|
|
carlomagic Regular user 116 Posts |
Anyone seen Al Stanger's incredible poker machine in action? It is available at http://www.hocus-pocus.com and sounds, quite literally, incredible.
What are your thoughts? |
dr chutney Special user United Kingdom 518 Posts |
Certainly reading the blurb I'm impressed. As a programmer, and as a programming/mentalism exercise, I have been working on what I suppose is the standard 5 card revelation ( not sure who's version it is, I just came across it on a web site ), but the four pointer cards have to be entered in order for that to work ( even if you use a marked deck say and keep the cards face down the order needs to be processed ). This would appear to take the effect to the nth stage. Certainly got me thinking, not to say very intrigued. Even with the attractive exchange rate though I'm afraid I can't justify the $350 price tag. However, if it does what it says on the tin, it would seem to be a professional's dream machine.
We're having a laugh!
Grab yourself a FREE Joke Ebook at http://thejester.biz |
corpmagi Special user New York 725 Posts |
I met Al Stanger and John Mendoza this weekend at the SAM convention in St. Louis and got a personal demonstration and tips from them.
The Poker Machine is diabolical. The routine plays out exactly as described and it is a total fooler. I first saw this machine demonstrated 5 or 6 years ago and it blew me away then. Unfortunately, the person who showed it to me was very secretive with the details and wouldn't tip where the machine came from. I heard that this same magician was flown to Las Vegas just to show some well known gambler's this machine.
A Modern Trade Show Handbook
www.trafficstoppers.com/handbook |
bekralik Inner circle Canada 1349 Posts |
It's one of the most unique and clever effects I've seen. It drives people who play poker absolutely crazy.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......orum=109 Brian |
magicinsight Inner circle 4288 Posts |
I personally would dread to take out a calculator and to do any sort of magic and/or mentalism routine with it. It just seems to me obvious that the results are achieved by some sort of formula or data base inerhent within the calculator/machine itself. Even though a spectator can not explain it, it just seems obvious that the calculator or machine is doing "something" and therefore not magical in anyway.
I have not seen or used this particular item so I am not in anyway knocking this item or the producer of this effect. I am sure it does what it is supposed to. I am only saying for my own purposes and in my own opinion, I would not use this item.
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
dr chutney Special user United Kingdom 518 Posts |
To be honest I can't see the difference between a calculator and, for example, someone using a wallet in a routine. Following your logic a spectator would look at a wallet effect and not be able to explain it but think the wallet is "doing something".
Even if they think the machine is doing something, it's still such a stunning effect. It obviously gets around a lot of preconceptions about computers/calculators and what they can do. After all the spectator can see the revelation while they're holding the machine and after they have selected five random cards. How could a the machine possibly know? Certainly beats the whatsit out of me!
We're having a laugh!
Grab yourself a FREE Joke Ebook at http://thejester.biz |
corpmagi Special user New York 725 Posts |
It's all in the routine and the focus of the routine is the machine. In my routine, I make it a point of saying that the calculator is doing all the work, I present it as a "real world" device (a prototype) and not as a magic trick. It blows people away; Magicians, laymen, scientists, mathematicians. The smarter they are and the more they know about card playing (and technology), the harder they fall. It's the same reaction I get with the Magic Switchboard (Wellington). The board is doing all the work, you're just an innocent bystander.
A Modern Trade Show Handbook
www.trafficstoppers.com/handbook |
Greg Owen Special user 623 Posts |
Now if someone would write the program for my Palm Pilot...
- Greg Owen
Author of The Alpha Stack ebook - the balanced memorized stack
gobeatty@yahoo.com |
amens Regular user 109 Posts |
I don't see a problem there, Greg.
PM me and we can talk about that, if I find a Palm compiler somewhere But seriously I think the trick is heavily overpriced. OK, you obviously get a (good) calculator from TI and the effect sounds absolutely impossible, but still I think it's too expensive. Maybe I simply don't see the value of the product, because I don't like the idea to introduce a calculator to the audience. I am the mindreader, and not my calc. As a magic effect though I would love to use it |
corpmagi Special user New York 725 Posts |
Amens, it's not a mindreading or a magic effect. If you present it as a piece of obscure technology, perhaps created by a card cheat, you can get a lot of mileage from this thing. I'm not trying to convince you that it's for you. In fact, the fewer people doing it the better. It certainly can be a show piece, but it plays just as well (maybe even stronger) in an informal situation with just a few folks sitting around a poker table or at a dinner meeting. As far as it being overpriced; If I spent several years of my life writing a program and perfecting a routine that has the kind of impact that this routine does (not even including the $150.00 calculator you get with it), I would have charged a lot more.
