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Friday, December 23, 2016

5x5 Scotland - Magic Review and Giveaway!!!


In this episode of Magician's Choice we review 5x5 Scotland by Peter Duffie, and we have a copy to giveaway.

Title: 5x5 ( Five Times Five) Scotland
Format: Book
Compiled by: Peter Duffie
Cost: $30-$35
Skill Level: Intermediate
Rating: 4/5

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Sunday, December 4, 2016

Mentalissimo by John Bannon - Magic Review


In this Magician's Choice magic review we take a look at Mentalissimo by John Bannon.

Title: Mentalissimo
Format: Book
Creator: John Bannon
Cost: $55.00
Skill Level: Intermediate
http://johnbannonmagic.com

CONTENTS
forward
line of sight (redux)
collusion
prophet move (redux)
after shock
rock the 'voque'
the slidewinder variations
     Surprise in mind
     Unusual suspect
     Second guess
     Evil twin
proximity
clean out of sight
mundo
big bad add
matrix reloaded
esp by the numbers
AK-47
lost in translation
misremembering jack
go-figuration
presumption shock & judo
     Shock exchange
     Split second shock
     Wild shock
     Proxy shock
mental baguette
blank thought remix
candy crush
gregorian chance
     Days of prophecy
     Days are numbered
     Gregorian chance
further reading

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Sunday, October 30, 2016

Sucker Punch by Mark Southworth - First Look



In this magic first look we take a peek at whats inside the box of Mark Southworth's Sucker Punch.  An inexpensive set of poker chips for entertaining your audience, and getting you started in coin magic.

Title: Sucker Punch
Format: Physical Product plus Video Download
Creator: Mark Southworth
Cost: $39.95
Skill Level: Intermediate
http://www.murphysmagic.com

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Sunday, September 25, 2016

The 80's Called They Want Their Magic Book Back by Jonathan Friedman



In this magic review we discuss a magic book inspired by the magic books from the 80's by Jonathan Friedman.
Title:  The 80's Called...They Want Their Magic Book Back Vol.1
Format: Book
Creator: Jonathan Friedman
Cost: $24.95
Skill Level: Intermediate
Page Count: 246
Rating: 4/5

http://www.murphysmagic.com

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Eclipse by Dave Loosley - Magic Review



Title:  Eclipse
Format: Download
Creator: Dave Loosley
Publisher: Penguin Magic
Price: $9.95
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Run Time:  30Min 53Sec
Rating: 5
www.penguinmagic.com
www.magicianschoice.net
Website: www.magicianschoice.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Magicians-Choice-532744790245623/
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLp24rTpGKMiRMgO5ggHoBQ


To Build your gimmick you are going to need some scissors, and re positional, or restickable glue, and a playing card that is the opposite color of the deck you are using.  I did a quick search online found that you can get a few sticks glue on Amazon for around $3.00.  To do the Anniversary Walts routine you will need some special cards that are pretty standard for Anniversary Waltz routines. 
Blank cards, blank face, and double back.
The primary routine is a Card to Pocket with Color change kicker, and Dave teaches a variation on this as well.  Also included is a Chicago Opener style effect, and an Anniversary Waltz to be shared between the magician and the spectator.  For the Chicago Opener be aware of your side angles.  The way the gimmick is being used here just requires a little sensitivity from the side.
I particularly like how the color change for the card to pocket helps cancel out any palming fishiness from the spectators mind because the card you are showing them is of a different color than the signed and selected card.
When we reach 100 subscribers on you tube,  I will be doing a give away that will be for subscribers only.

That's it for me. 
Thank you for watching Magician's Choice, putting quality magic in your hands.




Wednesday, September 7, 2016

The Ambitious Card and The Bullet Catch by John Gaspard


As much as I love to read and watch magic effect and theory books and videos, sometimes I just need a break.  Not too long ago I started reading a series of books by John Gaspard that I found while looking for magic stuff on Amazon. 

I have read the first two of three books about magician Eli Marks, and the questionable scenarios he seems to get himself into.




The first book is called “The Ambitious Card”.  The story revolves around Eli Marks who is a magician who lives above, and works in his uncle’s magic shop.  After debunking a “psychic” on TV he runs around trying to solve the murder of that psychic to clear his name as the primary suspect.




The second book is called “The Bullet Catch”.  In this volume Eli is running through multiple plot lines.  One, trying to solve a mystery around the death of a high school acquaintance, and another as a magic consultant on a movie set.  Are the two plots connected?  You will have to read to find out.




