Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXGJQjJ52cU

Product link: http://www.bicyclecards.com/product/bicycle-cocktail-party-playing-cards/

What's more fun than an evening playing cards at the perfect cocktail party? Each of the 54 face cards feature a time-honored drink recipe to help you create that perfect drink from the golden age of the cocktail party.

These Bicycle® decks are made in the USA, printed on premium cardstock and feature the brand’s classic Air-Cushion™ finish and softly-beveled edges for enhanced game play.

How to Make a Gin & Sour

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, lemon juice, and sugar. Shake well. Strain into a sour glass and garnish with the orange slice and the cherry.

Creator: Cameron Francis
Publisher: Big Blind Media
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: all
DVD Run time:

Type of effect: Any card to any number

Manufacturer's Write Up:

Predicted Card at PREDICTED NUMBER - a self working miracle! Comes with Bicycle Deck!

The magician hands a blue-backed deck to a spectator, who is then asked to name a random number - let's say they say, 15.

The spectator is asked to turn the deck face up and slowly deal down 15 cards. Every card is clearly different and the spectator stops at the 15th card. Let's say it is the Ten Of Clubs.

The magician reiterates just how fair this was. The spectator chose a random number. The spectator dealt down to THAT number themselves and ended on a card. Both the chosen number and the chosen card were freely arrived at.

The magician shows that, had a different number been named, a different card would have been selected. So that makes it all the more impossible when the Ten Of Clubs is flipped over to reveal that it has a RED BACK! It's the only card from a different deck. However that isn't the biggest shock... that would be the huge number 15 written across the back of the card!
 
How accurate is the ad copy? Can be a different card and number every time
"within reason."

What's in the box? Yes, it comes with a USPCC Bicycle Deck and full DVD instructions. Fixed Fate - you'll be blowing away your audiences in no time!

Key points: although the deck can be made on your own with the ideas Cameron supplies - you get everything you need!
 
Self-working
No sleight of hand
Can be a different card and number every time
No gaffs, sticky stuff, rough & smooth, mathematics or memory work
Resets in seconds
 
How are the production values: Big Blind Media knows how to make a good DVD. Multiple angles, well shot and well lit. Cameron is sitting on a couch in a living room type setting.
 
Is it well made: Yes

Is it well taught: Cameron really knows his audience and caters to it. No long drawn out explanations where he wastes your time, he gets right to the explanation and very quickly you are grasping the mechanics of each effect.
 
My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): I love how assessable this trick is. BBM has proven once again that you can combine both POWRFUL and EASY into one routine.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?" All you need is the deck of cards
 
Does it "play big?" Yes the kicker ending surprised even me, and I had already looked at the gaff!
 
Difficulty / Skill level required: This is a great effect for all skill levels
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? if you do the effect the way Cameron does it, you will need to "number" your cards with a sharpie and print our the prediction note.
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Yes this deck is a real worker

Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
   X     Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
BBM has a strong player here, a self working card to any number that doubles as a fooler? Wow! Color me impressed. My favorite trick this month.
 
+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIw0KzCE7AI

​Title: The Foundation
Creator: Herman & Jansen teachers (Jason does the performances)
Publisher: Sans Minds
MSRP: $ 35
Skill Level: beginner
DVD Run time: 2 hour 32 min

Type of effect: card skill instructions

Manufacturer's Write Up:
 
This isn't an encyclopedia, or a bunch of fancy moves. FOUNDATION, We go through the essentials that you can use in the real world and impress at a moment's notice. We break down all the moves in high detail so that everything is covered; making it extremely easy to follow along. We'll help build your card arsenal so that you can always create a moment of wonder for people, and leave an everlasting impression. Learn to amaze anytime with a deck of card. The ultimate guide to learn amazing card tricks.

Welcome, to The Foundation.

How accurate is the ad copy? It could be a little more descriptive about what you get instead of 'everything is covered' but it's not deceptive.

