Infallible
Elsdon, Mark
Alakazam UK
Mark has added the idea of a fantastic video revelation that you text to you spectator and its left on their phone as a memento of the incredible feat!
For those of you who prefer the more traditional style of prediction, you can have a prediction in an envelope, written on the back of your business card or even sent to them in advance!
Infallible is a sure fire winner and an effect you can and will perform in every situation. Totally self-working and incredibly practical.
Comes with Special Infallible Deck & A full instructional DVD.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
So, in the package you will receive a gimmicked deck, 2 black envelopes, 2 prediction cards and a DVD. The cards are gaffed, they are not bicycle and as far as I know you could not use bicycle cards without taking some serious time making a custom gaff deck. I believe there are other back designs that would work with this, the cards you get don’t handle the best but they look and feel completely normal. They almost feel like a deck of Maverick playing cards that you might purchase at a gas station. You also will need to write the numbers on the backs as well.
The DVD is very simple. Mark performed the trick in studio and it completely fooled me. Then he repeated it with different cards and numbers all with the same deck. It completely fooled me again.
I was hesitant to look into this effect originally. Mark’s presentation involves sending a video file to the spectator with his prediction. I find this to be very creative and innovative but it needs to be pointed out that you don’t have to use a video at all. Of course you can use a video, a voice mail, a You Tube video and so on but you don’t have to. You can use any prediction method you would like. Mark explains that he originally used this as a type of any card at any number. An envelope would be shown with a card inside, a card and number would be selected and he would reveal the selected card with the selected number written on the back. This makes it extremely versatile, perfect for walk around and I would even consider performing it on stage.
Mark has ingeniously crafted a deck that can be instantly repeated for the same audience with baffling results. Of course the prediction is different the second time but you could have both predictions on the same video file if you wished or put both cards in the same envelope. The reset takes just a few moments and can possibly be done in front of the spectators.
Unfortunately, you receive a random set of cards so the possible selections will be determined by the manufacturer for you. The numbers on the other hand are completely customizable, you can write any number you want, or anything you want, such as a name or shape or color.
So, you get an innovative deck of cards that is very customizable, a self working trick that can be repeated for the same audience with great results and can be performed in a variety of situations. The price should keep it out of the hands of amateurs which is a good thing for an effect that is this clever.
(Top ▲)
Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Your Cheatin' Heart by Hank Williams
Review of Infallible by Mark Elsdon:
One DVD, one trick, one deck of cards, two predictions, 26 minutes and $50 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
Send the spectator a text message of your prediction. Then she selects any card by dealing face down and stopping at any number - there are numbers written on the back of the cards - that she wants to. Turn that card over and it's the (let's say) Four of Hearts.
Then deal through the cards face up, and she stops at any card she wants. Turn it over and the number on its back is the number used as the selection.. She plays the video and it 100% accurately and infallibly predicts what her two choices would be, the number and the card.. You can then repeat it by sending another text video and having another number and another card selected. You are right again.
Method
The method is basically a clever forcing deck that does 97% of the work for you. The deck is a very special deck that is supplied for you. You'll need to do a one-time prep on the deck that will take you about 10 minutes. Then you're set to go for any performance. The effect is basically self-working. The only other prep needed is that you'll need to film yourself making the prediction video. However, you don't even have to do it as a video. You are also supplied with two black envelopes and two prediction cards.
The bottom line is that the method is simple, nearly self-working, and darn-near foolproof.
Ad Copy Integrity
I have no issue with the ad copy. It's simple and honest. The video teaser is accurate and you really get what they say you get.
Product Quality
The DVD is short, sweet and to the point. The method is so simple that not much is required to teach it. It's well shot, will lit, but not so well mic'd. Just a few minutes into the DVD, Mark Elsdon began sounding as if he had on two microphones or something. The entire rest of the video, his voice was echoing as if there were two audio tracks for his voice. Perer Nardi (co-host), however sounded fine.
The supplied envelopes you get are simple plain black envelopes that fit a playing card inside of them. They're nice and well made. The deck of cards supplied, however, isn't the best quality. It's a special deck of cards that has a very specific property that aids in performing this effect. This property however, makes the cards not the best looking and not the best quality.
They kind of have that feel of dollar store playing cards . . . maybe a level or two above that. They're not horrible, but they're not Bicycle either. For the price of nearly $50, I felt that you could have been supplied a better deck of cards. Also, one of the gimmicked portions of the deck wasn't as sure-fire as it should be. But a slight (and I do mean slight) modification to the deck is all that's needed.
Final Thoughts
If you like the effect, then you'll be very happy with this method. It's super simple. The cards, though not super high quality, will get the job done and look good enough. The biggest issue I had was the price. But if you think you'll do this effect and don't mind parting with $50, you'll be fine.
Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.