Ning Cai's Blog, page 2

Review: B’Wave Deluxe by Max Maven

Review: B’Wave Deluxe by Max Maven

So when I reviewed Dee Christopher’s Razor Wallet the other day, I shared that I use it to carry my favourite packet trick in the world… Max Maven’s B’Wave Deluxe. Before I knew it, emails started streaming in from curious magicians asking just how different the B’Wave Deluxe is to the original …so I decided this amazing gem deserves its own proper review.

Read on to find out more about this deviously brilliant card effect by Phil Goldstein aka Max Maven and why you should get this!

Description

“The best packet trick of the 20th century.” – Eugene Burger

You bring out four cards and ask your spectator to name any queen. You then cleanly spread those four cards on the table. The only face up card is the chosen queen. Then you turn it over and its back is a different color than from the rest of the cards. As further proof that you already knew queen they would say, you turn over the rest of the cards and they are all completely blank.

Powerful effect with little setup.Three phase construction builds to a dramatic conclusionTakes up little space (1mm) in wallet, and can be with you at all times.Requires no sleight of handCan be performed as a mental demonstration (prediction) or as a magical effect

2019 UPDATE: B’WAVE DELUXE now includes a full instructional video from Max Maven himself, teaching for the first time EVER all his latest handling, scripting and theories. The kit comes complete with MULTIPLE sets of gimmicks so you can perform with queens, kings, or jacks. Plus you’ll get blank cards as well as jokers in case you want to use “normal” cards only.

Unboxing B’Wave Deluxe by Max Maven

Full disclosure: I love this trick so much, I bought several spares because it’s such a great effect to do!

In the original version, you only receive the gimmicked queens but in this updated version exclusively produced by Penguin Magic, Max Maven’s B’Wave Deluxe gives you not only the option of performing with the Queens like before but also the Jacks and Kings. You also get 6 blank face cards and 3 Jokers, with the entire stack of cards in a mix of red and blue backs all printed on regular USPCC air-cushion Bicycle card stock.

Everything comes in a neat little ziplock bag which is backed with stiff cardboard to protect your cards. You can of course simply keep your gimmicks in their original packaging but as mentioned in my previous review, I store my B’Wave Deluxe cards in my Razor wallet which practically lives in my everyday bag.

What also differs from the original is that you receive a half hour long video tutorial by Max Maven. He begins with the proper pronunciation of this killer card trick which actually isn’t “B-Wave” (cue dramatic stage gasp) and just by watching his presentation, you’ll realise there’s just so much clever psychological subtleties and nuances to learn from the master of mentalism himself! Prepare to fry the minds of your audience with this incredible three step reveal 😉

Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)

In the right hands, the B’Wave Deluxe is a brilliant masterpiece because not all card tricks have to be a flashy show of fast cuts, complicated shuffles, and cardistry flourishes. It really depends on where a particular routine is in your show set. And don’t forget… Magic is all about communication. So if what you present is good and clear and flows smoothly, with a focus on the people you are performing for, you’ve got yourself a winner.

When I was still performing on stage, I used a jumbo version of this card routine in between our grand illusions as it was always a crowd pleaser. Not to mention it packs flat and plays big. And in my table hopping/ strolling magic sets, B’Wave is also a staple in my close up magic repertoire because it’s visual and really grabs people right away. You can hear them react so loudly, folks from the other side of the event space would be looking over.

Now that a generous variety of different gaff cards are included in this deluxe version, you can immediately switch out the cards and perform the routine again to the same crowd (it happens ever so often when you’ve just shown a group a great trick and then they call you back to show the same thing to their boss or VIP who’s just arrived) with different outcomes!

I’d encourage you to check out Max’s video instructions even if you’ve performed B’Wave before (if like you, my original set from two decades ago came with short brief written instructions) or if you think you already know how it’s done. There’s a difference between knowing the secret behind a trick and understanding how to best present it, so the 25 minutes invested in watching Max’s online tutorial will be invaluable to all performers. The man is a living library of magic history and knowledge!

TLDR: B’Wave Deluxe by Max Maven

In this powerful card routine which packs a lethal 3 combo revelation, not only do you have their chosen card turned to face them, the rest are clearly shown to have different coloured backs and their faces are actually blank! Doing everything right, you may just be able to convince folks that you’re a true psychic using just 4 cards and zero sleight of hand. While the gaffs can’t be handed out for inspection (why run if you’re not being chased) everything looks extremely clean and fair. Easy to do and inexpensive (trust me, this is the best packet trick in the world and is so worth the twenty bucks), the deluxe version allows you different sets of revelations (Queens/ Jacks/ Kings) and is practically instant reset. A strong staple in my own professional close up set, I recently performed this over Zoom and had stellar results. P3’s B’Wave Deluxe by Max Maven comes with my highest recommendations!

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Review: Position Impossible by Brent Braun

Review: Position Impossible by Brent Braun

All too often magicians shift their attention to new exciting releases, forgetting about wonderful gems from years ago. This inevitably creates a tsunami of performers dishing out the same exact trick with an all too similar cookie cutter patter and presentation. So that being said, I thought it would be good to focus on some of all time personal favourites and this clever one by Brent Braun has to be one of my top five card tricks ever. Read on to find out more about Position Impossible!

Description

Find a thought-of card at ANY number. Brent has been using Position Impossible to close his shows for over 5 years. It is now your chance to learn why. No memorization. No mathematics. No stacked deck.  No sleight of hand. No rough and smooth. No sticky stuff. No switch. The cards are genuinely shuffled.

The cards are on the table and out of the magician’s control before a number between 1-52 is even thought of. Yes, it’s this clean every time with no need to displace, move, or hide any cards. The spectator names any number and the selected card is always at that exact number; never one before or after but always at that exact number and the other 51 cards can be shown. Position Impossible creates this theatrically beautiful moment where the spectator looks at every card and doesn’t see hers. She knows the one on the table has to be hers but she also knows that impossible. Position Impossible contains everything you need, including a 40+ minute video download that walks you through the routine step by step. Position Impossible is custom manufactured and available in a very limited supply. Once these are gone they may never be available again.

