First of all, I really love this trick. It's simple, can use a borrowed deck, and won't take long to learn. It uses methods that most magicians will be familiar with, but it is the way he combines everything together that's really genius. I'll definitely be using this one.

So why the 4 stars? Because it is another trailer that penguin decided to edit out a good bit of the performance. I'm not sure why, because in my mind it doesn't reveal the method. I've been doing magic for 20 years, and if I saw this live, I would have definitely been fooled. I knew before I bought it that it was edited, it is pretty obvious, but I bought it anyway since it was only 10 bucks, expecting to be majorly disappointed like I have been with other downloads Penguin heavily edits.

I already know what the comments will be..."they have to edit to protect the secret". "No one would buy it if they can see the method". First of all, it is going to come out in the reviews, so we are going to find out anyway. Why not just be honest up front and show the whole trailer, instead of trying to sucker people into buying a trick, who will leave bad reviews and deter others from buying it anyway. If a trick is so easy to figure out from watching a trailer, then in my mind it's not that great of a trick to be sold.

I've been buying from penguin for over 20 years. Back in the day the trailer was one camera, no frills, and usually Oz showing the trick from start to finish. Sure I could tell when he was doing a double lift, palm, or mercury card fold. But I still bought the trick because I wanted to learn all the nuances, his thoughts, maybe additional handlings. And also it helped me stay away from tricks that I may not have the skills to perform. For example if I see him do a mercury card fold, and if my mercury card fold is lacking, I may pass on it. Or if it is a trick with a lot of patter, or do as I do, I usually stay away...not my style. When penguin edits that stuff out I think it is misleading, and false advertising.

Anyway I'll get off my soap box. Buy this trick. For $10 it is well worth it.

This effect will fool just about all laymen, and a fair share of magicians too! There is more to it then shown in the video. However, it is still a very solid effect in my opinion due to it's clever construction. There is no sleight of hand involved, but there is definitely some "Sleight of tongue", and you will need to practice the possible outcomes to perform it smoothly.

DISCLOSURE: I have personally known the creator, and he is one of my good friends. However, the following review is completely unbiased.

Mentalism is currently booming and there are so many products on the market right now. However, not all of them are great. Sometimes it looks like mentalism is just being used for “monetization” by some magic-related person who loves money (I want to not call this kind of person as a "magician".).
It's for these reasons that I'm extremely happy when I find a good piece of “mentalism.”

Here’s another good one— “Think of One” by Allan Zola Kronzek.

I believe he needs no introduction. Allan Zola Kronzek is a magician, educator, and the co-author (with his daughter Elizabeth) of the New York Times bestseller “The Sorcerer’s Companion—A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter.” He also wrote some great magic books for the public like “The Secrets of Alkazar”, “52 Ways to Cheat at Poker”, and his latest bestseller “Grandpa Magic.”


I still remembered the day when I received “Genii” magazine, August 2012 issue.
Because I found his trick named “Think of One” appeared in this magazine and it was so wonderful!
Later, this effect was included in his wonderful collection of works “Artful Deceptions” from Vanishing Inc. in 2017.


He takes some lesser-known clever principles and creates a baffling and strong direct mind-reading effect with cards.
Before this effect was published, my good friend fooled me badly with this principle, so I already knew how powerful the principle it was.
Allan-san streamlined presentation and handling well. Since then, this effect became one of my favorite “magician’s fooler.” (Of course, you can blow away the lay audience with this effect, too!)
Watch the trailer. Spectator’s face shows you the impact of this effect.

The effect is straightforward: Ask the spectator to think a card-a a totally free mental selection—then performer divide the deck into 3 piles. Even no one knows the location of the mental selection, the performer identifies which pile contains the mental selection, then he names it.
If by chance the performer makes a mistake about the location of the selection, he divines the mental selection. During this performance, the performer NEVER asks the spectator about his mental selection.

This effect requires no sleight of hand and can be done with a borrowed and shuffled deck. And this effect is very simple to perform.

But here's a word of caution for you. I never say this is a “very easy to perform” type effect. You have to practice quite well before you perform it for your spectators. You need to learn the whole system well (This system itself is very easy to understand one.)
Once you learn the whole system and you perform this effect without any hesitation, you can give a strong punch to your spectator with it.

In 25 minutes movie, Allan-san explained everything about this effect for you. His explanation section that shoots at Penguin magic’s P3 theater is really clear and camera work is terrific, too.

I already know several people seem to be criticizing certain manipulation by the spectator and performer in this effect, but if you use your head, the manipulation is easily justified.
(In fact, If you study this routine carefully, you can understand that Allan-san cleverly removes heat from some "process".)

If you don’t know how to justify your move or manipulation in your performance, you have to read noted magician from New York City, Mr. Peter Samelson’s wonderful essay, “Three Types of Justification,” which appeared in Genii Magazine, September issue 2014. or watch his "Penguin Live Act."

To further study, I’ll mention 2 wonderful variations of this effect. 
One is “AK-47” by John Bannon. This effect appeared in his awesome book “Destination Zero” (Squash Publishing, 2015.) You also check one of the coolest, controversy-provoke blogs on magic, “The Jerx” by Andy. Google “TweAK-47, The Jerx”, and you can read his thought-provoking entry on “AK-47.”
Another one is “Thinking and Syncing” by John Caray. This effect appeared in his wonderful book “Crafted with Carey” (Magicseen Magazine, 2015.)
I believe both effects and all references can buy from here.

Price tag $9.95- is a bargain price. If you search for a strong piece of mentalism with playing cards, this effect is for you.
 Before some of your friends fool you so badly with this effect, grab it!

Highly recommended.

This one is really sweet. Looks like real mind reading. Allan Kronzek's presentation is superb. His instruction is top shelf. Simple to learn and perform. Thanks Allan. Sweet.

So the best way I can review this is to compare it to it's nearest "competitor", AK-47, by John Bannon (which was inspired by this trick).

So Bannon's trick has one single fish, ever. And some clever ways to avoid other fishes. The problem is, is it makes how the value of the card is derived too apparent, in my opinion. There is also no possibility of a "miracle moment" where with one fish, that doesn't ask suit or color, you know the card. That "miracle moment" happens about 10% of the time with Think Of One.

With Think of One, while the spectator may suspect that the value is derived from the hidden cards, there is no way they can articulate how, in any way that makes any sense, because of the way the trick is constructed.

There is, at minimum, 1 single fish that is asked every time. It can go up to three. And this opens the possibility of the nightmare scenario: You fish 3 times, and you get it wrong three times. At that point, the idea you're a mindreader is laughable. I don't know how often that happens, but probably as much as the "miracle" scenario. I think it's a weakness of the trick, and I ding it a star for that.

I wish Allen had done an actual performance, with spectators, of the nightmare scenario, to see how he'd handle it and how it played.

What I'm intrigued to know
What was first
Was it Mr Kronzek's Chicken or Bannon's Ak47 Egg?
Or is this concept older than the hills?
Because the resemblance is unquestionable?

Either way I really love this premise!
Mr Kronzek Or Maestro Bannon please fill us in on the details?

Thank you Mr Kronzek for sharing your Art !

To paraphrase Einstein quote simple not simpler!

AllanZ

Aug 03rd 2020 12:17pm

John built his effect on this one. His is called AK-47. I'm the AK. Thank you for your positive comments.

Thank God we have a good trick with a fast and exquisite explanation. So straight forward and packs a punch with no setup and any deck of cards. While there is a step missing in the promo and people correctly complained about it in their write ups when you see how it is done and how it is used it is not an issue. Go buy this one. You'll be doing it without any sleights needed in 30 minutes. Then you'll be doing it well (LOL) after about an hour. It's a mind trick. It's easy. One thing to memorize. Just one little thing.

I would say this is one of the best tricks in my arsenal. I did this trick after watching the short tutorial twice and blew my wife away. As a note, I just got into magic and this was probably the third trick I performed and the first trick I bought on here and then performed. Can't say enough good things about this.

In addition my wife is a graphic designer and super critical visually and even with procedure and why she has to do things during a trick. I love her but she is probably the worst spectator someone could want to do a trick with. Anyway, worked flawlessly with her. So all good things for this trick.

Excellent effect. The download has so many helpful hints to make the effect powerful. A little practice of the routine and its variations to handle all outcomes and you will be amazing your friends. So easy to do.

simple to follow once you follow his fishing techniques...great effect.