Price$25.00
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedJul 11, 2020
Two Birds. One Stone.
Jeff Stone
Stone Cold Magic
(Based on 2 reviews)
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Two Birds. One Stone. Today!
Two Birds. One Stone.
Bird One - Kingside Castling
Simply put, a spectator's signed king from a packet of four kings* vanishes from underneath her hand. As a kicker, the other 3 kings in the packet become blank even though she just saw all four of the kings. There are no switches. This effect landed me a spot as a guest performer on Jay Sankey's Underground Jam DVD.
Bird Two - Brainwave: Card 8
This is a variation of Nick Trost's 8 Card Brainwave that does the effect in reverse.
From a packet of 8 cards with 8 different colored backs, the spectator freely (no force) chooses one of them without knowing the values of any of the cards. Yet, the one she freely chose is found to be the only Ace of Spades* in the packet, and the other 7 cards are all the same - the Queens of Hearts.*
Note:
The specially printed cards required to do each of these effects are included with this booklet.
* Specially printed card values may vary.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
Jeff Stone provides this via his web site and a few other places. At present, he offers the print version (as part of a package) as well as the E-Book only (well formatted, I might add). I like little books with 2 - 3 tricks... I always have. He also sells the 'deluxe' version which includes everything, plus two-fifths of the kitchen sink!The presentations here are clever and engaging. I have always liked Jeff's ability to be terse and clear, but also express this "you-might-try-this-weird-idea-too" way of writing. He instructs clearly, while always making sure things move along. While I haven't performed these two effects, his web site has video showing them and the effects are nice and clean. Once you grow familiar with the handling, you will find these to be fairly easy packet tricks, which should allow you to relax and focus on your presentation style.
Effect
Two effects, one book: The first is a clean packet trick, wherein a chosen King vanishes and the remaining Kings turn to blank cards.The second effect is one of Jeff's old classics... a take on the Brainwave concept which involves cards with different colored backs.
Method
As with most packet effects, there is some handling and a pinch of verbal misdirection called for... but nothing is too intense in any direction.Product Quality
Very good, very clean. For the money, it delivers in terms of what it promises. There are (in all) a few different "packages" via his web site. One item includes JUST the cards needed, no instructions. Jeff is clever in that way.Ad Copy Integrity
Absolutely is what it says it is. Jeff's stuff is reasonably priced and very accessible for anyone who has been into magic for more than 2 weeks. Wouldn't make a terrible 'first' book in terms of packet tricks.Suggestions
Make sure to visit Jeff's site that includes lots of short little video bits and other stuff. Jeff likes to share his thinking processes and he clearly loves good magic.(Top ▲)
WHAT YOU GET
With the deluxe version, you get a book, two packet trick holders and the cards you need. In the book are various QR codes for videos of the effects in addition to the written instructions.
WHAT IS COOL
I didn’t use to like packet tricks as much as I do now, but I now always have a few packet tricks in my everyday wallet and I have one spot to switch new ones in and out. I have added one of the effects form this book, Kingside Castling, to my rotating packet tricks in my wallet. It is a really strong and interactive routine and I have modified it to suit my style as well as to always have it in my wallet. I will describe the changes I made to personalize it for me in the Suggestions section. It shows how you can take a really good trick and make it resonate with you even better.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
The quality of the product is very good. The book explains the routines in detail and included are QR codes for videos, so that if you prefer to learn “the old fashioned way” from a book, you can, and if you prefer to watch videos, you can do that too. The cards are bicycle cards, so they are good quality. Also, what is really cool is that you can replace the cards provided with commonly available gaffed cards and there are several ways to perform the effects.
The explanation is very clear, but being in book style, you will need to slow down and read step by step. The videos cover the various moves and show you a performance of the effect, but you will need to read the explanation. I don’t think it is a bad thing to slow down and think about what you are doing, step by step.
The ad copy is honest and fairly conveys the product.
AT A GLANCE
Skill level required: 2 of 5. It does involve some basic sleights, but they are not knuckle busters.
