Hocus Pocus is selling a reasonably priced book test called, "The B.I.P. Book Test." Does anyone know anything about it?
Thanks.
Richard

The ad copy is fairly accurate, the photo Hocus Pocus is grossly unfair - the book in that photo looks nothing like the B.I.P. book. The B.I.P. Book Test is not a book test the way you're probably thinking - it looks nothing like a "normal" book in any way. It is a pad about 4 inches by 3 inches with a cover proclaiming it to be "B.I.P. (British Institute of Parapsychology) Psychic Sensitivity Test Book." Each page of the pad has three items printed on it: a word; a simple geometric shape in a color containing another simple geometric shape of another color; and a three digit number. The write up on the Hocus Pocus site describes the four tests you can do with these three items.

One word of caution for non-British magi that has been brought up in other threads in the Café. One of the items to be divined is a fifty pound note - the "B" in B.I.P. stands for "British" after all. Some of the words that are to suggest this item, "sterling" and "queen" specifically, may not lead a non-British spectator to the desired item unless he knows that the official term is "pounds sterling" and that the note has a portrait of the Queen on it.

I have the B.I.P book and it is Excellent. The comments about the british thing are valid but covered by the prop. plus there are other effects as well as the word divination.
I really like this and it plays extremely well.

Hi Axman,
Is it possible for you to elaborate on what you mean by "covered by the prop?" I am not trying to find out "secret." I am just trying to find out how useful the effect will be for me. Also, is the pad used up eventually by using one slip for each performance of it?
Thanks to you and rgranville for your responses.
Richard

Sure. The prop is meant to be a field test for the British institute of Parapsychology. This covers the "britishness" of one of the words. Although I agree that someone not versed in british currency etc may have trouble associating the correct word.
I don't think many would have this problem though and it could be covered with some creative patter.
It is also only one of the effects possible.
The pad will last for ages as nothing is added or taken away. The spec opens the book wherever they like and remebers any aspect on the page they freely peeked, the book is in their hands at this point. you then read their mind. Nothing written down.
do it for one person or many.
If you are in two minds I'd say go for it. I really think you'll get a lot out of it.
Hope this helps.

I agree with Axman. I like B.I.P., and given the price of mentalism effects in general, this is a bargain. I just didn't want you to be disappointed if you were expecting something like MOAB.

And I agree with Axman that the "Britishness" can easily be covered with creative patter, but you had better be preemptive and do that covering beforehand.

Little late to this but have only just got BIP. Is there a plan to do a USA version as the currency bit does not play well here?

Hi Gordon,
A USA version will be released next year!
Gerard

Thanks for that. Please keep me posted.

Hi All,

We are currently working on B.I.P II, which will we have a US friendly back cover (those who have BIP will understand) There will also be a few little improvements.

Regards

Peter
PS. if anyone has anything they would like to see added please PM me.

Hi Peter,
Sure wish the USA version will be released this year!
I can hardly wait!
Gerard

I live in the USA. The British $$$ portion of this routine should not keep you from buying it. For those of you that are resorceful, one of the magi-sellers has this effect deeply discounted (40% off). Buy it cheap now, perform it, and get the US version when it comes out. Just a thought!

I do mean "resourceful"

What dealer has it for %40 off?

magiclee

Magiclee - I am sort of new here, but not to magic. I am happy to provide the firm that has B.I.P. on 40% off sale, if it is acceptable practice on this forum. Yes/No? I see other dealers mentioned, but I am not sure of the policy. FYI, I am a consumer/hobbiest/performer, not a dealer. Just being careful.

Perhaps you can PM me, so only I would see your message.

magiclee