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

The Conjuror Card

This routine is inspired by Roy Walton's "The Overworked Card" and it's not very difficult to do. 

This can be done in a walkaround situation or a group of people. I offer additional three versions that include the elements of Dai Vernon's "Triumph" as well as other interesting revelations on the spectators' selections.

All the routines described can be done with a regular or borrowed deck and best of all, you can hand out the deck for examination.

No advance set up or gimmicked cards involved and it can be done in an impromptu situation.

Here's what a few of them say:

"Very nice tricks! I like them a lot!"

-- Cameron Francis

"These are excellent handlings for this plot."

-- Peter Duffie

"I really like the conjuror card and the non half-pass version is very clever!"
-- Raphaël Czaja 

"I agree with Cameron, very magical, and the magic part happens while a spectator is holding the deck."
-- Michael Cookman 

"I took the opportunity to perform both The Conjuror Card and the one-selection Conjuror Triumph to some people and reactions were very good. One of the things I enjoyed was that I could cleanly "show" and push the face up cards into the face down cards and then of course, ending with the magic in the spectator's hands really seals the deal. And I found that it made it that much more personal when the spectator was able to have a selected card added to this effect as per Conjuror Triumph."
-- Wayne Kong

"I finally took time to work through “The Conjuror Card.” It’s a very nice effect. I like the idea of the card moving from top to bottom and causing the other cards to reverse. Very cool! Keep up the great work."
-- Mike Powers


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

TransWave

I came up this effect while I was toying around with a few versions of "B'Wave" and in my version, this is a pure sleight-of-hand approach and there's no equivoque or prediction. 

I put more emphasis on pure card transposition between two packets and a series of magical occurences. In other words, this means that my handling is not related to "B'Wave" at all.

If you enjoy visual card transposition between two packets and nail the spectator at the end for a big kicker, this is the kind of effect that plays very well to lay audience. The kicker implies that the performer reveals the cards have different and various backs in spite of the two packets exchange places in the process! Also included two bonus handlings that are very strong to end this wonderful routine. Best of all, all the cards can be given out for examination.

Here's what a few of them say:

"I think Transwave (excellent title) is a great routine -- one of your best. A lot of magic happens before the final kicker ending that will fry minds."

-- Peter Duffie

"I love the trick! Lots of really strong magic."

-- Cameron Francis

"I like the trick - it is clever to use a discrepancy to add another effect so then everything is clean at the end. This is a beautiful and effective packet effect. Keep'em coming!"

-- Raphaël Czaja

"I have to say that the routine is very well constructed. Andrew turns an unexaminable card trick into an examinable one by using the clean up as an effect! Overall, it's a great transposition routine."

-- John Holt

"Very good trick! The final surprise is a great idea!"
-- Didier Dupré

Last but not least, I also received a not-so-good review from Tom Frame at: http://www.geniimagazine.com

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

Business as Usual - My Review

It's good to read some magic stuffs that use business cards and can be given out as souvenirs.

This is what I read another pdf from John Gelasi's "Business as Usual" that I think it's great, which has 7 visual and commercial routines with business cards. I really like the front cover of the pdf, which is nicely done and has 37 pages. The size of this pdf is 2.14MB.

In addition, the pdf has more than 30 colourful photos to support the explanation and some of the effects have a video link that I find very useful especially if you would like to watch the performance before you start your journey on reading each of the effects. The overall layout of the pdf is nicely done.

So, let's start off by reviewing some of my favourite items.

Slider

This is a great little quicky item that basically, you show a misprinted business card and just a few seconds, you magically cause it turns out to be a proper business card that can be given out for examination. This is a good moment to hand out your business card and also serves as an ideal opener for walkaround situation. The handling is surprisingly easy to do! I really like this!

Cap and Trade

Cap is a visual piece of magic that you can do, which you remove a red marker and you visually change it into a black cap. Honestly speaking, I have no much comment on this one but judging the fact that I have seen the clip as performed by the author, the change is visual but I would rather perform "Trade". It's just a matter of my preference. I simply like "Trade" as there is quite a number of magical things happen along the way. You perform a transposition effect that involves a torn business card that bears both the magician's and spectator's signatures. At the end, you fuse or restore the signed pieces and can be handed out as souvenirs. This is a great routine that I see myself using for my next event.   

Sketchy

This is another of my favourite item! The handling is very simple and I can attest that this routine may play well to layman. I really like the overall idea where the performer draws picture that resembles a quarter and then some gesture, the real quarter that you drawn on the business card falls in your hand and you immediately show the the drawn quarter has vanished from the business card! However, I think it would be nice if the business card can be signed by the spectator so that you will come to this "Out to Lunch" principle that look-alike kind of scene. Nice thinking and I think I'll add this item to my repertoire! The author also offers another variation of "Sketchy" that use without force and gimmick. But I prefer the first one.

