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gibby357 Veteran user The Woodlands, TX 344 Posts |
When Eduardo Kozuch sent this effect to me, I was not sure how I would like it. I am not a big fan of number effects. I will give my unbiased opinion of it. It is extremely easy to do and can be done in minutes of receiving it. Here is the lowdown on it:
Take out three cardboard cut outs from you wallet with numbers on them, ranging from 100 to 1000. Also you have 3 envelopes with three "windows" in different positions. Each spectator will pick an envelope and card at random (no force). They will place the card in the envelope at any position. Depending on the position of the card in the envelope and the envelope chosen, the numbers seen through the windows are quite different. If requested, the envelopes can be swapped and the cards too. All of this is free choice. The spectators then choose two different numbers each. Once the numbers are selected, You are able to discern the total of all six of the numbers without any fishing or lengthy questions. Remember, all the numbers are different, Any of the 108 numbers may be chosen and you can use this, on stage or in your wallet! Pros: The props are well made and have a simplistic feel to them. That feel, to me, takes the spectators away from the gimmicky prop feel. It requires no sleights, peeks or preshow work. The procedure in getting the total is fair and makes sense. It is the perfect "show me something" effect. Cons: When I first got this there were six cards with numbers. The effect did not work as advertised. I emailed Mr. Kozuch and he cleared it up as he had sent two pairs of the same cards and only three different ones were to be used. For a few minutes of confusion, I now have another set of cards incase my first ones wear out. Final Say: Despite not having a warm and fuzzy with number effects, this one is extremely clever and simple to do. I use it often as an ice breaker/introduction. It gets the juices going and gives you plenty of opportunity for interaction with spectators. What more could you ask for in a new effect? Thanks Mr. Kozuch gibby |
afknight Elite user 499 Posts |
I guess my question would be is this effect presented as a puzzle or is there any rationale for putting numbered cards into envelopes with holes cut into them?
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gibby357 Veteran user The Woodlands, TX 344 Posts |
I present it as a type of test. Somewhere along the lines of making a connection. Sort of the same premise as ESP cards but with numbers. The envelopes are different colors and the holes are in different places so this leaves you a little opening for some cold reading too.
Lionel |
Tom Lauten Special user 689 Posts |
Here's my take on it...
Difficulty: 1 out of 5 (self working with a tiny bit of mental maths) They say: New from the creator of Marker Epic and Color Cube Demonstration! There are some people who can figure complex equations in their head - instantly. With Eduardo Kozuch's "Quick Addition," you will be able to perform just like a lightning calculator. Removing three lists of numbers (from 100 to 1000) from your wallet and three envelopes, you invite three spectators to each select a number card and an envelope. Because each envelope has two windows cut into it, each spectator selects two numbers on his chosen card, at random. Once the numbers are selected, the magician is instantly able to reveal the total of the six numbers that have been selected! The numbers are different on all of the cards, and this works nothing like the old "Age Cards." It's a baffling mathematical masterpiece, and easy to do! I say: This is slickly made but I feel it falls well within the category of mathematical puzzle, novelty or gimmick. Personally I think it would be a very gullible spectator who would "fall for" this. The ad copy is reasonably accurate but I also found the following... The "envelopes" are actually glossy, laminated sheets of die-cut card printed with bright colours, "mixed up" numbers a couple of arrows and some question marks!!! They are well done but SCREAM gimmick! Why not add a couple of rabbits and a top hat so everyone will know?!!? I can't think of a smooth and reasonable reason or rationale to use these bits of factory printed card with odd yet purposeful looking punched windows in them. They remind me of a kids toy where you slide a card through and get the answers to questions showing through various windows! The spectator does pick two 3 digit numbers via placing their card in the "envelope" and noting the numbers showing through the windows and there are genuinely 2 sets of windows and 4 orientations from which the spectator can choose...BUT...they then have to give you a certain group of those numbers showing...and this is done with two other spectators. Now you do a simple mental calculation or two and jot down your number it matches the total of all 6 numbers "selected" by the 3 spectators...sound convoluted and puzzle/gimmick like...yeah, that's what I thought. Overall: It does work and the mathematics are pretty simple. The quality is nice and I suppose you could duplicate the "envelopes" in a plain looking card for a more innocent look...but I don't think that will resolve the tricks main problem of it being a method without a meaning and a mathematical curiosity totally dependant upon specially printed cards. Rating: ease of use 7/10, usability 4/10 overall, 5.5/10
Living at and loving Loch Ness!
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Ember Regular user London 121 Posts |
When I read the ad my first thought was the Auto Suggestion effect from Karl Fulves Self Working Number Magic.
I looked Auto Suggestion up and knocked myself a version of Quick Addition in 30 minutes using manilla envelopes and index cards which accomplished the same effect. Reading Tom's description I think my version is different from Quick Addition. In mine there is no maths involved on the performers part the number is forced even though the numbers are all different. Also in the version I knocked together the spectators has less freedom than Tom's write up suggests Quick Addition allows, specifically they do not get to choose how the cards go into the envelope, although this is easily glossed over in presentation. Mine looks like a maths trick, my wife who is my first audience thought it was cute but mathmatical. |
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