​Title: Moneymorphosis
Creator: Dallas Fueston and Jason Bird 
Publisher: Vanishing Inc.
MSRP: $ 20
Skill Level:
Video Run time: 30 minutes

Type of effect:  Self folding bill

Manufacturer's Write Up:
 
This is, quite simply, one of the most impactful, poetic effects Vanishing Inc. has ever produced. A borrowed bill self-animates and crawls up your arm like a caterpillar. Then, it transforms into an origami butterfly! The folded butterfly can be immediately handed back to the spectator as a souvenir of an unforgettable magical experience. 

The best part is that the effect is practical. You can perform it surrounded, and although it uses threads, the approach is entirely workable and easy to manage, and can be mastered within minutes. 

Moneymorphosis is taught in detail on a video download of 29 minutes. This is the best self-folding bill ever devised, and is NOT something other magicians are doing. Get yours today... and add a transformational effect to your repertoire. 

How accurate is the ad copy? A borrowed bill? Sure, anything is possible with a switch.
 
What's in the box? Strong material and the download code for the video and a pdf template

Key points: You will need to provide your own bill.
 
How are the production values: Filmed well, good close ups and the audio is clear. Everything is shot against a black back drop for clarity. It does have repetitive background music.
 
Is it well made: You make it yourself.

Is it well taught: The beginning is mostly learning how to fold an origami butterfly with a dollar bill. (this is your only setup) There is a tutorial on how to perform the effect and then a bonus handling at the end on how to make the butterfly  … fly.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  As flat as a folded bill…. and some other stuff
 
Does it “play big?” Things that fly or self-animate always play well with audiences.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  Very similar to the traditional self-folding bill. (classic Stephen Schutzer ) Once you do your set up the performance is easy.
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? You will need to “build” all of this from scratch, although it’s very little actual arts or crafts. (and build a new one for each subsequent performance)
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Plays well surrounded
 
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 a good trick, not overpriced at $20 considering you get materials and a well done video. 

​Title: A New Angle
Creator: Ryan Plunkett & Michael Feldman 
Publisher: Magic Inc.
MSRP: $ 45
Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced
DVD Run time: 155 pages

Type of effect:  New tricks with a stripper deck

Manufacturer's Write Up: A New Angle is filled with magician foolers, hard-hitting practical effects for laymen, and off-the-wall new ideas to springboard your own creativity. Many of the effects are all three of the above. That's because the authors have dusted off a secret weapon that you probably already have buried in the back of your magic drawer:
 
The Stripper Deck (AKA the Tapered Deck, Shaved Deck, Wizard Deck). 

Written by Ryan Plunkett and Michael Feldman, photographed by James Murphy, designed by Heather Wood, edited by Susan Palmer Marshall and Pedro Nieves-Bosque, with a foreword by Lance Pierce.

By combining subtleties, sleight of hand and new ideas with this nearly forgotten tool that every serious magician already owns, Ryan and Michael will show you how to unlock mind-blowing effects you never thought possible. They invite you to work through the material proposed and search for your own angle in other overlooked places.
 
What is in the book? What’s it about?


“A tapered deck is not just for getting control over a single selected card. It’s not just for removing the black cards from the red, or the face up cards from the face down. It can hide any number of cards in the deck, up to and maybe even beyond half the deck. It can give you control over a selected block, create a break for you, simulate other gimmicked cards, unshuffle the deck, offer you a glimpse of the card, and much more. In this book, we’ll explore this wide variety of options.”
Ryan and Michael
 
I know what you’re thinking… hard back forty five dollar book about the stripper deck? Why? You can just buy the Encyclopedia of Card Tricks and get over 40 tapered deck tricks for $13.
 
Well… you’ve never seen a tapered deck book like this one, nor seen tricks like these.
 
Trust me.
 
Why is this book cool? It’s a collection of thoughts, principles and techniques regarding the tapered deck you’ve never even considered.
 
And this is one of the exciting things about magic in general. Once in a great while someone (or ‘someones’) comes along and forces you to look at something old in a brand new way.
 
