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Hey everyone. My name is Greg. I'm a graphic designer by trade and magic is one of my favorite hobbies.

My main interests in magic are firmly cemented in card work, though I do love dabbling in coins and other areas of close-up magic.

I'm a hopeless packet trick addict. I don't even really use them all that much, I just LOVE collecting any kind of packet trick I can get my hands on. I like the theory, the patter, the inventiveness of them.

I look forward to hanging out around here, as well as helping out if and when I can.

Hi Greg - welcome to TalkMagic.

Salutations and greetings!

I like cards too although I'm not good at them . I prefer the sleights side of things.

Kati

Welcome Greg to the Forum that is Talkmagic.

Whats your favourite packet trick ?

Mines NFW I got it ages ago now and it never leaves my side one of the best impromptu effects ever in my opinion.

I like NFW - but I'd have to say one of my favorites is a trick called Platonism. It's a variation of a revolver style effect, with a pretty sweet kicker at the end. It reminds me of NFW in a way, as well.

The version I bought used TERRIBLE quality cards - but I revamped it using bicycle stock, so I can load it into a deck and use it on the fly.

If you're not familiar - here's the effect.

You show three cards - same numbers different suits (I like to use sixes, so my patter revolves around "devilish cards")

You show the sixes to the spectator, then square up the packet. With a snap, you spread the cards and one 6 has turned over. You re-square then snap again. Spreading the cards reveals the first card has turned face up, and another card has now turned face down. A quick re-square and suddenly all of the cards are face up, again.

You say that the final card is the most visual of the three...and that it can practically turn over right before your very eyes. You take one of the other cards and rub it over the top card, counting to three. When you say three and pull back, the top card is now face down.

This is pretty cool by itself, but the two kickers here are what makes it great (IMO)

Now, you go on saying how most people think the trick is performed using slight of hand. You tell your audience it is not sleight of hand. You say that you are actually fooling them by using mirrors. With a little flourish, you turn the cards over to reveal that the backs of all three cards have a mirror-like surface!!!

As the audience is still reacting, you say "Well, the mirrors accounts for how I can turn the cards over without anyone noticing. But what I can never figure out....is how all of the sixes.....

You show the faces of the cards

....disappeared.

As you display the fronts of the cards, the faces are now blank.

It's a great little trick that packs a nice three punch combo. NFW is a SICK effect, and I love that, too. But this one is my favorite.

Other favorites -

Tonte Jr.

Queens out of Control

Color Monte (a classic)

Compact Compass - a variation of the color monte theory, by Jay Sankey. VERY cool little trick.

Twisted Sisters

Mondo Monte

Target Practice - another neat Sankey effect

The World's Thinnest Deck - a nice mentalism packet effect. I highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the Princess Cards - This effect hits harder and has the added bonus that YOU never need to touch the cards.

Gypsy Curse - A variation of a wild card effect - this one stands out because of the look of the cards. They're old-fashioned, slightly elongated, so it plays nicely.

A Printing on Demand variation I came up with. I'm actually trying to fully flesh this idea out to market it in some way - though I don't know if that's possible since it's a variation of an existing trick. Basically I'm trying to augment the handling and presentation so it's not just a ripoff.

Those are some of my favorites. One thing I was considering here, was doing a weekly "packet trick review" post. I don't see many topics like that, and I thought it would be a nice addition to the community.

I understand there are those who aren't fond of packet effects, but I think they serve a really cool purpose in magic. They're great for walkaround work in a restaurant or similar setting, where you can walk up to a person with a few cards and not be immediately questioned about it.

Anyway, if anyone thinks this might be a cool idea, let me know. If you have specific reviews or requests, fire away. I'll do what I can.

Wow .

Do you have a link to Platonism? Thanks!

Also, where can you find the two Sankey effects? From experience, Sankey is great!

Kati

Hey, katrielalex

I'm from the States, and as far as I know, I've only ever seen Platonism in one store in New York (It's called Ronjo - at www.ronjo.com) However, the effect isn't listed on their site. I go there quite often, though - so I'll see if I can get him to list it if you're interested (the price is $7.50 us)

As for Target Practice and Compact Compass - here you go:

Compact Compass - http://www.elmwoodmagic.com/?nd=full&key=551

Target Practice http://www.elmwoodmagic.com/?nd=full&key=550

Target Practice is out of stock, right now. Enjoy!

Thanks .

Don't worry about Platonism, but Compact Compass is on my list now...that's a very clever trick .

Kati

Hi Greg,

Welcome to the forum,

I know Tonte but not sure about Tonte Jnr, also Mondo Monte rings a bell somewhere, can you describe the effect....

Regards

Jack

Jb -

Tonte Jr. is just a poker-sized version of Tonte. Exactly the same effect with normal playing cards.

Mondo Monte is a pretty cool effect. I won't go into the patter of it, just the basic effect (I don't want to make this TOO long). If you're still interested, you can PM me and I'll fill you in on my own patter and handling.

Magician shows three cards - Jack of Diamonds, 3 of clubs, and Jack of hearts. The three is the "monte" card - and you instruct the spectator to remember where it is at all times.

The 3 of diamonds is placed in the center and the packet is squared up.

After being asked where the three is, the spectator is asked whether it is face up or face down. When they respond with face up, the magician spreads the cards and the 3 is now face down.

The magician places the blue-backed face down 3 of clubs on top of the packet and squares it up. Pattering about how it is all an illusion, the magician spreads the cards again, and now shows that the 3 is face up, and it's actually the Jack of diamonds that is face down.

Keeping the blue-backed jack of diamonds in the center of the packet, the magician resquares, and with a flourish - shows all three cards face-up, once again.

Offering to show you again, the magician does another flourish, then spreads the cards to show the 3 of diamonds has turned face down, again. Magician turns over the jack of hearts, now - showing a blue back. Sandwiching the face up jack of diamonds between the two face down cards, the magician then does another flourish, and instantly, the cards are spread to reveal two blue-backed, face down cards - with the face up 3 of clubs in the center.

Most people are usually thrilled by this, but the KILLER is still coming.

Magician says it might be easier to follow the three of diamonds, if you realize that it's the only cards with a red back. Magician shows the back of the 3 which is red. This KILLS! People go nuts, here...

BUT - we're not finished.

Magician places the three on the packet and turns it face down. Giving a little "rub" he now spreads the cards to show two red-backed cards and one blue-back cards. Resquaring, he rubs the cards again, and this time shows THREE red-backed cards! He lines them up one next to the other, then turns the cards over to show the Jack of Diamonds, 3 of clubs and Jack of hearts.

This effect is POWERFUL. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes monte style routines. It has so many great moments of magic and it's a well-crafted routine.

The Only Place I've seen (recently) that offers this effect is - http://www.calmagic.com - You'll need to scroll down to Web Directory > Our Products > and search through the products. Unfortunately, I can't direct link it, given the way the site was done. However, if this review interests you, check the site because there is a nice demo video of the effect. I don't like all of the handling that's on the demo - and I've come up with a few little flashes here and there to make it flow a bit more. However, the effect is great. You should check it out.

Thank you Greg for the reminders and explanations, I appreciate it....!