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The blurb from the box

The Legend of Jack 'Treetop' Strauss

Play a little Texas Hold'em poker and you're bound to hear the phrase, "All you need is a chip and a chair." It's usually offered as encouragement to a player who just lost most of his bankroll, reminding him that he still has a small chance to win.

Few know the legend behind those words... Back in 1982, the World Series of Poker bracelet winner Jack "Treetop" Strauss was competing in a major Texas Hold'em event at a Las Vegas Casino. While still in the early rounds, a lucky player hit his draw and Strauss got busted out. As Jack was headed for the bar to drown his disappointment, the dealer at the table noticed a single chip where Strauss had been seated, tucked almost unseen beneath the cushion around the playing surface. Called back to the table to play that lonely chip, Treetop won the pot on the next hand and went on to finish the tournament in first place.

A great background story, especially when it's true, makes good magic even better. Texas Fool'em is a presentation that allows you to re-create the historic moment behind that poker wisdom, in a manner that will amaze and delight your audience.

The Effect

Following a brief demonstration of Texas Hold'em poker's unique play,

They freely cut and deal the starting hand;
They secretly select the amount of the bet;
They decide which casino hosts the action;
They make the best hand they can. Yet...
Every detail is predicted in a 25-year old magazine clipping!

Texas Fool'em is much more than a card trick - it's a complete short routine, complete with authentic deck, chips, and 'VIP cards' that are sufficiently compact to carry in your shirt pocket, awaiting just the right moment to make a timely and memorable impression.

You get everything you need for an enthralling presentation that folks will talk about for years to come:

Five genuine clay poker chips in denominations of $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1000, each one a different, vibrant color

Ten plastic casino 'VIP cards' representing renowned Las Vegas casinos

Multiple copies of the historic magazine clipping.

A complete pack of 52 cards assembled from canceled poker decks bearing the back designs of the dozen major casinos that used them at their tablet

One incredible gimmick that guarantees your final prediction. It's not clipped, hidden, palmed, electronic, or mechanical. It's simple to use, easy to employ, and so dang clever you'll want to smile when you put it to work

The detailed routine, word for word patter, and simple handling to make this impressive effect a reputation maker in your hands

An online video featuring an after-dinner performance for a lay audience plus extra presentation tips

This is a Limited Edition product - only 500 sets have been made.
A standard riffle shuffle is the only skill required.

Video Clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSnWXyNlkno

Cost

£75.00 - reduced from £110.00

Difficulty
(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)

1 - it's almost self working

Review

I've been a fan of Larry Beckers work ever since I bought Casino Royale a couple of years back. I had a devil of a time trying to get hold of a copy as all of the stockists, including those in the US were sold out with no sign of any new supplies in the pipeline.

I managed to get hold of an unwanted set for a slightly reduced price through Magic Week.

When I noted this new routine I knew that I just had to have it and I parted with my cash knowing that these too would soon be difficult to get your hands on.

The props come in a nice compact package along with a printed set of instructions that are for a change well written and precise. Everything is top quality and is assempled from genuine casino stock.

The gimmick itself is in play all of the time yet is invisible to spot and will fool many a magician, even if they handle it.

Overall

Although I've not performed it as yet, I think that this is a great routine that will compliment many other gambling type routines such as Lennart Green's Stolen Cards.

I'll be road testing it this coming Saturday night and will let you know how I get on.

I really like the look of this, and I have heard great things.

If I thought I would get a chance to use this on a regular basis I would not hesitate to pick pick this up. But I dont think it fits my style.

Looks great tho, please let us know how you get on with it?

Lee.

I dunno Lee - I think that you may use it more than you think as it packs really small.

I think that it's worth getting to try out and if it doesn't work then you shouldn't have any problems passing this on as with only 500 units made worldwide it's going to be sought after me thinks.

PM'd you.

It's great...if you have time and a table.

I've been playing around with this today and a tip for learning a bit quicker.

Photocopy the pages of instructions and get a highlight marker pen.

Then, highlight all all of the lines that have instructions so that they stand out from the patter.

The five A4 pages take some going through and highlighting to differentiate between actions and patter cuts things down a hell of a lot.

The stack for the cards is really sweet and you need to learn to recognise four different card backs and memorise five sets of odds. Not really that difficult in my opinion and that's about it.

I bought this and really love the idea. There is so much going on. It took me about 5 reads of the instructions to digest it all. The thing that annoys me is the reset of the deck everytime I want to practice. Anyine know of a quick way?