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matthu Regular user UK 170 Posts |
Is anyone able to offer a review of Alpha Mind available from Hank Lee?
http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/customer/pr......p;page=1 Here is the description (I have removed a several exclamation marks to avoid embarrassment ...) "Show a pack of Alphabet Cards with different letters on each card. Let a spectator shuffle the cards. She is then asked to make a word with the help of the cards, and to put these cards face down on the table. All of this takes place while your back is turned (or you are completely out of the room). You turn around and place the cards, still face down, on a small close-up pad. After a few seconds of concentration, you reveal the word. ALPHA-MIND can be repeated immediately. Do it over and over again. Remember these important points: No Marked Cards You can hand the cards and pad out for examination No peeking or glimpsing No memory work No confederates The spectator can even put the cards in opaque envelopes before you turn around. ALPHA-MIND is very easy to perform. No complicated moves; nothing to write down; No sleight of hand. You simply seem to read the spectator's mind." Anyone bought or seen this effect yet? |
federico luduena Loyal user Spain 248 Posts |
Hi, matthu,
I haven't seen the effect you mention, but I have read a very similar one in Corinda. It's called "Incredible". I don't remember the chapter, although if you leaf through the book, you'll see the illustration on a left-hand page. The pad (board) is not examinable, but the rest of your description fits what's in Corinda (if I recall correctly, it's his creation). federico |
hoodrat Veteran user Southern California 388 Posts |
I bought this effect about a month ago! I, too, was intrigued by the ad copy. The ad copy is correct in stating that the cards are not marked in any way. But read the ad copy closely. It states that the performer places the chosen face-down cards onto a small close-up mat. Hmmm.
The method employed here is, in my opinion, very diabolical, clever, and unsuspecting. In my limited experience, this is a totally new concept to me. At first I was a little skeptical about how practical the method would be. But after a couple practice runs, it's very easy to do and get the hang of. Spectators can freely examine the cards, and I don't think any of them would discover the method -- simply because, as the ad copy says, there are NO MARKINGS of any kind to be discovered! Get this. It's pretty cool! |
Gianni Special user WILMINGTON, DE 993 Posts |
Well, hoodrat is way ahead of me. I have this effect and it is indeed diabolical. But it is unforgiving; if you make an error you're dead. And I think it is highly unlikely that you won't make a mistake. All in all, I found the method diabolical but far too risky.
Gianni |
matthu Regular user UK 170 Posts |
Thanks guys.
It certainly looks as if the effect is very different to anything in Corinda then (not that I managed to find the one you were referring to, Federico - the only two I found that vaguely fitted your description were Corinda's Incredible Slate and Coincimental). It sounds intriguing ... Regards Matthew |
hoodrat Veteran user Southern California 388 Posts |
Gianni,
I know what you mean by the risk of making a mistake. Even during practice runs, I have made "the mistake." It seems to happen about once out of every five or six attempts (a very vague and rough estimate). But that is the great thing about mentalism -- a "miss" is expected once in a while to make us look more "authentic"! |
Platt Inner circle New York 2012 Posts |
It's interesting that this effect was so hyped by Hank Lee but so few people seemed to have bought it or discussed it.
I find it funny that the fact that the spectator can put the cards in an opaque envelope is mentioned as an afterthought. It seems that's the whole point of the trick. Even if the cards were invisibly marked, shaped, coded, scented, whatever, the envelopes would cancel out the method. So what's the story here? If you do it casually around the house, will the mat stand out as an odd prop? Also can you repeat the effect without fear of exposing the method? Lastly, $37 is a lot to spend. Are the props worth it (please don't tell me that you're paying for the secret)? I'd love to hear more about this one.
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
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matthu Regular user UK 170 Posts |
As it says in the advert:
ALPHA-MIND - a real reputation maker!! ... but no-one seems to have established their reputation using it (yet). It is a lot of money without a resounding endorsement. |
Steven Evans Regular user Wrexham, North Wales. 191 Posts |
I'd go and buy Ted Lesley's Paramiracles. Something very similiar in there, plus tons and tons and tons of other stuff. (I'm not joking, the book really is 3 tons!)
'The impossible I do immediately;
Miracles take a little longer' -David Berglas. |
Mark Timon Special user 594 Posts |
To be more exactly,you can find a similar effect in the book 13 Steps to Mentalism.
It's called Corinda's incredible slate test on pages 309-312. You can also find the same effect in the DVD Max Maven Stage Mentalism. Here it's called Khan Artist. It's a very good effect, which I sometimes use. Regards |
matthu Regular user UK 170 Posts |
The incredible slate test is not at all similar. In that effect, the spectator puts the letters in order without seeing the faces. In that respect the method is more like the effects where the spectator puts 5 ESP cards in order.
In alpha mind, the spectator apparently makes a word while looking at the faces of the cards. |
Gianni Special user WILMINGTON, DE 993 Posts |
Khan Artist and Alpha Mind are not alike.
Gianni |
Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-07-07 22:09, Gianni wrote: This is correct, and if the original description had been read or the trick looked at on site this suggestion would surely not have been posted, its not even similar. This is not a new trick, I had it over 10 years ago from Jeff Busby I think. Very clever application of an old principle, but it never made it into my act. There is nothing gimmicked about the little pad, though I recall in the instructions it commented some spectators may think there is. Of course if they do, then they suspect its a trick don't they? A clever method and a fooler, but there are more direct methods of revealing selected words. Perhaps it is relevant to mention Jerry Sadowitz once marketed a similar effect but with a completely different method. Paul. |
Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
It was a good effect @ $10-$20...if it's at $37 now, it is a little overpriced IMO.
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Bananafish Elite user Simon Shaw, Suffolk, England 415 Posts |
It actually sounds very much like a trick called "Coincimental" by Ed Mellon.
http://www.houseofenchantment.com/pages/cioncimental.html Quote:
The Performer fans through a pack of alphabet cards displaying different letters. He removes four cards and, with the backs showing, arranges them to spell a word. They are placed, in full view, in a hardwood holder. The volunteer is asked to take various cards from the deck and make any word he desires, using just four cards. As soon as the volunteer settles on a word the performer and spectator each turn their cards around to show a perfect match! The price is the same $37 |
Platt Inner circle New York 2012 Posts |
It's been almost a year since someone's mentioned this one. From the descripton, the effect couldn't seem cleaner. Any other reviews on this would help.
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
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espmagic Special user 978 Posts |
So, if there is nothing gimmicked about the pad, why is its inclusion so important? And why did the price go up on this effect?
Lee |
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