The Royal Scam (Packet Trick)

Trick/DVD Review: The Royal Scam

I've had people ask me what is my favorite trick to perform. There are a lot of great tricks but if I had to pick one card trick it would be Twisted Sisters by John Bannon. The reason is that the trick has not one, but three incredible climaxes. It consistently gets jaws to drop in disbelief. So when my local magic shop got a copy of Bannon's The Royal Scam, I was quick to grab a copy. I paid $20 but you can get it for under $15 on-line.

The Royal Scam is a packet trick and a damn good one. If you are a packet nut - this should be in your collection. The trick comes with a DVD as well as the cards required for the trick.

Marketing Fluff

The magician displays several Aces of Spades with the same back design. Explaining how he practices with all the same card, he shows that adding a face-up card can cause the whole pack to turn face up, and vice-versa.

While moves are nice, he shows that while moves misdirect you, he took the opportunity to switch in several cards with various back designs. Of course, in order to win money, several other cards change to a Royal Flush in spades. Ends absolutely clean and examinable!

Bannon's brilliant handling is explained fully on the enclosed DVD, which includes a downloadable e-book in PDF format. Gaffed cards included.

I'm not sure why the fluff states that you get "gaffed" cards because the cards are completely normal - although some have different back designs. The trick is completely examinable at the end.

Degree of Difficulty

Intermediate to Advanced. I had this down in one night and performed it the next day to the amazement of my normally skeptical family. So why would I rate the difficulty intermediate to advanced? Because, I am a false count freak so these counts were fairly easy to learn. If you're Elmsley Count is weak you may have some difficulty. Bannon does teach the Elmsley Count in the "More" section of the DVD. Lastly, the routine is fairly involved although once you get the repetitions figured out, it's not too bad.

Teaching

The instructional material is top notch. John Bannon is a very good teacher. He runs through the Elmsley Count fast but it is covered in great detail in the "More" section. In fact, he does a great job teaching the Elmsley and the covers some sublety that students of false counts will appreciate. Bannon credits liberally along the way and there is even a "Credits" section on the DVD that provides the creator, the move, the year and the source or publisher.

Provided on the DVD is an e-Book (PDF file) that provides even more detail into the credits, the packet set-up is deatiled and the complete patter is provided.

Quantity of Effects

Well, you're buying a packet trick so you get a packet trick. But wait, there's more! Bannon throws in a nifty trick called Living Is Easy. So here's what you'll learn:

The Royal Scam
Hamman Count
Elmsley Count (aka Ghost Count)
Takagi Count
OPEC (Out of Position Elmsley Count)
Glide (as an alternative to the Hamman Count)

Living Is Easy
Marlo Switch as a control (very cool!)
Slip Shuffle
Tilt move

Quality of Effects

The Royal Scam is an immediate addition to your repertoire. It is easy to perform (assuming your counts are good) and has an astounding ending. It is one of those trick like the Color Monte where the spectator just doesn't see it coming. The climaxes are going to fry people's minds.

I'm sure Bannon has been called a genius with packet tricks. He may be, but what I see is a lot of hard work and experimentation to perfect this little masterpiece. I can't imagine not using this as much as Twisted Sisters.

The quality of the e-Book is top notch. It is well written, the pictures are clear and the patter is excellent.

The quality of the card stock is standard Bicycle stock and the odd-backed cards are beautiful and colorful.

Production Quality

Most packet tricks do not come with a DVD. The production is solid. The menus are clear and easy to use. The quality of the video is good excellent.

My one complaint...the music is insufferable! The DVD constantly loops this depressing, morose theme. My daughter walked in as I watch and asked "why does that guy look so unhappy?" I don't think Bannon was unhappy! The music sounded like someone just died. And why play it so loud during the instructional material? Why play any music during the instructional material?

Overall: 10/10

Yes, a rare 10 out of 10. A great trick that you WILL use for years to come. High quality cards and solid teaching. The DVD is a bonus and the e-Book is a double bonus. Bannon throws is an additional trick...all for under $20 bucks. Life is good!

World's Greatest Magic - Cups & Balls Volume 1 (DVD)

"I consider no man to be a magician until he can adequately perform the cups and balls." Harry Houdini.



There is probably no other routine in magic that exercises more of the classic effects as the cups and balls. Even if one never performs the cups and balls, to practice it will improve your understanding of magic and hone many skills.

