Price$20.00
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedMar 18, 2014
Shock Twist
Gary Jones
MagicTao
(Based on 3 reviews)
Four blue backed cards are shown and one by one they turn face up, then with a snap of the fingers the backs change to multi coloured.
Incredibly visual & stunning. Very easy to do. Instantly reset!
"This is one you just have to have... I promise you, you won't regret it!"
- Gary Jones and Magic Tao
"...the best packet trick ever"
- Chris Webb
Reviews
(Top ▲)
PROS
This is a great little packet trick and Gary Jones does a good job of demonstrating an entertaining little routine.
One thing I really like about the props is you have the option of purchasing your own refills, or, if you purchase a few things, you could make your own refills. One of my personal pet peeves is having to constantly purchase refills, especially if I have to purchase the entire effect just for the refills.
The instruction is short and to the point.
CONS
I think the awkward thing about packet tricks is they need a premise. See the suggestions section for a premise idea.
Most of the instruction was good. However, I think it would have been good to show how to do a cleanup to be able to hand out the cards for examination.
VERDICT
One of the best packet tricks.
SUGGESTIONS
A great premise for this trick is to ask people if they collect anything. Then, offer to show them you card collection. You show them your four of a kind and it is humorous.
If you learn to do a gamblers cop, you could clean up at the end and hand out the four of a kind for examination. You could go into your pocket to retrieve the packet trick holder as you take care of the ditch. While it is not necessary to hand things out for examination, it is nice to have that option.
This is a great little packet trick and Gary Jones does a good job of demonstrating an entertaining little routine.
One thing I really like about the props is you have the option of purchasing your own refills, or, if you purchase a few things, you could make your own refills. One of my personal pet peeves is having to constantly purchase refills, especially if I have to purchase the entire effect just for the refills.
The instruction is short and to the point.
CONS
I think the awkward thing about packet tricks is they need a premise. See the suggestions section for a premise idea.
Most of the instruction was good. However, I think it would have been good to show how to do a cleanup to be able to hand out the cards for examination.
VERDICT
One of the best packet tricks.
SUGGESTIONS
A great premise for this trick is to ask people if they collect anything. Then, offer to show them you card collection. You show them your four of a kind and it is humorous.
If you learn to do a gamblers cop, you could clean up at the end and hand out the four of a kind for examination. You could go into your pocket to retrieve the packet trick holder as you take care of the ditch. While it is not necessary to hand things out for examination, it is nice to have that option.
(Top ▲)
This is quite an interesting take on a few different plots in magic.
The ad copy is 100% but it is missing a phase - I would say it is purely accidental and nothing deceptive at all. After the blue backed cards turn face up one at a time, after the last one, all four then turn face up instantly. After that is when you reveal the different colored backs.
The DVD is short - only about 7 minutes long and Gary teaches everything you need to know, including an alternate idea which did not suit my taste, but it might work for some.
The effect is indeed very visual and easy to do - only one sleight used in the entire effect. Gary shows you how to do this one sleight if you are not already familiar with it.
The production quality was pretty good - it was well lit but the volume was okay - it could have been slightly better.
This is the second Magic Tao video I have reviewed and like the other one, at the very end when Gary says his last word, the DVD just cuts dead right back to the menu. Not bad - it is just seems strange and rather curt because most DVDs at least fade away.
One other point I would like to make is that once you know how this works, you can make up your own version of this using your own card with various back designs.
If you like what you see in the trailer or the ad copy, you will like this.
Recommended.
The ad copy is 100% but it is missing a phase - I would say it is purely accidental and nothing deceptive at all. After the blue backed cards turn face up one at a time, after the last one, all four then turn face up instantly. After that is when you reveal the different colored backs.
The DVD is short - only about 7 minutes long and Gary teaches everything you need to know, including an alternate idea which did not suit my taste, but it might work for some.
The effect is indeed very visual and easy to do - only one sleight used in the entire effect. Gary shows you how to do this one sleight if you are not already familiar with it.
The production quality was pretty good - it was well lit but the volume was okay - it could have been slightly better.
This is the second Magic Tao video I have reviewed and like the other one, at the very end when Gary says his last word, the DVD just cuts dead right back to the menu. Not bad - it is just seems strange and rather curt because most DVDs at least fade away.
One other point I would like to make is that once you know how this works, you can make up your own version of this using your own card with various back designs.
If you like what you see in the trailer or the ad copy, you will like this.
Recommended.
(Top ▲)
Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Dream On by Brooke White
Shock Twist by Gary Jones Review:
One set of "special" cards, one DVD and ten minutes. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
Perform a Twisting the Aces style effect where one at a time, one of four blue-backed cards "magically" turns face up. Then at the end, all four instantly turn face up. For a final kicker, the cards are turned over to show that each card has a different colored back.
Method
A gimmicked set of cards, and the Elmsley Count are all you need to perform this effect. Three of the cards are regular cards. I have no problem with gimmimcked cards and Elmsley Counts. However, in this case, the handling is a bit awkward. As you watch the performance trailer, you'll see that after each Elmsley, you have to position the cards "just so" and then remove a card from the center (being careful not to expose the true nature of things) and then place that card on top.
Also, the gag of putting the cards behind the back at the beginning as well as the gag of manually turning over the last card at the end are both necessary for the method to work. So if you don't like those gags, you won't like the method. With some practice, the awkwardness of the moves can be overcome. After all, it looked pretty smooth when Gary Jones did it.
This type of method that requires a bit of "over handling" is a personal choice. You saw the exact handling in the trailer. If you're ok with that, then you'll be fine with the method. The gimmicks use a common principle that you are very likely familiar with. It's those gimmicks that allow the final instantaneous reversal of the four cards.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is 100% legit. It claims instant reset. The fact is that it's not even "instant." When the trick is over, the ending of the trick automatically sets it up for a repeat. So a more accurate statement would be automatic reset. Perfect. The only thing about the ad copy I didn't like was the quote from Chris Webb, " . . . the best packet trick ever." I'll let you decide if that's true.
Product Quality
The DVD quality was "okay." It was well lit, and the footage was well shot, but the audio was terrible. I could barely hear Gary Jones. I had the speakers on my computer system and the media player up to 100% volume and I could still barely hear him. In fact, when I finished watching the video, and turned on my iTunes, I thought I was going to blow my speakers because it was so loud.
Also, the gimmicked cards needed a little breaking in. They were sticking to each other and making it very hard to use and perform the needed Elmsley Count. After playing around with them and working them in, they finally started working properly, but you have to be very careful to make sure that you don't expose the secret when performing.
Final Thoughts
If you're a packet trick person, and you like the classic "four cards turn over one at a time-then there's a kicker" style routines, then you'll be happy with this effect. It's one of the early versions of this effect. It was created over 30 years ago by Gary Jones. This type of effect is very popular amongst the magi. As mentioned before, if you're okay with the handling shown in the trailer and you don't mind having to break in your cards a little bit, then you'll be happy with this effect; especially at the price of only $20.
Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.