What's in the box? DVD

Key points: two and a half hours of card magic skills taught. If you've ever wanted (or needed) an all encompassing volume of card skills, you can't go wrong with this.
 
How are the production values: Sans Minds always makes a good DVD, nice empty backgrounds, crystal clear picture, great sound and waist high performances. A lot of over the shoulder shots and lots of time devoted to each move.

Is it well taught: What is on this volume you ask? Here ya go
 
Grips / mechanics / biddle
Cuts  straight / swing
Shuffles / overhand / hindu / riffle
Spreads / table / in the hand
 
Technique / pinky break / thumb break / double lift / how to practice
top palm / bottom palm / one hand top palm
classic color change / bottom palm change / twirl change
Double Undercut / riffle control / tilt move
False cut ' 2 packet' / false cut '3 packet'/
duplicate cards / two card transpo
the ambitious card
 
BONUS MOVE: the spring
 
My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): true, it seems like every magic house has their own version of this idea and true, this one doesn't stand out as being that much more different or special than all the rest, but that doesn't detract from the fact that this is a good resource. Sure wish there had been something like this when I was starting out.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required: this is a great resource for beginners.

Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
   X     Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
I have other resources pretty much identical to this and I don't know that the world needs "another one" of these especially when there is so much good instruction out there now, but if you're a big fan of the SansMinds brand and you like their people - this is a great card magic resource for beginners.
 
+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsEIqviizJo

video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fWt4i3Nsoo

Artistic playing cards illustrated by Jackson Robinson in collaboration with inXile Ent. inspired by the video game Wasteland 2.

purchase desert rangers: http://jpplayingcards.co.uk/wasteland-playing-cards?search=wasteland

video review: https://youtu.be/6o0Szs0Kpso

A fully custom designed deck of playing cards suitable for use by magical dragons and other wannabes. Designed by Piff, Chris Chelko and artist Claire Blackledge, each deck comes in its own mini Tacular with fold out legs and features a bunch of very special magic tricks built into the deck that you can learn direct from Piff. For more information please visit www.PiffDeck.com

purchase yours: http://piffthemagicdragon.com/product/the-piffdeck/

Creator: Cameron Francis
Publisher: Big Blind Media
MSRP: $ 35
Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
DVD length: 1 hour and 35 minutes

​Type of effect: Collection of card magic

Manufacturer's Write Up:

How often has this happened to you - you're at a party and someone comes up and says 'hey, I hear you're a magician... can you show me a trick?'. Your mind goes blank. You have none of your gear with you - no thumb tip, no sharpie, no gaff decks, no magnetic ring, nothing. All you have is a deck of cards. (Or maybe your new friend hands you THEIR deck!).
 
On Ultimate Impromptu Card Magic Cameron Francis has collected together a host of absolutely KILLER magic that you can unleash at a moment's notice. These 14 routines are easy to perform, but shockingly powerful. Learn these tricks and you'll NEVER be stuck for a spectator frying miracle again!!

Easy to do
No props required (other than a deck of cards)
Perform any time, any where, with anyone's deck (even missing some cards)
No setups needed
All strong material - no filler
 
How accurate is the ad copy? I would argue that these tricks are only "easy" if you are proficient in card magic. You need to know your way around a deck of cards. This DVD is included in the Essential Card Magic collection - at the end of the collection (meaning, you need to have experienced the rest of the collection BEFORE you start the effects on this DVD)

What's in the box? DVD only

Key points: A collection of mind-blowing card magic that you can perform with ANY borrowed deck.  NO SETUPS. NO PROPS. NO GAFFS.
 
How are the production values:  Big Blind Media is wonderful, great shots, well edited and laid out with navigatable menus.

Is it well taught: Cameron Francis is someone I really like, really like their effects, and the best part is, his teaching is amazing, you will know exactly what to do
 
My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): this is a great collection of impromptu magic with any deck. You don't need a sharpie, billets, business cards or any other props. This is a skill people. Lots of real world, very practical workers.
 
