The Grid
Wiseman, Richard
Essential Magic Collection
The magician then deals out four hands of cards and asks the spectator to guess which hand adds up to the same number he has chosen.?Incredibly, the spectator is correct. The chosen hand does add up to his selected number. But that's not all. Each of the other three hands also reveals the chosen number.
The four hands are quickly arranged into a 4 x 4 grid to form a magic square. Each column, diagonal, row now adds up to the chosen number. Even the four corners total the number.
Finally, the cards are turned over to reveal a message that also predicts the chosen number. Complete with special deck. Totally self-working. Easy to reset. Different numbers can be selected.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
There are a lot of things to like about this work. First of all, it does a good job of really punching out each of the "additions" by breaking the routine into several distinct phases. It begins with someone randomly (really) selecting one number card as the "total" card. Another group of cards is broken into four piles of four card each. The totals of all four cards in each pile is totaled and shown to match the chosen card. Next, all sixteen cards are laid out in a big 4x4 grid and the standard "row and column" totals are pointed out. Then we get into all of the other combinations (corners, center, etc). As a final kicker, the back of the cards spell out a message showing that you predicted their number.
One of the traditional "problems" with the Magic Square is that it requires the performer to do math on the fly. Some formulas are easy; others are more complex. You'll be happy to know that this method requires no math whatsoever. Everything you need to "know" during the routine is built into the custom-printed cards. In fact, the only thing you need to remember one number. And there are no sleights. Period.
While you may not understand how it works, all you need to do is follow the simple, and fully explained, procedures and it just works!
If the Magic Square plot holds some interest for you, I highly suggest getting this product. This is especially true if you've avoided working on one because of the math.
(Top ▲)
Simple, effective, powerful, easy, a dry presentation . . . This one has it all!
If you like magic squares, odds are you'll like this effect. If you're not sure, watch the clip. Beyond that, the product quality is beautiful. The DVD is well produced; short, but well produced. The method and handling are pretty darn simple. For your $35 investment you get the special deck and the DVD. The reset is pretty quick, but you can't quite do it in front of your audience. However, this is definitely NOT the kind of thing you would do in a strolling environment. This is more for a set show, house party, etc.
Is it easy to do? Yes . . . but . . . even Wiseman got a little "hung up" during the performance. There is no math required, but the little thing you need to do to make sure the cards are lined up correctly can sometimes be a little tricky. Practice folks . . . it's all about practice. The other thing to be aware of is the final kicker. While it's clever, it's not one that I would necessarily do. I bring that up because the few cards needed for the kicker have had stuff pre-printed on the back of them. The rest of the cards are not like that, so you have this small handful of cards that are not examinable.
On the other hand, the only cards they'll want to examine are the ones in the grid. The only one that cannot be examined in the grid is the bottom right card. Thus all the other cards are examinable. If you do the kicker ending, then even that bottom right card is examinable because it's part of the kicker. It's a minor thing, but worth pointing out.
Final Thoughts:
If you like the effect, you'll love the product. It's easy to do; the method is very practical; the cards are bicycle (Maiden backs) brand; You'll just need to supply your own presentation because as I said at the beginning: Simple, effective, powerful, easy, a dry presentation . . . this one has it all!
Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!