Miracle Hands on Deck IV E-Book

My fourth volume of Miracle Hands on Deck is now available!

If you have been purchasing my previous three volumes of “Miracle Hands on Deck”, I would like to thank you for once again for purchasing “Miracle Hands on Deck IV” featuring yet another 3 practical card effects. In this volume, you will find effects such as card fusion, an instant and visual card sandwich, and an entertaining card routine that combines with a series of transposition and transformation that you will enjoy performing!

There is one effect that requires you to use special card which is mostly available at most magic shop. The effects are catered for intermediate card worker.

Table of Contents:

Card Fuzion

This is a two-phase routine; the first phase involves a visual approach and in the second phase, the card fusion takes place in the spectator's own hands! Both cards can be signed and given out as souvenirs!

Teleportation

This is a visual eye-candy item. A spectator's signed selection transposes between two packet of cards and ends with an unbelievable climax!

The Essence of Spades

My personal all-time favourite effect! This effect involves transposition and transformation effects that ends with a big finish!

Here's what a few of them say:

"Three great routines; the final one is a full-blown killer."

-- Peter Duffie

"Card Fusion is my favorite in this ebook. Very clever structure and using of a particular force. I appreciate that it is direct to the point. Thus, one of the best versions I've seen so far. Teleportation has a great moment in which you remove one selection and it becomes two cards. Need a bit of practice but very visual and can be used for other tricks I guess. The Essence of Spades has a kind of impossible transposition and multiple endings that may be worth the work and is sure to have a great impact. Nice work again!"

-- Raphaël Czaja

"Nice work on volume 4! Good tricks! I think my favorite is Teleportation!"

-- 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

Fit for Kings - My Review

John Gelasi's (a very young magician) Fit for Kings contains some excellent card magic. This eBook contains 15 pages and features impromptu commercial card magic. Based on what the author claims, the materials have been tested in real world and most of the items are not very difficult to do.

My personal favourites are "Jazz Club", "Daley + 2" and "Big Mistake". In "Jazz Club", this effect essetially deals with the four kings and red spot cards. One by one, the Kings switch places with the red cards in the card case, all leading up to a kicker ending! This is a very neat effect which I will include this into my working repertoire.

"Daley + 2" is another excellent piece of work that based on Dr. Daley's classic plot with an extra kicker! I really like this version as the author combines this effect with two freely selected cards and revealed in a surprising manner.

"Big Mistake" is my personal favourite little eye-candy item. Basically, this effect involves a small packet of cards with lots of surprises, where the performer finally ends up producing the four Kings from a packet that used to contain jokers! This is a great opener where if you like short and effective effect that breaks the ice in any situation, this is a great item!

In a nutshell, this is an excellent eBook where most of the materials are easy to do and very commercial. In addition, the price of this eBook is just $4 (available at lybrary.com) and I think it's worth to support a copy. Did I mention that the author is just 15 years old? I think he has a creative mind in coming up more card magic stuffs and I look forward to reading his material in the future.

ALSH

Miracle Hands on Deck III E-Book

My new card magic eBook "Miracle Hands on Deck III" is now available at my online shop.

This collection contains 3 of my favourite card effects. The two items included in this eBook are based on my previous card materials that have been polished and for the first time, you'll find them in this collection. As before, these routines are not difficult to do if you considered yourself as an advanced card performer. But, there's a requirement that you must familiar with culling, Elmsley Count, Tilt, and others.

You will find effects such as a bizzare card sandwich, an interesting variation of Twisting the Aces theme with a signed selection and an ambitious card routine.

Table of Contents:

A Reunion Sandwich

This is my revisited version based on my previous Come Together (2009) and Jacks Union (2010).

Colourful Jackrobats

My take on David Britland's "Jackrobats" and combines with a spectator's signed selection that ends with a total surprise!

Quadruple Ambitious

Based on my previous handling of "Overly Jackbitious" with an emphasis on surprise climax!

Here's what a few of them say:

"It looks like another three winners in this new volume of your series. All three routines are strong."

-- Peter Duffie

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

Miracle Hands on Deck II E-Book

My new card magic eBook "Miracle Hands on Deck II" is now available at my online shop.

This collection contains 3 of my favourite card effects. The material focuses a full deck, half deck and a packet trick.

As before, these routines are not difficult to do if you considered yourself as an advanced card performer.

