out of this world Archives

Review: Lumber by Mr Pearl

ningDecember 28, 2016025 views

Hmmmm, another 3 fly wannabe, that was my initial thought when I first got my hands on this. When I open the package, I was looking at the printed instruction for a link to an online video but couldn’t find it. Instead, there were 2 QR code to the performance and explanation. I wanted to watch this from my laptop instead of on the phone, so what I did was scanned the code and emailed myself the link. After watching the performance, I realized that it was an Out of This World effect. I have never like card tricks but I do love OOTW and its one of my favourite card effects.

This item was packaged in a simple plastic bag with a cheap looking folded piece of instructions. BUT….DO NOT LET THAT FOOL YOU! There are many variations of OOTW effect, some does not use gimmicks and some uses a gimmick deck. Lumber’s uses a gimmick but the gimmick is not on the deck. Standard OOTW requires you to count the cards, gimmick versions don’t allow spectators to handle/ examine it at the end. With Lumber, spectator is given a chance to shuffle the deck, handle the separation and makes it though as if the magician is not involved at all. The plot is easy to understand and the build-up is not draggy at all. There is even a kicker ending which I find it alright. The kicker ending is optional but it is a good way to end the routine.

The gimmick is not new but is being used in a different and unique way. With some modification, you can perform this for 2 spectators. You can even use the chips to perform some coin routines that uses the same gimmick. What I like about this effect is that the cards are setup in such a way that everything is seems to be very fair, especially when your spectators get to shuffle the deck. Gimmick is cleverly used but method is even more clever.

Review: French Postcards by Chris Philpott

ningOctober 28, 2015022 views

Out of This World is probably one of the card effect that has been morphed into many variations. Paul Curry’s original version is one of the most clever and easy to do card effect I love. I am not a fan of card tricks but I sure do like this effect. If you don’t know about this effect, it’s basically a card separation of the black cards and red cards into two piles, all these are seemingly done by the spectator without the magician’s involvement. It is easy to do as well as magical.

Review: A Thought Well Stolen by Ben Harris

ningSeptember 16, 2015038 views

Ben Harris’ mind works overtime – perhaps, it never stop working at all! All of Ben’s magical creations are a result of his “out-of-the-box” thinking. This effect is no different.
Ben has been searching for a long time to find a way to perform ACAAN (Any Card Ay Any Number) without asking for any clue from the spectator, and without the chosen card being forced. Not only did he find the “ultimate” method, this method does not require any sleight-of-hand with cards! But his mind did not stop working there – it went “out-of-the-box” and connected with another effect known as “Matching The Cards”.
In effect, it looks like this: A spectator decides (free choice) which of 2 decks of cards to use. The cards are mixed up. The spectator merely thinks of her favourite card and determines its position in the deck. The performer takes his cards out of its case, mixes them, takes out one card and places it in a certain position in the deck. It turns out that this card is the spectator’s thought-of card, and it indeed occupies the same position in the deck as in her deck. The spectator does not utter a single word on her card. Just to show that he can control more than one card, the performer now causes the cards in both decks to match exactly! A strong effect with no sleight-of-hand at all!
You receive a 40–page manuscript. It is well written and reads like a whodunit story. First, the effect (“murder”) is described. You then feel like diving straight into the “explanation” section at the back of the book to find out how such an impossible effect can be accomplished without any sleight-of-hand with cards (“how the detective solves this almost impossible case”). Even the title of the trick “A Thought Well Stolen” sounds like the title of a detective tale.
Ben includes three Appendices in the manuscript. In Appendix One, Ben discusses a concept from his good friend Steve Shufton, which can raise the effect several notches higher. In Appendix Two, Ben explains 2 possible precursors and some nice variations. In Appendix Three, Ben teaches a couple of moves with cards that can enhance the overall effect.
Whether you are a sleight-of-hand card performer, or one who prefers non sleight-of-hand card tricks, you will want to add “A Thought Well Stolen” in your card repertoire. The effect is so strong the audience can only attribute it to your clever card handling skills! Highly recommended with two big thumbs up!