Why is a stripper deck cool? Because it’s a gimmicked deck that does more than one thing – most gimmicked decks (gaff decks) only do one thing. You carry the entire deck around and it only does one effect.
 
So you can use it as a gimmick, but at any time you can simply do a NORMAL card trick with it. In other words – a tapered deck is cool because you can turn the “heat” on and off.
 
But, even more than that… Ryan and Michael are not just giving you some “new effects” – these are new – everything.
 
I watched Ryan perform a few of these tricks, and even though “I knew” it was a tapered deck and even though “I knew” the strip out move to watch for… Ryan still blew me away – probably MORE SO because I knew what to look for (or at least I thought I knew what to look for).
 
Like me, the tapered deck was probably one of your first gimmicked tricks you ever got.

And like me, you’ve probably since left it at the bottom of a drawer.
 
Are you ready for something exciting? Are you ready for a new angle?
 
In this book the authors discuss the misconceptions associated with tapered decks.
You’ll get a chapter about the cut of a deck and how to make your own deck with a card trimmer.
 
In the book you get 23 plots PLUS a whole lot of extras that either continue where the previous trick left off, or take it in a new direction. In the write up you get the perfect combination of technical and humor – plus you’ll never get lost. In other words, you won’t re-read a section in confusion asking, “What did I just read?”
 
Plus, the imaginary spectators are always named “Leah and Rachel.”
 
Did I mention 23 Tricks? (Here are a few I pulled out)
 
Collect Yourself – three spectators select cards. The cards are lost. The deck is shuffled.  Then the aces appear with the selections in-between them.
 
Shuffleupagus Redux – How about you shuffle the cards – show them shuffled and then place them in the box and hand the tuck to your spectators to shake (they’re in there!) but when the tuck is re-opened and the cards are spilled out – the deck is in new deck order.
 
Twin Peeks – this effect allows you to know the identity of any card your spectator peeks at as you riffle the corners.
 
Color Shift – a color changing deck routine
 
Trick Play – you fan 12 to 15 cards for a spectator and have a spectator “think” of any card – the spectator does and when the cards are spread again, only one card is reversed – the spectator’s thought of card.
 
There are other contributions from:
 
Nathan Colwell
Frank Fogg
Brian O Neill
Lance Pierce and Harapan Ong
 
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: I love books, I love hardbacks even more. This new addition to my library will be loved for years to come. You’re going to want to read this with a stripper deck in your hand – if you haven’t picked up a new one in a while – add one to cart along with this book. 

Title: Error 404
Creator: Les French Twins
Publisher:
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: All
DVD Run time: 26 minutes

Type of effect:  Card transposition.

Manufacturer's Write Up: The French TWINS ARE BACK!!!! The French TWINS are known for creating powerful and innovative magic tricks! Visually transform, one by one, 4 torn pieces into the chosen card -- and then restore it in the spectator's hand! Have this superhero power in your pocket ready to perform ANYTIME and ANYWHERE. 

You don't have to do use cards. You can perform this with: predictions, business cards, papers, pictures... you name it! 

How accurate is the ad copy? You don’t have to use cards, IF you are willing to build new gimmicks
 
What's in the box?  4 tiny gimmicks already made (but they need a little distressing) and materials and instructions to make your own.

Key points:
 

• READY TO PERFORM 
• NO MAGNETS
• VERY EASY TO DO 
• 5 second RESET

 
How are the production values: Opening shot, two guys talking with French accents outside with techno music in the background – very jumbly hard to understand.
 
Is it well made: Yes it is well made.

Is it well taught: The explanation and performance are shown at the same time. I don’t think between the commercial and the explanations you ever see the full routine from beginning to end for a real audience. Which… that’s how I learn best. So when I don’t ever get a full uncut performance I feel cheated.
 
Your gimmick will come as 2 cards – the force card AND the miscalled card. To do the effect you will need a new copy of the miscalled card every time.
 
