Shoot Ogawa Lecture

The Shoot Ogawa lecture was held on 30-07-2011 (Saturday) at 11am. Unfortunately a heavy downpour had caused some delay (lots of vacant seats) and the lecture started around 11.30am. There was quite a number of audience turned up and everyone was so enjoyed throughout the lecture.

Both the magicians and the audience were quite engaging with each other in the performance as well as during the Q&A session. Shoot started off by performing a few card and coin effects. Most of the effects he performed were very visual in nature. He also talked about the importance of timing in magic.

It's interesting to get to know about the history and facts about the limited quantity of "The Ninja Rings". For those of you who might be interested to get the Ninja Rings, worry not as Shoot and Charlie informed that they may manufacture another batch of Ninja Rings this year.

As you know being a cardguy, I handle playing cards everyday and I think it's great for me to indulge myself with this mystical linking rings. Judging the fact that Wizard's Inn produced such high quality rings, I definitely will purchase another 3 sets in the future. It's excellent!

I also managed to learn some important insight from Shoot and Charlie. Charlie was very kind to share his insight on the Chinese Linking Ring.

He described on how he developed, proposed the how-and-why that a magician should do or avoid for these rings in terms of the techniques, linking and unlinking moves as well as the timing and psychology.

It's interesting to get to know him in terms of his young days on this craft and his upcoming competition. Honestly, these guys were quite funny throughout the lecture.

The lecture ended around 1.30pm. I managed to buy a few items such as the Ninja Rings and three DVDs directly from Shoot. In a nutshell, I really enjoyed very much throughout the lecture. Thanks to The Magic Annexe for conducting a nice lecture.

ALSH

Tri-Wave - My Review

I just read Andrew Galanter's first work on his new "Tri-Wave" pdf. This is a three-phased effect inspired by Phil Goldstein's "B'Wave" and the good news is without the use of gimmicked cards! I should say I'm impress in terms of the approach and great routining. This pdf contains 12 pages and with ample of colourful photographs to support the explanation.

The great strength of this routine is that, as mentioned earlier, this can be done without any gimmicked cards and with a great three-phased built in  routine. Each phases seems stronger than another. And, there is no magician's choice or equivoque involved in this version.

The first phase is where a packet of Queens is placed on the table and the spectator is asked to freely name any of her favourite Queen. After she has done so, the performer picks up the packet and shows the freely named Queen is the only face up in the face-down packet! This first phase alone is quite strong as the performer managed to nail the freely named Queen!

For second phase, the freely named Queen seems to vanish in the hands of the performer leaving only three Queens on the table and the named Queen is removed from the performer's pocket. I really like the vanishing premise as well as the revelation of displaying the three cards which is very convincing.

For the final phase, the performer challenges the spectator to name another Queen of the opposite colour. No problem, the performer removes the prediction cards from his pocket and he shows three Queens are similar colour except the named Queen! This is a great finale and I really like this!

In conclusion, I really like all the phases and I think the author has done a wonderful job in his methodolody and approach in tackling this wonderful plot. As mentioned earlier, this is a great piece of work based on the "B'Wave" premise. If you enjoy this kind of plot, no doubt you would like to give this a look and I think it's worth to invest a copy which is $3. I'm really impress the author in spite of his young age, he has come up something that is worth for magician to explore. I look forward to reading his work in the future.

ALSH

Miracle Hands on Deck V E-Book

Finally, after months of selling Miracle Hands on Deck series, this concludes my final volume 5.

If you have been purchasing my previous four volumes of “Miracle Hands on Deck”, I would like to thank you for the support given.

So, what's the content in this final volume? You will find effects such as lie detector, Triumph, and a series of vanishing and solving a mystery card sandwich effect.

Most of the effects included in this volume are catered for intermediate card magician. I am absolutely certain that you will enjoy the material in this final volume.

Table of Contents:

Lie-Kingtector

This version is different from other lie detector plot which does not involve calculation or card principles but rather based on pure card-sleight approach and very visual in appearance!

Guardian’s Triumph

Imagine card sandwich meets triumph! A convincing display is used to spice up the overall routine and it's very easy to do!

A Deliberate Approach

A series of vanishing and solving a mystery card effect which is enjoyable to perform.

Here's what a few of them say:

"I LOVE Guardian's Triumph! The best Sandwich Triumph effect, I've seen. Great stuff Andrew, it's gone straight into my repertoire!"

-- Kyle Macneill

"As always, well constructed routines, direct to the point. The Lie Detector trick is great, not difficult and with a lot of effects through it. It's basically a variation on the Hofzinser problem but the Lie detector plot justifies the handling. The third trick, his take on an Aldo Colombini trick is awesome, great impact with minimum sleights and a few subtleties. The 5th ebook may be my favorite from this collection. I'm glad it ends on a high note!"

-- Raphaël Czaja

"All of the Miracle Hands on Deck books are terrific. Andrew really knows how to construct interesting effects with devious methods."

-- Cameron Francis

"I have enjoyed this series of ebooks -- the latest -- Miracle Hands on Deck V, maintains the standard set by the previous four volumes. This is an excellent set of ebooks containing well-constructed routines and I recommend all five volumes."
-- 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 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