Just got mine....

To clarify my thoughts a bit more, se:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/searc......=4051022

I didn't mean to take anything away from Cody's new trick. It's a very ingenious non-sleight, no-palm method of performing the card to wallet. In fact, I think it's kind of brilliant. (BTW, putting the cased deck in the spectator's hand is also a nice touch, Michael!)

My only point is, like the Mullica Wallet, the wallet must briefly make contact with the deck. And, I don't think this is as clean or impossible looking as some of the traditional methods. I also think that it is best done in a parlor situation; however, if Michael can do it close-up and surrounded, then I must be mistaken. (I thought Cody even mentioned that this was a "parlor" type effect at one point.)

Anyway, no offense to Cody, I hope. If I was going to do a non-sleight card to wallet, this would probably be it.

Robert

I have been using this trick. The response has been excellent. I have made a modification. I donot put the cards back in the card box. I thought it was hard to justify pulling the card out of the wallet on to the card box. I was caught at least once with some seeing an odd thickness on the card box. I have adjusted it with simply pulling the card on to the deck. It seems much smoother. They already see the card going into the middle of the deck.They are convinced that it is lost in the deck. Try this minor change. It works for me.

Robert, the strength of the Mullica wallet is that a clean hand reaches for the first time into the pocket and the load happens on an offbeat. If you ever watch Eugene Burger do this on Gourmet Close-up or I believe on DVD on the Chicago tapes (?) You will understand that the audience never remembers this nebulous contact. In fact I often get the response, we saw your hand empty and I was holding the deck! How is that possible? Actually going to the pocket and loading the wallet with a palmed card before producing the card from the wallet is even more transparent in my opinion. I have seen many magicians perform this and the load has never fooled me. Lay audiences fortunately view things differently than I. I’m sure that the Mullica wallet suffers the same transparency for you, the problem is that we view magic through magician’s eyes. Many things that fool or smoke lay audiences don’t nearly do it for me. After 34 years I’m running out of things that actually fool me. Should I give up because I know how it’s done and it’s evident to me? Again this entire discussion and debate over method is simply personal comfort. Let’s end it already! Cody has obviously come up with something that works for him and many others, if you’re in the minority (as I have been on more than a few occasions) it’s time to realize that maybe it’s not the trick or method maybe it’s just your personal prejudice that makes it unimpressive in your hands.

Once again, it is beyond my comprehension how people can post a negative review of an item they do not own and have never seen! GET the bloody thing or at least WATCH SOMEONE ELSE DO IT before you give it a review! It's only polite and further, your opinion is uninformed and not worth reading otherwise! It just makes it seem that you have an ulterior motive or that you only feel good about yourself by tearing others down, and it needs to stop.

Sorry if this seems a bit harsh, but I am sick and tired of people posting uninformed reviews. None of the magazines do this---Close, Swiss, Goodsell, etc, all at least look at and play around with an item before they give a review. Go thou and do likewise!

Hey Guys,

Sorry I have not been responding to posts...I have had a few shows out of town and I just got back. I really appreciate everyone's comments on this effect...both those that like and use it and even those who choose not to use it.

I have been very happy by ALL the comments in this thread. If you go back and read them...everyone has done a great job of communicating their honest opinions about this product without getting into silly arguments. This is exactly what The Magic Café should be all about...magician's helping magicians!

For those of you have have the ICTAW...and want to know "a cool variation" of this effect...please send me a PM. Once I have determined that you actually own this...I will send it your way. The only reason I didn't include it with the instructions is because this handling will only work for certain performing conditions...but trust me...it KILLS!) If you are interesed send me a PM...

To eveyone else...thanks again for all your comments...I appreciae everyone's opinion...

Cody S. Fisher
MUM Magazine

You have just signed your life away Cody I will be the first to PM you. But I am sure you will get bambarded with PM's

I sent you one also Cody...but how can you top your own routine? I can't wait to see though..take care..

I ordered last week based on positive feedback from this thread and the reputation of Cody Fisher. Still waiting for it to arrive and will post a review afterwards.

I do have some initial concerns, however, after reading more of this thread:

1. If the wallet has to make contact with the card box or cards, that's not very magical to me.
2. There are performing restrictions? Some said that this is more of a parlour effect. Can this be a walkaround effect?

Again, I will post review after product arrives.