You will find effects such as a visual colour changing packet trick, visual card sandwich and a three-phase routine that joins forces with Karl Fulves' "Universal Card", card sandwich and a killer revelation of the Jokers!

Table of Contents:

Half-Pack Sandwich

Based on Alex Elmsley's "Half-Pack Vanish" with the emphasis on visual card magic.

Thanks to Goldstein

A lovely four-phase colour changing packet trick that will delight your audience. You can perform this packet trick at anytime and anywhere. Instant reset!

The Master of Disguise

A visual three-phase routine that will bring your audience an amazing roller-coaster ride and ends with an unbelievable journey!

Here's what a few of them say:

"I love your use of the Elmsley half deck vanish. I have never seen anyone use this in their work (including me!). Well done! You have created a powerful effect with it. I also like Thanks to Goldstein. I have always liked the Golsdstein premise and you have taken it in a new direction. I knew I would like Master of Disguise as soon as I saw it was a Universal Card plot (one of my favourite plots). Great finish with the Royal Flush!"

-- Peter Duffie

"I really like your item Thanks to Goldstein. Very cool!"

-- Mike Powers

"Just read through Andrew's two new PDFs. All in all some very nice effects here. Three effects in each booklet. Very good, commercial card material!"

-- Cameron Francis

"My favorite trick is Thanks to Goldstein, I love packet tricks and this one is superb! The Master of Disguise is a full routine with a lot of effects in it. Really interesting. Miracle Hands on Deck 2 is another great ebook from Andrew."

-- Raphaël Czaja 

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

Anilecram - My Review

I'm very excited to indulge myself in going through Michael Kettle's "Anilecram" effect. The reason is simply because firstly, the effect is automatic and secondly, the spectator seems to have a freedom in the process of determining which cards to represent suits and values. So, to wrap up, this is a wonderful routine and I really enjoyed its self-working mechanism. Very clever!

You would like to take note that in terms of the methodology, it's very clever but you need to master one crucial sleight that is the "Perfect Straddle Faro" and there's some set up required in this routine.

But I'm sure that fellow readers may familiar with the system. However, if you don't, Michael explains this in the manuscript too. The first section starts off with a very brief introduction on the "Set up" system, "The Straddle Faro" and finally, the handling and methodology, everything is explained in detail.

In terms of the layout and illustrations of the eBook, he also provides the source of inspiration and I really like the overall presentation. In spite of the nature of the effect is not completely impromptu, however, the choice of determining which cards to represent suits and values are free. There is no magician's choice or equivoe used in this routine which is great.

Overall, I think it's worth to get a copy and try out this effect to yourself. It's really cool and you may like its self-working mechanism!

ALSH

Miracle Hands on Deck E-Book

My new card magic eBook "Miracle Hands on Deck" is now available at my online shop.

This collection contains 3 of my favourite card effects that specially catered for stand-up performance. 

These routines are not difficult to do if you considered yourself as an advanced card performer. You will find effects such as card sandwich, cards separation and in the hands visual two-packet transposition.

All the effects can be done completely impromptu. Just bring a deck of cards with you and ready to perform at a moment's notice.

Table of Contents: 

Pocket Filter 

Based on Alex Elmsley's "Colour Filter" but without the use of handkerchief! Convince your spectator that the cards filter through magical tunnels! 

Optical Zones 

A visual two-packet transposition that happens in the hands of the performer. 

A Sandwich Choice 

The Kings instantly vanish, reappear and trap the spectator's selection in the deck which held by the spectator!

Here's what a few of them say:

"Just tried them with cards in hands! Pure Andrew Loh magic! The simplicity of each effect along with direct methods make this ebook worth a purchase."

-- Raphaël Czaja

"The ebook is first rate. All three routines: Pocket Filter / Optical Zones & A Sandwich Choice are really well constructed and very effective. My favourite is Pocket Filter -- a great performance piece."

-- Peter Duffie

"Just wanted to say, Andrew's new Ebook: Miracle Hands on Decks is awesome! Contains 3 great, commercial effects, that aren't too hard to do. Crediting is great, and the illustrations are a work of art! Well done Andrew!"

-- Kyle MacNeill

"These 3 effects, after my test on the road, work very well in real world I have very glad to use them in my performance."

-- Tommaso Guglielmi

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

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