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Cataclysm

Brian Caswell

Alakazam

(Based on 2 reviews)
From the creative mind behind the best selling card effect Trilogy comes what has been called Brian Caswells greatest creation ever! Cataclysm.

Imagine showing a deck of Bicycle brand playing cards each card has a number written on the back. Your spectator names 3 playing cards and these are removed from the face up deck and placed on the table. A photograph is shown to contain 3 face down playing cards each bearing a different number on their back. Unbelievable as it sounds when the cards are turned over the numbers match!!!!

Yes it really is that clean!
  • Easy To Do
  • No Sleight Of Hand
  • No Funny Moves
  • No sticky Stuff
  • No R&S
  • No Duplicate Cards
  • No Thin Cards
  • Instant Reset!
You will absolutely love Cataclysm! It really is the cleanest effect of it's kind.

Requires a regular Bicycle deck (Red).

Reviews

Doc Johnson

Official Reviewer

Oct 02, 2015

PROS

This is a very strong routine and I just love the presentation Brian uses. He explains that magicians need to know a few things: One is to be able to remember the order of cards in a deck and another is to be able to predict the future. He demonstrates how he uses a practice deck with numbers written on them and then goes into the prediction. The effect comes with a photo of the prediction cards that perfectly match the freely selected cards.

The instruction is very good. Setup and cleanup are very easy. The routine is very easy to perform, and there are no angle issues.

CONS

The deck cannot be freely examined. However, see the “suggestion” section for a clever idea.

Also, you will need a gimmicked deck just for this effect. However, the effect is strong, and, as you will see from the “suggestion” section, you could use the deck for a few other routines, one of which is described.

VERDICT

A really great effect with powerful routine possibilities.


Suggestions

If you get Suzanne’s DVD entitled “The Magic of Suzanne: The Magic Castle Act”, she describes a tremendous deck switch system. You could use this to switch from the gimmicked deck to a different deck.

When you reach into your pocket to take out the prediction photo, switch the decks and come out with the photo. Ask them to name a few different cards and show that they would have had different numbers.

To clean up the three cards, place them on top of the deck, holding a pinkie break below them. Place the photo on top of the deck to use your hand for something. Take the extra cards along with the photo and place them all in your pocket.

Now, for a follow up routine. In the second deck, have a handful of cards in the middle of the deck, some with the word “THIS” written on the back, and some with the word “THAT” written on the back. The ones with “THIS” are the ones that correspond to a number who’s last digit has curves (Ex: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, J, or Q). The ones with “THAT” are the ones that correspond to a number who’s last digit does not have curves (Ex: 1, 4, 7, or K).

Spread the cards face up and remove six cards from the middle, three “THIS” cards and three “THAT” cards. Don’t show the backs.

Tell the participant that they are going to select one of the cards and you are going to select one of the cards. Ask the participant to name any of the numbers they see. Push that card forward. Pretend like you are having a difficult time deciding between two numbers. Select both other cards that match their card type (either “THIS” or “THAT” cards). They select one of those. Collect the rest of the cards, placing the third card that match the two selected second to last (When you turn the cards over in a moment, the odd card will be third from the top).

Turn over the two selected cards, lets say they are the “THIS” cards. Say: “You selected ‘this’ card and ‘this’ card.”

Turn over the cards in your hand and do an Elmsley count, counting out four “THAT” cards as you say: “You didn’t select ‘that’ card, ‘that’ card, ‘that’ card, or ‘that’ card.”

You could apply these same principles with any group of six items drawn or written on the face of cards or on blank face cards (Ex: movie titles, TV titles, foods, client products, etc.)

Happy magic trails to you,

Doc Johnson
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Brian Reaves

Jan 04, 2010

For an "impromptu" prediction routine using playing cards, this is one incredible little effect. I would venture to say any laymen you perform this for would be completely blown away (though magicians might figure it out in a few minutes). This effect is versatile in that it allows you to play it either as a light-hearted routine, or a deeper Derrin Brown type mental effect.

Showing a perfectly shuffled deck, you show how each card has a different number on it. Ask three spectators to each choose a different card (or one spectator can choose all three, of course). As they choose the cards--no force on your part at all...they really are randomly and fairly chosen--you pull them out of the deck and lay them face up on the table. When you're finished, you show them a photograph from your pocket showing three facedown cards with numbers on them. As you flip the cards the spectators chose over, they show to be the same three numbers.

The routine is incredibly easy to perform with zero sleight of hand on your part. It resets in two seconds. It comes with the photographs and a DVD teaching you how to do everything. It also includes two other kickers if you already own a B.I.P. Book. The only thing you have to do is supply your own red-back Bicycle deck and number the cards with a Sharpie.

The only thing that keeps this from being the perfect effect is that you can't let them examine the deck afterward. I don't think anyone would think to though since you show the different numbered cards so freely.

With two minutes of practice, you are ready to perform this wonderful little miracle. It's a nice way for a card performer to introduce a little mentalism, or vice versa.
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