Portrait Surprise

This is an interesting item that you can do with your own portrait. Again, I think the nature of this routine would play well to any lay audience. I really like the overall idea and the revelation of the selected card in the deck. I think the most interesting idea is where you show a business card that has a prediction of you holding the spectator's selected card. A magical gesture, you show the photo of yours holding the selected card is no longer there! Finally, you end the routine with a nice and simple finish. Nice flow and construction! 

This concludes my review of the above items. I believe you will find some items that may be of interest and most of the routines above would play well to any layman. Most importantly, the routines above are highly practical and the items can be handed out as souvenirs, which create lasting impression to your spectators. I also find that the effects above also serve as good collection of interesting ideas.

Highly recommended!

Available at: http://gelasimagic.weebly.com/

ALSH

Reorder - My Review

This is the second Cameron's pdf that I went through recently and my instinct tells me that this might be another great and strong item.

Basically, this routine is inspired by the "Wild Card" plot and I anticipate that the author must be working something powerful. So, without wasting time by doing other things in the morning, I went through the pdf just after my breakfast because am so excited about the routine.

The pdf contains 6 pages, pdf size is less than 1MB with colourful photos and has a link to watch the author in performance. Before I watched the clip, I decided to give this a good read because I believe by doing so, this is to somehow induce my mind to visualise how the routine looks like in a performance.

So, what's my final verdict? I think you will be thrilled by the author's performance as well as the nature of the routine. I have one word to describe this routine, it's just pure "Awesome!" I really like the construction and flows of the routine. The message is so simple to comprehend and straightforward. You show a few Jokers, one Ace, and each of the Jokers magically transforms into Aces! At the end, you show the Aces have different backs and the Jokers have different with bold letters appear on the backs too! This is quite a shocking revelation! In addition, this routine also ends with a nice display and doesn't take very long to perform.

In a nutshell, this routine is really, really nice and I believe it plays well to any layman. In addition, it's surprisingly easy to do and with just a few cards and sleights, you can start to impress people in no time.

Highly recommended!

Available at: http://www.cameron-francis.com/

ALSH

Fit for Kings, Too! - My Review

John Gelasi is a very young magician and recently, I received a reviewed-copy of his "Fit for Kings, too!" pdf. Basically, this is the second volume of "Fit for Kings" which you can check my previous review in this blog as well.

The pdf contains 18 pages, 6 effects, the size of the pdf is less than 1MB and each of the effects has a video link that you can watch the author in performance at Youtube. There are more than 10 colourful photos to support the explanation.

Most of the routines are not very difficult to do and work with regular deck. Just like his previous volume, the main theme is using the four Kings in all the six effects. I think the author has done a wonderful job in the explanation on each of the routines. So far, I found four items to my liking.

I'll start off by reviewing the four of my favourite items.

Almost Perfect 

This reminds me of Martin Nash's "Title Bout" but the author's approach in this routine is different. This routine focuses on the visual approach in terms of producing the Aces in a rather surprise manner with a transposion throws in for good measure. I like the flow of this routine and basically, it's not very difficult to do. Nice!

Funny Assembly

This is a nice transposition routine between two packets of cards without dupes. This is an excellent piece as I usually like a simple transposition between two packets of cards. This item works with four vs. two as this creates a good contrast during the transposition, which I think it's excellent. I really like this!

Walton-ing Around

I think most of you familiar with Roy Walton's "Oil & Queens" and the author has done a wonderful in applying this concept (very clever!) to determine a spectator's card. The initial handling basically remains the same and somehow at the end, the selection appears in the centre of the deck! It's not very difficult to do and I think it's very effective to layman.

Kangaroo Kings

Another of my favourite items that can be done with more than one spectator. Basically, this routine requires you to engage your spectators and they will do all the work in finding the Kings. The first two Kings are found by the two spectators. However, the author uses a different method for the third phase and I think the last phase is interesting. At least, the spectators think that you ruin the routine but in fact, it's an indicator card and at the end, the performer successfully locates the fourth King to end the routine! It's a nice routine that you can do especially if you have a group of friends, etc.

Overall, I really enjoyed the pdf and as I mentioned earlier, the author is still very young and I really impress of his work. The good thing about this pdf (as I mentioned earlier) is that each of the effects has a link to Youtube and you can watch the author in performance! You may just view the clips and have a clear picture on how the routine looks like in real time. The price of the pdf is $7.50. I think you'll find some items that you'll use in your performance.

In short, very simple but effective card magic!

Available at: http://gelasimagic.weebly.com/

ALSH