**NEW** Multi-phase, stand-up routine by Gregory Wilson AND David Gripenwaldt NOW INCLUDED!

Unboxing Position Impossible by Brent Braun

I first knew of Brent Braun about 20 years ago when street magic was all the rage and people wanted to see highly visual stuff. I’d bought Brent’s Torched & Restored and performed the routine all time in my professional close up/ walking around set. It was clever, easy to do, and such an audience pleaser. Very much like Position Impossible in that sense. This brilliant card routine, released five years ago, certainly checks all the boxes!

Anyway, back to the unboxing… Position Impossible arrives in a solid box with a magnetic flap, kept firmly in place within the recess of stiff foam padding to ensure the deck of cards doesn’t get all dinged up during transit before it’s delivered to your doorstep. Inside the card box you’ll find a card with the password for the online instructions, along with the 52 pasteboards required to help you perform this modern day miracle.

Printed by USPCC on their usual stock, the gimmicked cards look good and handle well. It’s a gaff deck that is very clever, throwing me off at first spread and then making me smile a split second later once I realise what he’d done. Did I tell you Brent is one very clever man? With casual handling you wouldn’t be able to distinguish the Position Impossible deck from a regular red Bicycle rider back at all!

Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)

When you get this from Penguin Magic, you receive two instructional videos; the main one by the creator himself and another presented by Gregory Wilson. It’s all very well put together with every aspect of the routine and handling clearly explained, as well as, performance tips and suggestions of psychological subtleties. You’d be up and running in no time, although as much as you’d be excited to start performing, I’d advise you to consider some unique patter and different ways you can give this nifty card trick your very own spin.

What I really like about Position Impossible is that even though it’s a gimmicked deck which you can’t hand out for inspection and the routine cannot be performed for the same audience, it really allows you to handle things fairly. You can ribbon spread the cards openly on the table; everything looks clean and casual because it’s not in your hands; your spectators will believe they have full agency in their decisions since it’s all clearly laid out in front of them before they even name the number they’re thinking of. So the marketing copy rings true— it is essentially a card at any number routine and a brilliant one at that where there’s no need for mental or mathematical gymnastics or even sleight of hand. You can perform this effect anywhere; close up or parlour style for one or more. Your audience can do the card count by themselves so there’s also no reason why this can’t be done over Zoom!

TLDR: Position Impossible by Brent Braun

Powerful and memorable, Position Impossible would be a perfect audience pleaser you can use to close a table hopping set. It’s one of those clever card effects that seemingly gives full agency and credit to your spectators instead of the typical “hey look at me, aren’t I an amazing magician” type of tricks. Great for workers (instant reset), it’s a cracker that’s bags of fun and easy to do. It will even make you look like a card expert. Well recommended 🙂

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Review: Miracle Pickpocket by R. Paul Wilson

Review: Miracle Pickpocket by R. Paul Wilson

If you have always found Troy Hooser’s Charming Chinese Challenge to be a beautiful coin routine (it really is) but were daunted by all the sleights and moves you needed to master to pull off the effect, you’d be mighty pleased to meet its nifty “little brother”… Miracle Pickpocket by R. Paul Wilson. An interactive close up coin magic routine that involves your audience, it’s a modern day miracle that is fun and easy to do. Read on to find out why I consider this clever close up routine perfect for your next table hopping gig, or to show off the next time you’re at the pub with friends. It might even score you a few free drinks at the bar 😉

Description

Miracle Pickpocket is a simple effect that is incredibly baffling. R. Paul Wilson has taken a classic effect in magic, and given it a couple of clever twists that will delight your audience.

Here’s what happens: A coin it confirmed to be tied onto a loop of string. Five other coins are then threaded onto the loop with the coin threaded through the string locking them into place as an example of an ancient wallet for money with holes in the center. It would take a miracle to remove the coins from the string. The spectators hold the loop on a marker which is then covered by a napkin. With a gentle shake the coins penetrate the cord falling into the magician’s hand proving. At the end everything is examinable.

The Miracle Pickpocket has an engaging presentation taught in detail by one of the foremost sleight of hand artists in the world. In addition R. Paul Wilson teaches some optional phases including a visual penetration of the cord through the coin.

Unboxing Miracle Pickpocket by R. Paul Wilson

As you can see in the picture of my set above, you receive a set of five large coins measuring 4 cm in diameter and 1mm thick, along with a length of black cord about a metre long that fits perfectly when threaded through the square hole in the centre of each coin. It’s pretty obvious that the actual props you get differs entirely from what’s featured on the marketing collaterals (actual Japanese 5 Yen coins linked on a thin red thread) and normally I’d be upset that what we see isn’t what we get BUT in this case, I’m actually really really glad!

Now just to be crystal, the coins provided are not legal tender so please don’t think you’d be able to spend them in China! However they certainly do look interesting and people will be intrigued by their appearance. If you practice the art of Fengshui, you’d recognise them as lucky coins; one one side you have the eight trigrams or more commonly known as “bagua”, and on the other side of the coin are the Chinese characters for a blessing of “peace wherever you go”.

These brass coins are a whole lot bigger than your American half dollars. And if you’re lucky enough to have silver Morgan dollars lying around, you’ll find that these are even larger in comparison too. So visibility will not be an issue at all, as these coins are certainly sizeable and have an audible clink sound since they’re made of metal. The pictured 5 Yen coins in the official ad copy are a lot smaller but of course, once you’ve learnt the routine, there’s nothing stopping you from using them if you so wish but you’ll have to find a length of string that fits the hole accordingly.

To pull off this nifty trick you’ll also require a pen (or Sharpie which you should already have) and something to give a form of cover when you loop the coins and cord over your pen… like a paper napkin which you can easily grab from a restaurant or eatery. You don’t need any refills otherwise since the coins are practically built to last and if you take care of the cord properly, the string should last you for a long time.

Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)

R. Paul Wilson’s Miracle Pickpocket is definitely one of those “pack small play big” effects that takes up very little pocket space but can entertain many. You involve spectators, which is always a big bonus since people do like to see the magic happen in their hands, and since the routine is pretty much self-working all you have to do is focus on your presentation and patter. Everyone loves a good story and a mind-boggling puzzle, so give it to them!

As always, Paul does a stellar job in the tutorial, which is about 20 minutes long (inclusive of real life performances and demos), and all the years of him presenting magic lectures around the world certainly shows. Of course, you should think up your own patter and make the presentation your own to suit your performing character… Be cheeky or mysterious or maybe a bit of a trickster… the world is your oyster! For me personally, I use the alchemy angle, where I’m able to manipulate the properties of metal, and after having everyone examine all the props, go on to show how the coins can— at the will of my mind— effortlessly slide off the knotted cord and fall freely unto the table below or right into their cupped hands.

Spectators almost always demand to check the coins out later, and you absolutely can. There are after all, no gaffs or gimmicks that you need to secretly ditch. And if you really really want to, you can do the routine again for your adoring audience since there’s nothing to set up or prep beforehand 😉 Everything’s done right under their noses!

TLDR: Miracle Pickpocket by R. Paul Wilson

Fast to learn and easy to do, Miracle Pickpocket is a clever multi-phase mystery from one of the world’s foremost experts in con-artistry. This sneaky Penguin Magic exclusive gives you the ability to “melt” metal coins off a length of cord. Everything can be fully examined, the routine may be instantly repeated, and your audience will swear you’re a true alchemist! This comes recommended, especially if you’re looking for an interactive effect that doesn’t have anything to do with cards, looks different from the usual coin tricks, and takes up practically zero pocket space.

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Review: Dice Mysteries by Steve Drury

Dice Mysteries by Steve Drury

As I’m recuperating from the side effects of the Moderna vaccine, I thought I’d take some time out to share about one of my all time favourite reads from my magic/ mentalism library. Dice Mysteries by Steve Drury (co-founder of PSYCRETS British Society of Mystery Entertainers) comes in a gorgeous hardcopy and the delightful tome is 583 pages long. Read on to find out why I absolutely LOVE this book and consider it to be one of the best investments you can truly make.

Description: Dice Mysteries by Steve Drury

Dice Mysteries is a study into the world of dice, aimed at the mystery performer. A hardbound, dust-jacket covered book – it runs at over 580 pages. It initially delves into its journey from the shaman to the layman, then through history into its roles in society, religion and science, including various cultural and indigenous perspectives. Many types of dice are reviewed, alongside their varied uses, from reading systems to gambling and cheating plus performance applications and routines. Author / Editor Steve Drury’s own ideas are included throughout, plus there are varied supporting contributions and a foreword by Ronald J. Dayton

“Steve Drury has done it again and created a huge, impressive 500+ page tome covering one topic – this time, dice! Or, to be more specific, it covers dice and items similar to dice, such as the classic Mental Logs or Color Vision. It also delves into a variety of ways to do readings with dice. Like the other volumes on topics such as feathers and keys, this one provides, this book brings together classic routines and ideas with dice alongside newer ideas from more contemporary performers. Included is material by Richard Webster, Richard Osterlind, Docc Hilford, Lior Manor, David Berglas, Kenton Knepper, Neal Scryer, and more. I like dice routines because the props are easy to carry and provide a nice variety. For those who are like me, and are always on the lookout for interesting things to do with these dice, then this book is certainly going to be one of the most worthwhile investments you make this year.” — Jheff Poncher, Marketplace of the Mind.

Dice Mysteries by Steve Drury… a truly delightful read which you’d savour like a fine goblet of wine!Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)

With all lovely books like these, I always like to remove the dust cover while reading so my copy doesn’t get all creased up or smudgy from oils. Sharp eyed readers may be wondering about the pair of black and white dice I’ve laid on top of it. Resting next to a 24mm wide fengshui coin, these are actually yin yang dice with trigrams on each of their eight sides. They’re cast together to form a single gua (hexagram in English) of six broken and unbroken lines to be used when you consult the I Ching oracle.

Right off the bat, I must commend Steve Drury for the tremendous research and passionate effort that’s been evidently thrown into this massive project. Dice Mysteries is a very well put together book and I’m MIGHTY IMPRESSED with all the stellar work he’s done on this heavy tome. Steve jests this big book could be utilised as a door stopper and you sure could, but trust me, you really won’t… because Dice Mysteries will easily become one of your favourite reads.

Dice Mysteries does a complete 360 focus on dice; the rich history of these random number generators, their intriguing myth and legend from all religions stemming from all pockets of the world, the various types as well as their fascinating evolutions, their very clever uses in gambling and cheating as well as magick and divination… besides using them as modern day props for some pretty diabolical magic tricks which are also featured.

Several well respected mentalists and mystery performers have contributed their thoughts and ideas to this book, spanning well over hundreds of thought provoking pages which the reader should take time to slowly enjoy and relish over a few nights like a fine glass of wine. But just to name a few contributors, we have folks like David Berglas, Lior Manor, Mark Chandue, Richard Osterlind, Pablo Amira, Docc Hilford, T.C. Tahoe, Kenton Knepper, Steve Cook, Neal Scryer, Richard Webster, Sudo and much more.

As you can imagine from the impressive line up above, the content you’re getting is top notch. And I’m glad that Steve spared no expense with the print quality too. Published via Lulu, the hardcover book is evidently of top production quality. A masterpiece well worth its price tag of 95 quid.

