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Book Review: "Tricks With a Folded Coin"

Douglas Atkinson

"Tricks With a Folded Coin" includes routines by Frank Garcia, Frank Lane, and U.F. Grant. It is mostly text with very few illustrations; the nine that exist are line drawings. The book begins with a bit of explanation of the folding coin and how to put it together with the rubber band (it acknowledges that other types exist). The rest of the book provides complete effects and ideas for using your folding coin. Effects include Frank Garcia's The Famous Coin in the Bottle, Coin from Flash Paper, and Iron in Your Blood (bitten coin); a collection of ideas from Frank Lane and U.F. Grant to include Wood/Coin transposition, Thru the Card, Half Dollar in the Wand, Making Change for a Dollar and many more; and finally two more coin in the bottle routines by Don Alan and Matt Schulien. This book makes a good, inexpensive companion to your folding coin: recommended.

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Switch-A-Roo

This is a beautifully made gimmick and comes in handy way too often. You can make up ye own card effects very easily using it. Its invisible and the card switches are made instantly. BTW: this gimmick is used to switch cards :o).

Make yer twisted sisters cards examinable. As well as switch out a normal stack of cards for your "twisting the aces" effects. It can be used in any situation

The only bad thing about is the cards have to be put in your jacket pocket or front pocket. You can still see the top portion of the pack, but thats how you have to do it. Like I mentioned before, the cards stay in view the whole time and the switch is invisible.

It requires a bit of practice to use effectively. Not necessarily for beginners. You get more than your money's worth ($29.99) out of this gimmick.

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Aces in Their Faces

This is an effect that follows the grandfathers legacy theme. Effect: A deck is shown with all the cards face down. The ace of spades is turned face up and when spread through again, the other aces have followed the spade and also turned face up. The four aces are placed on a table and three cards are placed on top of each ace. The ace of spade pile is pushed forward. The other three piles are squared up. With a magical pass, the three aces have vanished, one bye one, to join the ace of spades in its pile.

This is a great effect!! There are virtually no moves at all. Just a memorized set up and yer ready to go. It can be instantly reset. The easy performance of the trick allows you to focus more on patter and a routine with it. Its stuns audiences because you don't even hardly touch the cards at all. You get great response from it.

This effect is for beginners and experts alike. One of the best ace assemblies I've seen. Patter is supplied in the booklet, but its hard to follow and will confuse a lot of people.

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John Kennedy's Mystery Box

I have been using this particular item for a few months now, and it consistently generates a strong reaction. In fact, the first time I saw it I was blown away. It isn't often that I'm actually amazed anymore, but this powerful effect did the trick. No pun intended.

For anyone unfamiliar with the effect, here's a quick synopsis: A small wooden box is shown to be completely empty and quite solid. I lid is placed on the box, and it is set aside. The magician asks the spectator to keep an eye on the box, make sure it isn't touched. Spectator then selects a card, and signs it. The card proceeds to vanish in the manner of the magician's choosing, only to reappear folded up inside the box (Spectator removes the lid to reveal the appearance of the card - very powerful). The card is dumped out of the box, and the spectator confirms his or her signature. It really happens this way. It's just that cool.

While the box is a bit pricey, I'm obviously very enthusiastic about the effect and recommend it as a sound investment. It needs to be taken care of. Performance requires only moderate card skill (cards are not my focus), but plenty of practice for a smooth presentation. Firmly pointing out the fact that once the box is closed, you do not even go near the box strengthens the effect immensely.

Examples of reactions I've received:

"WHOA. How the *&$% did you do that?"

"What the *&^%???"

"*&^%!!!"

"WOW. You're *&^$ing awesome!"

"Oh my goodness, this guy's got &*(^ing magic powers!"

"He's better than *&$%ing David Blaine!!!"

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Zero Gravity

There has been a lot of controversy over revealing this effect in alt.magic and "magic" message boards all over the web. People are saying that the "gimmick" is useless and they " don't think it would work".

First off, there is no gimmick! Its a modification you must make. When you purchase Zero Gravity, you get a manuscript. This gives you complete instructions on how to make the modification. You have to make it because it has to fit your shoe size.

