Price$39.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryGeneral, Close Up
Date AddedDec 31, 2015
Cold Case
Wilson, Greg
Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
(Based on 3 reviews)
- Christian Engblom (Inventor of The Cooler)
From shuffled to stacked in seconds - this deck-switching device is so simple in concept and execution that you can tell your audience in advance you're going to switch the deck and they WILL NOT SEE IT.
Best of all, we arm you with a precision crafted gimmick and full streaming instructions that explains TEN original routines, handlings and applications by Gregory Wilson, David Gripenwaldt, Michael Weber, John Kennedy, Justin Miller and Raj Madhok.
Plus, it makes the classics instantly accessible: perfect poker deals, color-changing decks, story packs, new deck order finale and mental miracles.
"Unlike other deck switches using a gimmick, this is one you can and will do."
- Roberto Giobbi (Author of The Art of Switching Decks)
Cold Facts: TEN original routines, handlings & applications, taught in over 3 hours of detailed instructions by Gregory Wilson Instant reset Easy to perform Mostly angle-proof Great for close-up or stand-up No moving parts to wear out or break down Pre-constructed in red Bicycle, but can be easily altered for any brandCold Case is hailed as the next evolution from respected deck switch pros all over the world.
"This can be done sitting, standing, leaning, with eyes open or closed, drunk or sober, in plain sight yet completely out of sight."
- Jon Racherbaumer (Writer. Reviewer. Rebel)
"The problem with most deck switches is the discrepancy. But, with Greg's gimmick, you can do it under test conditions while hidden in plain sight."
- Rick Lax (Creator of Wizard Wars)
Cold Case is so devious it should be criminal. Make the switch!
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Cold Case by Gregory Wilson is a utility device used to facilitate a deck switch during performance. The device is very simple in design and upon receiving it you might initially be disenchanted. However, what is lacking in mechanical complexity is made up for in the 3 hour and 40 minute instructional video. The quality of the instructional video is superb. The photography, lighting and sound are only secondary to the wealth of information Gregory Wilson offers. Starting out with a short history of the development of the gimmick, Gregory Wilson offers several handling options to choose from depending on the situation at hand. After a thorough education on the handling of the gimmick he teaches no less than 10 tricks utilizing a deck switch. If you factor in the 10 routines included on the download plus the gimmick, it negates any thought as to whether or not the asking price of $40 is too high.
The gimmick itself is partially made from a real Bicycle card box and will eventually become worn and have to be replaced. Anyone that can handle a craft knife and double sided tape can make it look new again in minutes. If you want to change the card box to another style or brand, once again it can be done in minutes. If you have been yearning for a switching device or if you already have a different switching device, it may be worthwhile checking out Cold Case.
The gimmick itself is partially made from a real Bicycle card box and will eventually become worn and have to be replaced. Anyone that can handle a craft knife and double sided tape can make it look new again in minutes. If you want to change the card box to another style or brand, once again it can be done in minutes. If you have been yearning for a switching device or if you already have a different switching device, it may be worthwhile checking out Cold Case.
(Top ▲)
Deck switches are a powerful tool, but their effectiveness is directly related to the invisibility of the switch. Whether using gimmicks or sleight of hand, if the audience suspects the deck was switched, any experience of magic flies out the window. Greg Wilson’s recent release, “Cold Case,” is a clever approach to the deck switch that solves this problem with a flexible, convincing and, when done well, invisible method.
“Cold Case” is a gimmicked approach to the deck switch, and, unlike some recent deck switch releases, there are no moving parts. It comes with the gimmick, ready to perform, as well as a link to online instructions that can either be viewed streaming or downloaded to a computer. The gimmick is simple and essentially indestructible. It comes ready to switch a deck of red Bicycle cards, but that can be changed easily. The only element that will wear out is the flap, which can also be replaced quickly.
The biggest thing that sets “Cold Case” apart from other methods is its flexibility. It can be done on a table or in the hands, and allows for a variety of handlings, depending on the context of the performance. And unlike some deck switches, during many handlings the audience can watch the performer’s hands and see nothing discrepant. Mr. Wilson teaches eight different ways to switch decks, including Daniel Madison’s spectacular “Fracture (using Mr. Wilson’s gimmick,) taught with Mr. Madison’s permission. The variety of approaches is eminently practical, as not all handlings are created equal. The premise, plot and presentation of a given effect determine the best choreography for a switch, and with “Cold Case” the performer has a great menu to choose from.