Audience management skill required: 2 of 5.
Performance angles: 360 degrees
Reset time required: None, you can reset at the end of your performance.
DIY time involved in advance: None
Setting: Close up. It could be done in a small parlor setting.
VERDICT
This is an excellent book that includes two primary effects, with some bonus material.
This has become one of my new favorites, so much so that it is part of my rotating packet tricks that I carry with me every day in my wallet. I use my wallet tricks for both casual and professional magic demonstrations.
So, I use a different premise, and it adds another element of magic, which I’ll describe shortly. But, first, I do the flustration count differently than it is normally done. The difference is that I simply say something about each card while turning my hand over to point at the face of each card as they are shown with my right pointer finger, nail side down.
It is a natural looking motion, pointing to something with your palm up instead of down, and it justifies showing the same back, without calling out “I’m showing the backs in a weird way each time I show the fronts”. The problem with the standard flustration count is that if it is done for more than 2-3 cards, it starts looking weird. So, as I do the flustration count, I say: “So, I have the three of spades, the strong silent type.”, I point to it while my hand turns over so that the nail of my right hand pointer finger is touching the card, showing the back of the cards in my right hand. Then I repeat with the other cards, peeling off each one at a time, turning my right hand over each time, pointing to the face up card with my right pointer finger, saying: “and the three of hearts, so tender... The three of diamonds, big spender…, and finally, the three of clubs, the great big thug.”
After doing this, I hold the final two cards tighly as one and I transfer the rest back to the right hand as if I were counting them one at a time, reversing their order. I spread them, showing four cards and say “I can’t decide which is my favorite of all, so let’s pick our joint favorite. You pick two and I’ll eliminate one, then I’ll pick two and you eliminate one.”. This is a sneaky version of the PATEO force.
The traditional PATEO force works, but it has always felt like a weird way to have someone select something. However, with this handling, it feels very natural as you are doing this unusual thing to arrive at a "joint favorite". Per the PATEO force, they pick two and you eliminate the one that isn’t your force. When you pick two for them to choose, you pick two that do not include your force. When you have four cards, it works out perfectly because they get to start and you get to finish. As each card is eliminated, you take it out of your hands and place it on the table and you end up with the force card in your hand.
If you want more information on the PATEO force, there are plenty of free resources on the internet. After three have been eliminated, you gather the rest of the cards under the last card and you both sign the card and then proceed with the routine as explained in the book. I like this because it creates a connection, and it is unusually interesting. How often do you arrive at a joint favorite in such a natural way?
First of all, I think it is the best application of the pateo force ever, because it doesn’t presume that it is entirely their selection, and it is an unusual way to have someone arrive at a “free” selection. And second, I think it is the best application of the flustration count because you are pointing to the card you just peeled away, turning your right hand over in the process, and casually showing the back without it being unusual either.
One final tip: Because I carry this as one of my rotating packet tricks in my everyday wallet, I cut a few circles from masking tape and I stick them to the packet trick holder. After we have arrived at a joint favorite card, I peel one, stick it to the face of the card and we both initial it. I don’t want to have to refresh my wallet with a new card after every performance. Often I perform it without any signatures.
With the deluxe version, you get a book, two packet trick holders and the cards you need. In the book are various QR codes for videos of the effects in addition to the written instructions.
WHAT IS COOL
I didn’t use to like packet tricks as much as I do now, but I now always have a few packet tricks in my everyday wallet and I have one spot to switch new ones in and out. I have added one of the effects form this book, Kingside Castling, to my rotating packet tricks in my wallet. It is a really strong and interactive routine and I have modified it to suit my style as well as to always have it in my wallet. I will describe the changes I made to personalize it for me in the Suggestions section. It shows how you can take a really good trick and make it resonate with you even better.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
The quality of the product is very good. The book explains the routines in detail and included are QR codes for videos, so that if you prefer to learn “the old fashioned way” from a book, you can, and if you prefer to watch videos, you can do that too. The cards are bicycle cards, so they are good quality. Also, what is really cool is that you can replace the cards provided with commonly available gaffed cards and there are several ways to perform the effects.