This levitation can be performed almost completely surrounded! You float 4-5 in. off the ground!! No strings, no mirrors, no nothing! You could watch someone perform this, no what there doing, and not see it. The idea is ingenious, something you'd never think of.

You could wear this all day. But it might get a bit uncomfortable. If you are thinking about purchasing any self-levitation, BUY THIS!!!! I think its great.

The effect has been around for a few months now. But no one has really given a complete run down of it. Thought I would settle the arguments. Also I think its cheap at $20. You get more than your money's worth, and it doesn't require that much practice.

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The Floating Diamond

It's tempting to do a review of this item on my own, but unfortunately, I sell it, so my credibility would be compromised, no? Ahh, those darn conflicts of interest.

Lucky for us, M&M Magic Reviews has reviewed it, so take a look for yourself and order one today!

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Perry Maynard's Lite-Flite

Joel W.

This is a great new effect from Perry Maynard.

You produce a small illuminated ball. You command the ball to rise and it lifts right off your hand!! It floats from hand to hand as you wave your arms over it to prove the absence of wires. The ball then floats into your mouth and back to your pocket.

This effect is everything its said to be! It takes a while to set up, but its worth the time. The ball is examinable if you wish. Its just like Fearson's floating cigarette, but the setup is a bit different. If you have FFC, don't buy this. I recommend this to anyone!

Its easy to learn and requires moderate skill level.

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Expert Card to Wallet

Joel W.

This is a sensational combination of Balducci/Kaps Card to Wallet. The wallet is beautiful and hand-crafted.

Pros:

Smooth trouble free zipper.
It looks like a real wallet!
It allows effortless palm and no-palm signed card to wallet routines.

Cons:

For the more experienced magicians.
Requires lots of practice.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who is not willing to put in the effort it takes to perfect the routines with this great prop. It's quite an investment at $89.95.

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Jester's 10-Foot Pole

Reviewed by Joel W.

This a rally baffling effect!!! You can pull this 10 ft.(yes its almost 10 ft. tall) pole from anywhere. Even your pocket! I think its great for clown magic and its good if you do kids magic. Its hard to find a situation to use it in. And thats what I don't like about it. You can really have a routine with it. Nothing makes sense!!

Its a well made prop though and if performed right, its very effective.

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Juan Tamariz 'Lessons in Magic Video series'

Reviewed by Our Favorite Bob K.

Juan Tamariz is one of the best thinkers in magic when it comes to creating routines that will fool people. Mike Close gave these video's a great review in Magic (more extensive than what I'll write here) which I agree with, but for those who don't read Magic:

This series of 3 videos will give you some great card magic (and it is all cards). Unless you've already read all the routines in his books or seen him lecture on all of them, you will be fooled by at most of them. You'll also learn how he construes his routines to make them extremely deceptive, but even if you just learn the tricks as he does them you'll have some great card magic. I'll give a brief rundown of each tape. All the tricks are good- so repeat that for each one:

#1- Neither blind nor stupid- this fooled me totally the first time I saw it (around 1985). I later figured out a method which I thought was right, but bought the book Sonata just to see if I was (and the book was well worth the price). It's not impromptu, but the set up can be done very quickly if you're at a party and want to do it.

Follow the leader- Impromptu routine that expands on a Dai Vernon trick, but cards in red/black piles follow the leader cards one at time. It is a little work to memorize the sequence of everything but a very entertaining.

Cards across- not impromptu. You have to make the props once, then it's practically impromptu if you have them with you. This will definitely fool magicians who haven't seen it.

The caricature- requires you to have a special drawing on a card, but fairly easy to make and do.

#2- The secret of magic- Impromptu

Four of a kind- requires a set up (which is useful in a number of excellent tricks) which most people won't take the time to learn.

El cocheito- this is the routine with the toy car finding a selected card (which he did on WGM 2, but expands a little more here). So you'll have to buy the trick/car to do it.

The cannibals- very good routine for an old standard.

Tape 2 also gives Tamariz memorized deck set up. He should be publishing a book of other routines using that in Spanish later this year (and a lot of us will be waiting for it to be translated into English).

