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.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.
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.
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