My advice, if this is a DVD you might want to pick up, save your pennies and get the Essential Card Magic Tool Box

Overall score: 10/10
 
+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0LpYM5SSHY
​

Creator: Liam Montier
Publisher: Big Blind Media
MSRP: $ 35
Skill Level: Beginner
DVD length: 3 hours

Type of effect: Card Magic Instructional DVD

Manufacturer's Write Up: On the Double Lift Project you will find thorough, easy to understand, indepth teaching on fourteen different double lifts. With these moves in your arsenal you will be ready to perform a double lift regardless of the situation. From the top of the deck, the middle of the deck, from a packet of cards - you name it. You will also have the skills to 'get ready' for your double lift using a host of methods - thumb count (at the front or rear of the deck), a pinkie count, pushover and more. Then once you progress further into the DVD Liam will even teach you how to do triple, quadruple (or MORE) turnovers.  Make no mistake - there are a lot of techniques, tips and skills to learn and enjoy!

Regardless of whether you are just starting out in magic, or are a seasoned pro, there is something exciting to learn here. And 'The Double Lift Project' will provide utterly essential skills that will elevate your card magic to the next level.

On the second half of the DVD your host, Liam Montier, presents some of the greatest card tricks ever invented - all using just a double lift! Mindblowing routines from the likes of David Solomon, Alex Elmsley & Peter Duffie will arm you with material guaranteed to blow an audience's mind!

How accurate is the ad copy? No deception here. This is exactly what you get

What's in the box? DVD only
 
THE GET READIES Holding The Deck The Lift Up The Gary Ouelett Get Ready The Push Over Break The Lift Get Ready The Thumb Count The Pinkie Count
 
THE TURNOVERS The Expert Card Technique Turnover The Book Turnover The Upjogged Turnover The Spin Double The Larry Jenning’s Snap Double The Pages Of Time The Triple Delight Turnover The Crook The Pushoff The Floop The LePaul Flipover The Centre Double Lifts The Forceps The Bro Hamman Packet Double Lifts
 
THE TRICKS Chicago Opener/Red Hot Mama Fingerprint Trick (David Solomon) Two Card Transpo (Peter Duffie) Leapfrog (Dave Campbell) Double Swap Sandwich (George McBride) Double Swap (Alex Elmsley) The Mona Lisa Card Trick (Mike Skinner)

Key points: The Double Turnover (most usually referred to as a double lift) is perhaps the single most essential move in all of card magic. It is the act of turning over two playing cards whilst creating the impression that you are handling just a single card.
 
How are the production values: Big Blind Media makes great instructional DVDs, clear menus, HD cameras, good sound and lighting and attractive assistants.

Is it well taught: Liam Montier is very well known throughout the magic industry as being one of the most refreshingly original creators of workable and practical magic.  Liam Montier, is truly a fantastic card control resource for all magicians regardless of skill level.  I cannot recommend this enough!
 
My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): I've seen the DL taught on tons of DVDs as well as read about it in as many books and nobody gives you the extensive information that you need to know like Liam. This is the quintessential source for all your questions and tips. If the DL has always eluded you, if you've felt like you wanted a personal teacher to walk you through it - wait no longer and pick up this DVD.  This is where you master your technique.
 
Like me, you've probably been taught one "get ready" - HA! Liam teaches  you six. You're already a pro you say? DOUBLE HA! Liam has some great tips that will improve anybody's game.  If a more complete guide exists, I've never heard of it.
 
My advice, if this is a DVD you might want to pick up, save your pennies and get the Essential Card Magic Tool Box

Overall score: 10/10
 
+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aal2kzBdkQg

Creator: Liam Montier
Publisher: Big Blind Media 
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: Beginner
DVD length: 1 hour and 32 minutes

Type of effect: Card Magic DVD

Manufacturer's Write Up: Bigblindmedia have sourced eleven of the greatest card tricks ever invented. Magical effects that will simply SLAY audiences. And each of these tricks just so HAPPENS to be self working. That's the key. These tricks are easy enough for a beginner, but STRONG ENOUGH FOR A WORKING PRO!!! And, even better, a lot of this material is very little known.