The other impressive aspect of “Cold Case” is the extensive instruction provided. Clocking in at 3 hours and 40 minutes, it’s an extremely thorough discussion of not only the use of the gimmick, but everything related to it, including a number of full routines. Mr. Wilson’s explanations are clear, thorough and well thought out. He is both a “worker” and experienced teacher, and this is obvious in his discussion. In addition to the method, he covers details and the “work” on everything he teaches, including technique, construction, presentation and performance. In addition to method, Mr. Wilson also discusses a variety of topics critical to the deck switch, including psychology, practice techniques, motivation, misdirection, context as well as how to ring in the gimmick. He also uses an approach he calls “via negativa,” where he teaches someone with no experience how to use the gimmick on camera, providing the viewer insight in to what it looks like to learn how to use the gimmick, a wonderful pedagogical tool.
The instruction also includes ten full routines using the gimmick. The routines include effects you’d expect, including poker deals and deck transformations, but also more subtle applications, including a card/deck to box effect, a prediction, a deck vanish and a 10 card poker deal. While one or two of the routines seemed a little too simple or obvious, the majority either hid the switch in the guise of a different effect, or had a clever method, handling or subtlety that dramatically increased the effectiveness of the routine. My personal favorite was the idea of using the gimmick as a servante, allowing the performer to switch decks, then switch them back at the end, an idea with tremendous potential. Finally, there is a section listing a treasure trove of ideas for the gimmick, ranging from plots (the story deck) to methods (mem deck) to gimmicks (invisible deck) to routines (tossed out deck).
“Cold Case” by Greg Wilson is a failsafe, flexible and deceptive approach to the deck switch. If just the gimmick and the various switches were taught, this would be well worth the investment, but with the addition of not just the various routines, but the extensive discussion of performance and theory, this is a valuable resource for any magician. Highly recommended.
“Cold Case” is a gimmicked approach to the deck switch, and, unlike some recent deck switch releases, there are no moving parts. It comes with the gimmick, ready to perform, as well as a link to online instructions that can either be viewed streaming or downloaded to a computer. The gimmick is simple and essentially indestructible. It comes ready to switch a deck of red Bicycle cards, but that can be changed easily. The only element that will wear out is the flap, which can also be replaced quickly.
The biggest thing that sets “Cold Case” apart from other methods is its flexibility. It can be done on a table or in the hands, and allows for a variety of handlings, depending on the context of the performance. And unlike some deck switches, during many handlings the audience can watch the performer’s hands and see nothing discrepant. Mr. Wilson teaches eight different ways to switch decks, including Daniel Madison’s spectacular “Fracture (using Mr. Wilson’s gimmick,) taught with Mr. Madison’s permission. The variety of approaches is eminently practical, as not all handlings are created equal. The premise, plot and presentation of a given effect determine the best choreography for a switch, and with “Cold Case” the performer has a great menu to choose from.
The other impressive aspect of “Cold Case” is the extensive instruction provided. Clocking in at 3 hours and 40 minutes, it’s an extremely thorough discussion of not only the use of the gimmick, but everything related to it, including a number of full routines. Mr. Wilson’s explanations are clear, thorough and well thought out. He is both a “worker” and experienced teacher, and this is obvious in his discussion. In addition to the method, he covers details and the “work” on everything he teaches, including technique, construction, presentation and performance. In addition to method, Mr. Wilson also discusses a variety of topics critical to the deck switch, including psychology, practice techniques, motivation, misdirection, context as well as how to ring in the gimmick. He also uses an approach he calls “via negativa,” where he teaches someone with no experience how to use the gimmick on camera, providing the viewer insight in to what it looks like to learn how to use the gimmick, a wonderful pedagogical tool.
The instruction also includes ten full routines using the gimmick. The routines include effects you’d expect, including poker deals and deck transformations, but also more subtle applications, including a card/deck to box effect, a prediction, a deck vanish and a 10 card poker deal. While one or two of the routines seemed a little too simple or obvious, the majority either hid the switch in the guise of a different effect, or had a clever method, handling or subtlety that dramatically increased the effectiveness of the routine. My personal favorite was the idea of using the gimmick as a servante, allowing the performer to switch decks, then switch them back at the end, an idea with tremendous potential. Finally, there is a section listing a treasure trove of ideas for the gimmick, ranging from plots (the story deck) to methods (mem deck) to gimmicks (invisible deck) to routines (tossed out deck).
“Cold Case” by Greg Wilson is a failsafe, flexible and deceptive approach to the deck switch. If just the gimmick and the various switches were taught, this would be well worth the investment, but with the addition of not just the various routines, but the extensive discussion of performance and theory, this is a valuable resource for any magician. Highly recommended.
(Top ▲)
PROS
This deck switch involves a nice gimmick. The gimmick is made of metal and any regular card box. It comes with a red Bicycle box, but you could replace the box with any box you like.
In the instructions, he covers several methods and handlings for the deck switch. In other segments, he has guest magicians in to simulate a magician new to the gimmick to learn how to use it, and a bit of drilling with the gimmick.