TLDR: Dice Mysteries by Steve Drury

This is a book that goes way beyond simply teaching tricks with dice. Sure it does that, and exceedingly well as we have very brilliant contributors sharing very brilliant contributions so I’m confident you’d be inspired to include dice in your routine once you’ve read it cover to cover… but I’ve also found the first part of Dice Mysteries to be a really solid read and if you share just a tiny bit of knowledge gleaned about the fascinating history and mythology and uses of this seemingly innocent everyday object that people from every corner of the world know about, you’d be undoubtedly the most interesting guest at the table.

Well worth the investment, Dice Mysteries by Steve Drury comes with my fullest recommendations and is a definite must have for your bookshelf. Pick up your copy here. For updates and related info follow@dicemysteries on Facebook 🙂

Review: CBS by Paul Vigil (Copper Brass Silver)

Review: CBS by Paul Vigil (Copper Brass Silver)

Not all coin tricks are created equal. Not all coin gaffs are created equal. Does this make cents? Or are you not yet coin-vinced? Perhaps you’ll change your mind after checking out Paul Vigil’s CBS aka Copper Brass Silver. Read on to find out more 😉

Description

“It’s the best handling I’ve ever seen or used. I hope no one ever finds out about it…” – R. Paul Wilson

“I’ve never been a fan of the CBS routine. Never had anything against it, it just never called to me. That is, until Paul showed me his version up close. It is a thing of beauty with moments of sheer genius. We magi are very fortunate to be living in the Age of Vigil.” – Brad Barton

“Pressley Guitar’s ‘Copper, Brass, and Silver’ features one of the greatest coin gaffs ever invented. Paul Vigil, in his modern handling, uses the gaff more wisely and subtly than any other magician in the world, and now you can learn how and why. His routine is streamlined, powerful, and astonishing.” – Jared Kopf

“Paul’s handing of CSB will become the go to method for pros. Clear effect, strong magic and great teaching… BUY THIS NOW!” – Daniel Chard

Paul Vigil is a modern legend in the underground of magic. A student and close friend of Johnny Thompson. When he performs other magicians stop and listen. There’s a reason that many people refer to him as your favorite magician’s magician. He is now sharing on film a piece of coin magic that stuns audiences and flummoxes magicians. Prepare yourself for Paul Vigil’s CBS.

In this powerhouse coin routine, the magician introduces a brass coin with a hole in it, a solid copper coin, and an American half-dollar. First, the brass and copper coin change places with the half dollar in the magician’s hands. Then they transpose places between the hands of the audience member and the spectator. When the magician tries to put the half dollar away it jumps back into their closed fist only for the brass and copper coins to vanish. For the finale, the magician vanishes the half dollar right in front of the audience’s eyes so cleanly they will be wondering if they actually saw real magic.

Paul Vigil’s take on the Copper Silver Brass plot is incredible. Not only do you learn all the moves required to do this routine, but the sleights required are well within the ability of most magicians. Included with this download are a set of gimmicked coins made to Paul’s specifications. Originally published in his sold-out book The Doors Of Deception, this is the first time Paul is sharing this effect on the film. Shot from multiple angles in the P3 Magic Studios, Paul also shares his deep thinking on every detail of this routine. This is Paul Vigil’s CBS.

Unboxing CBS by Paul Vigil (Copper Brass Silver)

I really love what Penguin Magic has done to package and secure these coins for Paul Vigil’s CBS. The three different coins (pictured above) have their own individual recessed slots in this slim magnetic holder which you can easily slide into your shirt pocket. The link to the online tutorial and its password are glided in gold on the inner flap, but if you got this directly from Penguin Magic like I did, you’ll find the video waiting for you in your account 🙂

For just 50 bucks (plus the cost of the tutorial) I knew these coins couldn’t be made by Todd Lassen or Xavier Belmont …but after inspecting the CBS coins out of their box, I was really pleased to find them to be quality products with a good weight and feel, made with pride and professionalism.

As it turns out, the sets are crafted by Roy Kuepper, the veteran American magician famed for his work in gaff coin fabrication. So if you do wish to order more of these gaff coin sets or their matching ungimmicked counterparts, you can easily do so.

The video tutorial is about thirty minutes long and presented by the creator, award-winning magician/ magic creator Paul Vigil himself. It appears to be filmed at the Penguin Magic studios using multiple cameras and nice clear audio. And as a special bonus, you also get a 20 page PDF document with photographs detailing all the necessary moves and sleights. Sweet.

Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)

To be honest, I’ve never been a big fan of the CBS routine until the day I saw Paul Vigil’s handling. Everything changed then. Paul is a very clever thinker and his special unique touches have elevated this standard coin routine from basic to BOOM. Watching you perform this modern day miracle up close, your audience may even think you’re a smooth demi-god of magic.

I really mean it when I say that Paul Vigil’s version is the best. His routine is so well structured, it’s beautiful on so many levels. Involving a spectator, Paul Vigil’s CBS is clear and not confusing, powerful in its different beats of revelation, and just pure joy for people to participate in and also watch. This is the gold standard of magic that is well thought out, magic that packs small but really make a big impact, magic that will make your audience rub their eyes in disbelief.

There is of course, sleights to learn and moves to master. But it’s not too difficult because Paul is a good teacher (mucho kudos to the Penguin Magic team as well for the great sound and video production), and all that hard work pays off in the end. If you want to include a coin routine in your table hopping or strolling magic repertoire, Paul Vigil’s CBS would be it.

TLDR: CBS by Paul Vigil

A very beautiful coin routine by a clever master magician that comes with a professional set of coins which you’ll never want to leave home without. This may just be your favourite coin routine to perform because the audience will love it. And love you. CBS by Paul Vigil seems to be in limited quantities so be sure to get yours ASAP from the producers, Penguin Magic.

