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saysold1 Eternal Order Recovering Cafe addict with only 10798 Posts |
I saw this now being sold by Magic Warehouse - a discussion was started earlier this year on the Trick & Effects section, but nothing here... and some who bought never really reviewed it so I would be curious to hear what they think. Cameron seems to like it.
Sounds interesting - some described it as a "slow burn" kind of effect using ESP cards. http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......orum=109 Here is the ad description: Token by Paul Richards You place a simple paper envelope on the table. Within its confines is a small metal token. You now introduce five ESP cards, which you openly mix. The packet is given to a spectator, who is asked to turn the cards face down and select any one they wish. The selected card is placed aside, or in the spectator’s pocket. No one – including the spectator – knows what symbol has been selected. The token is now removed from the envelope – an ESP symbol is displayed boldly printed on one side. The spectator removes his card to reveal – the exact same symbol! Only one Token is used and it is in the envelope from the beginning of the routine. There is no force, any symbol can be selected and it will be different each time. If you wish, the spectator may mix the cards. Only five cards are used. No sleights are necessary. Reset takes only seconds. All may be examined. Additional handlings are covered including, a method that uses a single business card instead of the symbols. An excellent approach that puts your card in the spectator’s hands to keep! Comes complete with all necessary props and detailed instructional DVD with additional ideas and insights. http://themagicwarehouse.com/TA9476/Toke......rds.html
Creator of The SvenPad Supreme(R) line of aerospace level quality, made in the USA utility props. https://svenpads.com/
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brehaut Inner circle kentucky 2531 Posts |
I looked at this earlier today. It fits the kind of mentalism I performed and I have ordered it. Hope to give my thoughts soon.
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Zombie Magic Inner circle I went out for a beer and now have 8733 Posts |
Penguin has it:
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/3700 The cards look good ( better than the recent ESP trick with Bicycle back cards ). I think with the proper presentation ( not doing it as a trick ) this could be very effective. I think Paul just shows a basic routine. Anything can be made into a proper mentalism themed routine. |
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magicinsight Inner circle 4306 Posts |
It is a very clever and relatively easy to do routine. While it is only a 1 out of 5 chancesd of being correct, it is a fun routine where really the spectator is the one who uses his/her intuition to crrectly get what ESP chip is in the small case.
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
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smullins Special user United States 678 Posts |
I saw Paul do this at the Road Show before it become public and it was great. Paul's a worker and really tries to only release things that: A) WORK and B) don't take 30 minutes to reset. The reset is fast, simple and everything is easy to remember. One of those effects you can really focus on presentation (and this an effect where presentation counts BIG TIME!)
It's really made me think twice about using ESP symbols (I try to aim for more magic than mentalism)... It's awesome. |
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S-Branham Elite user Folsom, CA 456 Posts |
I played with it today and like it a lot.
using the ESP symbols takes it away from being just a card trick. The method is super clever and cleans up nice with the token able to be examined. trust me, they will not find a thing. Paul covers every detail on the DVD. I recommend it. |
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S-Branham Elite user Folsom, CA 456 Posts |
Penguin Magic offers Token qualifies for PENGUIN FLAT-PACK™. That means free shipping world-wide.
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/3700 |
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videoman Inner circle 6750 Posts |
I bought it when it first came out and liked it a lot. In fact I may have even given it a very good review at one point. However, over time I became less enamored with it.
I ended up selling mine. You don't hear much about I think because it's just an "okay" trick. It is not going to be on many people's "Best Trick of the Year" list, but probably not on many worst lists either. I believe that magicians like it because it has a pretty clever method and cool gimmick (made by Roy Kueppers). IMHO it's one of those effects that performers enjoy more than the spectators do. As mentioned it is only a 1 in 5 effect which means you would hit it right 20% of the time without using any method or gimmicks. So it's not really going to be a jaw-dropper, more of a puzzle. It's a good effect but not a great one. Because of the odds involved it kind of begs to be repeated which you cannot do, at least not using the same reveal. So I used the smartphone app (can't think of the name of it at the moment) to repeat the effect using my iPhone on a couple occasions, and people seemed to enjoy that reveal even more so it made using the Token unnecessary. Plus, I always have my phone with me so why carry around the extra Token props, which are somewhat fragile and can be difficult to carry easily in tight pockets for instance. That is not to say that this couldn't be turned into a showstopper by some. If you put in the work and come up with a killer presentation then it would be well worth the money. But I would venture a guess that for the vast majority of purchasers this is eventually going to end up in the drawer. Therefore, as much as I can appreciate it on certain levels I would not recommend it for most. |
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magicinsight Inner circle 4306 Posts |
I understand and apprecaite what you are saying, Videoman. I have this effect and like it. I do not see this as a "showstopper" either. I do not think it is meant to be one. It make a very good openning effect especially if you use the same spectator for a follow-up effect and can be used to see if the person would make a good subject for the next experiment/effect.
Michael
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
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Zombie Magic Inner circle I went out for a beer and now have 8733 Posts |
I bet Peter Turner could make it into a show stopper. We're no Peter Turner's, but I think if we go through our Anneman, Koran, Maskelyne/Devant, we could make this particular piece of magic a show stopper.