He also covers several routines:
Let’s Fake a Deal: A gambling routine where the participant shuffled the deck and deals the cards and you win every time.
Cheating: This is a routine where the participant shuffles. You take a joker from the box and they place it into the deck and shuffle again. You give the cards a cut and produce the joker.
Clear the Deck: A routine where the deck turns into a deck of see through cards with a single card in the middle. It uses the Phantom Deck by Joshua Jay. This deck does not come with the product.
Deep Freeze: A routine where a card comes out of the deck. The card goes in the deck and after a few Ambitious card phases, the performer asks the participant to slide the card in the middle of the deck. However, the deck is solid. The performer then grabs the deck and shows the participant how easy it is to slide the card into the deck which is no longer solid.
Lying your Ace off: A nice routine where an Ace is found in the deck and then the entire deck disappears and only the other three Aces remain.
Justin Case: A selected card is shuffled into the deck. The deck is handed to the participant to cut so their card is on top. They turn over the card and it is not their card. Their card is on top of the box.
Leech off Leach: A selectect card is signed. Is is placed into the box of cards. The box is placed in one pocket and another deck is taken out of another pocket, one blue, one red. Their card is now in the second deck of cards.
The Dean of Switches: In this routine, a deck of cards is shows to be shuffled. In a blink of an eye, the deck is now in order. The deck then becomes a blank face deck. It uses the Unshuffled gimmick by Anton James which must be purchased separately.
52 Shades of Greg: A regular deck changes colors three times and ends with a rainbow deck. The end of this routine uses a Joshua Jay Rainbow deck, sold separately.
10 Card Poker Deal: This is the existing 10 card poker deal where the participant makes all the decisions and the magician still wins. The difference is the participant starts by shuffling the cards.
Fracture: This is a Daniel Madison deck switch move. In the video, Gregory explained that Daniel Madison has a very similar gimmick.
The instruction was 3.5 hours!
The moves range from beginner to intermediate.
The effect is true to the ad copy.
CONS
The only problem I can see with this is that the instruction is 3.5 hours long and there is no way to select topics that I could see. You just have to watch it all the way through.
VERDICT
Nice gimmick, very good routines, very good instruction, but very long.
This deck switch involves a nice gimmick. The gimmick is made of metal and any regular card box. It comes with a red Bicycle box, but you could replace the box with any box you like.
In the instructions, he covers several methods and handlings for the deck switch. In other segments, he has guest magicians in to simulate a magician new to the gimmick to learn how to use it, and a bit of drilling with the gimmick.
He also covers several routines:
Let’s Fake a Deal: A gambling routine where the participant shuffled the deck and deals the cards and you win every time.
Cheating: This is a routine where the participant shuffles. You take a joker from the box and they place it into the deck and shuffle again. You give the cards a cut and produce the joker.
Clear the Deck: A routine where the deck turns into a deck of see through cards with a single card in the middle. It uses the Phantom Deck by Joshua Jay. This deck does not come with the product.
Deep Freeze: A routine where a card comes out of the deck. The card goes in the deck and after a few Ambitious card phases, the performer asks the participant to slide the card in the middle of the deck. However, the deck is solid. The performer then grabs the deck and shows the participant how easy it is to slide the card into the deck which is no longer solid.
Lying your Ace off: A nice routine where an Ace is found in the deck and then the entire deck disappears and only the other three Aces remain.
Justin Case: A selected card is shuffled into the deck. The deck is handed to the participant to cut so their card is on top. They turn over the card and it is not their card. Their card is on top of the box.
Leech off Leach: A selectect card is signed. Is is placed into the box of cards. The box is placed in one pocket and another deck is taken out of another pocket, one blue, one red. Their card is now in the second deck of cards.
The Dean of Switches: In this routine, a deck of cards is shows to be shuffled. In a blink of an eye, the deck is now in order. The deck then becomes a blank face deck. It uses the Unshuffled gimmick by Anton James which must be purchased separately.
52 Shades of Greg: A regular deck changes colors three times and ends with a rainbow deck. The end of this routine uses a Joshua Jay Rainbow deck, sold separately.
10 Card Poker Deal: This is the existing 10 card poker deal where the participant makes all the decisions and the magician still wins. The difference is the participant starts by shuffling the cards.
Fracture: This is a Daniel Madison deck switch move. In the video, Gregory explained that Daniel Madison has a very similar gimmick.
The instruction was 3.5 hours!
The moves range from beginner to intermediate.
The effect is true to the ad copy.
CONS
The only problem I can see with this is that the instruction is 3.5 hours long and there is no way to select topics that I could see. You just have to watch it all the way through.
VERDICT
Nice gimmick, very good routines, very good instruction, but very long.