Review: Super Quick Cube by Syouma and Takamiz Usui

Review: Super Quick Cube by Syouma and Takamiz Usui

You may already be aware that there’s an awesome smorgasbord of highly visual Rubik’s Cube magic available today, so I thought I’d just share my favourite effect. It’s a nifty one by the internationally respected grandmaster of cube magic, who featured this very routine in his live shows and TV appearances…

Super Quick Cube by Syouma and Takamiz Usui!!!Description

“An eye candy effect by the father of modern Rubik’s cube magic. An instantaneous solve both deceptive and easy to perform technical wise. A great catchy opener for your Rubik’s cube routine” – Pipo Villanueva

“This is the most Visual & Practical cube solve, created by the most Legendary cube Magician of all time!” – Nicholas Lawrence

“Yet another devious idea from the grandmaster of cubes!” – John Michael Hinton

As performed on Penn & Teller: Fool Us! The master of the Rubik’s Cube is back with one of the fastest and most visual solves you can do. Created by the undisputed pioneer of Rubik’s Cube Magic this simple gimmick will allow you to go from chaos to order in the blink of an eye. This is Super Quick Cube by Syouma and Takamiz Usui.

Super Quick Cube comes with an examinable Rubik’s Cube that hides an amazing secret, and a gimmick that hides in plain sight. If this is your first entry into Rubik’s Cube magic you’ll learn some of the techniques behind some of the most visual magic ever to appear on Fool Us. If you’re a seasoned pro, this will pump up the wow factor in your visual Rubik’s Cube restorations.

To learn how to use this amazing gimmick, you get expert instruction on how to perform this effect from Nick Locapo in English. As a bonus, we have included complete instructions in Japanese from Takamiz Usui. In addition to the ultra visual solve, you also learn an amazing sympathetic cube routine where another cube isolated in a bag matches the cube you solve. As easy to do as it is fun to perform, this is a magical puzzle that just can’t miss.

Unboxing Super Quick Cube by Syouma and Takamiz Usui

I’ve been a big fan of this genre of magic when it first came about and I was especially delighted when Takamiz Usui made an appearance on Penn and Teller’s Fool Us. The Japanese magician wowed the audience with this very effect, which I’m so chuffed that Penguin Magic has decided to produce.

The production quality for the Super Quick Cube is good; as usual the well-designed packaging is worthy of a brilliant product, and inside the nice sturdy box with a magnetic flap you’ll find a standard Rubik’s cube, and a custom made gimmick specially produced by the team at Penguin Magic. Don’t you just love it when things are ready to go and no DIY work is required?

My first thoughts after inspecting the two items right out of the box are that the custom gimmick is well made; the colours are well matched and the metal shim (so thin it is nearly invisible!) does the job very well with no fear of failing on you. The included Rubik’s cube is pretty decent. Granted, it’s no competition speed cube but it works okay IMHO and there’s nothing stopping you from gimmicking your own speed cube if you really need it to glide like butter. I reckon if Nick and Takamiz can do it, anyone can with due diligence and practice.

Treated with respect, these props should last you forever.

Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)

The entire duration of the Super Quick Cube tutorial is a little over half an hour long, with the last third of the video conducted in Japanese with Takamiz in the Penguin Magic studio with a translator. Nick from Penguin Magic hosts the front portion for the rest of us non native Japanese speakers, and everything is very well covered. So no worries there if you’re completely new to cube magic.

If you’re wondering how accurate the ad copy is, you’d be glad to know that it’s true you don’t have to be a Rubik’s cube expert to be able to do this. Heck, you actually don’t even need to know how to solve the puzzle. Nick does a phenomenal job teaching how to set the cube stack in just 4 simple moves that are easy to do and not at all difficult to remember.

Obviously, there’s a bit more to this than just being able to solve the “mixed” cube… you need to do it magically, at speed, and a lovely presentation with some spectator involvement is shared which requires you to get another cube and a paper bag. You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but it’s always nice to have options. You also don’t have to stick to what’s taught in the video tutorial. Feel free to try and solve it blindfolded or behind your back, or maybe have more than one Super Quick Cube in play.

People instantly know what a Rubik’s cube is, so do what makes it seem impossible or highly interesting, and this highly visual routine may just elevate you to genius level in their eyes.

TLDR: Super Quick Cube by Syouma and Takamiz Usui

Easy to do, fun to perform, guaranteed great reactions, and no DIY thanks to a well made custom gimmick, what’s there not to love about this brilliant trick? Super Quick Cube by Syouma and Takamiz Usui gets a full 10 stars from me and comes highly recommended. Pick yours up today from the good fellas at Penguin Magic!

Review: Ring in the Bell by Reynold Alexander

Review: Ring in the Bell by Reynold Alexander

If you’re a magician looking to add some fun pizzazz from the usual cards and coin tricks in your repertoire that would really shake up your audience… but don’t want to bother with having to wear a jacket or deal with troublesome reels and props that take up too much pocket space, read on… you’d be pleased with this very nifty offering from Puerto Rico magician, Reynold Alexander.

Description

Ring in the Bell by Reynold Alexander A shocking finale you can add immediately to your show. A borrowed ring appears in a bell they’ve been holding and using!

“I have been waiting for Penguin to release this trick for a LONG time…I will 100% use this!” – Cody S. Fisher

“Pure evil genius. Your shocked spectators will not see the ending coming. Highly recommended.” – Chef Anton

Ring in the Bell is a practical, commercial, memorable, deceptive, dependable, and magical routine. What else can a magician want? – Karl Hein

Ring Flight is a classic in magic that combines a borrowed object to an impossible location with the emotional hook of the object itself. Ring In The Bell is an astonishing ring flight with a sure-fire method that allows you to vanish a spectator’s ring and make it re-appear on the clapper of the bell they are holding.

Reynold Alexander has been refining this method for years, and now he is sharing his brilliant method with the world. Not only is it easy to do, but the method is also practical and doesn’t involve reels or pulls. The ring is under your control the entire time.

A bell is an inherently magical object that produces a mysterious sound. When your spectator’s ring is revealed to be the clapper on the bell your audience will flip out. Ring In The Bell is perfect for walk around, parlor, and even stage performers. Put Ring In The Bell in your act and create a magical experience with your audience’s most personal possessions.

