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This seems like the appropriate forum to post this, as it's kind of review-ey. Sorry if it needs to be moved.

Ok, rather than this being a list-o-rama type thread, I was wondering what people's current favourite effects are. I'll list some of my own, along with where they come from and what it is about them that I like. The point of this is, hopefully, that someone might read and think "oh, I've been looking for that kind of effect, now I know where to get it", or someone might post saying "well, if you like that kind of effect, you might want to take a look at ..."
So, for what it's worth, here's 3 effects that I have now been using for a while, and that have become some of my favourites-

-"Foursome"- by Harry Lorayne

- From Lorayne's "...Probably the Best..." Video/dvd series, Volume 10

-Effect: The spectator peeks at a card, which is then lost in the deck. The magician then finds 4 cards, and asks the spectator to confirm that their card is one of them. The magician then tells them which card it is, and the other 3 previously indifferent cards are shown to have turned into the other 3 of a kind which match the selection.

-Why I like it: My description maybe doesn't sound great, but this is a fantastic impromptu piece of card magic. The kicker ending is a real surprise, and the structure of the trick is such that what seems like an average 'find the card'-type trick turns into a seemingly impossible transposition. With a tiny bit of funny business this can be done from a shuffled or borrowed deck, and so the 4 of a kind aspect is all the more astonishing. Moves-wise I found this really easy to pick up, and fairly simple 'describe what you are doing' patter lends itsself well to this effect. I have been doing this for about 18 months, and it never fails to get a good reaction.
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-"Las Vegas Leaper" by Paul Harris

-From the "Stars of Magic" dvd volume 1 (As far as I know it's also in "Art of Astonishment", and a version appears on one of those Ammar "Easy to Master..." dvds)

-Effect- 3 cards across- Twice!!!

- Why I like it: Where to start? I was always a fan of the "3 Cards Across" from the Royal Road, but my amazement at watching the performance of Harris's version was such that i felt that I just had to learn it! Some of this is an excercise in audience management, and I feel that my own skills in this have improved greatly since I started doing this effect. It's impromptu, and it's not just another "pick a card... look! I've just found it in my dog's stomach" type trick. I do this with the cards under the spectator's hand, rather than with them sitting on them, as Harris does. I find that this gives the effect an certain unsettling quality, as the subtle implication of my patter is that I was somehow able to enter the spectator's personal space, and put 3 cards under their hand without them noticing. Twice. I have found this to get a very strong reaction, although there is a certain humourous quality to it as well.
This is a great effect for working on presentational skills, as the work is done a while before the end, giving the magician plenty of 'safe' time to experiment with patter (at least that's how it was for me).
Sleight-wise it's not the hardest trick in the world, but the previously mentioned audience management aspect does raise the difficulty a little.
Well worth checking out, if you don't perform such an effect already.
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"The Bert Allerton Aspirin Routine"

-From Eugene Burger's "The Performance of Close-Up Magic" book.

-Effect: The magician gets the spectator to examine and sign a selected peice of blank photograph paper, which has been placed in a small tin. A card is selected, and the spectator 'takes a picture of it' using the tin. The tin is opened and the signed bit af paper now has a photograph of the card on the other side, which is given away to the spectator.

-Why I like it: After having problems getting a suitable tin, I tried using a matchbox instead, and over time I found a way to make it work perfectly. This has the added bonus of being able to give this away to the spectator too, and this 'souvenir' aspect, along with the fact that the spectator 'does the magic' takes this effect out of the realms of 'look at how clever I am/how pitifuly stupid you are' type stuff. In my opinion this is a truly magical effect- the structure is such that reconstruction by the spectator is virtually impossible, and they're probably too busy examining their newly acquired matchbox/photo to worry anyway. This effect really gives the impression that magic has taken place. Not impromptu, but in my opinion well worth the effort.
If anyone already performs this effect, and wants to talk about the matchbox alternative, feel free to PM me.
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So, there we go. 3 effects- 1 that's quite cool, 1 that's a bit unsettling, and 1 that is, for want of a better term, feel-good magic.
I've got a few other effects that I would class as favourites, and time permitting I'll post them later, but for now, what are your favourites? why do you like them? and where can I get them?
Alternatively, any other versions of these that I might like?
Thankyou for your time.
D

Dean Sexton wrote:This seems like the appropriate forum to post this, as it's kind of review-ey. Sorry if it needs to be moved

As it's not actually a Review in the usual sense, I've moved it here. If we get round to restructuring the Review Area into the three categories suggested, we'd have difficulties with this one so it can all stay together here - cheers!