A Modern Trade Show Handbook
www.trafficstoppers.com/handbook |
runawayjag Inner circle 1085 Posts |
I had a great time demonstrating the machine for a few people at the SAM Convention and, needless to say, it fooled everyone.
It was never intended to be a mindreading trick, so those who think of it as that are way off base. Corpmagi compared it to Wellington's Switchboard and that is pretty much what it is. It's an unexplainable mechanical marvel. The thing I hear most often when I do it for laymen or magicians is, "How does it know?" It was routined to be progressively more baffling. As a one-revelation quickie, it's puzzling, but when the full four phase routine is performed is leaves the audience with such a baffled impression that they will talk about it after the show. The first phase is just a "pick a card" and the machine will name it effect. The second is almost mental as the spectator names any card, does not choose one. Of course, the machine probably heard him. The third phase is almost like a real hand of Five Card Stud. And, the final phase is the killer as five truly unseen cards are removed and one, unseen, chosen. Neither the magician or the spectators could honestly name the chosen card or the other four for that matter and the magician does it completely hands off...the spectator entering the cards into the machine in any order he wishes. That's for the programmers. Despite that, the machine still reveals the card. It is a performance piece. Regarding the opinion that it is "highly" overpriced, I would simply blame that on ignorance of what's involved in putting these out. First, the price you are associating is that from Hocus Pocus (they are not quite as high directly from me, but despite that I direct most buyers to Hocus Pocus because I want to honor my agreement to let them sell it exclusively.) I sell them at a generous wholesale discount to them and they are entitled to sell it at any price they wish and earn whatever profit they feel necessary. So, you can cut that "high overprice" about in half to start. Then, I, of course, buy the machines which are no longer available from Texas Instruments. Then I set them and do some other re-work necessary. It takes me about 45 minutes per machine to get it fully ready. I also install brand new AAA batteries and the memory backup battery in all machines regardless so I know they are fully brand new when they leave my place. Finally, I pay Al a sizable "royalty" for each and every machine that leaves this place. He deserves that for his r&d. That leaves me about $40 from each machine I sell. Overpriced? And, finally, a small "expense" that most don't know about. I take the time to answer every telephone call, email inquiry, letter or visit from anyone who bought a machine and is having any difficulty learning it. I also take the time to re-set any machines that need it, as incorrect keystrokes can cause errors until you get completely confident with it. I think anyone who owns one and had any kind of problem will tell you my "after-service" is exemplary and, quite frankly, that involves time and sometimes expense. I want people to be as happy with the machine as I have been for nearly ten years. I perform for a living. Had I seen this being offered without my association with it, I would have paid four figures to get it. In fact, I offered to buy it from Al when he first showed it to me years ago and the price I offered him was well above the $350.00 that it is being advertised for. But then, I look at it as a tool, not a trick. A tool with which I can earn. Anyway, hope that clears up a little bit about the machine. |
corpmagi Special user New York 725 Posts |
Runawayjag's aftercare is fantastic. He goes above and beyond as far as customer service. I had a small problem with my machine and called him on the phone. He gave me several options on how to solve my problem.
A Modern Trade Show Handbook
www.trafficstoppers.com/handbook |
amens Regular user 109 Posts |
I obviously do have to excuse myself.
After doing some calculations, I see that this indeed product requires a lot of effort and money. Sorry again |
Devilix Veteran user 372 Posts |
I have one right now and I am serously thinking of selling it or trade it.
|
Gianni Special user WILMINGTON, DE 993 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-09-12 16:53, Devilix wrote: Can you say why? Gianni |
Devilix Veteran user 372 Posts |
Because my english is not very good and I am having a hard time to understand how it works. I would need to see the machine in action and there is no DVD.
It seem to be very, very good. But, you know, 350$ us if you cant use it.... Devilix |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Penny for your thoughts » » Now that's incredible (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |