Looks great, plays great, seems impossible but it’s not, it’s fun and it looks like real magic. There is really only one simple move and it’s really not a move. For all intents and purposes, the spectator does most of the work just prior to the amazing climax of this effect.

The card chosen by the spectator is really a free choice not a force - great start. There is no controlling of the selected card - nice! There is nothing to make, glue, cut or add to the deck - this keeps getting better. There is no sleight of hand, nothing complicated to do at all - Really? Yes. Pro or novice - doesn’t matter, it’s easy. As I was watching the tutorial I just followed what Nathan did with a deck of cards and it worked that quickly, I was already doing it. What you see in the trailer is exactly what happens. Learning time - a couple of minutes. If you are a pro, Nathan does show an alternate handling but this is not necessary.

What reason would you not buy this one, there are none, this is a keeper and can be done in a moments notice. No set up required, totally impromptu, use your deck or the spectator's as long as they don’t mind being left with a signed card in their deck. But why not, what a great story they will tell about you the next time they play cards and the signed card comes into play. This will also fool other Magicians if that’s what you are into. Don’t hesitate, this is a ‘must have’.

Once again, Penguin Magic has lied to us (see my anonymous review of Money Comes and Goes by Rick Lax), or at least allowed Nathan Kranzo to do so. In the demo, Kranzo says that you display the deck with half the cards face up and half face down and then immediately hand the deck to the spectator to shuffle. Not true. The crucial, very obvious, move, takes place between the exhibition of the deck and the handing of the deck to the spectator. Of course, that move is not shown in the demo. I think it is notable that, although I accused Penguin and Lax of fraud in regard to Money Comes and Goes, neither party offered any public response. Come on guys--either fess up or show how I am wrong. (On the other hand, I give credit to Penguin for publishing the review.)

I originally was going to give this trick 3 stars (before I realized that the demo lied) because it might fool a naive spectator, although it can't be performed a second time for anyone who has seen it once. The classic triumph is a much better trick.

A more general problem is the promiscuous way that 5 stars is awarded to mediocre tricks. There is nowhere to go when you encounter a really outstanding trick. I pointed this out in a previous review of EZ Oil and Water, but, for some reason, that review was not published. I'll be interested to see if this one is.

This is really not a magic trick at all, to be honest.
And if you saw the entire performance, you'd figure it out in a second. It's so pathetic and childish that I don't know how Penguin allowed it to be sold here at all.
I am guessing they will not approve my review... so let me just say if you're reading this - Penguin is a fair place to write reviews so I'll definitely continue buying here but always make sure the performance is full.
Nathan has some great tricks... and then some huge flops.
I like his tricks in general - because they are simple to perform. But this one is just bad, bad ... bad.
Imagine you're 9 years old and you want to perform this kind of trick - how would you do it ? - EXACTLY ! that's how he did it too...

The two missing parts of any great Triumph has always been BOTH a borrowed deck and a spectator shuffle. this is the solution. Awesome Nate!

I am always looking for something that can be done anywhere/anytime with no prep AND with a borrowed deck. This is that, my friends.

What 'Dark Triumph' does - and what it does so sneakily - is having it appear that the magic is happening in the spectator's hands. The presentation is simple and humorous, with the final reveal of a randomly selected signed card as the only face down card in the deck a hoot.

No arts/crafts. No heavy sleights. No crazy moves.

Get this. Now. Thank me later.

This is a worker. Big time.
Well done, Nathan.

Ok, this is a very personal view on this trick...

Nathan Kranzo is definitely one of the thinkers in magic, and I won't doubt, that some/many of you had good reactions with this trick - period.

The two stars come from my personal dislike of magic with handling under the table or behind the back - and I should have known this before I purchased it.
For me any trick automatically dismisses itself if you have to do "something" out of sight and I realized my growing discomfort while watching the explanation.

So, if you don't mind doing suspicious things in the dark, go for it, otherwise be warned ;-)

Looks beautiful in trailer, which led me to very excitedly purchase!
But then I watched the full unedited performance, and see a truly ridiculous move that was left out of the trailer(for very good reason!). I lost interest in even watching the explanation at that point, but i watched it anyway. Obviously i cant say what happens but it would be like seeing a mindreading trick where the performer guesses your address never leaving the table, but then you watch the full performance and he leaves the room for a minute.wait, what??? i feel this happens way to often.

Lots I am unhappy with on this purchase. Not sure what it adds new to the plot of triumph? The fact that the moves happen under the table? It reminds me of some of the most basic tricks you learned in magic as a beginner. Not sure this is a stunner, a lot of room for the spectator to botch it without you knowing...as everything is done in the "dark"- usually love Kranzo's stuff - and thought this price was a steal...it was...it stole my money.

This is great Nathan. Really Great. I performed it at the Chicago Magic Lounge 5 min after watching the tutorial. Floored ‘em! 😊

Triumph is my absolute go to card trick. I’ve performed it thousands of times over the last almost 30 years. The first version I learned was taught to me by Baffalo Bill at the Cu Coo’s Nest in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (thanks Bill!).

I’ve tried several versions since then and always go back to Bill’s method.

But I will definitely use Nathan’s handling to take it to the next level. The fact that the spectator can shuffle is revolutionary! I do think that instead of shuffling under the table, I will shuffle and have the spectator shuffle in a large black satin bag or pillow case on the table itself.

Nathan is a great teacher and he takes the time on this download to really go over some of the finer details and nuances.

It’s a great effect and I don’t know why I didn’t think of this! I’ve always handled the cards casually and as openly as possible, but this added layer of the spectator handling the cards takes it to a whole new level.

The one caution I have for those considering this purchase is that there is a little bit of management to do, to keep your volunteer from either seeing how it’s done or messing it up altogether. But it’s very easy and good practice to build up chops for other effects that require more intense audience management.

Great stuff Mr Kranzo!