The twins offer you a few different trick ideas and transposition ideas, but … it all felt faced paced. They either talk too fast, or I listen to slow. A lot of the filming was done outside for good lighting, but the audio quality suffers for it.
There is even one part in the video where the phone rings and the performer runs off camera to answer the phone and they left all that in…. with dead space… the props lying on the floor….
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  It’s 4 tiny “f_p” cards.
 
Does it "play big?" I suppose the way the trick is presented you can pick how best to present this. Personally, I would not do the “in the spectator’s hands” transpo as I don’t trust spectators – especially with my $30 fragile card prop.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  Practically self working, although you will need to know how to force a card and switch out 4 card pieces.
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? Only a small smidge unless you want to build your own.
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) I would do this as street magic – where I could throw my cards on the ground or maybe into a spectator’s stretched out jacket or shirt. Restaurant magic I would be worried about my gaff cards falling in someone’s drink or food.
 
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
___X__ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
My thoughts It’s highly visual – I think it looks great on camera. I think the challenge is to create an effect that plays THAT good in real life.

+ 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=o1mSPXSms50

​Title: Double Take
Creator: Jason Knowles
Publisher: Magic World
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: All
Run time: 57:10

Type of effect:  Bill to card transpo

Manufacturer's Write Up: Finally, a bill trick that works in multiple currencies including plastic notes!!! 

Double Take is an absolute reputation maker and your spectators will remember you for this long after you leave your gig! 

Double Take is based on 2 devious gimmicks working together to put you so far ahead of the spectator that it will be impossible for them to back track. 

It comes in £'s €'s and $'s but also works with any of the following currencies:
Chinese 5 Yuan, Australian 5 Dollar, Hong Kong 10 Dollar, Singapore 5 Dollar
 
It's easy to make and comes with everything that you need to construct both gimmicks in any of these currencies. It comes with 3 really strong detailed routines as well as multiple other applications and change ideas. It can be performed discretely, as in the Double Take routine, or visually as in the ambitious money routine. The visual change of the card into the bill looks so good that your social media followers will swear it's a camera trick! 

Double Take Effect: 

The spectator selects a card and puts it back in the deck wherever they want. 
The magician tries to find the card, but pulls out an indifferent card that the spectator confirms is wrong.  The magician pulls out his wallet and offers to raise the stakes. He shows a bill in his wallet and asks the spectator to hold onto it. If the magician cannot find the card, the spectator gets to keep the bill.  The magician places the indifferent card under his foot.  The magician continues to try and find the card until they reach a startling conclusion... The selection has vanished from the deck!  The magician opens his wallet and the spectator reaches inside to pull out the bill -- but instead lies their selection! 

The magician steps back and now the bill is under his foot.  The magician then spreads through the deck again and the indifferent card is reversed in the middle. 

Ambitious Money Effect: 

A card lost in the deck rises to the top, where it springs up and transforms into a bill in mid-air. The selection is now in the magician's wallet.  Invisible Pickpocket Effect (With permission from Patrick Kun to use this presentation):  The spectator selects a card and holds onto it as the deck is put away.  The magician pulls a bill out of his wallet and then passes the empty wallet to the spectator.  The magician then takes the selection back from the spectator and then folds the bill in half and puts them together.  The magician places the bill and card inside the wallet while the spectator keeps hold of it.  The magician then explains about pickpockets and then slides the playing card out of the wallet.  The magician then explains about invisible pickpockets and, with a slight flick of the wrist, the card changes into a bill.  The spectator opens the wallet to find their selection inside. 

Bills and cards in the same effect - a double winner for audiences!
 
What's in the box? Not much. You get a “thing” that should match the currency that is in your country and you’ll get some familiar material often found in effects like this. You also get the video download code, gimmick and 2 page pdf

Key points: The trick is a 3 way transpo – first, the card is lost in the deck, then the magician finds the ‘wrong card.’ The magician places the ‘wrong card’ under his foot and then shows the inside of his wallet with a bill in it.  Then the spectator’s card travels into your wallet, the bill travels underneath your foot and the ‘wrong card’ travels back to the deck.
 
