This set of DVDs were my first steps into card magic. Made by MagicMakers and performed and explained by Gerry Griffin.
This is my first review so hope its ok!
This was a set of 7 DVDs, I believe it is now condensed into 4 DVDs.
The Effect
Card tricks to take you from beginner right through to expert extreme.
Volumes 1-5 teach an incredible 62 tricks while vol 6 teaches techniques including forces, shuffles and a few flourishes while vol 7 teaches cuts and some very valuable sleights including DL, TL, Elmsley Count and various others.
Cost
You will need to shop around but I know Alakazam have the 7 DVD set for £75.
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)
Because of the variety of tricks the difficulty varies. On vol 1 the beginner tricks I would rate a 1but on the later volumes maybe 3-4.
BUT all the sleights used are then taught on vol 6 and 7.
Review
62 Card Tricks - ok, on vol 1 several of the tricks use the same principal ie PULSE,CRUNCH, EYES ARE THE WINDOW TO THE SOUL but there are some lovely tricks too such as COWBOYS AND INDIANS where 3 sets of cards are mixed and cut but reappear together at the finish,
LIE DETECTOR where a spectator can lie about the card he chose but you'll still find it and INTO THE FUTURE where you predict two cards that the spectator will deal.
Many of the tricks on this set are true classics, although some have been given different names to the original effect.On this set you will find
DO AS I DO
FURTHER THAN THAT
CARD WARP
TRIUMPH
CHICAGO OPENER
OIL AND WATER
AMBITIOUS ACE THRU FIVE { which I think is Ambitious Classic}
USE YOUR POWERS FOR GOOD {Out Of This World}
AMBITIOUS CARD
TWISTING THE ACES
and many others that may well have alternative titles.
There are also Poker Tricks - BACK TO BASICS POKER
Dealer Tricks - GAMBLERS THUMBS
Colour Changing Decks - COLOUR CHANGING DECK !
and many others.
Overall
10/10
Each trick is explained in full by Gerry Griffin. Some people find him boring to listen to but he explains everything clearly enough for a beginner to follow.
Sure, you will find more stunning tricks elsewhere but there is more than enough here to get you started and Gerrys presentation of his tricks is very smooth.
Yes, the set is expensive but I guess thats the price of learning! Don't forget, the sleights and forces you will learn are common to MANY tricks
so once learnt you have them at your disposal forever.
For me, a GREAT place for a beginner to start their Card Magic journey!