Well, This should be safe to say as it has been said in this thread multiple times:

itsmagic:

1: The wallet doesn't have to, but the card itself does. From reading this thread, it is obvious that you take the card out from the wallet, put it on the box'd deck and then there is some magic gimick that switches out the card and keeps the deck boxed.... I don't know the details, but that is what the thread details.

I can't speak for 2, but there are performers that say they have done it walkaround and surrounded, so its possible.

Hey guys,

Just to clarify this...I have performed this in walk around situations for many years with much success. I currently perform this primarily for stand up / stage type of shows because these are the types of shows I perform the most these days.

Concerning the "details" of the method let's try not to guess here my friends...to say that you remove the card and "put" it on top of the box is not correct. Those who have the effect know about the "necessary move" and it is very well motivated in the routine.

Cody S. Fisher
MUM Magazine

Posted: Mar 29, 2005 1:34am
Dear "itsmagic"

As a fellow magicain I can appreciate your comments and concerns. Since you already have the effect on order...do me a small favor. Try the effect out on your normal audiences...then share your comments.

Statements like, "If the wallet has to make contact with the card box or cards, that's not very magical to me" are very magician minded. The truth is I completely agree with you! From a "trying to fool a magician" viewpoint that may be a weakness. (Even though this killed them at The Castle!)

Once you get the effect and work through the handling I am sure you will be able to see all the other strengths of the effect. BTW the wallet does not come into contact with the cards...they are in the box....and the necessary move is invisilbe!

Anyway, I look forward to your comments. If you have any specific questions please feel free to contact me either on this thread or via a PM.

I hope this helps,
Cody S. Fisher
MUM Magazine

I got mine a bit ago. To Itsmagic,
1)The wallet dosn't HAVE to make contact with the card box or cards, if you're doing table-to-table work, you can simply put your wallet down on the table, then place the deck on the table, remove the card from your wallet, put the wallet back down, and go on with the trick.
2)It could certainly be done walkaround, but in that case the wallet WOULD need to touch the deck, not for any trick-technical reason....simply because you'd have nowhere to PLACE anything in walkaround! (unless you want to put the deck / wallet in your pocket, which would be .....mabye just a LITTLE suspicious!)

I finally tried this for some tables, and here's my review:

1) The looks on people's faces are priceless when you flip over your prediction card! This has the perfect 'feint-to the left-then WHAMMO!! from the right'. It's also a good way to sting a skeptic / heckler....I had this one wiseguy, upon being asked if it'd be impressive if my signed card was the same card as his selection,he said "no", and launched into a diatribe of different ways it could have easily been done...then I flipped it over, and his speech died in mid-scentence as every one of the theories he'd named fell to pieces. He snatched up the card and began rubbing it, shaking it & picking at the corners, which gave everyone else watching a chuckle (and gave me a chance to 'clean-up'!)
For effect & impact.....10/10

2)There are plenty of things which can go wrong with the handling of this trick, I needed about 2 days of ardrous practice before I felt confident enough to try it out, and really, I think it will take a lot more practice still before I can do it without sweating.
Difficulty(1 being the hardest).....6/10

3)Make no mistake, this is a BOLD trick, and if you think like a magician, you might dismiss it as being way too obvious, but I've got one word for you..."BLIZZARD"! I did this for 14 tables and NO ONE got wise or was even looking in the right place, and when you toss down the signed card for examination, you can clean up in 1 second. (Yes, I really did time it)
Examinability & cleanliness.....8/10

A little small for stage / parlor, IMHO this trick is best for table-hopping, or close-up table / trade show work. It CAN be done walkaround, but it's a bit of a pain to handle in that setting I feel.

For 23 bucks....this is a steal!! Get it! Practice practice practice it!! Use it, and beware of flying socks.

The Mighty Fool
yet another great review, iwll PM you with some queations though I hope you can help.

Thanks for your detailed review, Mighty Fool. I am really eager to get my package. Unfortunately, it still hasn't arrived.

And yes, Cody, I will wait to try the effect out and post my comments afterwards.

Thanks "Itsmagic" very much appreciated!

Cody S. Fisher
MUM Magazine

The Mighty Fool,

How did you get it for only 23 bucks?

Yea!

I want one for $23 bucks!

-Frank=

(scrolling back) ZOIKS!!! My bad!! I was looking at the other price ! (I ordered 2 things from HP) That should read 35! Sorry!
But hey...It's STILL a steal!

It's worth hundreds once you perform it and see the reaction.