"A conjuror is not a juggler; he is an actor playing the part of a magician; he is an artist whose fingers have more need to move with deftness than with speed. I may even add that where sleight-of-hand is involved, the quieter the movement of the performer, the more readily will the spectators be deceived."

Robert Houdin

"...That an open show of skill, however brief, is deadly during a magic act, because it gives the audience a reason not to believe. Even if they don't figure out the method, they'll attribute the effect to manual dexterity and not to magic... You're giving them the secret to everything you do. Magic is not about selling your prowess, it's about the effect you create - a profound violation of the natural laws of the universe. I don't want them to think I'm skillful, I'm a magician not a juggler. A juggler is selling skill. I want to get credit for my magic, not the skill.... This is not to say that the technique isn't important in magic - it's crucial - but must remain invisible at all times. There can be no man behind the curtain. There can't even be a curtain."

Wesley James

Title: Gaff Tacular
Creator: Stephen Tucker
Publisher: Big Blind Media
MSRP: $ 27
Skill Level: Beginner

Stephen Tucker invented some AMAZING magic, and here, Liam Montier collects 6 of the very best tricks using GAFFED cards! 

First up, all of these tricks are EASY - well in the reach of anyone who has done a few cards tricks before! (No Elmsley Counts or Half Passes here!) 

All the tricks are fun, social and FOOLING! Blank cards become printed, and then blank again in a heartbeat. Cards change into selections, and then into a bizarre mish-mash! Signed cards vanish and appear in different pockets, then jump BACK even more impossibly, and take on a life of their own in a staggering cards across routine! And 'Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder' is the PERFECT multi-phase trick for your wallet! 

Together with these incredible routines, you get all of the gaff cards you need, and Liam Montier's acclaimed teaching, together with professional hints and tips on how to perform them, make them commercial and practical for professional use, and much, much more!Get ready for GAFF-TACULAR! 

All the necessary gaffs are provided. 

TRICKS - 

Fade In / Fade Out 
Dreams 
Spectral Beast 
Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder 
Decenial Delight 
Time After Time 
Also - learn how to do super easy double lifts from a packet of cards!

Here is my review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnj2quqMj_8

Title: A Thought Well Stolen
Creator: Ben Harris
Publisher: Wowbound
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: All
Book length: 31 pages

Type of effect:  A Thought Well Stolen combines two of magic's great card effects - Any Card At Any Number, and Paul Curry's Out Of This World - into a wicked hybrid; morphing them into a mind-blowing frenzy

Manufacturer's Write Up:  As in Any Card At Any Number, the performer reveals the identity of a freely thought-of card - and its position in a deck - without asking a single question. Seriously, this is solid and gripping mentalism; there is no force, the card is a free MENTAL SELECTION and NO questions are asked. Having read his spectator's mind, discerning his card and its position in the deck, the performer follows with a visual display rivaling the wonderful separation of colors in Out Of This World. Your audience is left reeling by:

1. Your amazing ability to read minds.
2. Your insane skill with a deck of cards.

The combination of effects is mind-boggling and capable of closing any show - be it one-on-one, at a party, on T.V., or in a theatre of hundreds. U.K. card expert Michael Vincent has chosen to perform A Thought Well Stolen during his "Champions Of Magic" season at the Jersey Opera House. That's how strong A Thought Well Stolen is. Here's what Michael has to say:

"As someone who has built a reputation on hard core sleight of hand, I am always ready to welcome an effect into my program at the opposite end of the technical spectrum. A Thought Well Stolen is that sort of effect, it fits perfectly into my modus operandi of mixing up my methods - an effect like this can steal your show.",

In the book's introduction, the author sets out his goal clearly:

"A quest of mine - lasting decades - has been the search for a perfectly rendered illusion of mind-reading with a deck of cards. As a close-up performer - who loves cards and mentalism - this effect would be something where the performer identifies a freely thought-of card without any questions; without the spectator uttering a single word. Achieving this, or even getting close to it, creates a profound effect on the spectator. It's also one that ripples through your entire audience, no matter what its size.