And we can always pull out our sponge rabbits to save the show........ |
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magicinsight Inner circle 4306 Posts |
Zombie,
I hope you and your family are well. ou are right. I am sure that Peter or Derren Brown could make this a show stopper. I still think it is a solid, easy to do effect that people will find fun seeing and performing. As for teh little bunnies...they always entertain and get smiles. Best wishes, Michael
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
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Paul Richards Regular user 141 Posts |
I like it too
Just thought I’d respond to the 1 in 5 aspect. Yes, that is true but I don’t think that matters much when it’s the SPECTATOR who seems to be doing the divination. I can assure you they are amazed that THEY could do it - and that’s why I typically take that approach. This sets the spectator as the person doing the impossible and I think that adds immensely to the impact. As an aside, sales on this have been excellent and I have yet to get any negative feedback. In truth,I have had a hard time keeping up with demand which is why I am only now releasing it to a number of other dealers. I wrote the following information about Token on my blog several months ago - but I thought I’d share it here for those looking for a bit more insight... I had kicked the idea for Token around for a good year before I was finally able to work out all the kinks. I was fortunate enough to have the very talented craftsman Roy Kueppers work with me on several prototypes until I was finally able to get the perfect prop to make Token a reality. The effect is simple, the spectator chooses any standard ESP symbol and that symbol is on a metal token which has been in view since the beginning of the effect. There is only one token and it is never switched. The spectator can choose ANY symbol and you may display the token BEFORE the spectator ever reveals their selected symbol. No marks are necessary, although the included cards are marked. I personally NEVER use the marks as you’ll see from the video demo. The DVD includes a number of different approaches. The two I use the most are the one you see in the video demo and another that never uses ESP cards at all. In the second approach, I simply write the symbols on the back of a single business card and have the spectator circle one. I then slip the token out of the sleeve and reveal the EXACT symbol they circled. This leaves the spectator with a physical reminder of the prediction –which just happens to contain my contact information. This works perfectly as a stand alone effect but I often include it any routine that uses ESP cards. For example, I personally like using it with Hen Fetsch’s Symbologic. I often present Token as an effect in which the SPECTATOR is somehow diving the correct symbol. This blends perfectly with the “spectator as mind-reader” vibe of the Fetsch routine. Reset takes only a few moments and no difficult moves are required. If you like the premise of Token, I think you’ll be very pleased with the quality, value, and cleanness of the product. |
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DaveS Veteran user New York 329 Posts |
Thanks for your comments, Paul. I like the effect and am considering purchasing it to couple with a follow up ESP symbol matching effect where the spectator uses his/her "intuition" to match ESP cards I place face down on a table. Would welcome suggestions for a good ESP symbol matching effect. Thanks.
Dave
We shall not cease from exploration/And the end of all our exploring/Will be to arrive where we started/And know the place for the first time. (TS Elliot)
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barts185 Inner circle Can you believe I've been wrong on 1355 Posts |
I like this effect, have had it awhile.
I appreciate the fact that the trailer shows 100% of an actual performance (WHAT A CONCEPT!). It is simple, straight forward (if you want it to be), and can be complex if you so desire. Just a couple of possibilities if you want to make it more complex (not looking to invent everyone's routine for them) : 1) Tell a story that involves the selected symbol and why you put that symbol in the envelope. 2) If doing it for a group how you selected that spectator because you had a feeling that they somehow were connected with that symbol (this also reinforces the idea that the symbol was there before you even selected the spectator). I'm often amazed at the connections that people will come up with to justify the association, but realize just like with other mentalism, it is because THEY WANT TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS REAL!!! For the "puzzle solvers" (or ANY spectator), there isn't much to figure out. You had a token which has a symbol on it, you put it down, and then they selected a card with the symbol which matches the one on the token. *** You showed first and never touched the selected card (or even saw it). *** This, in my opinion, makes it a LOT stronger than effects where the spectator shows first or (even worse) where the spectator can't reveal the card but rather is expected to hand it back to the performer for the reveal. And now, the one potential negative depending on where / when you are looking to do this. It is not an instant reset, nor can it be reset with the spectator watching directly. Having said that, once you get comfortable with this, and how it works, the reset is seconds and could easily be done if you turn your back. Also, there is a 1 in 5 chance that you will not need a reset, although technically you would still need to put the token back in the envelope (which can even be done with people watching) - hope that would still count as instant. |
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J-Mac Inner circle Ridley Park, PA 5338 Posts |
I also purchased this when it was first released and it plays out just as demoed. Nice little effect! As mentioned, not a show-stopper but a decent quickie; it hits 'em fast and it fairly easy to do. I had to change the method a bit from what is explained but that is something that I believe a lot of folks would do anyway. More than one way to get there.
All in all very much worth the purchase. Jim |
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S-Branham Elite user Folsom, CA 456 Posts |
I love how clean you end up. They can check the token out and they will never find it.
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/3700 |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12968 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-09-20 11:29, S-Branham wrote: find what? the token? |
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S-Branham Elite user Folsom, CA 456 Posts |
The will never find the method. It's on the token but they will never find it.
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Paul Richards Regular user 141 Posts |
DaveS:
As far as the ESP “Match up” premise is concerned, I'm still a big fan of the original Hen Fetsch Symbologic routine, as I mention in my earlier post. You can get more details on it here: http://www.elmwoodmagic.com/shop/symbologic/ The video demo is from a LONG time ago and not the best, but it certainly coveys the idea. It’s clean and very easy to do - a great routine to do in connection with Token. Hope that helps! Best, Paul Richards |
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Fligmupple New user This account will expire in 83 Posts |
The demo video says "All can be examined". Can the little card wallet be examined?
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