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The Effect
An in the hands, stand up 3 card monte, with a full routine from Bob Sheets.

The routine is based around exposing how scammers cheat you out of your money using special cards for 3 card monte (needless to say that nothing is truly exposed).

Cost
$31 (about £17)


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)
3 for the moves , but the routine will take a bit of time to get smooth


Review
This is a multiphase routine with visual changes.
Any of you that know Bob Sheets, will know that he does good quality workable material and this is no exception. Want something that packs small but plays big?- this is it.
The routine is based on Pat Page's routine for the Dutch Looper (which is the gaff that is included). Although the cards aren't examinable, the routine gives great justification for this ("the first rule is you never get to touch the cards" but he also says why).
The routine is excellent and the DVD gives all Bob's patter. Firstly it shows a performance of Bob doing this at a trade show. He hooks some people and even controls them as they plan on walking away (mystified). Great audience management. Then there is a teaching segment where Bob goes through the routine. Finally there is a "just the hands" teaching segment. Teaching is clear and straightforward, although I did write down the sequence so I could practice away from the DVD.

The gaff is well made and should last a long time.
There is very little for the spectator to do (they can pinch a card with 2 fingers at one point) so this is perfect for walkaround where they have their hands full.


People might complain that this is a lot of money for a single trick, but they are people who don't really understand the value of what they will be getting. The gaff is included and this is a solid routine.


Overall
10/10
It's well worth it for anyone who wants an eye popping direct, funny routine that can be done standup and surrounded. And it resets at the end of the routine. How many tricks can boast those credentials?

I am always amused at the high prices for what is essentially the Dutch Looper trick which I have often given away free to the public if they buy the svengali deck. I also give away a couple of other items with it to sweeten the deal. The deck sells for $10 and the Looper is given away for nothing.

When I actually sell the item to the public they pay $3. I have sold literally thousands of the Dutch Loopers to the public over 40 years. Patrick Page likes to call it the Kitson Miracle but there is nothing Kitson about it except a silly little flap thing that he put on it. This flap doesn't make one iota of difference to the effect on laymen although magicians get some amusement out of it.

If you don't want to spend $3 with me then I suggest you buy a cheap deck of cards at a dollar store and you can make up 14 of the trick in a ten minute manufacturing session. All you need is a pair of scissors and a gluestick. Don't bother with the flap though. You don't need it. It is a nice added touch but it really isn't necessary because the cards can't be examined anyway.

For a description of the Dutch Looper you have to read "Ken Brooke-the Unique Years"

I shall now give you an excerpt of my silly patter.

"In Holland they call the king the heer. Heer is the heer. If I lay them down and say 'where is the heer' don't say here because the heer is not heer. There is no heer here and the heer isn't heer either. Pull out the heer. Turn it over. Ha Ha-no heer!"

I worked out this piece of scintillating wit when I was working the thing in Amsterdam and found out that the Dutch for king was heer. They sometimes call it konig too but the heer was more amusing.

Don't ask me why it is called the Dutch looper. Even the Dutch don't know.

The flap is the bit that gives the trick a very clean look, and the rubber bit allows a very clean display at one point. I think what you are really paying for is the routine however imho, and that is good value

Shanester

I have no idea what the "rubber bit" is. Please enlighten me.

It relates to the flap, if you know the gaff then you'll work it out (open forum and all that)

Shanester

I know the flap but I do not not know the rubber bit. Don't worry about it though. I have lost interest. As I have stated I don't think you really need the flap although I will concede that it amuses magicians who are amused by that sort of thing.