Penguin Magic Awards 2020, Nominee P3 Product of the Year Penguin Magic Awards 2020

Unboxing Ring in the Bell by Reynold Alexander

When the parcel from Penguin Magic arrived at my doorstep, I was thrilled to tear through the contents and immediately reach for Reynold Alexander’s Ring in the Bell. It was launched late last year and was even nominated for magic awards; now that Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions have been lifted, this is an excellent time to perform an engaging routine like this.

The luxurious box it comes in has a strong magnetic flap, with custom made foam inserts to hold the prop snugly as it wings its way over to wherever you are in the world. You receive a shiny silver bell with a smooth black wooden handle (solidly built unit but still light in weight), along with a gimmick that allows you to make the magic happen. You can easily find replacements in various sizes if you ever lose it, so no worries there. And obviously, you’ll need to use your own ring when practising and a spectator’s when it comes to the performance.

This is an exclusive Penguin Magic product, so the video tutorial should be already there in your account. It’s nearly an hour long, with street performance bits by the creator of this trick, and moves taught in studio by the charming Nick Locapo from Penguin Magic. Shot with multiple camera angles and clear audio, it’s of that gold standard of high production quality that we’ve all come to associate Penguin Magic with. Audience psychology, timing, misdirection, and the moves are all adequately covered in Nick’s well-taught tutorial.

So it would be apt to say that instructions are clear as a bell 😉

Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)

There’s so many things that I love about Reynold Alexander’s Ring in the Bell. Firstly, the producers certainly picked the perfect name. Secondly, it rings really well! It produces a really pleasant sound, which is an important point because you wouldn’t want to annoy your audience 😉

Next, the gimmick is simple but well made. The bell is wide and the construction is good; everything is well assembled together and should last you a long time. Although different in looks to the actual prop used by the creator in the official trailer, it works exactly the same. But having said that, I’m sure there would be others who like me, wish that perhaps there could be a “deluxe” version with the same elegant wood handle and brass bell that was featured in the video.

This is a beautiful take on the “ring flight” as there’s no need to fumble with reels, you don’t need to specially wear a jacket to get things done, and IMHO it just makes sense. Just tuck the bell into your back pocket and you’re set.

Now while it is marketed as being able to accommodate any ring, take that message with a little pinch of salt. Obviously with any similarly themed effect, pick the right audience and the right ring for your performance. I’m sure you’ve heard of magicians who have complained about getting into trouble with a volunteer during their ring flight routine because a pricey diamond from her engagement ring fell off, or her expensive jewellery got scratched, or the woman claimed that it wasn’t her ring but a cheap knockoff instead.

So make good decisions, don’t be that guy. I’d say “walk the middle path” and use audience management and your gut to suss out the right volunteer with the best ring (e.g. a plain wedding ring of a good size). The workings of it are easy to do, and with a bit of practise I’m confident anyone would be able to perform this in no time.

A brilliant thing about using a bell is that it can immediately attract more people to you. This works if you’re busking outdoors or doing table hopping inside a restaurant or at an event… the sound (yes, you can ring it anytime even when there’s no ring attached) alerts people and they will know that there’s an entertainer in the house. You can easily weave in the use of your bell during other sets like a card trick with your audience, having it already in play before using it as a finale for the effect with their ring.

There are just so many exciting possibilities!

TLDR: Ring in the Bell by Reynold Alexander

Simple to load, easy to perform, sounds good, solidly reliable, and doesn’t require anything extra to perform… this is a charming routine that will win people over. Expect lots of smiles and laughter. It plays big and will certainly add a nice touch to your show, so you’d be glad to have this in your arsenal. Highly recommended! Get yours exclusively from the good fellas at Penguin Magic.

Review: Pop Gun by Chad Long

Review: Pop Gun by Chad Long

Every now and then, whenever a respected professional releases a gem from their own working repertoire, I’d sit up and pay close attention. But when it’s a creative pro like Chad Long… and it involves a pop gun which you can use for target practice… that’s when I say: SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!

Description

Chad Long is one of those performers who create baffling magic that audiences love to see again and again. Is it a card stab? Is it a revelation? It’s a trick Chad has been hanging onto for more than twenty years, and now he’s sharing it with you. This is Chad Long’s Pop Gun.

Here’s what happens:

A card is selected, signed, and then lost in the deck. After some visual magic with a marker, the magician gets down to business trying to locate the card. After a couple of hilarious failures, the magician decides to get serious and sprays the deck into the hair. With the sure-fire accuracy of an old west gunslinger, the magician fires a toy gun and miraculously sticks the foam dart to the signed card. Everything can be examined!

Pop Gun comes with all the props you will need to perform this hilarious and unexpected miracle. A great addition to the end of your ambitious card routine or a perfect piece of close up comedy all on its own. Chad has been delighting audiences with this effect since 1986. When the signed card appears on the end of the soft foam dart audiences are surprised and astonished. The routine has built-in misdirection and lots of laughs. The most fun you’ll ever have with a toy gun is Chad Long’s Pop Gun.

Unboxing Pop Gun by Chad Long

Don’t you just love it when two giants come together to create something magically awesome? In this case, I’m talking about a creative force like Chad Long and the dynamic team at Penguin Magic teaming up to produce this very lovely bit of kit.

As you can see from the picture above, that’s part of the Pop Gun gimmicks that you’ll receive once you open the nice magnetic box. Besides a length of string (roughly about a metre or so), there’s also a little secret something which is included to make the effect work. Don’t worry, there’s enough in the ziplock bag to last you a long time, and refills are generally inexpensive. Heck, you may even have a block of it in your magic drawer. You’ll need to provide your own Sharpie marker and cards.

The online tutorial, personally taught by the energetic creator, is about half an hour long. Professionally shot with multiple cameras and clean audio, it looks like this was filmed at the Penguin Magic studios. Chad Long quickly goes through the workings of the trick, along with many lovely bonuses and gags along the way. Various handling methods are thrown around for the sign a card/ find a card effect, so no worries there if you’re not a sleight of hand master because Chad provides different alternatives and ideas.

Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)

In his video tutorial, Chad mentions that Pop Gun makes a fantastic closer and I must agree that the cheeky routine does have potential to be a very memorable finale. Success is highly dependent on the performer, obviously, so you’ll have to be as engaging as award-winning magician Chad Long. No pressure 😉

There’s so much to love about the routine. Tie the string to the trigger guard, fire the toy gun, and the sticky dart lands smack into the spectator’s signed card. In the hands of a proficient performer, there will be much laughter and giggles from the very moment you even whip out the brightly coloured pop gun in the middle of a card trick. It’s funny and irreverent, and people know they’re in for a good time. It jazzes up things up too. The quirky introduction of the props itself help make the classic card effect feel and look different.

While everything fits into a jacket pocket and the trick pretty much resets instantly, there’s some practice to perfect in terms of timing and moves before you get out there and perform this for a real audience. So yes, it takes work but it would be worth it; you can easily tell from the trailer that Chad performed the routine to an authentic audience – not paid actors – who truly were entertained. The same props he used are provided in the box, so the magic has to come from you.

TLDR: Pop Gun by Chad Long

This cheeky routine by Chad Long, taken from his professional comedy magic act, would be the only “bullet catch/ card stab” type of magic trick I’d wholeheartedly recommend 🙂 If you’re already an accomplished card magician, Pop Gun easily adds a delightful dimension to your repertoire. It’s not difficult for beginners too, it just takes a little practice! Check it out now at Penguin Magic.

Review: Kung Fu Kap by Roddy McGhie and Jamie Williams

Review: Kung Fu Kap by Roddy McGhie and Jamie Williams

In the world of magic, there’s a category that I like to call “by the way/ in your face” magic… visual stuff that happens when people least expect it. For instance, sunglasses that appear on your face before you magically change the colour of the frames. You know what I mean. Performance material like that are great especially when you’re putting together a showreel (hello Netflix!) and fab even on popular social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram. It’s quick, it’s dirty, there’s no long drawn out patter, just BOOM in your face visual magic. So if you’re looking for such ideas right now, you’re in for a treat 😉

Kung Fu Kap by Roddy McGhie and Jamie Williams, produced by Penguin MagicDescription

The mind of Roddy McGhie and Jamie Williams is where quirky effects become visual miracles that get gasps from your audience. Quick visual magic is one of the best ways to sprinkle extra effects throughout your routines, and if you want to give your signed card effects some extra kapow, look no further than Roddy McGhie and Jamie Williams Kung Fu Kap.

Kung Fu Kap is the perfect addition to any signed card routine. Once you’ve had the card signed you take your marker back and offer to show them a quick stunt. You claim you can toss the cap in the air and then in one swift motion re-cap the marker just by stabbing the cap out of the air. You toss the cap in the air, but instead of it landing perfectly re-capped you stab the marker through the cap! The marker visually goes through the cap, which can then be handed out for examination.

Kung Fu Kap comes with the specially gimmicked cap, and a matching marker. You’ll learn in detail from Roddy how to make this minor miracle play huge. This is the perfect addition to your ambitious card routine, or any time you need an audience member to sign anything. Easy to do, and it resets in a snap. This is Roddy McGhie’s and Jamie Williams Kung Fu Kap.

Unboxing Kung Fu Kap by Roddy McGhie and Jamie Williams

I absolutely love watching the packing videos that Penguin Magic always sends you after they’ve popped all your orders into the box for shipping. So it with with gleeful abated breath that I waited for this bit of kit to finally make it’s way over to me.

The packaging for Roddy McGhie and Jamie Williams’s Kung Fu Kap is quite simple; a fitting ziplock bag with the inserts and then the provided gimmicks. As mentioned in their official ad, it’s a download video so you can easily access the tutorial in your account.

Checking out the Kung Fu Kap gimmicks, I have to say that I’m really quite pleased. The creators could have gone cheap and just provided just the one gimmick but they decided to include a brand new working Sharpie marker in the package as well. This is especially handy for those who reside in a country that don’t have Sharpies available, or find it difficult to purchase one for some reason.

Coming back to the gimmick, I have to say that it is nicely made. In his video, Roddy shared that he did them himself and that is commendable because such gimmicks could have been cheaply produced and made badly. So well done on that front!

Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)

An old school coin trick in magic that’s much favoured by grandfathers and uncles would be the good ‘ol Karate Coin. To be completely honest I see it as more of a gag, because you wouldn’t make a big show of getting people’s attention (unless you rock a cheesy performing persona that’s actually funny and not cringey) before punching your finger through said coin. Roddy McGhie and Jamie Williams’s Kung Fu Kap is similar-ish in mechanics to that coin trick BUT because it’s a Sharpie, it lends motivation for your spectators to use the marker for signing a card or coin for an effect you’re about to do… before you surprise them with this nifty “by the way/ in your face” magic trick where you pretty much Kung Fu the tip of the marker through its hard plastic cap.

You can definitely show that the iconic black plastic Sharpie cap has been pierced through, and even hand out the odd art display for close up examination because this will be something people (especially girls) would want to see. Obviously no one will actually believe you have Kung Fu prowess but with the right patter and charm it will get you laughs and giggles.

And on that note, sound advice on audience psychology and spectator management are provided by both creators in their videos (filmed during the Covid-19 lockdown in the UK), as well as, crucial handling tips and variations of the moves. Yes… you’ll need a fair amount of dexterity and timing to pull this off so be prepared to practise in front of the mirror before performing this outside. If you’re already a coin worker, then this will most likely come much easier to you and you’d be ready to bust this one out in no time!