#3- Los centauros- a very entertaining plot and story line using a packet of cards with pictures that blend in with the story. Would be a little work to make up, but worth the trouble if it's the type of routine you'd do.

Sticker- pairs of cards change places even though one pair is stuck together with a sticker.

Cards to pocket- This is probably my least favorite of the tricks on these tapes, but it's still good.

Rising card- a very effective version of an old impromptu rising card.

Doubly ambitious- an ambitious card where 2 cards keep rising to the top of the deck. I think this is one of Juan's signature routines and don't see too many other people doing it. But it's still good, and parts of it might be useful in other routines.

Four aces- a very easy-to-perform (technically), but still very effective and entertaining 4 ace trick.

If you do card magic, you'll learn at least a little (and probably a lot) from these tapes.

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Number 2 Pencil, It

• Bob K. Review of Number 2 Pencil (7/14/97)
  
  Effect: The small black oval that says "#2" on a pencil jumps from the eraser end of the pencil to the point end and back. Then you rub it with your thumb and it elongates so it covers the entire length of the pencil.
  
  Pros: This is a nice idea. It's easy to do and uses a basic paddle move. But it's a common object. Like most paddle tricks it may not be mind-boggling magic, but the presentation supplied is entertaining. It doesn't take up much room. I think it'd work well in table hopping and walk-around situations, and could play for both kids and adults. Angles aren't a problem and you can do it surrounded.
  
  Cons: The only drawback is that you have to switch pencils. I don't think this would be a big problem for most people. The method suggested in the instructions will work and if it's done right the fact that the pencil left their sight won't really register on the spectators. If you do any sleeving then you could make the switch and even fool some magicians with the last change.
  
• Bob K. Review of It! (7/14/97)
  
  Effect: Four blank cards are shown. The word 'it' appears on one card, then vanishes, then appears again. At the climax, the work 'this' appears on one card and 'that' appears on another card.
  
  Pros: Another good idea. It's easy to do (uses 2 simple, standard, moves). The cards are nicely printed (they're not just pure white blank face cards, but have a 'monotony breaking' appearance). The cards are sealed in plastic, but unlike some of the packet tricks with the plastic protection on the cards- they took the time to trim the plastic correctly so the cards are still all the same size (which makes it a lot easier to work with them. But what makes this worthwhile is the patter/presentation. It's filled with double-meanings, 'bad' gags and has a lot of humor. If that's your style you should really enjoy doing this.
  
  Cons: Can't really think of any. I'm not crazy about carrying packet tricks that can't be used for anything else, but some of them are worth the trouble. I think this is one of them.
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Fearson's Box Floatation

• Joel. W Review of Fearson's Box (6/29/97) -- A very effective trick......I guess you could say the angles are about like the pocket levitator. But its a bit over priced at $100.
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The Pocket Levitator, The Blizzard Deck

• R.W. Review of The Pocket Levitator (Mid-May, 1997) -- This is a piece of junk, a rip-off. It takes too long to set-up and is impractical for walk around performance.
  
  
• Bob K. Review of The Pocket Levitator (6/3/97) -- The effect is that you hold a sport coat (or a towel or other cover) in front of your legs with your feet sticking out under the coat. You raise the coat a few inches and appear to levitate the same distance. I suspect most people who buy this will think 'Gee, I could have made this myself for $2'. They'll be right and a lot of them will toss it in a drawer and never use it. But, unlike buying a card trick, I think a lot of people buy levitations hoping that maybe they'll get the 'real thing' (if anybody any sells the 'real thing' it's going to be a few thousand dollars at least). For $20 this isn't a bad idea.
  
  The ads are pretty accurate. To perform it as pictured in the ads, you can't have spectators too far away, especially if they're seated. They can't be too far too the sides (a little over 45 degrees would work) or to the rear. I'd expect most magicians to use it as a impromptu trick rather than formal type shows, although it could be used in table hopping situations if you don't have spectators behind you or to the sides. The instructions do give some variations that allow you do use it on stage, but it would still be useful more as a quick effect and not a feature of your show. One of the variations allows you to perform it surrounded, but I'm not sure it'd be real effective unless you have a good presentation that would explain a suspicious looking object near your body.
  
