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This probably don't fit all the parameters of a normal review, but I hope it gives you all a decent picture to the offerings...

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FATE by Rick Maue

PRICE $35.00 {Deceptions Unlimited}

This is the effect that stole the show at this year’s MINDVENTION in Las Vegas.

What is it?

That’s the hard part, explaining what it is. Short and sweet, it is a Prediction routine or, as the name implies, a demonstration in FATE – how our lives and actions are actually guided by unseen influences that lead us to a predetermined end reality.

FATE easily delivers to you a 5-8 minute, swift moving presentation that is a bit unique as well as timely, in that it is readily adaptable to today’s popular Chair Prediction routines.

Rick has included enough material to allow you to control multiple outcomes e.g. those working the same facility night after night, can quickly and effortlessly change what happens, adding to the over all psychological advantage held by the Mentalist.

This piece could have easily sold at twice or even triple the sum being asked for by Rick and few would complain about it being anything other than a fair deal for the money ventured.


Also on this bill of recently released material from Rick Maue is a routine known as THE JOURNEY.

In simple terms, if you like Max’s CONTIMENTAL you are going to fall in love with THE JOURNEY.


The Journey retails for only $25.00 through Deceptions Unlimited and at that price, is a steal!

Like so much of Rick’s material this is an exceptionally simple, well thought out piece of business that makes jaws drop to the floor.

The Down Side: It is only available as a Limited Release. Only a set number of copies will be put into circulation (I believe this is set at 150 total copies, I don’t recall)


Either of these routines are super simple to learn and perform. They deliver the performer some amazing advantages and of course, they pack small and play big; either one being appropriate for the grand stage of any Casino or Theater or your neighbor’s living room.
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Oooooo...you cheeky git!

I was gonna review this one! HAHAHAHAHAA!

Oh well. I'll add my 2 pennith soon!

Good stuff innit?

Well I have heard some very very good things about FATE.

That’s the hard part, explaining what it is.

Well - the sales blurb says...

Imagine this: Five audience members are brought forward--one joins the performer at the center of the performing area, and the other four position themselves in the four corners of the stage (where there are four laminated targets to mark the spots). Six small squares of aluminum foil are introduced-wrapped inside each one is either a blue poker chip or a red poker chip.

From the corners, the four audience members each select a foil packet, which are opened to reveal the color of the poker chip chosen by each person. The two remaining packets are also opened to see what two chips have been left behind. At this point, the performer poses a question to everyone about whether they believe that the decisions that they make every day actually affect their lives-or is everything that happens predetermined? In other words, is everything simply in the hands of Fate?

The performer then asks the audience member at the center of the stage to pick up a small stack of cardboard signs that has been sitting facedown on the table. As she displays them, one at a time, each sign details exactly what has just occurred-step-by-step-as if all of the choices made by the four different audience members were indeed predetermined. But after the last sign is revealed, there is still one more surprise revelation that brings the routine to an amazing conclusion.

Ok...here's my take on "Fate".

I will repeat various bits such as the advertising "bumpf" as it could help to have it all in the same posting.

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FATE by Rick Maue

Available from http://www.deceptionsunlimited.com/fate.html

Price: $35.00
Priority Mail Shipping Costs:
$5.00 Domestic US
$10.00 International

Category: Stage / parlour mentalism

Difficulty: 2 out of 5 No sleights or tricky handling…mostly familiarity and confidence with specific routining needed

They say:
"The best effect from the entire MINDVENTION."
...Bob Kohler

A new effect from Rick Maue & Deceptions Unlimited

A Piece of Unusual MindMagic with 5 Audience Members & 6 Successful Revelations

Imagine this: Five audience members are brought forward--one joins the performer at the center of the performing area, and the other four position themselves in the four corners of the stage (where there are four laminated targets to mark the spots). Six small squares of aluminum foil are introduced-wrapped inside each one is either a blue poker chip or a red poker chip.
From the corners, the four audience members each select a foil packet, which are opened to reveal the color of the poker chip chosen by each person. The two remaining packets are also opened to see what two chips have been left behind. At this point, the performer poses a question to everyone about whether they believe that the decisions that they make every day actually affect their lives-or is everything that happens predetermined? In other words, is everything simply in the hands of Fate?

