Price$35.00
Media TypeTrick, DVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedJul 31, 2012

The Card Puzzle

Aragon, Woody; De Matos, Luis

Essential Magic Collection

(Based on 3 reviews)
The Card Puzzle is a self-working prediction routine from the ingenious mind of Woody Aragón. A packet of cards is shown made up of quarters of various jumbo cards. The quarters are shuffled and laid out on the table. The spectator selects four of them under the fairest of conditions. Amazingly all four pieces are part of one single card. A second surprise comes when it is seen that this puzzle card matches a card the spectator selected just moments earlier.

The method is clever and the handling is easy.

Complete with quartered jumbo cards and special deck.

Reviews

Jeff Stone

Official Reviewer

Apr 08, 2013

For $35 you get a DVD a "special" deck of cards, a bunch of jumbo cards cut into quarters, and a really clever trick taught by an even more clever guy.


It's unfortunate that there is no product demo for this. It's really baffling. It seems impossible. The short version is this:


Spectator chooses a card from the deck and puts it aside. Then a bunch of jumbo cards that have been cut into fourths are shown to be various different cards. The spectator then picks any four quarters and they end up matching the selection. Seeing it written doesn't do it justice.


The selection procedure seems totally impossible and yet not convoluted or complicated. The procedings are so fair and above board that they cannot be questioned. The method is clever; the effect is self-working, and the presentation is clean and beautiful. You don't need the "special" deck that comes with the DVD to do this. So if you have a regular deck and the quarter cut jumbo cards, you can do this effect.


Considerations:

It's not exactly a strolling effect. You need some table space, and the effect definitely "feels" better when you are seated rather than standing. This is the perfect effect for a house party or a small intimate group of people. It's a lot of fun and has a lot of presentational potential. It truly does seem impossible.


Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM.

(Top ▲)

Gordon Meyer

Official Reviewer

Feb 23, 2013

Usually the phrase “you get what you pay for” is uttered with a sense of regret and self-pity, shortly after buying something that turned out to be too good to be true. But in regards to The Card Puzzle, the saying is appropriate because everything about this trick is first class and worth the price.

Aragon’s teaching and thinking are both first rate, and for a trick that’s relatively easy to grasp and explain, he goes deep to expose the finer points of his handling. He also explains a mathemagic principle in a very clear manner; which is impressive considering that English is not his first language.

The Card Puzzle is clearly a piece from his professional act, but it’s suitable for amateurs too. It’s a seated-at-the-table routine, and you’ll need to carry both decks used in the trick.

I like this a lot, and it’s great to see the overall package treat the magic, and the purchaser, with respect.
(Top ▲)

Joe Diamond

Official Reviewer

Sep 30, 2012

This is a great piece of card magic. The set up is a bit lengthy to do in your strolling set, where pocket space, table space, and reset time are sometimes nonexistent. However, for a close up table show, this is perfect.

It’s unlike most card effects and plots so it has some novelty built in. The magic builds in the perfect theatrical way. The effect is clear, the method is deceptive, and the teaching is inspired. Woody is the first person to finally show how the Gilbreath principle works, and describe it in a way that made sense to me.

Luis De Matos’ company makes super high quality products, and this is no exception. The DVD looks great, has a lot of added values, but has zero filler.

If you like to sit down with your audience, and give them a real show with card magic, then you can’t possibly go wrong with this fantastic effect.
(Top ▲)