I love the cups and balls as a spectator. I don't believe I've ever performed it for others but I remains one of my favorite routines to practice. The reason I don't perform it is because I haven't yet came up with a routine that I can call my own. I'm still looking for the right routine, the right sequences and the right theme or motivation.

As a big fan of the World's Greatest Magic DVDs, I could never understand why L&L Publishing didn't have a Secrets of the Cups & Balls DVD. Such a DVD is exactly what I'm looking for. I alreadty have an encyclodepic DVD set with over 70 moves and sleights. But what I need now is an resource of routines by the best C&B handlers. I need some inspiration!

L&L Publishing has finally come to my rescue with three DVDs of Cups & Balls taken from their vast catalog of magic. I've watched Volume 1 many times and my wrists are sore from flinging those cups and little balls for hours and hours. Here's my review...

Marketing Fluff

Here is the marketing fluff from L&L's DVD case...

"What can one say about the Cups and Balls? It's an iconic trick and has become almost as synonymous with the conjurer's art as the proverbial rabbit from hat. It's certainly one of magic's oldest tricks. But why has this trick endured the centuries? For one thing, a Cups and Balls routine can incorporate many different effects – there can be vanishes, appearances, transpositions and productions. For another, it's always been regarded within the magic world as a kind of measuring stick of a performer's ability."

"The other notable thing about the Cups and Balls is the amount of individuality that magicians can bring to their interpretation of the effect and you'll find no better example of that than the seven performers you'll meet on this DVD. Tommy Wonder begins our journey with his wonderfully self-contained routine with just two cups and two surprise productions and all with no pocket loads! Frank Garcia offers a wide variety of various moves and bits of business with the Cups and Balls, ready to add to your favorite routine, while Dan Fleshman demonstrates his famous sequence with the Cups and Balls, including his amazing five-ball "Fleshman Flash" final load. Aldo Colombini is up next, demonstrating an elegant silent routine that he used to win a prize at FISM followed by the Professor himself, Dai Vernon, along with Michael Ammar, Gary Ouellet and Steve Freeman, discussing and dissecting perhaps the most popular Cups and Balls routine in magic, the Dai Vernon Cups and Balls. Alex Elmsley is next with a great routine that climaxes with a production you have to see to believe while Ross Bertram presents a multi-phase routine with many original sequences that will fool even seasoned Cups and Balls workers."

"The Cups and Balls should be studied, if not performed, by every magician and this DVD is an excellent starting point for new students and a wonderful reference tool even for those who have some experience with this foundational effect."

Degree of Difficulty

Moderate to difficult. Althought the basic Vernon routine is taught in detail, this is not the DVD to learn the cups and balls from. There are better introductory texts such as Mark Wlison's Complete Course in Magic. There are also DVDs available such as Michael Ammar's The Complete Cups and Balls or Eddy Ray's Complete Course in Magic with Cups & Balls. These resources will start with the basics, the props, the vanishes, the palms, and all of the classic sequences and final load techniques.

However, if you're a beginner, I would still whole heartedly recommend getting this DVD just for the sheer entertainment and wisdom you get.


Teaching

You must remember that this is a compilation DVD so you get the benefit of multiple teachers. These guys are all great teachers. Plus you get to hear the Professor, Dai Vernon, pass along his vast expertise with the cups and balls.

Remember the cups and balls are a great teaching vehicle. You'll learn misdirection, vanishes, productions, appearances, transpostions, and almost every effect in magic except levitations!


Quantity of Effects

There is over two hours of cups and balls nirvana from at least eight master magicians. Either Tommy Wonder's or Colombini's routine is worth the price of the admission alone.


Quality of Effects

Let's take a look at each routine on the DVD:

Two Cup Routine – Tommy Wonder

So many people consider Wonder's routine the pinnacle of the Cups & Balls. Tommy solved the problem of dealing with final loads without requiring a coat, deep pockets, a servant or your lap. He solved the problem by using the cups bag and an attached pom-pom tie as the final loads. The final loads are on the table at all times in full view. Wonder is a master of misdirection. Even when you know what he is going to do it is still very hard to catch him because the misdirection is so strong and his audience management is so nuanced.

This routine has a high degree of difficulty, at least to execute it to the perfection of Wonder. You'll also need to acquire a specialty bag and poms.

Cups and Balls – Frank Garcia

Garcia doesn't really show a routine but demonstrates a series of cups and balls sequences. After he demonstrates the sequences he goes into a teaching segment. The moves are rather strong.

Cups and Balls – Dan Fleshman

Fleshman does a seated routine with mini baseballs. The final loads are five baseballs.