There are tricks you can do when a friend hands you half a dog-eared deck... and there are tricks that you can perform for a large group that will knock people's socks through their eyeballs.

You often hear magicians say that one of the tricks on their newly purchased DVD was worth the price of the project on it's own. Well, we firmly believe that these eleven tricks ALL fall into that category.

Presented by James Went (host of CBBC's 'Help, My Supply Teacher Is Magic'), Liam Montier, Iain Moran and Owen Packard, the DVD contains tips & thoughts on how to present these routines, as well as a bonus section of some great false cuts if you want to take your magic to the next level. (You don't have to use these. These routines are all 100% sleight free!).  Ultimate Self Working Card Tricks - your magic will never be the same again!

How accurate is the ad copy? No deception here. This is exactly what you get

What's in the box? DVD only

Key points: Eleven of the GREATEST self working card tricks ever invented:

1. Contact Colors (Aldo Colombini)
2. Impossible (Mike Austin)
3. Shuffling Lesson (Chad Long)
4. Henry Sugar (Liam Montier)
5. Pre-Prefiguration (Larry Jennings / Mark Elsdon)
6. Your Aces Are Marked (Terry Lagerould)
7. Shufflebored (Simon Aronson)
8. The 7/16 Club (Alex Elmsley)
9. Impossible (Larry Jennings)
10. "4,5,6" (Al Thatcher)
11. Unbelievable (By Shields, F. Michael And Bascom Jones, Jr)
 
How are the production values: Big Blind Media makes great instructional DVDs, clear menus, HD cameras, good sound and lighting and attractive assistants.

Is it well taught: Liam Montier is very well known throughout the magic industry as being one of the most refreshingly original creators of workable and practical magic.  Liam Montier, is truly a fantastic card control resource for all magicians regardless of skill level.  I cannot recommend this enough!
 
My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): Not only are all of these tricks great, but Liam gives you so much more bang for your buck. Liam also teaches you two false cuts, two shuffles and a crimp. Plus, in between the teaching, he also offers you his advice on practice, getting out of a jam, and so much more.
 
My advice, if this is a DVD you might want to pick up, save your pennies and get the Essential Card Magic Tool Box

Overall score: 10/10
 
+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOc6Oak87Hc

Creator: John Carey
Publisher: RSVP
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: intermediate
DVD Run time: 1 hour and 55 min

Type of effect: DVD of Close up Magic

Manufacturer's Write Up:

John Carey is back with a brand new collection of powerful and practical card and close up magic. Streamlined in a way he has become respected for, John shares 15 commercial effects on this new DVD!

No pipe dreams, just very strong doable effects with cards, a coin and even a commercial sponge ball routine!
 
How accurate is the ad copy? Spot on accurate

What's in the box? DVD

Key points: Everything uses a normal deck of cards (aside from the coin and sponge ball routines) but nothing extra to buy or build.
 
How are the production values: Well done, nice non-distracting set, two lovely assistants, good camera angles, well microphoned and all shot in HD.
 
How is the teaching? John is a good teacher, but he's not really patient. What I mean is most of the performance videos are longer than his explanations. He doesn't hold your hand through every sleight. John also is great at crediting his inspiration and pointing you to great resources. A couple of the effects didn't have live performances, 2s company, spitsville and mental sandwich, so it would have been nice to see the routines.

Is it well taught: John speaks quietly but carries a big stick. The DVD is nice and long, John covers a lot of ground and the live performances are great, but John goes over the moves fast, and routines fast, he doesn't hold your hand through these.
 
