Price$20.00
Media TypeTrick, Online Instructions, Gimmick(s)
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedFeb 10, 2021

Houdini's Card Trick

Wayne Dobson

Alan Wong

(Based on 1 review)
Houdini's Card Trick by Wayne Dobson in association with Alan Wong

"Houdini was famous as an escape artist, but what few people today realise is that not only was he a gifted magician who started out billed as 'The King Of Kards', but he was also fascinated with spiritualism, the weirdness of coincidences and mind-reading. He was a master of publicity, and never missed a chance to fool a reporter and hence get his name in the papers. This was the trick he'd turn to when performing for editors and journalists."

You talk about Houdini's love of publicity, and his favourite card trick that he turned to whenever he was showing something to an editor or journalist. You take out and show a postcard bearing an aged picture of a random mess of face-up cards that illustrates Houdini's effect and recreate that Houdini moment when he dropped a deck of cards in a mess on the floor! The assisting spectator simply thinks of one of the playing cards in the photograph.

You demonstrate convincingly you had predicted their merely thought choice well in advance. Quick, dispensable and mystifying with Wayne's charming storyline together with custom designed props and ideas by Alan Wong. It resets in an instant and you will always carry the envelope with you.

Important things to note about the Houdini's Card Trick:It's TOUCHLESS - Spectator only THINKS of a card and no need to touch anything. Perfect for Zoom.YOU NAME AND REVEAL the spectator's thought of card. Not that they tell you what card they choose and then you reveal it. It makes a difference.You are only a storyteller in this great mystery effect. The Great Houdini reveals the spectator's chosen card in his message.Houdini knew.

Reviews

Stephan Sloan

Official Reviewer

Sep 14, 2023

Overview

When I first started to get into magic and mentalism, I didn’t know where to turn to for advice. At that time the internet did not have the proliferation of magic sites as it does now. I preferred mentalism and went to a local magic dealer to see what he suggested. He immediately sold me a trick called Mind Control and I wasn’t allowed to look at it until I paid for it. After I paid, I left and opened the envelope and I was very disappointed. I was a 52 year old man and it looked like he gave me a child’s trick. The props looked cheap and corny and I was totally turned off. At the time I didn’t understand how effective the multiple out can be because I was focused on the appearance of the prop and not the effect.

By now, I have learned there are many great magicians and mentalists that effectively use a multiple out to the astonishment of their audiences. Of course, they don’t use cheap looking props like the Mind Control trick I bought but props that are well made and of the highest quality. Houdini’s Card Trick by Wayne Dobson and Alan Wong is another version of a multiple out effect that not only plays well but the props are attractive and well made.

Effect

You tell a tale of a time when Houdini was known as the King of Kards before he became famous as an escape artist. As it goes, while waiting to perform Houdini dropped his cards which to the excitement of the press, made headlines. The now famous photo was carried by Houdini wherever he went. He would have someone look at the photo of the cards strewn on the floor and think of one. Never failing, Houdini would guess which of the cards were thought of.

Method

As mentioned in the overview, the method is a combination of fishing for the thought of card and a multiple out. Now before you pass on this, as simple as it may sound, presented correctly with a well delivered story, it can be very effective.

Product Quality

The quality of the props is excellent. The “reveals” look like old advertising cards typically which could have been used at that time period. You receive and aged envelope, a sturdy plastic holder, and the cards. Everything is self contained within the envelope. Along with the physical props you get a link to downloadable video and PDF instructions. The video runs close to 9 minutes and runs through the presentation and all the possible scenarios one would come across. The presentation is basic and is scripted for the novice performer. If you have more experience in linguistics used in the field of mentalism, all the better.

Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy is accurate. What is not conveyed though is how nice the props actually look. For a mass produced item which is not hand aged, they certainly look exceptional.
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