Award Winning Cups and Balls – Aldo Colombini

I didn't think I would ever find a Cups and Balls routine I like more that the Wonder routine. Perhaps this is it. This is a beautiful routine that Colombini does without patter. His Can-Can move is worth the price of the DVD.

Classic Cups and Balls Explanation – Dai Vernon

Vernon's routine is the gold standard of the cups and balls. In this vintage footage, Vernon doesn't perform the routine as he no longer has the required dexterity. However, Dai was able to demonstrate many of his signiture moves including his wand spins and vanishes. At first, I got a little bored as I know a lot of his moves. However, as I took the time to listen, you really pick up a lot of wisdom and great advice on these moves.

There is no demonstration of Vernon's routine. This is purely a teaching segment. Micheal Ammar teaches Vernon's sequences as Vernon narrates and expands the basic instruction that Ammar provides. This is a master class on cups and balls.

The Cups and Balls – Alex Elmsley

As big of a fan of Alex Elmsley that I am, I have to say that this is the weakest routine on the disk. His moves are sometimes smooth and sometimes rough and unpolished. For example, his cup through cup move is really rough. Vernon, even in his advanced age did it flawlessly.

This final sequence is what makes Elmsley's routine different. He produces a stream of salt from the final stack of cups - which he pours on a newspaper. He picks up the newspaper and pours the salt back into the cups; filling all three cups. The problem with this is that the initial pour of salt takes so long that it created an ackward moment with the audience. Although this is the weakest routine, I still love Elmsley's creativity!

Egyptian Cups and Balls – Ross Bertram

Great ending to a strong DVD. I'm guessing that this old film footage is from an old television show. The film opens with a little Egyptian magic history reminiscent of an old Disney travelogue. Once the magic starts, you get a close up of Bertram's copper cups - even in this old footage you can tell these are really beautiful cups. His wand is a carved wooden snake. He rhythmically moves the wand to animate the snake as he works his routine. Really a wonderful touch that captures the Egyptian theme better than any routine I've ever seen.

The routine is set to middle-eastern music with no patter. The black balls are quite small and I'm guessing made out of wood. His production of each ball from the tip of the snake's head was a move I've never seen. The same with some of his wand vanishes - very creative and just a bit different.

He appears to classic palm these little balls in a few sequences for some stunning effects. He seems to use the classic palm to drop a ball onto the cup as he waves his hand over the cups. This isn't a misdirection move - he smoothly executes the drop with the heat on the cup and hand. You never really see Bertram's face until the very end of the routine. It's a lengthy routine but one that lovers of the cups and balls will appreciate. Sadly, there is no teaching segment for the Bertram segment.



Production Quality

A wide range of tape quality. Most of the footage is very good. Even the old film of Bertram is not bad considering the age of the film.

The rest is standard L&L Publishing menuing and production. In other words, pretty good.

Overall: 9/10

This is not the DVD to learn the cups and balls from. I learned a plethora of great cups and ball sequences from the encyclopedic Eddy Ray DVD set and the Ammar DVD set appears to be a favorite of magicians far and wide. Once you've worked with the cups and balls you'll find this is a valuable resource to examine different styles and learn some unique moves. Or if you just want to sit back and enjoy some great magic you'll find it a great way to spend an evening.

Packet Trick Picks (DVD)

DVD Review: Packet Trick Picks by Aldo Colombini

I love packet tricks. So I must preface my review by admitting that I am a packet trick addict. So I decided to check out Aldo Columbini's Packet Trick Picks DVD. This may be the best $10 bucks I've ever spent - well, actually only $9.30 from Penguin Magic.

In fact, all of the tricks and DVDs from the Colombini's are $10. Wow! Their web site has a ton of great looking material that I'm sure to order from in the future.

Marketing Fluff

There is very little marketing fluff to speak of. I learned of Colombini's "everything for $10" deals from the Magic Cafe.

Degree of Difficulty

Easy to intermediate. Several of these tricks are almost self-working but quite a few require false counts and displays which are taught on the DVD.

Teaching

Very good. You'll need to know the Elmsley Count; a false count that appears to show four cards while hiding the face or back of one card. Colombini does teach the Elmsley count at the beginning of the DVD. Aldo does an adequate job teaching the Elmsley and you'll manage to learn it - however there are better places to learn the Elmsley Count. He starts out teaching the Elmsley with a 5 card packet counting into his right hand - probably not the most standard Elmsley you'll ever see. I'm guessing most intermediate card slingers already have a version of the Elmsley that they are comfortable with.