"A Thought Well Stolen is 100% pure as regards its intention: the identification of any freely thought-of card without any questions; without any prodding, probing, dual reality or ambiguity. And, without any limiting procedures. None at all. The result is a selection process about as fair as it can get:

'Do you have a favorite playing card?' the performer asks.
'Yes, yes I do,' the spectator replies.
'Okay, that's great,' the performer confirms. 'Don't tell me. Keep the identity of your card secret, okay?'"

Is there an approach any more fair? I don't think so.

The author fully explores the effect(s) in a detailed and friendly manner. Even a beginner can master A Thought Well Stolen because it requires nothing more than "basic card skills." Advanced versions are discussed in the various appendices, but if you can do a single False Cut, or a False Shuffle, then you are in business; ready to astound audiences of any size.

How accurate is the ad copy? There are only 31 pages, not 40 and the trick makes it sound more mental, or astonishing than it is. You don’t ask the spectator questions? Hmm….  It's not like you say (out loud) "You're card is the Queen of Hearts and it's at the 31st position." You still have to count down to their card with them in unison.
 
What's in the box?  31 page softback booklet

Key points:  A Thought Well Stolen requires the use of no gaffs or gimmicks of any kind, just regular playing cards. The book runs 40 pages of detailed text covering the simple and beautiful series of almost self-working procedures that bring about the amazing results.
 
How are the production values: Ben Harris uses a great printer, glossy cover, nice pages and clear crisp black and white photographs.

Is it well taught: Remember it is a single effect, so in 31 pages he has plenty of time to cover the routine and give you all that you need to know.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  You do have to carry 2 decks with you for this – both in a deck order.
 
Does it "play big?" Very powerful magic trick – best used as an opener, but then it will be a tough trick to follow.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  Easy, but best of you know some convincing false shuffles.
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? You will need all of your own cards.
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Yes.
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
_____ Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
___X__ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
 My thoughts I was sucked in by the ad copy and I was really hoping for something MORE than it was – especially for $30. I’ve got way more for my money in the past – especially when there are so many self-working DVDs now on the market. Do I think the effect is good? Sure, it’s strong – but value wise – you can get material just as strong but with way more content for the same price tag.

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9f9vMuZr5E

​Title: Mind Invasion
Creator: Morgan Strebler
Publisher: Sans Minds
MSRP: $ 20
Skill Level: all
DVD Run time: 13 minutes

Type of effect: 

Manufacturer's Write Up: From the mind of Mentalist Morgan Strebler, this is a creation he has developed for himself and, after over a decade, is now ready to share with the world! This is Mind Invasion! 

Have someone write or draw anything they want on a piece of paper, whether a symbol or a word. With Mind Invasion, you apparently read their minds by revealing what was written down! A peeking technique like no other! Learn all the techniques necessary and freak out even the toughest, most skeptical audiences! 

Some say peeking is the mother of Mentalism. While many peeking techniques have restrictions tied to them, this one has been refined to allow for the most versatile performances possible! 

How accurate is the ad copy? No deception
 
What's in the box?  1 Mind Invasion Instructional DVD 

Key points: No restrictions to Lighting, Positioning, or Tearing! 
 
How are the production values: Chiefly it’s 2 or 3 live performances on the street and then it’s Morgan back in the studio, dressed in black against a black backdrop. He’s well mic’d and there are two torso camera and one close up for when you need to see the peek close up.

Is it well taught: Morgan gives you the basic moves and a few extra final thoughts.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  All you need is a business card and a sharpie marker
 
Does it "play big?" Can be combined with any standard mind reading routine or any time you need to glance a piece of written information.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  This is fairly simple with some practice.
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? You need to be able to fold a business card into fourths.
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Yes, it can be done. It relies on a sort of “dodge” but should fly right by most.
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
_____ Very Satisfied
__X___ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
 My thoughts it’s ok. I’ve seen a few peeks and I’d say this is probably the easiest one I have seen and would be great for beginners and those just starting out. This is a perfect “first peek” to learn.

