talkmagic.co.uk

Chaos 2 by Mark Elsdon

They say
Two spectators each select a card which they hold onto. The deck is cut in half and placed face-to-face. The deck is temporarily placed in the "Chaos Machine" (otherwise known as the card case). The 'CHAOS' button is pressed... and the deck is immediately removed and spread to show that all 52 cards are now interlaced face-up and face-down, in a truly chaotic state. Both sides of the deck are shown to be in this condition. The spectators' cards are replaced into the chaotic deck, one face up and one facedown. The deck is once again placed into the "Chaos Machine" and this time the 'ORDER' button is pressed. The deck is cleanly tipped out of the case and spread to show that every single card is face-up except for two - the selections.


EXTREMELY EASY TO DO! ALMOST INSTANTANEOUS RESET! NO SLEIGHT OF HAND REQUIRED! MAY BE PERFORMED WALKAROUND OR AT TABLES!

Available from http://www.alakazam.co.uk/acatalog/Hot_List_1.html#a313



Cost £14.99



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)

It is true that there are no sleights to do as such but you'll need to practise the moves for a few hours so you can remember the order in which things need to happen so on the basis that there is some memory work I would say this is a '2'.



I say

A 'triumph' style effect which does exactly what it says on the card case. You get a deck of bikes with 2 stickers 'Chaos' and 'Order' to stick where you like onto the case. The effect is exactly as described. You can flick through the cards showing that the backs are regular. You can spread the deck on the table to show all the fronts. Get two specs to say stop as you flick through the deck to make 2 selections which they can hold whilst you start to operate the chaos machine - plenty of opportunity for hamming it up with sound effects as you press the 'Chaos' button or the spec can press it. Take the deck out of the machine and you then have a minor miracle as you show the state of the deck with the cards shuffled alternate face up, face down. Replace the chosen cards in the deck, put the deck back in the case, press the 'Order' button and you get a second wow moment as you spread the cards on the table to show that all the cards are now face up, except for the specs choices.

The card case is examinable. The deck does all the work for you using some pretty well known principles. You just have to remember the required sequence of events which is not hard but will require some practise.

The reset is indeed straightforward and quick but not entirely angle proof so I probably wouldn't attempt the reset part if surrounded.



Overall
8 ot of 10

A very workmanlike product which I'm going to enjoy testing for a real audience.
As with all trick decks, this is a one trick pony and competition for pocket space is always going to be an issue. The fact that this is no ordinary deck but a 'Chaos' machine is a nice touch because it helps explain why I need a separate deck to my regular bikes and with the opportunity for some audience participation and sound effects I think this could turn out to be a winner!