TLDR: Kung Fu Kap by Roddy McGhie and Jamie Williams

Nothing says “Hey I’m a magician, would you like to see something” more than this visual icebreaker that will grab people’s attention. While not designed to be a dramatic closer, Roddy McGhie and Jamie Williams’s Kung Fu Kap is a fun trick that barely takes up any pocket space. Reset is instant. Custom made gimmick should last you a lifetime with care. If you’re a close up worker, I heartily recommend this cutie 🙂 Works well too on social media platforms like TikTok. Grab yours now exclusively from at Penguin Magic.

You don’t need to be Jackie Chan to do this 😉

Review: Letter Perfect by David Regal

Review: Letter Perfect by David Regal

A couple of months ago, just before revamping NingThing.com, I’d reviewed David Regal’s Color Changing Knives which he had just released in time for the holidays. I gave it a glowing review after being throughly impressed, and you can read all about here. But this review isn’t about that. Today, I’m here to share all about another modern close up miracle that the same ingenious man engineered…

Letter Perfect by David Regal, produced by Penguin MagicDescription

“A self-working triumph effect with an alphabet deck and the volunteers name as the climax! THIS is how you make magic meaningful!” – Cody S. Fisher

When you want a trick that is powerful, direct, and fair the creator you look for is David Regal. He knows how to create an effect that will grab ahold of the audience and give them a memory they will want to tell other people about. Mixing up a handful of cards where they make all the decisions only to find themselves staring at their own names is one of those effects that they never see coming. The effect is powerful and the method is clean. This is Letter Perfect by David Regal.

Here’s what happens:

The magician offers to have the spectator grab a handful of cards from a deck of cards made of of letters instead of playing cards. They can then freely shuffle the cards face up into face down as much as they want. The magician takes them back and lets them make some final decisions whether or not cards are placed face up or face down. After the final mix the cards are spread out and all of the face down cards are removed. Those cards then spell the spectator’s own name.

This trick goes far beyond names. Your spectators can spell just about any word you want. Whether you want them to spell the word magic, or the name of the company who hired you for your next big gig. This effect is practically self working, and even comes with a special deck of alphabet cards. David teaches in detail everything you need to know to be able to make this effect as fair possible. If you want to give your spectator’s something to really talk about, you will want to perform Letter Perfect.

In addition to an Instant Download where you learn the Letter Perfect effect from David Regal you will get a custom printed 56 card alphabet deck on Bicycle Maiden Backs with enough letters to spell an almost infinite number of names and words.

3 each of these letters: A, E, O & T
2 each of these letters: B, C, D, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, U, V, W, X, Y & Z

Unboxing Letter Perfect by David Regal Unboxing Letter Perfect by David Regal

When the package finally arrived in my eager hands, I was incredibly impressed with its high production quality. And I know when you unbox this, you will also agree with me that Penguin Magic really delivers. The specially printed full coloured box that David Regal’s Letter Perfect comes in has a magnetic flap that really secures the deck of alphabet cards. The material is super stiff and sturdy so unless you drive your truck over it, this fine packaging will last you forever.

The deck is nestled snugly inside a custom made foam insert so no worries about dented corners during shipping. Although once you bring this out to use in the real world, I’d suggest keeping this deck in a card clip before throwing it into your close up case or pockets. The password and weblink to the online tutorial are printed on the inside flap of the well-designed case, but if you’ve ordered it from Penguin Magic direct, you’d find the video in your account anyway. Easy peasy!

You’ll find 56 custom printed alphabet cards in the deck, which are printed on red Bicycle Maiden Backs. They handle and feel the same as any other standard air cushion cards produced by the United States Playing Card Company.

Unboxing Letter Perfect by David RegalLet’s talk USP (unique selling points)

I first came to know of this lovely close up effect years ago when David Regal first released it in his brilliant book Close-up And Personal. And then it was a little later when I watched him perform the card trick during a lecture, that I remembered just how much I loved it. I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that a custom printed deck is a godsend for those of us who are shy about our handwriting. With the alphabet cards professionally printed, there’s zero stress about ruining a perfectly good deck with shoddy penmanship!

But the included deck is just the tool. There’s so much more to it than just these cards. This super easy self working card effect relies on a very clever math principle by one of my favourite magic creators, Bob Hummer. David Regal has taken this and created a modern day miracle where you can use it to effortlessly spell out a spectator’s name… or you can even use the letters to spell out a prediction. The tools are given to you and the world is your oyster if you allow creativity some rein.

The twelve and a half minute long video tutorial is short and sweet, and perfectly gets you acquainted with the cards and the workings of it. David Regal has been in the business for decades and is an excellent teacher. Due credit is given accordingly and he gets right down to teaching. While trailers are meant to sell and market products, I really appreciate it when tutorials come packaged without fluff content a.k.a time wasters. This one, I’m pleased to say, is well done and concise. The multiple camera angles are clear and the audio is good. The solid content is easy to follow along and I had no problem understanding all the steps.

What draws me to Letter Perfect is how you can easily use it over and over again, customised to your different audience. I really love it when something so simple can be so diabolical. Once you understand how to work the deck in your hands after it’s been shuffled by the audience (yes, you can hand them out at the start if you like), you only need to focus on your presentation and patter.

You can perform this anywhere. There’s nothing extra that you need (card refills are easily available once you’re in need of another deck), there’s no performing angles that you have to stress about, and you can also work this on stage or a Zoom show. Nothing’s stopping you from doing that, although this one really performs best up close and personal. Reset for Letter Perfect is quick and uncomplicated, akin to resetting your set of hopping halves. Sweet!

Cards at Play: Letter Perfect by David RegalTLDR: Letter Perfect by David Regal

There’s so much to love about this… Easy to learn and do, the solid tutorial by creator David Regal will inspire you with confidence to start performing Letter Perfect right away. Well worth the price, this is one close up magic trick that people will remember you for 🙂 This audience pleaser is a clear winner which comes with my highest recommendations! You can get your hands on this brilliant effect directly from the good fellas at Penguin Magic.

Letter Perfect by David Regal: 10 stars!