Price$29.95
Media TypeUtility Props, Online Instructions
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedNov 12, 2022
Easy to Master Card Miracles Vol. 3
Michael Ammar
Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
(Based on 1 review)
Each volume contains ten classic effects, performed before a live audience, multi-camera angles are used during all explanations. This volume includes a FREE BONUS effect and contains the special props necessary to perform it!
Volume 3 Contains:
- Haunted Pack
- Between The Palms
- Twins
- Title Bout
- Opening Stab
- Card In Wine Glass
- Jazz Aces
- Card In Wallet
- Color - Changing Deck
- Bonus Effect - Xeroxed Deck.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
I first bought the first three videos as VHS tapes when they first came out. I had just gotten home from a short trip fairly late at night, when I found that the package had arrived in the mail. My ex went straight to bed, but I made the mistake of thinking that I would pop the first video in the VCR and watch just the first trick or two, and then I'd go to bed. Several hours later I was still awake because I had to watch all three videos. I was exhausted the next day, and it was worth it. I still think these are the best card magic videos ever produced. The choice of material is simply stellar, Ammar's teaching is clear and meticulous, and the over-the-shoulder parts make everything much easier to learn.
Now, let me mention a couple of personal highlights on Vol. 3:
Haunted Pack – A classic that goes beyond sleight-of-hand and seems like real magic to lay people. As Ammar mentions on the DVD, studying Eugene Burger’s handling is also a great idea. There are notable versions using IT, but I think this classic method is quite practical.
Between the Palms – Magic that happens in a spectator’s hands is almost always going to be stronger than magic that the audience simply watches. Alex Elmsley’s routine seems utterly impossible to laypeople, who often begin to see where the trick is heading at the very end, but cannot fathom how it could have occurred. They will often begin saying, “no way,” even before you reveal the signed card at the end.
Twins – Brother John’s routine allows you to tell a humorous story with just a few cards. While it may not have exactly the same impact on an audience as Sam the Bellhop, it can be done impromptu by just pulling the relevant four cards out of the deck. Steve Beam has an in-the-hands version in one of his set of lecture notes.
Title Bout – This not-quite cutting to four-of-a-kind routine by Martin Nash allows you to triumph over a magician-in-trouble situation. (One of the very few minor criticisms I have of this whole video series is in one part of Ammar’s performance of this routine. I think he kind of rushes from the reveal of the change of the three cards into the Triumph-type kicker. In my experience, it’s better to let the audience react to the reveal of the change and let that breathe for a few moments. Then, I say, “oh wait, do you remember the cards were shuffled face-up into face-down?” while illustrating that with my fingers. Once I remind them of what happened, I move into the reveal of the other four-of-a-kind in the middle of the righted deck.) For a number of years, I had the incredible luck and honor of performing close-up at an annual dinner alongside the late, great Jerry Andrus. One year, I performed this routine as part of my set. Jerry told me he thought the routine was quite good. Knowing Jerry, that was high praise indeed.
Jazz Aces – Darwin Ortiz’s handling for this modern classic is, of course, strong. I think that there is a simplicity to this ace assembly in only using eight cards that makes it more magical. Plus, having each ace vanish in a different manner adds to the build-up of the routine.
Color-Changing Deck – Another classic by Dai Vernon. There are many handlings for this plot in the literature. I think this handling by the Professor is a great place to begin exploring the plot, and you might just decide to stick with it, particularly if you incorporate Ammar’s deck switch idea.
To finish this review, if you are into card magic and you don't have these DVDs, I think you should get them ASAP! I really don't think you should buy any other magic resources until you get them. It might even be possible to make a living just with the magic on these DVDs. They are that good.
This series is the GOAT of card magic instructional video series.