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Drawing on June 1st, 2024
Details

Price$39.00
Media TypeTrick
CategoryMentalism
Date AddedOct 12, 2022

The Lucky Envelopes

Volpe, Luca; McCaig, Paul; Wong Alan

Alan Wong

(Based on 1 review)
THE LUCKY ENVELOPES by Luca Volpe, Paul Mc Caig & Alan Wong

EFFECT:

The performer cleanly shows the audience two numbered envelopes, saying that inside one of them there is a terrific prize and that he will do everything possible to help the participant win!

Following a little psychological byplay, the participant's freely chosen envelope is opened, cleanly showing they have won a nice prize!

However, the performer openly reveals that the envelope he/she was left with, contains a much larger cash prize!!

The performer demonstrates that this was not a game of chance where the performer wins and the participant loses, but an experiment to show how to influence people's choices.

The experiment also proves without any doubt, that the performer predicted well ahead of time what the final outcome would be! Welcome to The Lucky Envelopes!
  • The perfect opener.
  • Performed by Luca all around the world for over 12 years.
  • Perfect for stage, cabaret, parlor and online shows.
  • Professionally made props.
  • Produced from the ground-up using long lasting materials.
  • Can be custom adapted to suit the needs of your clients.
  • Includes 'Clipped Choice' as performed by Luca Volpe on 'Penn & Teller: Fool Us'

Reviews

Stephan Sloan

Official Reviewer

May 17, 2023

Overview

Primarily performed by Mentalists, Bank Night is an effect where spectators are offered the choice of several envelopes, in which only one has a “prize”. The other envelopes are either empty or contain something of insignificant value. First developed in 1935 by Tom Sellers, it was called “It’s Only Chance”. In 1936, Floyd Thayer coined the phrase “Bank Night”. This routine is also referred to as “Just Chance”. The Bank Night routine has been a polarizing routine amongst mentalists because it delivers a connotation that the performer his besting and humiliating his spectators. Over the years several performers have restructured the premise not to make it so demeaning. In addition to the negative connotation associated with the effect, it also has a tendency to go on too long. The Lucky Envelope by Luca Volpe and Alan Wong, not only simplifies the method but reduces the number of choices from 5 to 2 which also makes it a much quicker presentation piece.

Effect

Two clear plastic envelopes with numbered cards within are shown to the spectator. They are asked to choose one, being told that only one has a nice prize within. As the spectator mulls over their decision, the performer tries to influence their decision through various psychological ploys. With lots of byplay and interaction between the performer a participant, the participant ultimately chooses an envelope. Unfortunately, the one they chose did not have the prize and not only did they not get the prize, the performer predicted which envelope they would choose.

Method

The method involved in The Lucky Envelope isn’t much different in principle that other Bank Night routines. The construction of the gimmicks is different but like many others, it uses a traditional mentalism and magic principle known as a Multiple Out. What makes The Lucky Envelope a bit unique is that the envelopes can be freely handled where in other versions they cannot. For those who worry about flashing under pressure, The Lucky Envelope is a great choice. As alluded to before, the number of envelopes were also pared down from the traditional 5 to only 2 which allows for a quick intro piece.

Product Quality

What you receive are two sturdy plastic envelops, card with numbers 1 and 2 printed on them, some prediction cards and more card stock to create your own routine. The instructional download for this very quick and simple trick is a whopping 78 minutes in total which covers the inception, handlings and live performances. The video is very clear and the sound, photography and lighting are all more than sufficient.

Ad Copy Integrity

What you read is what you get. Although the props are simple and well made, the entire package is a worthwhile investment.

Final Thoughts

For those of you who think a 50/50 chance is not that impressive, I encourage you to research performances by Derren Brown and Max Maven that ranged from hysterical to shocking and see how even a 50/50 chance can be impressive.
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