The performer then asks the audience member at the center of the stage to pick up a small stack of cardboard signs that has been sitting facedown on the table. As she displays them, one at a time, each sign details exactly what has just occurred-step-by-step-as if all of the choices made by the four different audience members were indeed predetermined. But after the last sign is revealed, there is still one more surprise revelation that brings the routine to an amazing conclusion.

The package contains:

15 Step-By-Step Message Signs

3 sets of five cards so that you can change the outcome for repeat shows

6 Laminated Target Cards - Once again, extra laminated Targets are included so that you can change the final revelation for repeat shows.

12 Poker Chips, Complete Scripting, Complete Instructions, 2 Pages of Detailed Photographs

I say:
Well, what you read is what you get!

A thumping great, meaty Ziploc bag filled to bursting with cards, fluorescent orange booklets and 10gram poker chips is a cool way to greet any morning!

Man, Rick Maue gives you the whole shooting match with this one!

Rick is clearly a creative thinker with his own imaginative and theatrical spin on magic and mentalism, a read of any of his books will tell you that and “Fate”, a comprehensive routine/trick, is a welcome addition.

Everything is of, more than sufficient, quality. The chips are the real deal. The laminated cards are strong and sturdy. The “target” design suffers from a somewhat “jaggedy” appearance having been scaled up from a relatively small digital image, but when that’s the only “down side” you’re doing ASTONISHINGLY well! Even though it is a little bit-ish” the design is rich, clearly printed and laminated neatly, so enough of that nonsense!

The routine is simply ingenious! Graceful simplicity! You may kick yourself for not thinking of it first but even if you do figure out the basic method ahead of time, after you read the full breakdown you will have to admit “Fate” is top-notch stuff.

The instructions are clear, concise and offer a very servicable routine right off the page. The matching photo document is great...what a help!

The routine plays out exactly as it reads. No sleights, no stooges, no pre-show, no ambiguity, no guesses, no calculations.

You will receive everything listed above and until you read the documentation everything will look fairly “everyday”. When you read the method and routine you will once again look at the materials you have just bought but this time with the eyes of a “mentalist assassin” coldly calculating you first victims “Fate”! (sorry)

When you finally reach the “end” of the routine your audience and participants should well be impressed and a little freaked out with any luck. So… when you deliver the “Oh yes…by the way..” blow at the very end you will be rapidly reaching for your bookings calendar!

The methodology of Fate is fairly easy to carry out but you need to practice to get things running smoothly. There is a tiny amount of “handy crafts” you need to do but this will cost pennies and will take only a few moments. (What’s a bit of aluminium foil between friends?) I can’t imagine anyone having problems with this aspect of “Fate”.

You can play the effect as a demonstration of mind control or full on premonition, the effect leaves plenty of room for any spin you like. This is an ideal stage or intimate parlour effect. It doesn’t rely on stage settings but a tiny amount of spectator management is required and that might be easier to achieve with a bit more space. It could work as a close up effect given the correct space and control of blocking but it isn‘t for table hopping. Fate isn’t particularly angle sensitive, so no worries there. Reset could take some 2-10 minutes depending on you organisation skills and set up.

You are given materials enough to perform Fate with three different outcomes but I would think hard before just “knocking out” another performance. It must have context to be fully effective and do the trick justice.

Overall:
I love this kind of effect. It is, on the whole, very easy, ends clean and examinable, most of the work is done by the spectators and it has that elusive “What the!” factor. Fate is a tidy and impressive bit of business and all for $40 - $45!!! Thanks Rick!

Rating: A deserving 10/10

Tom Lauten wrote: It doesn’t rely on stage settings but a tiny amount of spectator management is required and that might be easier to achieve with a bit more space. It could work as a close up effect given the correct space and control of blocking but it isn‘t for table hopping.

........ Would it be possible to do this with 5 m8s all sat around a table in a pub ??

moonbeam wrote:

Tom Lauten wrote: It doesn’t rely on stage settings but a tiny amount of spectator management is required and that might be easier to achieve with a bit more space. It could work as a close up effect given the correct space and control of blocking but it isn‘t for table hopping.

........ Would it be possible to do this with 5 m8s all sat around a table in a pub ??

If you're a bit creative I think you actually could... it would help if you have the kind of twsited mind I have, but I think that has potential actually