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Details

Hands Off

Patrick Redford

(Based on 1 review)
Using his original effect Auspicious Coincidence as a jumping off point (Mendacity, 2005), Redford has taken his Any Card at Any Number to a whole new level.

Someone names (really) any card, another (really) any number. The performer asks if it would be impressive if that card were found at that number in the deck of cards he's been holding with a death grip. The audience of course agrees, but the performer admits it wouldn't be very impressive as he's been holding onto the deck the entire time and could have done something sneaky. What would be more impressive is if that card was found at that named position in a deck of cards that the performer's gone no where near. Better yet, its been in full view since before the effect began.

The closed box is tossed to an audience member who opens the box, removes the cards, and counts them one at a time face-up to find the named card at the exact named position.
  • No Memorized Stack
  • No Crib Sheets
  • No Complicated Math
  • No Force
  • 100% Accurate
  • Deck Examinable
  • Virtually Moveless
  • Ends Clean
  • Quick Reset
  • Easy to Do
There are three variations included in this special release:
  • Close-Up Hands Off - The main effect
  • Hands Off Stage - A variation suitable for stage performances
  • Fantasie Impromptu - An impromptu card at named number with an interesting plot hook.


Running Time Approximately: 1hr 5min

Reviews

Bryce Kuhlman

Official Reviewer

Jul 24, 2012

Another ACCAN? Aw, jeez...

The first thing I think you'll like about this DVD is the creator. Patrick comes off as a very pleasant, intelligent and thoughtful magician. Sadly, that's not the norm these days. He has a polish to him that I rarely see in magicians his age who are putting material on the market (maybe he just looks younger than he is).

In case you haven't read any of my other ACAAN reviews, I collect these things. This is a good one. The thinking is solid, both in method and performance. In fact, Patrick spends just as much time talking about the presentation and psychology as he does the method.

The effect is straightforward ACAAN. Any number. Any card. No forces or stooges. And no hard moves to master or tricky stacks to remember. It's not completely self-working, but the mechanics should be within reach of most people who do a few card tricks.

You'll need quite a few supplies to put this together. The DVD doesn't come with any of them, but they're easily obtainable with a quick trip to the magic shop and an office supply store. Then it's arts and crafts time! You've got some work to do, but the props you make can be used for other routines, so it's really worth the time.

Every miracle has its price. This one, like Boris Wild's ACAAB, requires that two decks be in play. One is the "prediction" and one is used as an example. Even though the decks have different colored backs, I still think it could make things a bit muddy for some lay people.

What was most interesting to me is Patrick's "Fantasie Impromptu." While it's not as clean and not exactly an ACAAN premise, I almost liked it more than Hand's Off. The premise is about giving people super hearing ability. It completely impromptu and can be done with a borrowed, shuffled deck. Part of the explanation includes Dan Fishman's Dribble Pass. I don't do a pass because I've rarely seen one that was actually deceptive. I think I'll be working on this one, though.
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