The books are a good read, and I enjoy waiting to see what odd turn our magician and amateur sleuth takes as he tries to solve the mysteries ahead of him. 

I was surprised to see that the author, John Gaspard, is not a magician.  With all of the references to magic, magicians, and the magic dialogue from everyday magician conversation, I just assumed the author was a magician and was heavily entrenched in the magic community.  In the second book there is a discussion on the “Too Perfect Theory” and a mention of Darwin Ortiz, and other magicians throughout both books.   There are even discussions in the books about filling in for children’s birthday parties that seem like pretty much every conversation I have ever participated in. 
John Gaspard must have done some pretty awesome research to be able to replicate the conversations that happen at monthly Ring, and Assembly meeting across the country.

I have really enjoyed both books and I look forward to reading the third volume, “The Miser’s Dream”.
You can check all of these out on amazon.com in both print, and digital format.
If you have read any of these I would love to hear your thoughts on them.  Leave a comment, and let me know your thoughts.

Monday, August 29, 2016

Okito Reversembly by Chad Long - Magic Review


Title:  Okito Reversembly
Format: Download
Creator: Chad Long
Publisher: Art of Magic
Price: $10.00 
Skill Level: Intermediate
Run Time:  12Min 1 Sec
Rating: 4.5/5
www.artofmagic.com
www.chadlongmagic.com




Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Coin Box Concepts Vol. 1 & 2 by J. Burk Whittaker - Magic Review & Special Offer





Title:  Coin Box Concepts Vol. 1 & 2
Format: Download
Creator: J. Burk Whittaker
Publisher: Self
Special Offer:  Get Both Volumes for $29.99  
https://gum.co/MmgUD
Skill Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Run Time:   (Vol.1) 1hr 38min (Vol.2) 1hr 52min
Rating: 4/5

Coin Box Concepts Volume 1

Routines

My Old Halves
No Table Required
The Triple Transpo
Benson Meets Okito
Not Quite In
Technology
The Black Penny
The Red Bag Holdout

Moves

The Elementary Turnover
Standard Top Revolve
The Rollover Vanish (Check Harry Lorayne Book)
The Reverse Rollover
The Coin Switch (Check Source)
Illogical Friction Steel
JBW Shootout
Classic Dump Out
The Standard Lid Load
Momentary Palm and Turnover
Table Placement
The Simple Coin Box Switch
What Switch
Hopswitch and a Jump

Bonus Section:The Dropbox

What you Need

Okito Box
Box with holes all the way through
Star or Slot Box
5 matching coins
4 copper
4 Chinese coins
JG Thompson Coin
Wand or replacement like a pencil or pen
Ribbon
Deck of Cards


Coin Box Concepts Volume 2


Routines


Triple Travel

Pierced Through

Intangible

Just Three Under

My One Coin Routine

The cursed Routine

Star Triple Travel

Hoo Thru and thru

Spellbound Box



Moves


Forward Rollover Turnover

The Fingerpalm Steal

Rollover Restoration

Pick and Drop

Illogical Friction Lid Load

Shortshot Toss Revolve

SSJW Box Switch

Utility Coin Box Switch

Bonus Section: The Clear Box

What you Need


Okito Box

Okito Box with Holes

Star or Slot Box
5 coins

4 copper

Special Chinese coin set

JG Thomson Coin

Copper/Silver Coin


Monday, July 25, 2016

The Royal Road To Card Magic - Magic Review


Title:  The Royal Road To Card Magic
Format: Book
Creator: Various
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Cost: $16
Skill Level: Beginner
Run Time: N/A
Page Count: 298
Rating: 5/5 Magician's Choice Seal of Approval


In this age of instant gratification we as magicians tend to look past the written word for our magic education, and go straight to DVDs and instant downloads.  When we do look to text we tend to look at something new, and shiny.  I think we need to look at our history to help us learn and improve.


I urge you to not overlook this book.  Years ago when I read this for the first time, I had already learned most of the core sleights and concepts.  When I read the royal road I skimmed over many portions of the book because I was already familiar with the technique.  Even though I was familiar with the techniques, I had not really learned how to properly apply them.  Sure I could do them in context of the trick I was trying to perform, but I could not really apply that information to other effects.


This course in magic, and that’s really what it is, is designed to teach you not just the techniques, but how, and when to apply them.  In each chapter you are learning a new concept, method, or technique, and the chapter also includes effects that put that particular method into practice.


If you are new to card magic, or if you just have not gotten around to reading this book, then The Royal Road to Card Magic is for you. 


For new or beginners in card magic this is an absolute must read.  The strong foundation you will build by actually working through this book will set you up for a strong future in magic.


