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Bikers

Gordon Bean

(Based on 1 review)
A Packet Trick that Actually Makes Sense!

Have you ever looked at the joker in a Bicycle deck? I mean really looked -close enough to see that the royal figure out for a ride isn't just any royal figure; he's the King of Spades.

Based on this observation, the effect of Bikers is crystal clear and progressively more amazing. Four jokers are slowly displayed, and then, one after the other, three of them "get off their bikes," transforming into kings as the cards are openly spread between the magician's hands. As a climax, the last change occurs in the spectator's hand, leaving a fully examinable card.

Legitimately using only four cards, the method allows each card to be shown front and back, and requires only basic sleight-of-hand.

Finally, like everything from Gordon Bean -including his last release, the best-selling Entourage- this is designed for the real world, not just a static video camera. No table is needed, no cards are stuck together, and the reset is automatic. As a bonus, there are multiple handlings for finishing with four examinable cards.

"Bikers is stark and clean and super-streamlined, without a solitary false or gratuitous move. A perfect trick. Just a delight to perform with an effect to match."
- J.K. Hartman.

Also included is Gordon's last-minute creation Seven Kings, an eye-popping transposition between kings and jokers that ends with four examinable kings on the spectator's palm. Fully described in a special insert, Seven Kings is tailored for the walk-around performer, combining high impact with total reliability and instant reset. It also has the advantage of requiring no false counts, and only a bare minimum of card handling ability.

Comes complete with 10 page, photo-illustrated instruction booklet and all necessary cards custom printed by the U.S. Playing Card Company. (Cards comprising a standard Wild Card set are included.)

Reviews

Thomas Sciacca

Jun 02, 2010

I've owned and performed bikers for a year now. It is visual, direct, and clean. the main effect has 4 jokers change to four kings, which is stunning. Gordon includes two additional effects/handlings called 'Seven Kings', inspired by Bro. Hamman's underground transposition. Seven kings is just so clean, so far as transpositions go, and jokers can either turn to kings or aces. I can't emphasize enough how visual and strong Bikers and Seven Kings are, and how easy the handling is. It's a great investment of 15-20 dollars for both of these effects.

Now, there are two additional effects that I realized could be performed with the Bikers set of cards. One, is a variation of R. Paul Wilson's 'Ricochet', minus a full deck. The other effect, goes back to a Bert Allerton trick called 'Two Faced'. Allerton's trick, is a two card monte effect, utilizing a hand to pocket format and a couple of Mexican turnovers. It's a simple three phase routine, which has the performer 'exposing' the secret, yet the third faze still defies logic. This effect is not mentioned in the Bikers instruction booklet, but the cards included are perfect for Allerton's trick.

Seven Kings is part of a group of variations on the underground transposition, and I think one of the easiest so far as handling. It will be worth any student's / performer's time to learn other versions of this effect with a regular deck of cards (Hamman's kings and aces, reset, reswindled, etc.). As much as I appreciate gaff cards, I will often have non gaff versions of the same effect, as people sometimes place their suspicions on trick cards, or cards that came from a packet wallet.

My only complaint about bikers if I can even call it a complaint, is that I've yet to see refills on the market. One can purchase a double faced bicycle deck, but the Bikers cards are specific, and can't be found in such a deck. So far as I'm aware you have to purchase the entire effect again when your cards get worn out. I give this effect the highest rating, because of what all your money gets you, for visually powerful magic, that is extremely comfortable to perform.
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