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[TheOldForum]

Name : Diminishing Returns
Price : £13.99 Abrakazam
Type : Cards
Time To Learn : 30mins - 1hour
Difficulty : 2-4
Reset : almost instant
Examinable : No
What you get : A pack of gimmicked poker sized cards (not bicycle)

Effect : A deck is spread and ANY card is named. The deck is picked up and respread in full view. It is now around a third its original size. No sleights. No moves. The deck does not leave the spectator's sight!! The chosen card is placed in the miniature spread. Now the deck is again picked up and respread. Now the deck returns to its original size, but the spectators selection has shrunk!! The magician now visually restored the chosen card to its original size!! Remember, this is all in full view. No switching of decks!!

Comment : This is a very clever card trick, but you must practise this a lot before you perform it.

Rating 9/10

[Martin Le Guerre]

I've just bought this from http://www.mallofmagic.com/ for $20 and its fab. I just love playing with it. I believe that it has been updated somewhat since the original review above was posted as the version I've just received comes in red bikes. (Provide your own red joker and card case).

Check out the video on the site above to see the full effect. Magi will probably work out from the video the basics of the gimmicked deck but my first serious demo of this to my wife went down rather well. The instructions are very clearly written and the entry level version of the trick is quite easy to master.

The version I have also comes with the gaffed cards you need to perform 'The Defective Deck'. There is also a video of this on the site. You need to provide your own pack of red bikes to complete the deck. This is a bit more tricky to master. For my level of ability this is taking quite a bit of practise (it uses a lot of double and triple lifts) but I think the effect is probably going to be worth it. Check out the video and see what you think.

Also included in the instructions is a 'Big Routine' version of Diminishing Returns which Mike Power's says he used as an opener at the Magic Castle. For this you need some extra bits like a Cornelius Shrinking Card Case etc. There are also instructions for 'The amBIGuous Card' for which there is a video on the site as well. This can be used stand alone, or as part of the Big Routine but again you'll need some extra purchases unless you already own some minature cards.

So you get 2 great tricks for £12, one of which is pretty easy, and access to more advanced routines if you're up for them. Its a bargain in my book and great fun to work with.

[moodini]

I agree, it is a great effect......I do much more street and table-hopping than anything else, so unfortunately I am rarely able to perform it! But it is great!

The only real card handling technique that is required, is to be able to spread the cards neatly......no tough slights or difficult moves required!