If you have been in magic a while and not read it, or maybe you have read it but not gone back to it, I recommend you pull it off your shelf and go through again with a true student perspective, and see what you may have forgotten, or what you never learned.


If you have been in magic for a while, you still need to read this book.  It will help fill in gaps and increase your overall understanding of move you may have been doing for a long time.


Don’t expect to just read this, and run the tricks in a few days.  You really need to study this material.  Read through with your cards in hand and really take the time to fully understand each section before you move on to the next.  Each new section builds on what you learned in previous chapters so you really need to understand each section before moving on. 


The language in this book is by no means current.  The provided patter is not the way we use our language today, but the concept behind the patter is the same, and is relevant.  Your script or patter is there to assists with the illusion you are demonstrating and can help with misdirection.  Don’t overlook what the provided patter is there to help you do.  The way the authors speak to you as the reader can make certain portions a little difficult to understand, but there is a solution, that I will share with you shortly.  


You may sitting there reading asking, Hey magic review guy, what about the Card College Series?  Don’t you think that it is better than The Royal Road to Card Magic?  The answer is that they are both absolutely fantastic.  In my opinion as someone who has studies both, you should read all of it, but I recommend that you read The Royal Road to Card Magic first.  Let Card College help you make modifications to the foundation that your build with The Royal Road To Card Magic. 


Royal road runs around $15 dollars, depending on which published version you happen to pick up, and each of the 5 volumes of Card College run $35-$40.  If you don’t have either I say spend $15 for Royal Road and then assess if you plan to keep going with card magic.  If so, then the Card College series is wonderful, and with the strong foundation you will have developed you will be able to move on to many other fantastic texts and videos.


For those of you who feel that you learn better from DVDs, and who need help overcoming the language used in the book there is a solution, and I actually recommend this to everyone.  R. Paul Wilson on The Royal Road to Card Magic is a companion 5 DVD set to the book.  Having both the book, and the DVD set allows you to read through the book, and then turn to DVDs for a lesson on the exact same thing.  R. Paul Wilson agrees that you need to read the book, and then go to the DVD.  The two pair together perfectly and the DVD really does guide you through the book.  Think of it as having a private teacher walking you through the book step by step.


I challenge you to go read The Royal Road to Card Magic and try out the material.  I know I have fooled laymen and magicians with items from its pages.

Contents:
Part One

I. The Overhand Shuffle, I
Position of the Pack in the Hands
Execution of the Overhand Shuffle
Using the Overhand Shuffle
Controlling the Top Card
Controlling the Bottom Card
Retaining the Top and Bottom Cards in Position
Top Card to Next to Bottom and Back to the Top
The Run
The Injog
The Undercut
Overhand Shuffle Control
Retaining Top Stock
Overhand False Shuffle
Overhand Shuffle Practive Routine
Tricks with the Overhand Shuffle
Topsy-Turvy Cards
A Poker Player's Picnic
A Pocket Discovery
Telepathy Plus
Thought Stealer
Pinkie Does It
A Card and a Number

II. The Riffle Shuffle
Riffle Shuffle Control
Retaining a Card at the Top of the Deck
Retaining the Bottom Card or Cards
Riffle Shuffle in the Air
Tricks with the Riffle Shuffle
An Instinct for Cards
Mirror of the Mind
Ultra Card Divination

III. Flourishes
Displaying the Top Card
The Ruffle
The Click
Spread and Turnover
Gathering the Ribbon-Spread Pack
Springing the Cards
A Flourish Count
Throwing a Card
Waterfall Shuffle
The Fan
One-Hand Fan
Thumb Fan
Pressure Fan

IV. The Glide
Design for Laughter
The Observation Test

V. The Glimpse
Bottom-Card Glimpse I
Bottom-Card Glimpse II
Bottom-Card Glimpse III
Top-Card Glimpse I
Fan Peek
Tricks with the Glimpse
Gray's Spelling Trick
Round and Round

VI. The Key Card
The Key Undercut
Key Undercut Shuffle
Tricks with the Key Card
Do as I Do
The Three Piles
The Twenty-Sixth Card
A Meeting of the Minds
The Non-Poker Voice
Intuition with Cards
Sliding Key Card

VII. The Palm
Top Palm I (Single Card)
Top Palm II (Several Cards)
Palm Glimpse
Replacing Palmed Cards
Tricks with the Palm
Card in the Pocket
Now You See It!
Grab-Bag Card
Good-Luck Card
Do It and Fail
Gathering of the Clan
Spring Catch
A Vested Interest
Piano Trick