My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): This is a great DVD jammed packed with a lot of good quality magic.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?" uses only a pack of cards
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) these are all real world workers
 
Overall score: 10/10
 
+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://youtu.be/jWOd9cqVIVI

video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg-SLXZhnUc

The purple Floral deck is a custom deck of cards printed by U.S. Playing Card Co. for Aloys Design Studio in Taiwan.

The Floral deck is the follow-up to Aloys' successful Blue Tune deck. The Floral deck has sold out on Aloys' web site and its availability is VERY limited.

The cards have USPC's Linoid Finish and are elegantly designed. Each deck has 52 cards and two jokers plus one gaff card (with a blank face and regular back). Unlike the red deck, where the deuces have one regular pip and one reversed pip, this deck has standard pips for the deuces.

Title: Thought Wave Extreme
Creator: Gary Jones & Mark Bendell
Publisher: Alakazam Magic
MSRP: $ 36.35
Skill Level: beginner
DVD Run time: 25:46 minutes

Type of effect: prediction style card effect

Manufacturer's Write Up:

Gary Jones is very well known for creating 100% commercial routines, which play as well to the Lay Spectator as they do to magicians. Thought Wave Extreme is no exception!

With Thought Wave Extreme Gary and Mark has taken a principle and given it a new lease of life with an incredible double hit mind reading card routine.

Effect

You start by writing a prediction (sight unseen) on a business card, Post- it note etc. The card is folded and placed on full view on the table.

A small card which contains 52 different symbols is examined by your spectator who then merely thinks of any one of the symbols (this is a totally free choice).

You now write something on another card and once again fold it and place it in full view. At this point you have committed to two predictions without your spectator giving you any information or saying a single word.

You now ask your spectator to draw his symbol on the outside of the first piece of paper. The second prediction is now placed onto the spectators hand and they name aloud the first playing card that comes in to their mind (absolutely no force) they now write their thought of card on your second prediction.

You draw attention to a deck of cards which has been on the table since the start of the effect. The cards are removed and shown to have images drawn on the back of each one. You remove their freely named card and the card with the freely chosen image on its back.

I bet you can see where this is going!! Your spectator now opens your first prediction (the one they have drawn their image on) and it reads the 5 of clubs. When they turn over the card it is in fact the 5 of clubs!! You now state that the second prediction was even harder as the spectator could name any card. When they open prediction number 2 they see you have drawn a clock. They turn over their freely named card only to reveal a clock on the back!!!

This really is a 100% commercial routine that has been well thought out and packs a very big double punch!

How accurate is the ad copy? Spot on accurate

What's in the box? Complete With High Quality Special Deck, Plastic Symbol Card and full instructional DVD.

Key points: No Memory Work, Instant Reset, No Switching of Predictions in any way, No Sleight Of Hand Totally Self Working

How are the production values: this is pretty much Peter Nardi and David Loosley talking in a room. It's well edited and well layed out, easy to follow. This is a well put together DVD

Is it well made: the deck of cards is top notch and brought to you by the good people down at Phoenix playing cards - and it's engineered with German perfection

Is it well taught: Yes it is, it's a little under 30 minutes, but Peter Nardi is a great teacher and he really gives you all that you need to know. (but listen closely when David Loosley says to "take your time.")

My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): I loved that this combined my two favorites of mentalism and card magic. I loved that this is both high impact and self-working.

Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  all you need is the deck of cards a pen and something to write on.

Does it "play big?" I think so, I think free choice mentalism is about as powerful as you can get in magic.

How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) yes, this is a player. This is real world magic.

How original is this idea? Nobody else believes me, but "for me" this trick is very similar to DeTour DeForce by John Bannon

Overall score: 10/10

+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAjs7GXdU18

contest link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6jaTHWfAfc

Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK9Si1wBcs4

The Bicycle Pin-Up Deck brings back the women who drove millions of men crazy back in the days before television and Internet.

Purchase yours here: http://playingcards.net/BICYCLE-PIN-UP-DECK-BY-COLLECTABLE-PLAYING-CARDS_p_1492.html