Symbologic by Hen Fetsch (Another Review)
Posted: Oct 8th, '05, 16:37
Symbologic by Hen Fetsch
The Effect
"An Incredible Demonstration of Psychic Connection
You display two sets of ESP cards. Both sets contain the five classic ESP symbols-a circle, cross, three wavy lines, square and a star.
You and the spectator mix the cards completely and you correctly predict what card the spectator will place down first. This is repeated with the second card, then the third, the fourth, and finally the fifth! With the turn of each card the effect is more incredible. Symbologic is so clean and direct it will astonish even the most hard-to-please audiences.
Each and every card is predicted with 100% accuracy
No tough moves or sleight-of-hand
No forces or multiple outs"
Cost
£8.99
Difficulty 2/3
(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)
Available from
http://www.alakazam.co.uk/acatalog/Mentalism_17.html
Review
Sometimes, it’s refreshing to open up a magic effect and not be overwhelmed by the vast array of gadgetry and numerous sleights needed to pull off an effect, and Symbologic was just the soothing magical breeze I needed after fiddling around with the magic I’d been purchasing of late. Some may have opened the package and found nothing more than a slap of disappointment. They shouldn’t have. Put simply, this is a simple effect. It’s method is brilliant, it’s handling easy and it’s effect impossible. There seems to be no way this effect could have been accomplished other than the psychology/ESP etc. you mention in your patter. I may be wrong, but I can never imagine anybody figuring this out. Now, don’t take that as a definite fact, but nobody has sussed it in the time I’ve been performing it. They’ve been too knocked back to even consider thinking about working it out.
I guess it is possible to make up your own cards so if you don’t care for the star pattern on the back that adorns each card you may be able to overcome it. I haven’t found the back patterns to be an issue, though.
There is one point in the effect which the instructions don’t really explain adequately - if you get muddled, the effect is lessened (those who have it will know what I mean) so you may wish to pay some attention to that part, working through it with the cards in hand. It’s nothing too much, and nothing a simple sleight won’t overcome.
One thing though - you need to spend time with this developing good patter. Given the fact that it’s five selections, it’s quite a lengthy effect, and with weak patter it just won’t make the distance. The effect’ll work, but your audience will be quite bored. So work out some good, quality patter which will see you through the effect and you’ll have a stonker on your hands. It’s a brilliant effect, but it needs the right presentation.
Recommended, there’s nothing odd about you carrying the cards together in the little ‘wallet’ that comes with it as they are ESP cards and you have no reason to carry a whole deck of ‘em. Ideally requires a table.
Overall
9/10