[magokiron]

Ok guys I give you this review, hoping nobody has done it before, and that it may be helpful for some of you.

From the *********** web page:

Full Overview

Here's what your spectator sees: a card is selected from any deck. It's a free choice-- no force. Signed. The card is then lost in the deck, then shuffled. The cards are then dribbled on top of a sealed Ziploc bag.

Slowly, the bag is lifted up from underneath the chaos of cards to show that one card is sealed INSIDE the bag-- the spectator's signed card.

$19.95 (february 2010)

Running time: approx. 40 minutes. Explanation time: Approx. 30 minutes.

Ok. I just watched the video, but haven't performed it yet, but these are my impressions:

The video is well produced, with the first part showing some "live" action shots, and the second part taking us to the studio for the "explanation" part.

The sound is ok, no missed words, and the language is clear so everything can be undestood without problems, even for me (remember that english is NOT my mother language).

Now about the effect:

If you ever have done a "card to impossible location" (I have performed lots of those along the years), you already know how good a reaction these kind of tricks have.

***********'s Indecent by Wayne Houchin is just one more approach to that.

But wait, there are good things about this trick.

1. The trick ONLY uses a deck of cards, a pencil, pen, or permanent marker (and you can skip the signed card part, if you wish), and a ziplock bag.

2. There are NO GIMMICKS to worry about.

3. There AREN'T any "difficult sleights" to learn, and the simple "control" needed is fully explained and within the possibilities of a beginner in cardmagic.

4. The effect is clean and direct. No misinterpretation or confusion for the audience, and EXACTLY what the ad said.

5. Everything is examinable, you start "clean" and end "clean".

6. The expectator CAN KEEP the signed card inside the plastic bag as a souvenir.

7. There isn't "reset time". If you work in a restaurant, you can walk to the next table, bring a new plastic bag and you're ready to go.

Sounds good?

Well I found a couple of drawbacks too:

1. It has some bad angles.

2. The control explained is very simple (not to say it doesn't work, is a good method), but of course you can substitute your favorite method, as long as it brings the selected card to the desired position.

3. The "secret move" neccessary may not appeal to everyone. It seems curious to me that working in a bar or a restaurant, the author didn't pointed out the simple way to obtain the stuff just rearanging some dishes and glases "So that everybody can have a better view" (sorry, can't explain it better without giving away a good deal of the secret, but if you know the effect, you will know what I mean).


All in all, I think this is a PRACTICAL effect, worth the asking price (I'm sure I have wasted much more money with unpractical stuff that end in the bottom of the drawer), and I know that I will try this pretty soon in my proffesional work, as soon as I buy a packet of the required ziplock bags.

The "you may keep the card and bag as a souvenir" part has a strong appeal to a working professional, just find the way to attach YOUR card to the mix so the volunteer will remember you for a long time.

The extra tips WH gives avery time he explains why he does each phase in a particular way, are very helpful to avoid mistakes and make the trick work.

PLUS, at the end of the video are some credits about other magicians that has explored the "card to bag" effect, and he encourages you to take a look to those works.

I think you will not be dissapointed if you buy this video.

Hope that helps.