Before you turn off and say 'another card mentalism routine, not for me' you might want to have a look at a new effect on the market...

It is called The Blackjack Room by the man who brought us the IBT..

The Prediction:

A prediction is sealed in an envelope and held by an audience member the entire presentation. No switches.

The Game:

On stage: a table, 5 chairs and a deck of cards. 5 players (spectators) come up to play a hand of blackjack. Cards are shuffled by a random player and re-cased to avoid any tampering by the performer as he explains about blackjack. No false shuffles. No Sleights. One player deals a face-down card to each player followed by a face-up card.

The Kicker:

All players are given the option to switch seats.

The Climax:

The performer tells about a vision he had that morning of a person playing blackjack and receiving the same hand, over and over again from the dealer. He then names out loud that exact envisioned blackjack hand; total and card names and states that he also wrote down a description of this person in a sealed envelope that an audience member now holds.

For the first time, the players are instructed to look at their face-down card. One player has that exact hand.

The audience member holding the envelope, now opens it and reads it aloud only to reveal a detailed description of the player with the exact hand the performer had envisioned, earlier that morning!

What do I think?

So, imagine a chair routine combined with a blackjack game and a prediction...it is very Paul Brook 'Good Vibrations' and will play beautifully in a variety of settings: parlour, stage, corporate, after-dinner over brandy and Cuban cigars...nice!

It is on the expensive side but for good reason, I believe, and is endorsed by some heavy hitters in our trade....it is a no brainer to do for a seasoned mentalist who generates large audiences and the corporate entertainer who does casino nights...no switches, no gimmicks, can be done with a borrowed deck...

I like this very much.

http://www.zandman.com

It is really good. I especially like the fact that the spectators (NO stooges!) can switch chairs if they want.

The best thing about this effect is not even the effect itself... which is very very good. The BEST part is that it will teach you a principal that you can apply to many many other effects. It's a mind-blowing idea that you will no doubt use to create your own miracles as well.

Todd,

Thanks for postings your thoughts.

I passed this off as another card trick, but thanks to your post, it seems like it's disguised gold!

Todd ,

thanks for the posting and have read it several times .

Is it possible to clarrify couple of points if this does not get too close to the method .

When the cards are dealt to the 5 spectators, are they held by the spectators or placed in front of a chair . What I mean is when the spectators change places, do they take their two cards with them all leave them fixed with a specific chair.

If the cards remain fixed to a given chair and spectators move freely from chair to chair then $40 seems not too high a price even though double say mindblasters vol1 .

If they take the cards they are dealt with them am I missing something ?? The prediction is not linked to a specific chair number..

thanks

Andy

Thanks for flagging this one up Todd. I am very happy with it. Credit to you Mr Zandman.

I like Greg's addition too. I' think I would reduce the number of players though.

Andy, the cards remain in their position, the players change positions.

Anthony

That sounds like a fantastic routine. I still perform some "Casino Night" style performances (when opportunity arises). This sounds like a great idea for either a mental or gambling themed show. Sounds great. Kudos to Mr. Zandman.

It does sound great, I would like to hear from others that have this.

Since the players can change seats it is much like a chair routine...the double climax is very powerful...

**deleted by request.

This is REALLY good. It is a perfect example of routined "Synergy'. I can say that the methods involved should make no one uncomfortable using (read: it is straightforward and easy). I would not let the ease of methods fool you, this is very clever.

Why? You say...

Well, the combination of methods are layered very nicely to take advantage of the wonderful freedom that this routine offers. People can freely move about in each other's chairs (this is in no way limited or contrived). And yes, the prediction still is amazingly correct and accurate. I know it seems impossible, but this is entirely true.

While the presentation is of the "dream sequence" type, any subtext could be easily used (psychic premonition, psychological influence). The (simple) methods made me smile and now I can't wait for an opportunity to give this a try.

It's a wonderful amalgam of a chair test (sort of) and "hand" revelation. It's excellent. There are also some wonderful ideas from other greats to help you personalize this idea (and expound on ways for you to get the most of the work).

With regards,

Sean

This has my interest now!

Mine as well, also very interested. I'm still not sure though, it is a lot.

Its based on Ted Karmilovich's "Target Number" (with Ted's kind permission), with which I open every show.

Blackjack Room adds a couple of new dimensions to Ted's routine. Difficult, if not impossible, to backtrack.

I once called Josh a "mental cocktail shaker" because he blended several ideas together with great results.
This is no cocktail, though. It takes a splendid principle (target number) which made me grin when I read it and added something extra to it.
So I guess this could be a Kirr royale in the right hands, BUT I would use it as a weapon in the arsenal, I'd never do it as a blackjack routine. Luckily, the principle is versatile, not limited to cards at all.
Of course it would take time and thinking to come up with your own ideas to blend with this great principle.
So off I am, shaking my own cocktails
(boy , I have to stop talking in metaphores )

I would like to hear some alternative routines that can be done using this principle!

Rowdymagi5 you're very funny, you don't buy this pdf and you would like already the alternative methode.
A we say in France :
you want the butter and the money make with the butter

Not methods... routines. Though none of the additional routines make use of this, the routine need not hinge on blackjack hands. This is mentioned in the .pdf. There are several aspects to this routine. The blackjack hands are the only part which pull this back toward a magic trick. Change that and you will be approaching true precognition.

Before I shell out the $40-

Regarding the envelope with the prediction of the person, it's not a stock reading, is it? (probably not but want to make sure cuz of the aforemention $40 bucks).

Tom,
I was thinking about not using the gambling/blackjack theme. Would it be correct for me to think in terms of paired things? Like heroes & sidekicks (Batman & Robin) and cartoon pairs (Yogi Bear & Boo Boo) or joke set-up with joke punchline?

All of this will help in my deciding to spend & help the economy.

Thanks!

I modified my version using one piece of Chair Night: if you have Sigma by Cavalli you know which piece and I performed it like that