Aldo also teaches the Hamman Count, the Jordan Count and his Laughing Count (which is a cool alternative to the Hamman Count).

The teaching of the tricks are superb. He credits the creator of each routine.

Quantity of Effects

Count 'em, 10 tricks! That's a buck a piece for some really strong magic.

Prediction Gone Wild (Cameron Francis)
Requires Double Blanks, Blank Backs

A card is freely selected from a deck of cards and placed on top of the deck. The mage displays four blank cards with four different card predictions written on the blank faces of the cards. One of the hand written cards has predicted the selected card. But now all of the hand written cards have the same card written on the face. Even stranger, the selected card is no longer on the top of the deck but it the middle of the packet of hand written cards. It sounds odd but it's a pretty strong effect.


Boxing Aces (Columbini)
An ungimmicked ace assembly routine. Not my favorite assembly either but a nice routine nonetheless. The aces assemble in an empty card box or breast pocket.


A Trick for Jack Parker (Paul Gordon)
Two 5 card packets are displayed. The spectator selects on packet and the other is set to the side. Spectator mentally selects a card from the remaining packet. After a few strange shuffles, the spectators card appears, reversed in the middle of the packet. The packet that was not selected is a royal flush.

Klondyke Cato (Richard Vollmer)
This is a nifty, self working, impromtu prediction effect. You remove 10 cards in a random fashion from the deck. Mix up the 10 cards by dealing them face up or face down at the spectator's direction. This mixing procedure can be repeated as often as the spectator likes. The mentalist reveals 2 written predictions - the exact number of reversed cards and the exact count of the reversed card. I predict you'll use this effect!


Ghost Flight (Peter Duffie)
Requires Double Blanks, Blank Backs

This is the star of the DVD. It is a beautiful assembly routine with four queens. Each queen is placed in a packet of three blank cards (front and backs are blank). The queens disappear from the blanks...very magical looking. The four queens reappear under a placard that has been sitting on the table in full view of the audience.

Oils Well That Ends Well (Stephen Tucker)
Oil & water type routine. Packet of black and red cards are show. The black cards assemble together and four queens appear in place of the reds. Nice indeed.

Update - This continues to be a real gem. I've been playing with this for a few months and it is worth the price of the DVD alone.

Trifle (Columbini)
Man, the killer tricks just keep coming! Two packets are shown - four kings from a red deck and four kings from a blue deck. Spectator is asked to name a suit...say the hearts. The two kings of hearts are turned over to show that they are the only red-backed king in the blue packet and the only blue-backed king in the red packet. The cards are returned to their like-colored packets. With a magic word, the two kings of heart reappear back in their original location. This clever trick is hard to describe but very effective looking. This is likely to be one I use frequently.

Red Blues (Karl Fulves)
Another great packet trick that will test your Elmsley and Jordan counts. Spectator is asked to name any suit. The magician shows a packet of four cards where the named suit is the only suit that is face up. Any it is the only card that is the blue backed card. Furthermore, it is the only card Ace and the rest are Kings! No gaffed cards like in a gimmicked B'Wave or Twisted Sisters packet routine. Brilliant!

The Whitechapel Solution (Ryan Matney)
Yet another simple, self-working trick that by it self is rather dull. However, the provided Jack The Ripper patter makes this an interesting routine.

Minds In Session (Arthur Carter)
Starting with seven cards, the spectator selected cards to be turned over. All cards are blue-backed...until the last card remaining. It is turned over revealing a red-backed card as the last remaining card. Dirt simple...you probably already know how it's done!

Quality of Effects

The quality of these effects are really strong. Because many of the packet tricks are not gimmicked, you'll add at least a couple of these gems into you working repertoire.

Production Quality

It's a fairly low-budget affair as you might expect from a $10 DVD but the video quality is crisp and clear. The menu structure is very simple. For some reason, I can't skip ahead to the next track (trick). You have to go back to the menu to advance to the next trick. The audio quality is fine except that the goofy musical track that plays during the menu is three times as loud as the narration which is annoying when you have to go back to the menu to advance.

Overall: 8/10

This DVD scores very high on value. At $10, you'll find some really good material to infuse into your walk around sets. The only down side is that you'll need to invest in some blanks and blank-backed cards in order to perform all of the effects on this DVD. I'm sure to order more from the Colombini $10 store in the future. Bravo Aldo!