How are the production values? Multiple locations, and presentations. You get a studio performance, a seated gimmick construction shot and an explanation shot. You get a HD camera shot and adequate sound.
 
Is it well made: You make it.

Is it well taught: Inspired by Card to Money tricks like ‘Risky Bet’ by Henry Evens, Extortion by Patrick Kun and C/M by Casshan Wallace – but this one allows for more bill types from other countries.  
 
The DVD begins with gimmick construction – which I skipped to the presentation of the effect first, because it does me no good to build something if I don’t know what the end result should look like.
 
Ultimately he teaches how to build two gimmicks. One is more complex using real bills, or one that is much simpler using the materials he gives you – watch everything before you decide what you want.  Half of the video is gimmick construction.
 
That leaves almost 30 minutes of explanation for the effect which is more than enough.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  Hides invisibly in your wallet.
 
Does it "play big?" I think the trick has a few “steps” and it’s important that you create a routine that has a clear flow so that the spectator clearly understands the various magic steps that take place. First this happens, then this… then this.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  No difficult moves or sleights.
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? You will need to build the gimmick yourself using your own cards, money and arts n crafts tools. (you will be ruining the money)
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Nothing too gimmicky or difficult that it would not work in the real world. Great for street magic where spectator’s are standing and can see your feet.
 
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: One of my very first gimmicks was a bill to card – based on this same principle. John Kennedy’s Dollar Monte – but it didn’t have all the bells and whistles like this one. This is John Kennedy’s Dollar Monte but …. On steroids…. And with bionic implants. (ha ha)​

+ 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=sVlJ7jfkccs
 
I received this effect for free from Murphy’s Magic for a fair and honest review. 

Title: Subtle Card Creations
Creator: Nick Trost (pronounced like Toast)
Illustrations by Tony Dunn
Publisher: H & R Magic Books (Richard Hatch and Charlie Randall)
MSRP: $ 50
Skill Level: All
237 pages / Hardbound with dust jacket

Type of effect:  Book on “easy to do” & “subtle” card effects

Manufacturer's Write Up: This is the sixth volume in this series of easy-to-do, subtle card effects from master card trick creator, Nick Trost. As with the rest of the books in this series, Mr. Trost's card magic is based on subtle moves and principles, rather than difficult sleight of hand - leading to audience astonishment. The majority of the material has not been previously published. There are over 100 tricks in 13 chapters, including Unique Card Effects, Coincidences, Court Card Capers, Blackjack Bafflers, Poker Puzzlers, Gambling Tricks, Divinations, Predictions and ESP Card Tests. Two chapters with new and different effects are also included: "Gilbreath Plays Poker, Part 3" and "Triple Dealing Effects." 

You'll enjoy performing his style of magic, concentrating on presentation to WOW your audience! 

Table of Contents / what does this book cover?
 
Unique Card Effects – a variety of effects from blackjack tricks to packet tricks and there is even an ambitious card routine.
 
Amazing Coincidences – a chapter where cards appear at the same time
 
Court Card Capers – tricks where the court cards play the primary role
 
Blackjack Bafflers – a handful of stunning blackjack effects
 
Poker Puzzlers – Texas holdem to 10 card poker
 
The Four Aces – tricks involving the aces – all 4 or just one
 
Diabolical Divinations – cards that seem to obey psychic forces (I love the ‘another red and black routine’)
 
Gambling Tricks – gambling and the elements of chance, you’ll find cribbage, gin and rummy effects here also.
 
Revelments – selected cards are revealed in unexpected ways.
 
Gilbreath Plays Poker Part 3 – more tricks that involve the gilbreath principle (continued from chapters in volume 4 and volume 5) – this is one of the longest chapters in the book.
 
Pasteboard Predictions – tricks based on before written predictions
 
Triple Dealing Effects – tricks based on Colm Mulcahy’s triple dealing principle described in Low Down Triple Dealing 2004
 
ESP Card Tests – tricks using the ESP cards (my favorite is ESP Spelldown)
 
“I sincerely hope that you find many items in this volume worth adding to your repertoire.” Nick Trost 2010
 
Illustrations: The illustrations are line drawings of cards alone, or hands with cards. They are all drawn in the classic style. Mr. Dunn’s work creates a vintage feeling of the “classic” magic books of yesteryear.
 
