Price$30.00
Media TypeTrick
CategoryMentalism
Date AddedSep 03, 2008
Split Up
Docc Hilford
(Based on 2 reviews)
Here's a trick designed for walk around, table magic and live on-the-street performances. It's direct mentalism, but remains novel and funny. There are six different climaxes; a good reason why this trick has already become a favorite of close-up performers everywhere.
Effect:
The mentalist and a woman are at a table where he explains. "My friend's a magician and he just split up with his long time girlfriend. She insisted that everything they own be split evenly. She even cut his cards. WITH A MEAT CLEVER! But I told him they might get back together. Let me show you why I think that."
He displays a deck of cards, cut in half, right through the middle. The woman shuffles them while he writes tow notes. The woman takes about 26 of the half cards and the mentalist uses those remaining. "You're the girlfriend and I'll be my friend" The cards are mixed again and both people choose ANY unknown card from their half.
Although the woman's choice was free and from a well shuffled deck, a series of SIX quick and startling climaxes follow:
- The first note predicts the mentalist's random choice.
- The second note predicts the woman's choice.
- Both parties chose the same card!
- Both half cards match precisely.
- All 50 half cards in the deck are different.
- The only two halves that match are the chosen cards!
Split Up Has These Important Features:
- The split deck is funny and novel.
- The story line is hilarious!
- No sleight of hand necessary.
- The woman's card choice is absolutely FREE.
- Can be done HANDS OFF!
- The shuffles are genuine.
- Can be performed with two people.
- No extra props are needed.
- The cards, box and notes can be examined.
- Reset is automatic.
- Perfect for table hopping, walk around, or street magic.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
Split Up by Docc Hilford is a unique take on the “You Do as I Do” plot. Instead of using a regular deck of cards, Hilford uses a deck cut in half, physically. By using the half size cards, it does take an old overused trick and turns it on its head to create something that sets itself apart from the rest. Although the premise, a separated couple had to divide everything evenly including a deck of cards is far-fetched, if you can deliver it with a straight face it might create a bit of humor.Effect
The performer takes out a deck of cards, but not an ordinary deck but a deck physically cut in half. They in turn are evenly divided between the spectator and performer and each mix up their respective halves. Mixed a second time, two unknown cards are chosen. Although everything seems fair, the mentalist predicted the half she would choose, the half he would choose, the two half cards are the same, they perfectly fit together, all cards are shown to be different and finally there are no other matching cards. A lot of magic for half a deck.Method
The method used is clever. The two force cards are gimmicked in such a way that they can be detected amongst all the other cards which allows you to position them where they need to be for the magic to happen. There are three versions for the handling of this trick from one using a minor sleight, a non-sleight method to a completely hands off method. As with most magic, premise and presentation is king so if you find this story implausible to tell you can create your own which suits you better.Product Quality
The deck provided is a Bicycle deck, so there are no quality issues there. The only peeve I have are the directions. The directions are printed on a folded letter sized sheet of paper. On the front is the promo image, the back features the offer and the two inside quarters, the instructions. Apparently, to save on the cost of a second sheet of paper, the instructions are squished onto those pages with what looks to be size 9 font. The only two photos provided may be 1.25” x 1.5” in size, and are grainy and over lit at best. Those with poor eyesight will probably have to use a magnifying glass to read it.Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is fairly straight forward and I have no real issues with it. Of course everyone has their own perspective on what is funny and hilarious. If you were to parse out each phase, the body of the text is accurate.Final Thoughts
Warning: Some major audience management will be necessary. It would be a miracle if the spectator did not notice the significant difference between the force cards and the others. IN the end this is still only a “You Do as I Do” plot that can be done with a regular deck of cards. Is it worth $30 for his take on it and a half deck of cards? You will have to make that decision.(Top ▲)
With ‘Split Up’ you receive one half of a deck of cards that has been literally cut in half. You also get a single page of instructions. It has some similarity to a ‘You do as I do’ card effect. The advertisement states, “The story line is hilarious”. Well, calling it a story line is a bit of a stretch. Docc gives you a frame and one funny line, which you might or might not use.
It is also stated that the cards, box and notes can be examined. Well, again, this is not quite true. I, personally would not give them out for examination as a more alert spectator might see something. However, on the up side, I don’t really believe that many people would want to examine the props and if they did there would be a way to easily conceal the “dirty”.
I found the instructions a little confusing. I had to read them a number of times to understand exactly how I was suppose to perform this. Of course, with only a single page of instructions to read, this was not too taxing, but I wish they would have been written a little more clearly.
The best part of the instructions was a suggestion by Rick Maue on the handling up the effect. This gave the effect a little more depth and motivation.
My final thoughts are can be summed up as this; it is a fun card trick with a cute premise. If you are a restaurant worker or close up magician this is worth a look.
It is also stated that the cards, box and notes can be examined. Well, again, this is not quite true. I, personally would not give them out for examination as a more alert spectator might see something. However, on the up side, I don’t really believe that many people would want to examine the props and if they did there would be a way to easily conceal the “dirty”.
I found the instructions a little confusing. I had to read them a number of times to understand exactly how I was suppose to perform this. Of course, with only a single page of instructions to read, this was not too taxing, but I wish they would have been written a little more clearly.
The best part of the instructions was a suggestion by Rick Maue on the handling up the effect. This gave the effect a little more depth and motivation.
My final thoughts are can be summed up as this; it is a fun card trick with a cute premise. If you are a restaurant worker or close up magician this is worth a look.