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIm7E0Lnuag

Title: Chinese Tweezers        
Creator: Mario Lopez
Publisher: Tango Magic
MSRP: $ 50
Skill Level: intermediate to advanced
DVD Run time: 12 minutes

Type of effect:  Classic Chinese tweezers routine

Manufacturer's Write Up: Mario Lopez is one of the recent big surprises of the world of magic. He won the second prize in Micro Magic at the most recent FISM -- his magic is original, simple, different, and fresh. 

Imagine poking a pair of tweezers down through the small hole in the center of a Chinese coin, and upon pulling the tweezers back up through the hole, a large Eisenhower Dollar appears on the tip of the tweezers. Amazingly visual!! The effect can be repeated numerous times with the same audience, becoming more magical each time! This looks incredible! There are other ways to make the dollar appear - your imagination is the limit! 

Now you can perform this beautiful and incredible magical routine. See what all the excitement is about!

How accurate is the ad copy? No deception.
 
What's in the box?  The set includes all the necessities: coins, tweezers, and a link with video instructions in both English and Spanish. The link also gives you access to 50 more coin effects

Key points: Chinese Tweezers is one of his creations, the kind of magic that can only come from a brilliant mind. 
 
How are the production values: The entire video is shot very dimly lit. Everything blends together and there are no close up shots, which I would have liked for a coin routine.
 
Is it well made: Everything is 100% real, but I would have appreciated better quality tweezers at this price point.

Is it well taught: I didn’t think the video was long enough and Mario has a heavy accent.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  It all packs in your pocket.
 
Does it "play big?" It’s a beautiful routine if you can perform it like this FISM winner
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  This is sleight-heavy and palming heavy
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? None
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) This is best as a table hopping routine.
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
_____ Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
__X___ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 

 My thoughts: I was really hoping for gimmicks at this price point. I’m not a coin magician, so I don’t think I have the time or skill to sit and learn this routine.

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz5HVJZqt50

​Title: Bare
Creator:  The Other Brothers
Publisher:
MSRP: $ 35
Skill Level: All
DVD Run time: 35 minutes

Type of effect: 

Manufacturer's Write Up: In what is destined to become the go-to trick for professionals around the globe, Bare generates screams, gasps, and reactions like no other trick we know. This special, hand-altered Sharpie marker allows you to cause ANY card, initials, number, or simple shape to appear ON A SPECTATOR'S HAND. 

They hold out a hand, palm down, and you gently sprinkle salt, pepper, coffee grinds, or sand on their hand. By rubbing their hand gently, their thought-of shape APPEARS on their own hand. 

The Bare Sharpie allows you to invisibly write or draw anything on YOUR hand, which you easily and imperceptibly transfer onto their hand. The best part? It has no scent or stickiness, and can be easily wiped away after the performance. This is a hygienic, "neat" version of the "Ashes on Arm" trick -- it doesn't endanger a spectator's clothing or look "dirty."

How accurate is the ad copy? Wonderfully accurate, they really tell you what this effect is – very clearly.
 
What's in the box?  Gimmick pen and download code

Key points:  The pen lasts for hundreds of performances, and is disguised inside a real Sharpie marker. Includes download link for full video performance and explanation. Easy to perform.
 
How are the production values: It’s chiefly the other brothers sitting in a living room on a couch talking to a stationary camera.
 
Is it well made: This is made to look like a real sharpie marker.

Is it well taught: the other brothers are fun teachers and I think they always try to give you as much as you can.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  This effect packs the same as a standard sharpie and your “set up” is mostly pre-show work.
 
Does it "play big?" The ash effect always plays well if done well
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  Super easy – no sleights or difficult moves. You will need to practice a bit with different substances for the reveal.
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? You need to be able to write backwards (in mirror image)
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Yes, this is great for strolling and street magic.
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
___X__ Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion

 My thoughts this definitely moves the ashes effect into the 20th century.

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVcncrjnDaM