Price$14.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedAug 06, 2006
Red Rover
Harlan, Dan
Murphy's Magic Supply
(Based on 3 reviews)
Comes complete with the necessary, specially-printed Bicycle cards and detailed, fully-illustrated 20-page instruction booklet.
Available from your favorite magic dealer.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
As early as 1853 a plot similar to Cards Across was published. The trouble with most Cards Across routines is either one had to palm a card or miscount the cards hoping no one will notice. Red Rover by Dan Harlan is probably the easiest and most deceptive Cards Across routine out there. Red Rover requires no palming and the addition of a card is done at the most innocent moment.Effect
Two spectators are handed each a packet of 10 cards. One spectator thinks of a card in his packet and turns them face down. After a brief moment, the spectator who thought of a count, recounts his packet finding only 9 cards. The other spectator counts his and now has 11 which includes the thought of card from the first spectator.Method
The method requires the use of gimmicked cards and some very minor card handling skills. All the dirty work is done in the setup where it is least expected. As in any card trick, the orientation and sequence must be followed or it will not work.Product Quality
The gimmicked cards are produced by the Bicycle playing card company and are designed to be as inconspicuous as possible. The instructions are in book form and total 18 typed pages with clear illustrations. The entire routine plus scripting is included should you decide to use it.Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is accurate and just about anything released by Dan Harlan is a worker.(Top ▲)
If you read through the various iterations of my working material, you will find two recurring themes: torn and restored and cards across. I believe that I am one of the few people who has performed all seven variations found in the Jinx. With all of the options available, Harlan’s Red Rover is often my go-to routine in a platform setting. It is the one of the strongest and cleanest of the modern methods.
Every miracle has its price. Red Rover is no exception as it uses gaffed cards. But as it says in the ad -- you do not know what the selection is prior to the spectator revealing it and for me, this is worth the price of admission.
Harlan has cleverly combined gaffed cards, sleight of hand and misdirection to create a surprising effect. It is not self working nor is it fool proof. It's best performed by a performer of moderate experience.
If you looking for cards across effect for your stand-up work and are experienced in basic sleight of hand and audience management, then I would encourage you to try Red Rover.
Every miracle has its price. Red Rover is no exception as it uses gaffed cards. But as it says in the ad -- you do not know what the selection is prior to the spectator revealing it and for me, this is worth the price of admission.
Harlan has cleverly combined gaffed cards, sleight of hand and misdirection to create a surprising effect. It is not self working nor is it fool proof. It's best performed by a performer of moderate experience.
If you looking for cards across effect for your stand-up work and are experienced in basic sleight of hand and audience management, then I would encourage you to try Red Rover.
(Top ▲)
I’m going to keep this short & simple. This is a clean, well put together product. You are supplied with all the gimmicked cards you need to perform this cards across effect. The instructions break down the basic outline of moves required, supply a full performance script, as well as some alternate presentation ideas to jump start your creativity if you choose to write your own script.
The effect itself uses no sleights, if you don’t count getting a pinkie break under one card and instructing a spectator to perform the false count from Paul Harris’s Las Vegas Leaper. This principle combined with gimmicked cards makes the effect look exactly like it says in the ad, and your audience will be able to explain it to their friends later. The cards are gaffed so a card someone is thinking of travels from one packet to another. This is a nice addition to cards across explored by many people, and makes it worth using gaffs for this effect.
The illustrations are in black & white, and do a wonderful job of conveying what the text is saying. The outside of the instruction booklet is full-color, which is normally a good thing because it draws the eye & catches interest. In this case, seeing Dan Harlan in a dog house with two fans of cards in his hands, and a bone in his mouth will probably turn many people off from buying this product. It’s weird & not appealing to the eye or mind. If I had seen this in a magic shop I would have rolled my eyes & kept looking around if I saw it. The effect itself is still good, so not too many points are deducted for this image.
In closing, if you collect these kinds of effects, I think you will enjoy this. If you are looking for a cards across routine to use professionally, and don’t mind using gaffed cards, this is a great version to consider.
The effect itself uses no sleights, if you don’t count getting a pinkie break under one card and instructing a spectator to perform the false count from Paul Harris’s Las Vegas Leaper. This principle combined with gimmicked cards makes the effect look exactly like it says in the ad, and your audience will be able to explain it to their friends later. The cards are gaffed so a card someone is thinking of travels from one packet to another. This is a nice addition to cards across explored by many people, and makes it worth using gaffs for this effect.
The illustrations are in black & white, and do a wonderful job of conveying what the text is saying. The outside of the instruction booklet is full-color, which is normally a good thing because it draws the eye & catches interest. In this case, seeing Dan Harlan in a dog house with two fans of cards in his hands, and a bone in his mouth will probably turn many people off from buying this product. It’s weird & not appealing to the eye or mind. If I had seen this in a magic shop I would have rolled my eyes & kept looking around if I saw it. The effect itself is still good, so not too many points are deducted for this image.
In closing, if you collect these kinds of effects, I think you will enjoy this. If you are looking for a cards across routine to use professionally, and don’t mind using gaffed cards, this is a great version to consider.