  You're limited in the shoes you can wear while performing it- it can't be used if you're in sandals, boots or barefoot. If you perform much under the conditions above this could be as effective as the Balducci levitation with much better angles.
  
• Bob K. Review of The Blizzard Deck (6/3/97) --The effect is that a spectator names any card (ie- 3 of diamonds). You remove all the 3's from the deck and hand them to the spectator to shuffle, then ask them which card they think is their's. When they find their card, the other 3 cards are shown to be blank, then the rest of the deck is shown blank.
  
  I saw Michael Close demonstrate this at the Desert Magic Seminar. With the presentation he was using it was a very good effect, but his 'patter' doesn't come with the trick and you'll have to come up with your own presentation to make it interesting. I think one of the big selling points of the trick is that it fools a lot of magicians and they buy it. To laymen, especially if you don't have a good presentation, it's likely to just be another card trick (a good one, but still just a card trick). The price was a little high for me, but I already have more card tricks than I'll ever do.
  
  The disadvantages are that you have to carry an extra deck of cards just for this trick, and you wouldn't want to repeat it. Although the secret 'move' is very open you'll almost certainly fool everyone the first time, but if you repeat it you'll almost surely get caught the 2nd (with non-magicians, you might get by a 2nd time a few days before the repeat, but I'd still try to avoid that).
  
  One suggestion if you do buy it: the instructions have you do 'something' to 52 cards and nothing to 3 cards. I'd suggest you save a lot of work by doing the 'something' to the 3 cards and do nothing to the other 52. If you buy it you'll know what I'm talking about.
  
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• Crazy Keys -- Keys that are uncut become cut with a pass of your hands. Deceptive and semi-easy to do, don't be fooled by it's seemingly easy method. This a good trick that FOOLS the audience. I tried all three of this year's Tenyo tricks that I own on audiences and this one fools them the most even though I was the least impressed with this trick out of the three. Kinda like the thumb tip silk disappearance -- you don't think it'll fool anyone, but boy does it ever!
  
• Trisector -- This is a very clever trick and the one inevitable trick that has something to do with fancy mechanisms that Tenyo always seems to release each year. The trick is very deceptive and really looks like you've cut the dollar bill in three and slide out the middle section. The only drawback is the thickness of the box that holds the dollar -- it is very suspicious.
  
• Hanky Panky -- A pen is poked through a handkerchief that is sandwiched between two plastic squares with holes in each. This is also a great trick with props that look so innocent they'll have no reason to doubt you really did poke through the handkerchief.
  
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Camirand Academy of Magic....and others

• Picture This! -- Richard Sanders. Produced in the high-quality tradition that is the trademark of the Camirand Academy of Magic. This is an easy-to-do fooler. Using the old Out-to-Lunch principle, this trick has a nice personal touch to it. You bring out a deck of cards, have someone select one and remember it. You put away the deck and pull out a stack of photos of a very young magician in magician's garb. He is holding a fan of cards. You have the spectator initial the top photo and then pull it out of the stack. You give it a good shake and show the photo has changed! The cards the young magician was holding have fallen to the ground except for the one the spectator chose! It's a fooler for lay people.
  
• Three Ropes and a Baby -- Richard Sanders. The professor's nightmare trick with many twists and turns. A seven-phase routine that will wow them, if you ever get through learning this trick. I had trouble following along with the manual even though there are LOTS of photographs. It gets very confusing after a while, trying to keep all the ropes straight. I think this trick would have benefited from a video accompaniment. If you are into ropes and don't mind spending a couple of hours memorizing and trying to figure out the instructions, then you have a strong effect here.
  
• Poof Ball -- James Swoger and Samuel Patrick Smith. Comes with Video. A nice routine where a ball vanished in your hand, changes color as it is dropped into a cup, and penetrates a sealed zip-loc bag. Takes some practice to get the handling down but not very difficult and looks great...although I'd have to caution all of you that it is VERY angle dependent, so don't try to do this surrounded.
  
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Last updated December 20, 1998

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