I thought I'd throw my hat into the mix and list my current top 3 card effects:

1 - Annemann's Instantaneous Card Memory -
Originally published in The Cabinet of Mental Mysteries in 1929

Effect:
A deck is fairly shuffled and then given to a spectator to cut as many times as they like. The performer then deals the cards face down - separating the colors. As this is done, the performer informs his spectator that in this simple act, he has managed to memorize the entire deck of cards. To prove this the spectator chooses either of the two piles (no force). From this point, the performer may leave the room for the remainder of the effect. Spectators can call out any number from 1 to 26 and the magician instantly knows the card at that chosen number. This can be repeated multiple times, with multiple variations (groups of cards, single cards, etc), until the spectator is out of cards.

Why I like it:
I just re-visited this effect a few months ago. I've been working memorization effects into my card work for a while now, using a few different variations (In case anyone's interested - among my current favorites are Derren Brown's Plerophoria/Mark Elsdon's Memorization, and Looch's Intuitive Aii - all works of genius in my opinion). I found this gem again while just browsing through the learned pig site.

Nearly 80 years old (and for my sake, hopefully overlooked) this is one of the most incredible effects I've ever seen. The sheer brilliance of Annemann is always present - and it's front and center right here. There are so many possible presentations for this (eiditic memory - a multiple Card at Any Number plot to name just two), that it can work for any person who carries a deck of cards.

The genius of the effect is only heightened by the fact that it requires no sleight of hand, no dodgy moves, no forces at any point - and, best of all - no memorization whatsoever.

Abraxus mentioned in another post the value of going back to old stuff that is collecting dust on your shelf. Listen to the man - he is VERY smart!!!

2 - Beyond Fabulous
John Bannon - Dear Mr. Fantasy

Effect:
The four aces are openly and very fairly lost in the deck. The magician tells a story of a group of magicians discussing different ways to find the aces after they've been lost in the deck. One by one, each magician finds an ace in a magical way (using a "surprise" approach, a direct approach and by casting a "spell" on the deck). For the finish, the performer explains to the group of magicians that as a gambler, he is always aware of where specific cards are in the deck. Through a process of elimination the magician eliminates cards until only one is left - which is turned over to reveal the final ace. As a kicker the magician explains that as a gambler, he knows that four aces is a monster hand - but explains that it's not the best as he now reveals, from the discarded cards, a royal flush!

Why I like it:
Easy to do, with incredible presentation possibilities. With so many phases and moments of great magic, you could do JUST this effect and make a 5-10 minute routine out of it that will get amazing reactions.

No difficult work involved. Yes, there is some set up involved but the work can be done on the fly - easily prepped under the noses of your audience. Brilliant effect.

3 - Card to Wallet

Effect:
You all know what the effect is.

Why I like it:
No matter what I've learned and practiced, I've found that very few reactions can compare to this effect. This is a trick that people will remember. I know I'm not alone by saying that people have come up to me LONG after I've performed this for them still talk about this effect. Once again it can be performed in many different ways - either standalone or a finale to a larger routine. A bonafide reputation maker.

This is a really cool topic idea. I know it's been done to death - but I just love talking about these kinds of things. These are among my favorite conversational topics. I hope others keep it going! Nice thread, Dean.

Great post!
That Anneman effect sounds good. I might be tempted to take a look at it.
I've been practicing Beyond Fabulous for a while, although I'm far from having it at a presentable state, and i agree that it is an amazing effect, especially in the context of the previous tricks in that chapter. I can't wait to show it off at some point.
Out of interest, where would you recommend learning Card To Wallet? I've never done it before, but it's something I wouldn't mind giving a try, especially after reading your comments.

Hehe, Some nice lists. Me wants to post mine, again top three at the moment(In no order).

Tap Dancing Aces (Paul Harris - Art of Astonishment)

Effect - The 4 aces are counted, one then disappears and reappears face up in the middle of the deck, the next ace appears underneath that.
These 2 aces are placed into the middle, and the next ace appears sandwhiched between them.
Finally the spectator puts their hand on top of the remaining 3 aces, and then the last is vanished from the Magi's hands, it re appears in the spectator's pile.

Why I like it - Its nice, easy, understandable, and visual. It feels good to perform in your hands and get reactions, if I'm in the mood then I will lead this into the Invisible Palm


Beyond Fabulous (John Bannon - Dear Mr. Fantasy)

Effect - See Demitri's post

Why I like it - It again is direct and simple for the spectator, there's no funny moves and it basically works itself, it gets very good reactions my dad wanted to see this one again (usually he doesn't want to see any magic), I fooled myself when I followed the instructions and did it to myself for the first time.


VGDN (Jordan Lapping - Unpublished)

Effect - A modern take on the Queen's effect, the queens vanish one by one until there is none. One is found in the centre face-up, the second appears on top, and the third and fourth appear out of nowhere.

Why I like it - Well my mate Jordan taught me this one, it is a very good effect and when practiced and done right, it is a very nice "In The Hands", smooth, paced and flashy effect. I'll ask his permission if I can submit a link to him performing it, as he is one skilled card mechanic.