Writing Style: Tricks are written out in a traditional style where he gives you the “effect” as it would be seen by a spectator and then writes out the “method.” Not every trick has pictures, but a good many of them do.
 
The author does not necessarily “hold you hand” through each effect, he expects you to approach this book with a basic understanding of card meathod…
 
A sample sentence might read…
 
“Begin with this shuffle: undercut a little less than half the deck, injog the first card and shuffle off. Undercut below the injogged card, run five cards, injog the fifth and throw.”
 
Mr Trost credits all of his inspiration with author, title and date.
 
Sadly Mr. Trost has since passed away and these tricks come from his manuscripts and notebooks. So you won’t have his “voice” come through the page, or any of his advice or thoughts. With this book (I don’t know about the others) I felt a lot of it was purely technical although in a few scattered tricks he does cover patter which is in italics.
 
My thoughts: Can you say over a hundred tricks? Now, are these magician foolers? No, but why would you want those? How often do you perform for magicians? Know your audience. No, these are the tricks that drop actual jaws from actual people. Killer effects using basic sleights (if any sleights).
 
Is it powerful card magic? Yes, because the effects are simple enough that you can focus on your story and presentation.
 
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 is my first introduction to Mr. Trost’s work and writing and it only makes me wish I had the first 5 volumes. I’ve noticed that volume 1 is hard to find, so I shall begin my quest!

+ 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=7CJ1gW4xwTU
 
* I obtained my copy for free from Murphy’s Magic for an unbiased and fair review. 

Title: Less is More
Creator: Benjamin Earl
Publisher: Vanishing Inc
MSRP: $ 50
Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced
142 pages

Type of effect:  Book on Card sleights and magic

Manufacturer's Write Up: When Benjamin Earl takes a shuffled deck and cuts to the four Aces, it feels completely authentic -- as if his deft fingers can somehow locate them by touch alone. But here's a secret: he has developed techniques and psychological methods that fake this seemingly impossible feat. 

The journey starts by looking at Henry Christ's classic "Fabulous Four Ace" routine and improving it one piece at a time. His noble list of goals for the routine include removing anti-climactic moments and ensuring that the revelations build in progressively stronger and more distinctive ways. He achieves this in spades. 

That routine is the springboard for further experimentation. Ben's analysis of the four-Ace effect leads him along many interesting paths, stripping away every unnecessary action. He teaches twelve complete Ace-cutting effects and gambling demonstrations (including a multi-phased routine that requires absolutely no sleight of hand), and provides thorough and thoughtful analysis on their construction. 

Ben also teaches a collection of original moves and techniques, focusing on three areas: maintaining a stack while a spectator shuffles the deck, maintaining the stack himself, and producing the Aces. In particular, the Sting Cut and his Real Optical False Shuffle are two moves that introduce the idea of improvisation into the mix. 

This is a gorgeous 142-page hardback book, bursting with high-quality photographs. It's as much a book on the theory and construction of card magic, as it is a tome of workable effects and world-class card technique.

What do I think?
 
The book has a beautiful layout and it’s packed with information.  Other people are saying “it’s the best book I’ve bought in years” and that it’s their “favorite book on card magic.” Benjamin Earl has brilliant thinking, coupled with exceptional magic. I would expect nothing less from him.
 
 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: Love Benjamin Earl – top notch world class book, sure to become one of your favorite reads.

+ 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=apqMmyWcmXU

Title: Travel
Creator: Mickael Chatelain
Publisher: Murphys Magic
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: All
Video Run time: 14 minutes

Type of effect: Card to card box

Manufacturer's Write Up: In the world of magic, there are THOUSANDS of tricks and as many gimmicks, each one crazier than the next... 

We're proud to offer you a trick using, as far as we know, a TOTALLY NEW gimmick! There's nothing like it on the market. That's why we're particularly proud to offer to the magic community our latest creation - TRAVEL! 

