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The Effect

You pull a cigarette out of a packet/case and rather than the conventional method of getting out a lighter or matches you concentrate. Using all your mental powers, all of a sudden, the cigarette ignites - by ITSELF!


Cost

US$34.95 from Alpha Magic


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)

2/3... You will need to obtain some additional materials


Review

So, you may have seen this (or a similar) effect on Dynamo's DVD and considered different ways it can be done... Here's your answer.

First of all - Alpha Magic supply you with the DVD, a gimmick and some other materials. However, you WILL have to purchase some other items.

Without exposing anything, I thought that one of the things I needed would be very difficult to get hold of in the UK - but, I bought it straight away from a local shop.

The DVD explains the preperation in detail, the performance (with different ideas) and takes you through the items you receive and how to re-stock certain parts.

I had an idea of how the effect could work, but the DVD gave me exact instructions which is what I needed.

As for performing it, I've yet to try it. However, it's NOT impromptu! It would be good if that was the case.

Another thing I'd like to point out about this effect is it's for OVER 18's ONLY! Some of the materials can be harmful and you have to be careful!!

But, if you do cigarette/mentalism/street magic - this is a great little effect to carry around.


Overall

I'm going to give it 7/10 - if impromptu there'd be higher marks. Also because of the items involved and the safety issue.

Sounds cool, it's a shame you won't be able to use it anywhere apart from the middle of Dartmoor come July!

I was thinking that myself Bronz. What is gonna happen to all the tricks involving cigarettes once all the smoking bans come into place.

Thanks a lot timlic that helped a lot. Is it very angle sensitive? And also can the ignition not be so big if you see what I mean. In the demo the flame is quite large I was wandering if it can be made a little smaller.

Thanks for the review though!

Hi Lefteye!

Good question. I've been playing around with this... And in answer, yes you can. But there is still a little bit of flame due to the method.

As for angles... They're not that awkward at all. As long as they don't see the gimmick or the top of the cigarette. But the 'gimmick' can be f***er-p***ed (hope that makes sense)

Any other q's, feel free to ask away

LeftEye wrote:Thanks a lot timlic that helped a lot. Is it very angle sensitive? And also can the ignition not be so big if you see what I mean. In the demo the flame is quite large I was wandering if it can be made a little smaller.

Thanks for the review though!

Hi guys. I'm Kelvin, a member of Alpha Magic.

The flame in actual performance isn't as scary as in the video. We had to increase the outburst of the flame for better clarity in the demo. To do that, we used a gimmick that was far bigger than what as necessary to cause the ignition.

The instructions in the DVD was taught to keep things under safe and controlled circumstances.

Btw, everyone's talking about the smoking ban in the UK. How bad is it? You mean you guys can't smoke at all in public places?

i live in boston-- and you pretty much can't smoke anywhere indoors anymore.... i think new york is doing the same. sucks for us magicians!!!

fortunately for me-- I'm in college and there are a lot of house parties.... drunk people LOVE cigarette sleights!

Kelvin wrote:Hi guys. I'm Kelvin, a member of Alpha Magic.

The flame in actual performance isn't as scary as in the video. We had to increase the outburst of the flame for better clarity in the demo. To do that, we used a gimmick that was far bigger than what as necessary to cause the ignition.

The instructions in the DVD was taught to keep things under safe and controlled circumstances.

Btw, everyone's talking about the smoking ban in the UK. How bad is it? You mean you guys can't smoke at all in public places?

Thanks a lot for coming here to answer the questions Kelvin. Really interested in this effect would love to just slide a cigarette out of the box and have it light. End of lighters as we know it!

I think the smoking ban is everwhere in doors, bus stops and outside busy buildings. Definately no smoking in a pub and I'm not sure if it's even allowed in the beer garden

LeftEye wrote:
Thanks a lot for coming here to answer the questions Kelvin. Really interested in this effect would love to just slide a cigarette out of the box and have it light. End of lighters as we know it!

I think the smoking ban is everwhere in doors, bus stops and outside busy buildings. Definately no smoking in a pub and I'm not sure if it's even allowed in the beer garden

No problem, Lefteye Glad that I can help!

With regards to the smoking ban, I think it'll be more appropriate for me to ask "Whereabouts CAN you smoke?" Over here in Singapore, there are quite a few places you can't smoke too...but you can still do so in bars and pubs...at least for now.

Outside except at bus stops I think. Also I think you can in clubs but not in bars.

LeftEye wrote:Outside except at bus stops I think. Also I think you can in clubs but not in bars.

Well thats not bad. At least smoking is allowed in clubs. In future smoking in clubs and bars in Singapore would be banned. Hope that will never happen. =P

Well I dont mind so much, as soon as i heard the smoking ban was coming in I quit. Clean as a whistle now

Thats good for you. I'm in the process of quiting now. So wish me luck!

I will carry on smoking because Tony Blair hates it.
Say what you like about Hitler, you could still have fag in the pub...and the buses ran on time, etc

LOL. Maybe i shall do the same... hmm.... i wonder... =P