I'm puzzled as to how this trick could have been rated so highly. To begin with, the demo is worse than misleading--it is virtually fraudulent. It seems clear that the selection is made from all the bills placed randomly on the table. "You take out the bills from an envelope. Some of them say 'win' on the back, some of them say 'lose'. So you turn them over, mix them around and then the spectator decides which bills they want and which bills they want you to have." The video seems to support this--it looks as though the bills are spread out on the table and the subject is making a free choice from among them. All of this is a lie. The bills are presented in pairs, unmixed, and the subject is required to choose one. The trick is amazingly easy to figure out, when you see the full performance. Moreover, under certain conditions, one is forced to finish with a magician's choice, always a weak move. (Lax mentions one of the contingencies that might present problems, but there is a second as well. This is when the subject consistently choses the smaller denomination.) I realize that it is common practice in these demos to not show the entire performance, which is, of course, a clue that the trick is not as good as they're making it look, but I did not think that Penguin would stoop to downright deception.

I bought the trick without really having knowledge about the method. The trick itself it is pretty good actually:

-The method is clear
-No gimmicks
-No sleights (at least mentioned on the video, I will explain myself)
-Rick it is an awesome teacher

However, it has a small scenario where you have to force a desition to make the trick work. Either you force like Rick teaches or you can perform a magician decision.

The main reason that supports my 3 stars is that in the trailer Rick mentions that the bills are mixed before starting with "the game" where the spectator chooses his bills. Even in the trailer it is shown the bills "mixed" (If you watch the explanation you will understand what I mean), but the truth is that they CAN'T be shuffled, they actually must be in a specific order which can't be altered, and Rick never mentions any kind of shuffle in the explanation.
Perhaps you can come with a way to have them in some order and perform some specific cuts so you can get to the "performable" scneario, but the idea of a tutorial is to explain every detail shown in the trailer.

But however, this is an opinion, perhaps it doesn't ruin the trick essence, but for me, it isn't just right.
Hope this helps you to decide!

PD: sorry for my english :P

I was familiar with the proncipal that is the basis for the trick, but I don't think I would have ever thought to use it for this type of trick. I heard Gene Anderson say that many magicians stop thinking too early. Well Rick Lax can't be accused of that. He twists old methods into different plots and creates something new. This is another great submission to the craft of magic from Mr. Lax.

First off, great clear and easy to follow instructions from Rick.
I knew this principal from gold dust by Paul Gordon, but wanted to learn the extra layers and Workings, which are slightly different.
This will go into a show I am working on with a Gypsy theme.
Thanks Rick again for pushing the envelope, I am exited to work this , and I will work this with something that I will discuss in the forum, so buy this and we can chat there 👌

Hello everybody,

This effect is not new. However, sometimes you just need to get it because it's Rick Lax. This is a keeper that you can do anywhere and anytime. Rick does a great job, as always, in getting the instructions to you in a simple and easy to understand way.

It's Rick's Psychology that you learn that makes this a great trick. Even if you already understand the principles of the effect, it's well worth the price to hear Rick's take on this alone.

I only have 7 tricks that are on me everyday of my life. One is "CONTACT" by Rick and it is very rare when a day goes by that I have not performed it multiple times.

This will up my pocket to 8.

If you need to know, the others are:
1) Hoping Halves by Johnson Magic Products
2) Cooper, Brass, Silver, Transition by Johnson Magic Products
3) Smoke by Alan Rorrison
4) The Deluxe Pen Through Dollar by ???
5) Hundy 500 Patrick Page's updated version by Gregory Wilson
6) Contact by Rick Lax
7) Sorry... You'll just have to run into me someday for that one.

Along with a deck of cards, these effect are very powerful and easy to carry. You may have trouble finding the first two coin tricks listed as they were bought in the mid 70's.

OK, Back to this illusion:

PROS:
1) Easy to carry around.
2) Easy to learn. Got it on the first viewing.
3) Great Instructions from Rick
4) Has a great alternate/additional ending with a prediction.
5) Any country's money will work.
6) Works with any value but I recommend ones and hundreds.
7) No skill level required
8) Pretty much self working.

CONS: NONE

Recommendation: I do the Hundy 500 with ones and hundreds because it is far more impressive. Rick uses ones and hundreds as well on this routine. If you can't afford to tie up that much money then both effects still work with ones and fives or tens. However, it is your money and not being spent on a trick. This means that at anytime you can use your trick to pay your bills and still do the trick with a lesser valued bill. I would suggest that you save up to do it with the higher amounts. In my opinion, it's just a better trick when you use high currencies.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Thanks,

The Magic Doc

This is a terrific principle and the routine works well with the magi saying he or she will try to psych out the volunteer. But when I tried this trick out, I saw that the original outcome can be a disappointment for the volunteer, so I tried it in reverse so the volunteer wins. I used play money, and this worked out well. Thanks to Rick for demonstrating this principle. I'm glad I purchased the routine.

I'm not usually a fan of Rick Lax, and I am not a big fan of Bank Night, so I expected this to be the same. Surprise!

This is easy to make up, easy to perform, and while they don't win any money the spectator is not left standing there as a loser.

This can be done with any currency and any 2 denominations. The bills are labeled with stickers so they can be spent at any time. This is fun to perform, good entertainment value, and leaves people happy. What more could you want?

This is a fun effect. Like most of Rick's effects, it's built on a classic foundation, so those familiar with a lot of "magical techniques" might not be fooled by the method. However, there is still a great deal of value here in the way Rick presents the psychology and presentation of the trick, which I greatly appreciate. In that way, this is an effect for both beginner and experienced magicians.

Rick Lax has done it again! Money Comes and Goes is absolutely fantastic!

I love that Rick has such a kind way about him that he’s taken a trick that could leave a sour taste in the spectator’s mouth, and he’s turned it into a positive and unforgettably magical experience - even though the spectator didn’t take home any of the money! (Thank you for that, Rick)

There are no gimmicks involved. No magnets or flaps or pulls. Everything involved in the trick is on the table. No switches or ditches. Absolutely no sleight of hand. Yet this trick is mind-blowing! And the kicker ending is incredibly powerful. And I need to note that so many times, when a prediction effect like this is done, the magician pulls out the envelope and has the prediction just written down, I immediately think,”Oh, so I really didn’t have a choice did I?”

But Rick’s cleverly crafted letter and patter totally take that thought right out of your head because he’s caused everyone to really think about how many outcomes there could have been if you’d have made different choices. It’s ingenious! I’m going to use this psychology on other prediction effects I do. It’s that good!

This is my favorite download of the year! Thank you, Rick, for another well crafted gem of a trick!

Wow! Rick has done an amazing job here! He's taken the Bank Night routine to the next level by removing all the negatives & adding positives. His handling is simple and out in the open for all to see how "fair" every choice is made. You can make this up in minutes & begin frying people's minds. This is a Killer routine for a bargain price! Highly recommended!