Take out your cased deck. Remove the cards from the case. Close the case and leave it on the table in full view. No one touches it! 

Show your spectators that the deck is completely normal. You point out that the cards have faces and backs and all the cards are different. 

Offer one of your spectators a FREE CHOICE of a card - he can change his mind if he likes. In short, there REALLY is NO force - the choice is 100% free. 

The card is placed face up on top of the deck and the spectator signs its face. You then explain that his card will travel from the top of the deck to inside the case! 

Show your hand empty and bring it over the card as if to make it vanish. But your spectator is not an idiot; he easily notices that you have palmed the card! In fact, the card juts out beyond your hand, fooling no one. OK, OK! 

You begin again, asking the spectator to watch closely this time. The card is replaced face up on top of the deck. The case is still on the table and your hand is empty. Everything OK so far? 

As before, you bring your empty hand slowly over the card. Your spectator burns your hand with redoubled attention, but this time, the card does not jut out. Your spectator wants to see your hand. You turn it over. IMPOSSIBLE! The card isn't there. Gone without a trace! It's not on the deck; it's not in your hand. How is this possible????? 

Explain that the card is now in the case! NO WAY, as the spectators will remember that the case has been on the table since the beginning of the trick! 

Show the cards remaining in the deck. Not a trace of the chosen card! 

Pick up and shake the case. You can HEAR there's something inside! Your hand is empty. You slowly open the case. You reach inside with your thumb and index finger and take out... the FREELY CHOSEN and SIGNED SELECTED CARD! 

How is this POSSIBLE? 

Pass out the deck for examination to prove there are no duplicates or other irregularities. 

No need to remind you that the card is STILL SIGNED - PROOF of its invisible passage! 

How accurate is the ad copy? I agree with the copy
 
What's in the box?  Device and matching colored card box plus extra material should it break and the download code

Key points:
 

• The deck is ORDINARY - Use your own!
• NO force! The chosen card is ORDINARY and UNGIMMICKED!
• NO palming - NOTHING is hidden in your hand!
• The card REALLY does seem to travel from the deck to the card case!
• EASY TO DO, as the gimmick takes care of EVERYTHING for you!
• Your spectators will THINK they're onto you, yet they'll be TOTALLY FOOLED!

 
How are the production values: You get 3 sections, a straight forward teaching of the routine in English or French, and then a silent section that gives you a close hand shot of the entire effect and then a tutorial at the end on gimmick repair.
 
Is it well made: It does seem well made, although my gimmick did not have the action that Mickael’s had in the video. My gimmick felt clumsy.

Is it well taught: I think 14 minutes was a little lacking, I would have appreciated more details on routining and more on troubleshooting the gimmick
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?" It all fits invisibly into your tuck case
 
Does it "play big?" This is a super easy card to card box
 
Difficulty / Skill level required: This is easily for all skill levels
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? Only if it breaks
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Like I said, my gimmick was clumsy, maybe with some more practice and breaking it in – it might work better, but Mickael made it sound like it should just “work” right out of the box.
 
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 the trick is beautiful, and I bet a lot of people will be very happy with it. Initially was super excited to try it out, but the gimmick was slow, clumsy and it makes a noise when it moved. The “cover” you need to provide and the flash of the gimmick in motion I think would make a spectator suspicious.

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  

​Title: Razed
Creator: Dallas Fueston and Jason Bird
Publisher: Alchemy Insiders
MSRP: $ 25
Skill Level:
Video Run time: 32 minutes

Type of effect:  Color Changing Lighter Effect

Manufacturer's Write Up: An Instant Lighter Transposition that will blow you away!!!

Here is my video review: ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNRy_sdUaSo

​Title: Over The Edge 
Creator: Landon Swank
Publisher: Hydra Entertainment
MSRP: $ 40
Skill Level: intermediate
DVD Run time: 2 hours

Type of effect: Deck Marking techniques

Manufacturer's Write Up: Over The Edge is the second release in the Complete Control series featuring renowned Illusionist, Landon Swank. These closely guarded, underground techniques built the foundation for Swank's gambling exposés performed around the world and with almost two decades of evolution, the scope and scale of this utility is enormous. Edge Work is the secret of secrets, and without a doubt the single most powerful tool a sharper can possess. 

