Easy to Master Card Miracles Vol. 2
Michael Ammar
Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
(Based on 1 review)
Each volume contains ten classic effects, performed before a live audience, multi-camera angles are used during all explanations. This volume includes a FREE BONUS effect and contains the special props necessary to perform it!
Volume 2 Contains:
- Twisting The Aces
- Daley's Last Trick
- Card Warp
- Poker Routine
- Poker Face
- Overkill
- Card Through Handkerchief
- Card Penetration Change
- The Ambitious Card
- Bonus Effect - MacDonald's Aces.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
I first bought the first three videos as VHS tapes when they first came out. I had just gotten home from a short trip fairly late at night, when I found that the package had arrived in the mail. My ex went straight to bed, but I made the mistake of thinking that I would pop the first video in the VCR and watch just the first trick or two, and then I'd go to bed. Several hours later I was still awake because I had to watch all three videos. I was exhausted the next day, and it was worth it. I still think these are the best card magic videos ever produced. The choice of material is simply stellar, Ammar's teaching is clear and meticulous, and the over-the-shoulder parts make everything much easier to learn.
Now, let me mention a couple of personal highlights on Vol. 2:
Twisting the Aces – In his “Lucky” lecture notes (p. 73), John Bannon says that Dai Vernon’s Twisting the Aces is “the best card trick in the universe. Ever.” Who am I to argue with Mr. Bannon? For many years I did the routine just as Ammar teaches it. I then adopted Bannon’s additions that are found in the aforementioned lecture notes. However, I don’t think anyone would go wrong with performing the original routine as-is.
Dr. Daley’s Last Trick – Another classic routine. While I’ve played around with a few other handlings, I’ve always stuck with the handling as Ammar teaches it because I’ve been doing it that way for so many years, and it works. I usually perform it right after performing Twisting the Aces. I’ve adapted David Williamson’s script from The Memory Test found on his “Magic Farm” DVD and use that as my presentation, though the presentation Ammar uses works just fine too.
Card Warp – A classic topological routine that goes way beyond what most people think a card trick will be. While some of the versions that use a bill instead of a card as the cover have some positive aspects to them (I’ve used versions by Bruce Cervon and Michael Close), I still like the “purity” of using two cards. Eugene Burger’s “The Inquisition” is a fantastic, theatrical presentation for the trick and worthy of study. I’ve also used Darwin Ortiz’s Card Warp Deck idea from his At the Card Table for strolling gigs.
Poker Routine – Another Dai Vernon classic. Great to have in your repertoire for when you’re able to perform with some table space.
That’s It – When I first started working restaurants, my basic card set was this routine and the Ambitious Card. Depending on how much time I had at a table, I might do Professor’s Nightmare first as an opener, and after the card routines, I would make either an origami frog or rose for my audience helper, depending on their gender and age. Over time, I substituted a basic two card transposition for this routine because the transposition routine can be done completely in the hands. That’s It is still a great way to get an audience member involved, and I would not hesitate to perform it if I had a little table space.
The Ambitious Card – My wife’s favorite magic trick. This is a card trick that you can do for kids as young as 4 or 5, and they’ll still “get it.” It’s a classic for a reason. The routine Ammar offers on the DVD is great because it has just about the right number of phases for most performing situations. While I’ve changed a few things for strolling gigs (for example, I don’t do the bent card climax), the routine I do is basically this routine.
MacDonald’s Aces – A classic ace assembly that plays well for real people. There are a good number of handlings for this classic in the literature. Ammar’s routine is relatively easy to do and learn.
To finish this review, if you are into card magic and you don't have these DVDs, I think you should get them ASAP! I really don't think you should buy any other magic resources until you get them. It might even be possible to make a living just with the magic on these DVDs. They are that good.
This series is the GOAT of card magic instructional video series.