, Three and Four of Clubs are ended up in the performer's pocket. The plot attracts me a lot and in addition, great construction, too! To be honest, in the performance section, I really had no idea how the Ace, Two, Three and Four went. The part that I scratched my head in disbelief was there is no extra cards involved! The best part is you can perform this routine at moment's notice. Very nice flow and construction in this particular routine.

"Embellished" really amazed me. The finale of the routine really kills me and it is a two-phase routine. The first part is a physical test. I find that this phase is quite amusing because the two mates fuse together and the spectator has no way to separate the card. In fact, the card can be examined.

In this case, the spectator is not able to separate the card and the performer does it effortlessly. And the second part, the spectator is asked what colour of the cards. This part is where the mystery comes in that I like it very much. The performer shows the rest of the cards have big and bold crosses! Of course, you may adapt this to other ideas too which is limited by your own imagination. And, when the two cards are turned over, they also have big crosses on the backs! Very, very nice and ends with a big impact! As I said earlier, the cards with the big and bold crosses really stunt me!

In a nutshell, these two routines are very powerful and nice constructions. They are not very difficult to do and also minimal set-up of the cards. Peter is so kind and offer an attractive deal for these two downloads at the moment. I think you will enjoy these routines and I can attest that they would play well to any lay audience.

Highly recommended!

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

ALSH

The Mystery Sigil

This is one of my all-time favourite routines that I use regularly in my current close-up performance. This routine is inspired by the Biddle Trick with a bizarre twist!  

This is not the ordinary Biddle Trick that you have read or performed for years. You need a gaff card in performance.

The strength of this routine is the gaffed card serves as an effect and can be handed out for examination or as a souvenir.

If you have been performing the classic Biddle Trick and would like to try something new on this routine, perhaps you would like to try out this routine. As always, my ultimate goal in card magic is to deliver a huge surprise at the end of the routine. This is the routine that I have polished and refined for years. Carry this little miracle for your next show or act and start to astonish people.

Here's what a few of them say:

"I really like the effect. It is a very original take on the classic plot."
-- Raphaël Czaja 

"I've just read it and I really enjoyed it. I think that it's a great idea to use an odd backed card in the effect. And another good thing is that you can give the sigil card to the spectator as a souvenir and your deck remains complete. I can't wait to try the trick on my friends."
-- Jozsef Kovacs

"What a really good effect. Good construction, too. I like this a lot. This would be a real killer for an audience."
-- Peter Duffie

"This is a really good, souped up version of the Biddle Trick! Really nice, Andrew!"
-- Cameron Francis


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

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

ALSH