VIII. The Backslip
Backslip Force
Backslip Control
Tricks with the Backslip
Lightning Card
The Tantalizer
Under Your Hat

IX. The Overhand Shuffle, II
Injog and Break
Overhand Break Control
Overhand Lift Shuffle
Lift Shuffle Force
Spread and Break
Holding a Break
Spread and Break Control
Tricks with the Overhand Shuffles
The Sevens
Obliging Aces
Leapfrog
Spectator's Card Trick
A Poker Puzzle

X. False Shuffles and Cuts
Optical Shuffle
Charlier Shuffle
The Cut
Palm Cut
Tricks with the Shuffles and Cuts
An Incomprehensible Divination
Circus Card Trick
Black Jack, Detective

XI. The Double Lift and Turnover
Double-Lift Glimpse
Double-Lift Card Reverses
Rapid Transit
The Trey
Ambitious Card
Throughth and Consequences
Insidious Dr. Fu Liu Tu

XII. The Pass
Riffle Pass
Spread Pass
Spring Pass
Tricks with the Pass
Off Agin, On Agin, Finnegin!
Kangaroo Card
Righting a Wrong
Blindfolded Pack
Double Speller

XIII. Miscellaneous Flourishes
Color Change
Double Color Change
The Changing Card
Self-Cutting Deck
A Pretty Cut
Pop-Up Card
A Bit of Byplay
Charlier Cut
Acrobatic Aces

Part Two

XIV. The Reverses
First Method
Second Method
Third Method
Fourth Method
Reversed Location
Tricks with the Reverses
Spellbound
A Tipsy Trick
Double Reverse
Mentalivity
Mountebank Miracle

XV. The Hindu Shuffle and other Controls
Hindu Shuffle Control
Hindu Shuffle Force
Hindu Shuffle Glimpse
The Step
Natural Jog
Twelve-Down Riffle
Tricks with the Hindu Shuffle
All Change Here
Ewephindit

XVI. The Classic Force
One-Hand Force
Bottom Force
Slide-Out Force
Two-Card Force
Riffle-Break Force
Sliding-Key Force
Double-Lift Force
Cut Force
Tricks with the Force
Justice Card Trick
Fours of a Kind
Pulse Trick

XVII. Top and Bottom Changes
Top Change
The Changing Card
Top-Change Byplay
Bottom Change
Top and Bottom Changes

XVIII. Arrangements
Tricks with Arrangements
The Selective Touch
A Future in Cards
Jacks Wild
Think Stop
Deal Away
The Educated Cards
Reds and Blacks

XIX. Routines
Routining Card Tricks
A Table Routine
Card-Discovery Routine
Razzle-Dazzle Routine

Part Three

XX. Platform Tricks
Conus Ace Trick
Ladies' Looking Glass
Everywhere and Nowhere
Egyptian Pocket
Cards to the Pocket
Enlarging and Diminishing Cards
Three Cards Across
Everybody's Card I
Everybody's Card II
Index

Monday, July 11, 2016

#BOOM by Liam Montier - Magic Review


In this episode of Magician's Choice we review #Boom, an eBook release by Liam Montier.  The effects in this eBook are all done with a regular deck and basic card magic knowledge.


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Title:  #BOOM
Format: eBook
Creator: Liam Montier
Publisher: Self
Cost: $12.94
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Page Count: 57
Available at: http://www.bigblindmedia.com
Rating: 4/5
Contents:
Hi-Jack! * Peach! * Chip-Shot! * Decoy! * Catch! * Between The Lines * Collectables * Pocketful * Ninja! * Dissolves!

Monday, July 4, 2016

Move Zero Volume 2 by John Bannon - Magic Review





On this episode of Magician's Choice, we review Move Zero Vol.2  by John Bannon and Big Blind Media.  This is the second volume of some incredible self-working card effects.


Magician's Choice on Facebook:
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Title:  Move Zero Vol. 2
Format: DVD
Creator: John Bannon
Publisher: Big Blind Media
Cost: $30
Skill Level: Beginner
Run Time: 2 Hours 4 Minutes
Available at: http://www.bigblindmedia.com
Rating: 5/5 Magician's Choice Seal of Approval

Contents:
51 Fat Chances* Down under Deal * Jay Ose False Cut * Leverage * Tiny Contrary Killer * Pedal to the Metal * Probability Cull * Matchismo * Gilbreath Principle * Chronic * Keycards & Crimps * Dead Reckoning * Stacking the Deck * AK47 * Bannon Triumph * Remote Rosetta
Big Blind Media:
http://bigblindmedia.com/


This DVD was sent to me for the purpose of this review.

