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The Effect

WARNING: This effect is extremely dangerous

Imagine a trick that is as powerful and exciting for the performer as it is for the spectators. An effect that truly never gets boring. An effect that adds drama and suspense to any act. Imagine an effect that can be done anywhere, anytime. An effect that can stand alone as a routine by itself.
No longer to you need to imagine. It is here and it's called Russian Roulette.

This effect was created by Alan Rorrison and has been the most requested effect we have ever released.

The Rundown:
So at this point you might be asking yourself: "Are these guys insane? Does this use a real gun with live rounds?"

No. This effect is the magicians version of the russian roulette. It uses no guns at all. In fact it uses just the most basic of props: 3 styrofoam cups and a big scary nail. (other "safe" methods are taught where there is no need for a nail or any dangerous item)

The Performance:
The Magician presents 3 cups and a very sharp nail. He tells the spectator that he may choose any of the 3 cups to put over the nail, and that once the nail is covered he should mix the cups around so there is no way for the Magician to know where the nail might be. This happens as the Magician's back is turned.

Now, the Magician turns around and proceeds to dramatically play "russian roulette" smashing each cup as hard as he can. With each cup the danger grows, one mistake and he'll have a nail right through his hand. With a twist ending the Magician ends up safe and unharmed having chosen the correct cup.



Cost

ranges from about £15 upwards from various stores. I personally got mine from expertmagic.com, as an instant download, as i wanted immediate access

Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

I would say a 4, not because it is hard, but because it is bloody nerve-racking

Review

Now. I can't say about the dvd version, though i am sure it is the same, as I got the instant download version from expertmagic.com. Now, I can't say much with this effect. I can some it up in one word..."wow!" This effect is absolutely amazing! 5 different methods are taught, (one completely imromptu) as well as the routine, and variations instead of a nail if you are uncomfortable with it.

I would say that my personal favourite is the original coaster method, as I doubt I would be comfortable enough performing the impromptu version.

Overall

Overall, I would say that I can see myself performing this often. This is a very worhtwhile purchase, and I would recomend getting it even if you would be using an egg or waterbaloon instead of a nail. This is an amazing effect, and at this price you really can't go wrong! I have seen a more gimmicklooking version for £95, whereas this is the good old homemade version that my persnoal preference is.

Before you buy it though, know that this is very dangerous, and always perform with care. Practice this effect many times without the nail first, and as they say, if you aren't 110% sure where the nail is...DON'T SLAM!!!

a solid 8/10 for me.

very much recomended!

whoops lol, one more thing, I say that there is an impromtu method taught, but really, all the methods are impromptu, it takes about 5 seconds set-up so really, you dont have to spend 2 years making a gimmick

It sounds like something I saw that Chris Angel perform using foam cups and a knife. And even though I thought to myself that it was very easy for people to make the assumption that he was using a stooge; it nonetheless held my attention and kept me at the edge of my seat when he was slamming those cups down with his hands.

I do not know if I would ever dare to attempt this effect for the reason that I am so bloody absent minded !

just wondering if you practice this effect a whole lot would the difficulty of the effect lower or is it just really hard sleight of hand to accomplish the effect.

Possibly the cleanest version of this, although a little expensive, is this:

http://www.nothingupmysleeve.co.uk/mark ... spike.html

It can be done blindfolded!

I was mainly wondering to the people that do perform this effect from expert magic is once when you practice it alot are you really confident that you will sucessfully perform this effect. I mean in what ever type of gimmick that you have to set up do you know for sure a hundred percent it will not fail or is the more expensive one more safer. thanks for responding also Seige.

Well, in the past, I've done a totally impromptu version of smash & stab in a pub, and I've performed the effect many times.

I've used broken bottles, knives, nails and even a wine glass which had broken at the stem.

With the 'old' methods, which I'm sure most of you know, it's about 80% safe I'd say. There's still margin for error.

With the newer effects, such as SPIKE, you are guaranteed 110% safe, so long as you are of sound mind—and unlike other versions, the SPIKE is literally what it looks like, wooden bases and a big sharp metal spike. There's no electronics to fail, and no marking system etc.

Russian Roulette/Smash & Stab routines are a great way to add some drama to your act. And the Russian Roulette effect is still very credible.

I guess it's down to budget and usability as to which version you go with.

this effect has real promise and could potentially be a real climax to the end of an extreme show, i bought the russian roulette dvd a while back and while it was ok i found a couple of things lacking. The main one was a real sense of a climax to the trick i felt it ended poorly mainly becuase the audience want to see u mess up the want to see blood and pain and when u go smash, smash tada the spike was under here all along, it just seems really weak, now i admit i haven't performed this trick for a while and haven't thought about it much since i last used it but another problem with the trick was that when u smash the polestyrene cups the other cups tend to fly off rouining the trick. i think that until i can figure out a way to finish this trick with a real twist then this is one that will stay in my drawer. any one with any tips i would be grateful for a PM

For the membes of another forum there is a thread intitled "I just got smash and stab wrong" it highlights the dangers of said trick.

thanks so much for your replys I have read the topic I just got smashed and stabbed wrong so I know I have to practice alot and i know the consequences if I don't practice enough. So thank you so much just have to start saving for the Spike one which is 110 percent safe because I don't want to have any doubt in my mind that I will screw it up.

I remeber seeing this on tv on one of channel 4's "worst tv moments" show. The magician in question didnt only get it wrong but he was slamming a spectators hand through the cup... i think that highlights the real danger of it. I personally just use an egg for this trick, for i feel the response achieved with a nail doesn't beat a fully functioning hand.