Pyschic Dominos
$14.95 From
thetrickery.com
Difficulty = 1
(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)
Review
Advert copy: "A set of 15 engraved regular sized (2" x 1" x 0.25") Dominoes with the ESP symbols in a handy carry wallet, and a 16 page booklet of self working routines you can perform with these props by Sam Dalal. These routines are powerful demonstrations of "mentalism" using some of the best self-working principles of the craft. Close up mental magic, using intriguing props that will appeal to mature audiences."
I only use 1 effect from the set of routines and I expand on it a little but that's probably something we all do. The best effect goes like this: you give the spec the 15 'dominos' they are black with a single (different) ESP symbol in white on each side (not 2 sets like real dominos). They can select any domino they like at the start and then stack them so the symbols match - i.e. if the choose a STAR with WAVY LINES on the back they find a domino with either a STAR or WAVY LINES symbol to put on top (or bottom, whichever matches). They keep going until they can't go any more. When they finish they will have one symbol at the bottom and one at the top.
Amazingly, even though they had a free choice of what domino they started with, you reveal your prediction of what these symbols would be and are, of course, correct!
In my own presentation, I have three specs and three prediction envelopes in front of them. They take it in turns and when they've finished the envelopes are opened and the predictions are correct - hooray!
Alternatively, you can get them to hold the top and bottom dominos in their clenched fists. For the first spec, if you know he has CROSS and STAR, you can tap the left hand and say 'Cross' and the right hand and say 'Star'. If you are correct about the order, 50/50 chance, you can simply name the symbols for the other two and people remember you as getting the right symbols and the right hand.
Overall
The dominos are quite nice but the wallet is quite cheap and plasticy-looking (it looks like what it is) but it does the job of holding each domino individually (like a holder for gameboy games) and can hold them in a pre-set stack needed for some effects (not the one above).
The effect desribed above is simplicity itself - pretty much self-working and works 100% of the time. A slight move - but not really a sleight - is involved. Especially if you want to do my presentation.
For the price, you are getting some pretty strong mentalism.