Overview: (5/5)
It's so good. Like, I know you've seen the trailer, and you probably think you know how it's done (maybe you even do!), and I can assure you that it's just as easy and casual as it is fooling.

Pros:
* You get a perfectly serviceable deck of cards that can be examined, shuffled, and used to lead into the routine
* The effect is a classic, but avoids many of the presentational issues/inconsistencies that the effect can create
*It's a trick that is accessible at all skill levels--the principle behind it, and the general flow is easily tailored to wherever you are
*It can be performed in a wide variety of settings, and resets quickly and discreetly in a walkaround scenario--no need to hide in a coatroom between performances

Cons:
* It's not impromptu. Sure, it never claims to be, but I've been around enough to know people are going to point this out...
* It isn't the most repeatable trick, even though people are going to want to see it again. If someone watches multiple performances, there is a strong chance they might catch something.

Ease of Performance: (4.5/5)
There is a moment in the trick that feels scarier than it is, and it will take some time fiddling with the solution that works best for you! I tested it straight out of the box, but had time to practice choreography beforehand thanks to the immediate access to the download, and was able to get through the trick with no heat at the scary moments, but my setting was very well suited to the situation.

Instruction (5/5)
The download included, taught by Nick Locapo, is well presented, thorough, and avoids some of the fluff and padding that some downloads have. It shows and dissects 2 different performances of it, explains how to find a way to make it work for you, and then includes a bonus trick that uses the same principle.

Verdict:
I usually stay away from anything that isn't impromptu--borrowed deck, rubber bands, etc, but because of that, I find myself very drawn to this--it still starts (and can end) clean, so when mixed in with my usual repertoire and style it actually adds to the impossibility for my target audience.

Because it involves marker and paper/card stock, it is an easy include in mentalism acts as well, and it doesn't make pocket management much harder. I definitely recommend Nemesis highly unless you're never going to perform for a group smaller than a large auditorium ;)

Pros
A stunner of an effect
Excellent, excellent teaching
Extremely well thought out/choreographed
Clearly refined from experience in the real world
Training video is perfect in terms of time

Cons
Not for beginners/maybe for intermediates
Requires gaffs/not impromptu
Can't be repeated for the same audience
Wardrobe considerations if performed standing

Looking at the trailer for Nemesis, it was clear to me that Nick was doing 'something,' but I still was totally fooled by the trick. That said, it's not like I'm the most experienced or savvy magician and I missed a key component which is why I absolutely couldn't back track the effect. The reactions were great and the price more than reasonable, so I went for it.

I haven't received the trick yet, but have enough of what I might need to work thorough the trick, so I've pretty much been able to practice this, albeit awkwardly.

Without giving anything away, there are some wardrobe considerations that you will need if you are doing this standing up. The deck is examinable before the trick. With a little follow up work, the deck will be examinable afterwards as well. There are minimal sleights at work here, but that which is employed is bold. Experienced magicians will not have a problem with this, but beginning and intermediate magicians may not feel ready for this--you have been warned. That said, the way Nick has choreographed the effect, the heat is off the magician when you do the dirty work. Strangely, when he shows an example of where he should have been caught, he wasn't. Spectators are distracted elsewhere, so if you are going to do this kind of move, this is the best way to do it. Given the method, you could not repeat the effect for the same audience. (You probably shouldn't anyway...)

Suffice it to say that the combination of the sleight and the gaff is what really drives the trick. The fact that you can optionally wring out the gaff at the end of the trick and have the deck fully examinable, makes this virtually untraceable. That said, I totally agree with Nick: unless you are doing this for magicians, no spectator will have any interest in examining the deck afterwards.

The teaching 1 hour 46 minutes and is spot on. It is neither too long or too short--it's just right. Nick covers the script, the choreography, and any sleights used. Nick gives you multiple outs, multiple options for sleights used, extras that can be added in, and how to end clean. There is also a bonus routine 'Nemesis at any number' in the end.

The major criticism seems to be that there is 'nothing new here' or that 'you will be disappointed in the method.' Yes, this is nothing new in terms of the tools or sleights used, but you'd be hard pressed to put this thing together yourself and most magic we read or buy is some kind of rehashing of past plots and methods. The key here is we are being taught a signature piece of magic by an expert teacher, which is already worth the price of admission (which is wholly reasonable, by the way).

As to being disappointed in the method, I'm not sure why anyone would say that. Once you know the 'secret' most effects seems simpler than they should be. They key is whether the effect hits hard (this one does) and if it is doable for most of us in front of an audience (e.g. doesn't require Ernest Earick/Octopus-Can-Palm level sleights). Sure, you are using known gaff principles and sleights, but if I could have put this thing together, I'd be working for Penguin instead of Nick and maybe I would also have a better head of hair... This is an excellent way to use well known tools to get an incredible result. So I think--at least for most of us--it is more than worthwhile.

That said, I'm not sure whether I will use this. I think for for working magicians who do a lot of gigging, traveling with a pack of gaffs and different card decks is a usual thing. This trick is hard hitting and one of those things that would be a 'reputation maker.' For the amateur, such as myself, who does tricks here or there for friends with borrowed decks, this is not something that you'd use very often, as you'd have to think ahead to bring the gaff and it would need to match the cards you are using. Then again, if I were doing a one off for friends and family at home, I can see myself bringing this out because it is such a stunner. As a major side benefit for intermediate magicians, you will learn a lot about constructing a magic effect and will also learn a useful sleight that you may have been neglecting. It is more than worth the price for what I learned so far, even if I never perform this trick.

Hats off to Nick Locapo for a great routine and for incredible teaching. Recommended.

Thanks to the excellent review posted by Nicholas Kerpan from Boston, MA USA on November 13th, 2023 I can't find much to add....wah! A must read!

I do, however, want to point out the outstanding tutorial posted by Nick L. He covers the basic handling in 30 minutes or so then spends the next hour covering all possible contingencies, new handling ideas, and "what ifs" and sleights and methods apropos to other tricks as well.

Bravo!

Love this! I enjoy the amount of audience participation in this effect. There’s no wasted moment and you’re one step ahead of them at all times. Very Fun effect.
15/10 great effect would give it the highest score possible

Highest praise to you sir!!!
What a killer idea!
You have ripped the fabric of card magic for me!!!
So many ideas using this combo of ideas and apparatuses
Best idea in a long time!
Thank you Nick!

This is a really good and a really cool trick. I was shocked to see how it works. This is a really powerful effect and I recommend this for any card guys out there. Even if ur not a card guy I recommend this. Its so good and everything just works!

Working on the one main move

I like this trick for two big reasons. First, the spectator feels like they had a lot of control, which makes the reveal hit harder. Second, it all feels very fair. There is one sneaky move that can be done very easily and very naturally.. It’s fun to perform and it gets good reactions. Definitely recommended!

This is such a good trick and the thinking is very creative. Great job on this one Nick

If you are considering purchasing this, just do it.
You get Nick's super clear instruction and lots of other great tidbits that will allow you to expand your magic toolbox. Great bang for your buck IMO