The explanation is very clear, but being in book style, you will need to slow down and read step by step. The videos cover the various moves and show you a performance of the effect, but you will need to read the explanation. I don’t think it is a bad thing to slow down and think about what you are doing, step by step.
The ad copy is honest and fairly conveys the product.
AT A GLANCE
Skill level required: 2 of 5. It does involve some basic sleights, but they are not knuckle busters.
Audience management skill required: 2 of 5.
Performance angles: 360 degrees
Reset time required: None, you can reset at the end of your performance.
DIY time involved in advance: None
Setting: Close up. It could be done in a small parlor setting.
VERDICT
This is an excellent book that includes two primary effects, with some bonus material.
This has become one of my new favorites, so much so that it is part of my rotating packet tricks that I carry with me every day in my wallet. I use my wallet tricks for both casual and professional magic demonstrations.
Suggestions
Jeff gives two handling approaches to the Kingside Castling, the main effect in the book. The premise of one is you are teaching them how to do palming with just one finger. The second one is about how you are an arrogant magician. These handlings are great, but they just don’t fit in with my style.So, I use a different premise, and it adds another element of magic, which I’ll describe shortly. But, first, I do the flustration count differently than it is normally done. The difference is that I simply say something about each card while turning my hand over to point at the face of each card as they are shown with my right pointer finger, nail side down.
It is a natural looking motion, pointing to something with your palm up instead of down, and it justifies showing the same back, without calling out “I’m showing the backs in a weird way each time I show the fronts”. The problem with the standard flustration count is that if it is done for more than 2-3 cards, it starts looking weird. So, as I do the flustration count, I say: “So, I have the three of spades, the strong silent type.”, I point to it while my hand turns over so that the nail of my right hand pointer finger is touching the card, showing the back of the cards in my right hand. Then I repeat with the other cards, peeling off each one at a time, turning my right hand over each time, pointing to the face up card with my right pointer finger, saying: “and the three of hearts, so tender... The three of diamonds, big spender…, and finally, the three of clubs, the great big thug.”
After doing this, I hold the final two cards tighly as one and I transfer the rest back to the right hand as if I were counting them one at a time, reversing their order. I spread them, showing four cards and say “I can’t decide which is my favorite of all, so let’s pick our joint favorite. You pick two and I’ll eliminate one, then I’ll pick two and you eliminate one.”. This is a sneaky version of the PATEO force.
The traditional PATEO force works, but it has always felt like a weird way to have someone select something. However, with this handling, it feels very natural as you are doing this unusual thing to arrive at a "joint favorite". Per the PATEO force, they pick two and you eliminate the one that isn’t your force. When you pick two for them to choose, you pick two that do not include your force. When you have four cards, it works out perfectly because they get to start and you get to finish. As each card is eliminated, you take it out of your hands and place it on the table and you end up with the force card in your hand.
If you want more information on the PATEO force, there are plenty of free resources on the internet. After three have been eliminated, you gather the rest of the cards under the last card and you both sign the card and then proceed with the routine as explained in the book. I like this because it creates a connection, and it is unusually interesting. How often do you arrive at a joint favorite in such a natural way?
First of all, I think it is the best application of the pateo force ever, because it doesn’t presume that it is entirely their selection, and it is an unusual way to have someone arrive at a “free” selection. And second, I think it is the best application of the flustration count because you are pointing to the card you just peeled away, turning your right hand over in the process, and casually showing the back without it being unusual either.
One final tip: Because I carry this as one of my rotating packet tricks in my everyday wallet, I cut a few circles from masking tape and I stick them to the packet trick holder. After we have arrived at a joint favorite card, I peel one, stick it to the face of the card and we both initial it. I don’t want to have to refresh my wallet with a new card after every performance. Often I perform it without any signatures.