Win all of these!
Drawing on April 1st, 2024
Details

Poker Sam

Bursky, Alan

(Based on 2 reviews)
The Legend of Poker Sam

This is the story of the very last hand.
Played by the gambler no one could stand.
Everyone called him Poker Sam.
His winnings were legend, his arrogance the same.
Poker Sam always played a perfect game.

All the players conspired to give Sam his comeuppance.
But they settled on payback
No one could spell comeuppance.
Someone had glued all of Sam's cards together
Sam couldn't play with the cards the same.
Nothing but backs, not one with a face.
Anyone else would fold right away.
This didn't stop Sam, he wanted to play.
With one little move, he was back in the game.

Just imagine the shock the other players all felt.
When Sam turned over a Card with the face of an ace.

All of Sam's cards had faces of aces.

But in all the excitement it seems Sam forgot, if you turn over five aces, you will get SHOT!

"The best version of this effect. High entertainment value. Also the bonus routine is a very funny gag."
 - Johnny Tompson (The Great Tomsoni)

"The 'bang' ending of this is a routine of a great take in this classic trick. Also Max Maven's write up of a great gag is worth the price of the booklet. Your audience will love these routines."
- Jon Armstrong

Pages: 7 - Saddle Stitched, Photo-illustrated.

Reviews

Dr. J. M. Ayala De Cedoz

Official Reviewer

Jul 08, 2014

I enjoyed reading this little gem and learning how to perform it. Poker Sam has seen many different presentations through the years and this is probably the best one out there. It seems that story effects never go out of style with audiences - when you practice them well and deliver them properly, they always draw people in but stories like this that involve gamblers/gambling really grab their attention!

The ad copy shows the rhyme which is the story you perform the effect to.

It does not come with any cards but it is easy to make what you need. If you have a deck or two of cards in your home and some glue, you can make the necessary cards. The only thing you will have to buy is a certain noise device which can be found easily on auction sites for a couple of dollars.

This effect is easy to do - all you need is to memorize the script and remember the sequence. There are no difficult sleights here either.

The bonus effect is fantastic - it is not always a 100% 'hit' because it depends on many different things, but that is okay because it is meant as a gag to begin with. Only you know that!

My only complaint is that for a seven page set of instructions, $17.95 is a little pricey. Yes you are getting a complete script written for you, instructions for an effect plus a bonus, but I think it hardly merits almost $18. This is why I decided against giving it 5 stars.

In the end, you get a solid effect with an equally solid story/script and an ending that will guarantee a great reaction from your audiences every time, plus a funny gag to try out.

Four stars and highly recommended if you like story effects or would like to try your first one!
(Top ▲)

Joe Diamond

Official Reviewer

Apr 22, 2011

It seems that poker routines will never go out of style in card magic. Stories of gamblers, cheaters, and games that are worthy of being sequels to “The Sting,” are littered through the literature on card routines.

Alan Bursky’s Poker Sam is a short and sweet routine that is less than a full poker demo, but more than a packet trick. The story and poem make sense, the handling is simple, elegant, and deceptive.

The booklet is well written, and produced on high quality paper. This is only a booklet, and does not include any of the props or gimmicks. For the price, it should have at least included the cards. The gimmicks are easy to find and make, and the instructions are clear on how to make them, and how to handle them in performance.

There is also a bonus gag written by Max Maven included with the instructions. Unlike many gags, this one is good, and is sure to appeal to anyone interested in cards.

While no props are included, this pamphlet surprised me. The routine is original, and worth your consideration.
(Top ▲)