There are countless time-tested gambling practices that are extremely useful: crimps, nail nicks, peeks, daubing, the list goes on and on. What this video exposes, however, is in a league of its own for the simple reasons that it can be implemented almost immediately after it's learned, and it allows for the exceptional ability to know the position of every card in a deck, even after a spectator shuffles!
 
This is one of those incredibly rare skills that transcends the boundaries so often present when sleight of hand is required, and your imagination is the only limit to the miracles that can be performed. 

Swank's exact edging methods have been a closely guarded secret for years, but now this powerful, versatile, and highly coveted information is being made available for anyone who shares the passion for controlling cards. Without a doubt, the secrets divulged in this video, when used properly, will astound not only laymen, but professional gamblers and magicians alike! 

If you want to learn more gambling secrets, Complete Control is an in-depth exposé of powerful techniques used by master card sharps worldwide. The four-part series provides a meticulously selected, comprehensive collection of sleights, secrets, and skills that, when combined, are arguably the most versatile and practical collection available.
 
Every move has been obsessively reengineered and continually performance-tested for over fifteen years, resulting in virtually a nonexistent line between what's fraud and what's fair. Regardless of your current skill level, if you want the ability to impress friends, perform professionally, or simply have the knowledge to protect against potential cheats, 
 
Over The Edge gives you the necessary arsenal to build a masterful reputation. 

How accurate is the ad copy? No deception
 
What's in the box?  DVD and “normal” Bee casino deck in red or blue

Key points:
- Quickly Learned, Easily Implemented & Unimaginably Powerful! 
- Know The Location Of Any Card In A Shuffled Deck! 
- The Most Powerful and Versatile Weapon In A Card Sharp's Arsenal! 
 
How are the production values: He is mic’d - A lot of it is Landon standing behind a table, but I really would have appreciated a lot more close ups – especially for the gimmick construction. I felt the camera was too far away
 
Is it well taught: 30 minutes is gimmick construction, Landon teaches you how to “mark” a borrowed deck (provided it is a casino back) and he will also teach you how to: cut to a marked card.  
 
A few of the Tricks Taught:
 
Full Control – magician allows the spectator to select any four of a kind and shuffle the deck – and the magician cuts to all four cards.
 
Omniscient – once again the spectator is allowed to shuffle the deck, the magician then proceeds to do a deck memorization routine, calling the suits or pips of each top card and ends by cutting to all 4 aces.
 
There is also an unnamed Poker deal demonstration.
 
Homing Beacon – a selected card is “marked on the fly” and then using the two jokers – the chosen card is sandwiched between the Jokers. (also marking one card on the spot, makes a good ‘key card’ for future effects)
 
Instant Aces – a cutting to the aces effect
 
Out of my own world – a out of this world effect
 
Beyond a Flourish – a cut and shuffle flourish that reveals all 4 aces
 
Double Estimation – spectator shuffles and calls out either the red or black aces and you call out the exact position (by number) where both aces are in the stack from the top down.
 
As far as the explanations to the effects, much of what takes place depends on your spectator, so Landon tells you how to “navigate” the trick as it progresses. For these types of effects, each time you perform them – the effect will play different.
 
Landon also expects you to have a working knowledge of card work – second deals, culling, double undercuts etc.
 
Does it "play big?" This deck has the potential to create several different routines – the concept of knowing the location and value of any card – is limitless.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required: You will need to learn how to read the markings, get fast at reading them and develop the skill to cut to those cards.
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? You will need to modify the entire deck per Landon’s instructions … and you’ll need to be careful… and patient.
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Absolutely, but work best for those of you who do gambling and poker demonstration effects.
 
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 was good, there is a lot of potential there, but I was left feeling like there should have been more.

+ 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=Ux8HD9XHiLw