Monday, June 27, 2016

The Rising by Nicholas Lawrence - Magic Review



This week we review The Rising by Nicholas Lawrence and Penguin Magic.  We discuss pros and cons for this magic download, and try to help you decide if this is something for you.

Title: The Rising
Format: Download
Created by: Nicholas Lawrence
Published by: Penguin Magic
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Run time: 122 min
Available at: http://www.penguinmagic.com/
Price: $9.95

Monday, June 13, 2016

At the Table Experience with Cameron Francis - Magic Review




In this episode we review an At The Table Experience with Cameron Francis. If you are looking for good, easy to perform magic, taught by a really excellent magician, then take a look at this.

Title:  At the Table Experience with Cameron Francis
Created by: Cameron Francis
Format: Download
Published by: Murphy's Magic
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Run time: 122 min
Available at: http://www.murphysmagic.com
Price: $7.95

Contents of the lecture:
Find Three Kings, Sly Cheese, Corner, Humming Words, In Your Face Transpo, Mercury Card Load, 3 Fly, Convergence, Over The Top, Courtesy Flush.

Link to Cameron Francis' Website:
http://cameronfrancismagic.com/

Monday, June 6, 2016

Move Zero by John Bannon - Magic Review


Published on Jun 6, 2016
On this episode of Magician's Choice, we review Move Zero Vol.1 by John Bannon and Big Blind Media. This is self-working magic at it's best!



Title:  Move Zero Vol. 1
Format: DVD
Created by: John Bannon
Published by: Big Blind Media
Cost: $30
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Run time: 2 Hours 4 Minutes
Available at: http://www.bigblindmedia.com
Rating: 5/5 Magician's Choice Seal of Approval

CONTENTS – * Collusion * Sort Of Pyschic * Trickbag - Jay Ose False Cut * Trickbag - Cross Cut * Ulterior * Trickbag - Cut Deeper Force * Prophet Motive * Trickbag - Deal & Cross Cut Force * Trickbag – Spectator Ose Cut * Trickbag - Remote Control * Trickbag - Rosetta Control * Ion Man * Trickbag – Equivoque * Ban-nihilation * Four Sided Gemini * Perennial

Monday, May 30, 2016

The Controls Project by Liam Montier - Magic Review

On this episode of Magician's Choice, we review The Controls Project by
Liam Montier and Big Blind Media. This is a fantastic collection of
controls that you don't want to miss out on.



Title:The Controls Project
Format: DVD
Created by: Various
Published by: Big Blind Media
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Run time: 122 min
Available at: http://www.bigblindmedia.com
Price: $29.12

Contents:

** Introduction   
** Holding A Break         
            Double Undercut
            Double Undercut Variation
            Double Undercut To Table
            Dominique Duvivier Double Undercut
** Double Undercut Advice         
** Other Double Undercut Ideas   
            Overhand Shuffle Control
            The Injog Shuffle
            Natural Jog Control
** Delaying The Control  
            Hindu Shuffle Control
            Swivel Cut
            Dribble Toss Control
** How to Practise         
            The Tipover Control
            Ovette Master Move
            Ovette Master Move Misdirection Advice
** Casual vs Formal      
            Pants Leg Reverse
            Simplicity Control
            Tilt Illusion
** Uniformity Of Action  
            Spread Cull Control
            Convincing Control
            Flexible Switchout
            Illogical Double Lift
            Bluff Pass
** Fixing A Mistake        
            Side Steal
            Side Steal To Bottom
** Multiple Shift Introduction        
            Dai Vernon's Multiple Shift
            Carmen D'Amico's Multiple Shift

Routines
Blind Lemon Aces - Jack Carpenter
Deep Thrust - Larry Jenning
Psychic Pickpocket - Liam Montier
The Powerful Queen - Rovi
WWBD - Liam Montier
Infinity Round Trip – Alex Elmsley

Monday, May 23, 2016

Reverse Psychology by Rick Lax - Magic Review











In my first video I review Reverse Psychology by Rick Lax, and share some thoughts on the effect.
Reverse
Psychology lets you control the mind of your spectator, and "limit
their choice of cards" using reverse psychology; Or is it something
else? This is demonstrated to your spectators with a small packet of
cards.

Title:  Reverse Psychology
Format: Download
Created by: Rick Lax
Published by: Penguin Polaris
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Run time: 28 min 26 sec
Available at: http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/6995

Sunday, May 1, 2016

First Post Test

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