I originally bought this tape because I wanted to (after years of procrastinating) learn a watch steal. I've had the tape for over six months now, and am no closer to stealing watches than when I bought it.

That said, I've had a blast performing "The Balloon Bag"; I've added it to both my adult and kid shows over here in Japan.

I really like the format of the tape, too. It shows pretty much a full Hobson show, and the explanations are left until the end. This way you can watch the tape with your non-magical buddies - which you will almost certainly want to do, as Hobson is absolutely hilarious. Even if you never perform any of Hobson's routines, just watching this comic/magic genius at work is worth "the price of admission" (as Michael Close so often says).

Those of us less gifted than Jeff Hobson (which is to say, almost everyone) will be tempted to lift these routines and his performing style line-for-line from this tape. I have been forced to come up with altered presentations as many of Hobson's jokes don't translate too well into Japanese, but if I was doing shows in North America, I'd probably be ripping the guy off.

Anyone who does comedy magic should watch this tape.