Russian Roulette by Eric James & Alan Rorrison

[haroldross]

Has anyone out there done this effect? I believe Criss Angel did a similar effect. The warning at the begining of the clip is enough to make me want to do the effect.

http://www.murphysmagicsupplies.com/...NRO-VIDEO1.wmv

I have some ideas on how it could be done but nothing that is 100% on all the time. What are some ideas?

[Sam Hindrichs]

Dan Sperry does the same type of effect. He covers a broken glass bottle with one of four paper bags and then smashes each of the bags with his hand. I like this version but I think I have a good feeling of how it is done. It's still a very good routine. I will leave a vid for Dan Sperry's verion. It's hilarious.

YouTube - Dan Sperry Live Russian Roulette Game

[haroldross]

Over the past two days I have been doing a version of Russian Roulette called 'Devil's Nail Version 2.' I feel that DN is reliable enough for me to do comfortably. I have my first real performance where I'll be doing it this Thursday.

The reactions from the spectators from the practice performances have been great! I have been starting with 4 cups and having a spectator shuffle the cups around between crushing each cup. Having the spectators know where the nail is builds the suspense.

When I get down to two cups, the people get very quiet and nervous. The thought of the 4 inch nail sticking in a hand makes them uneasy. I have been using 'Solo' styrofoam cups that really make a cool pop when they are slammed down.

I am looking into Matthew Mello's version called 'Instinct' as a possible alternative.

[Misjief]

LOL.

I did a search on this and saw a couple vids were someone 'oopsied'

YouTube - magic trick gone wrong

I almost think you should palm a nail and then hold it in in your hand when you 'pop' the third bag, flip the nail between two fingers and howl like hell. Maybe even throw a ketchup packet into the mix. If nothing else do it on a practice round! Do it to Grandma! ROFL!

-misj-

[haroldross]

I also ran across a number of similar videos when I started to research the effect. The only problem I have with the videos is that they are imcomplete. I want to see the complete effect from start to finish. Why? Because I want to determine which version they did and watch for their mistakes.

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There you have it.

[CutNstuf]

One more idea that I don't believe I saw in the earlier posts is to have a strand of hair connected to the base through which the nail protrudes. This hair should be long enough to stick out from under the edge of the cup. Obvious to the magician, but unnoticed by the specatators.

Cut

[haroldross]

Yes, I believe that was the version that the Masked Magician revealed on television. The major flaw in that is if the cups were lifted up and switched. There is a good chance that hair would no longer be an accurate indicator of the nail's location.

With this effect you want to be 100% positive you know where the nail is. When you start with 4 cups, you have a 75% chance of hitting an empty cup. 3 cups gives you a 66% chance of hitting an empty cup. Finally with 2 cups there is a 50% chance of getting the empty cup. Not very good odds in my book. These odds are what make the trick so exciting. I prefer to have the odds on my side.

[Jacob Hatfield]

This has been one effect that I have REFUSED to do no matter the situation.

As of recently this past few weeks, I have been considering looking into the different versions.

Why did I feel like I would NEVER do this effect?
It can ALWAYS go wrong.
Think of it like any other trick. Even a Card Trick can go wrong.
The idea of a Nail or Spike or Glass in my hand is not desirable.

There ARE methods out there that say they are safe. But I still feel a little bad about putting a spectator through that kind of roller coaster ride.

Again, I need to do some research an find a good method I trust that fits my style before I start doing this.

Harold,
Do you like Devil's Nail 2.0?

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[haroldross]

Devil's Nail Version 2 is one of the ways I do it.

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I do have a problem with the way many magicians do this trick though. I don't mind having the spectators mix the cups up for me 9 I want them to hide and mix the cups) but I would NEVER grab their hand and smash the cups as was done in these videos.LuChen and Cyril do it that way but I refuse to do that. To me that is asking for trouble. The effect is powerful enough without involving the spectators in that way.

[CutNstuf]

I'm with you on this one, Seeker. First, I don't find it all that entertaining and second, I just plain don't want to take a chance of getting hurt or any one else getting hurt. Not only that, I'd be concerned if kids in the audience tried it at home. Total drag!!

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[Misjief]

I have mixed feeling about this one...

I was amused as hell to watch the magi goof and put a nail through HIS hand... I was horrified when they did it to an audience member. Really Stupid. Stuff like that effects us all. As a hypnotist that really rubs me raw because all it takes is a couple stupid idiots to scare people and stir things up forcing legistration of magic shows and the like.

I also think if I was going to do it I would use a rubber nail or something and fake muffing it.... But that is more for a special occasion at the magic club. I have this makup kit and one of the effects is a nail in the forehead. LOL I always wondered what I'd do with it. Now I know! LOL

I would hate to fake the stunt ... but I'd rather do that then endanger myself or others. And I am sure the poor magi who were caught on film thought they had it under control. So I am not sure I could be really comfortable with it.

Just some thoughts!
-misj-

[Jacob Hatfield]

Why not mess up on purpose?

YouTube - Original Knife Test Footage

[Misjief]

Wow!

That was the best one I have seen yet... I watched that three times. The gory knife popping out from the back of his hand is exactly what I'd go for (only fake it). The magi was very confident - no hesitation and the very first one he goes for bites him in the ass! I love scam school by the way! Did they use that on the show?

I take it that wasn't a gag... and therefore he didn't do it on purpose. His setup for the trick was very elaborate and I think that is part of what set him up for the fall. There is no way I'd do this trick for real - I have seen too many people confident they could do it, screw it up and hurt themselves (or someone else)!

I'd fake it... And as long as I'm faking it I might as well throw some fake gore into the mix!

AW! I found out it WAS a fake... I love the misdirection. During the whole thing he had a fake blade on the back of his hand! Awesome!

-misj-