Overview:

What could be simpler? They pick a card and then you visually cause the pips to start streaking or melting away until they are all piled in the corner of the card.

I've been waiting for this trick for a while and I must say, it was definitely worth the wait. When I opened the initial package and it wasn't there I was deflated. Then I saw the note: "It's coming, oh yes, you will have it soon!" (I may have just made that more creative but, as a side note, Penguins reliability with back-orders and pre-orders is really great - they are generous with their shipping to being with and they will always go the extra mile for their customers - well done!)

What you get:

Pip Streak DVD by Gregory Wilson, produced by Penguin Magic, and the props needed to do this trick.

Note: you will need your own bicycle deck as well and, at least in my case, the cards you receive are red backed. It's a bit frustrating that the cards are red back - I'm not against red decks, it's just that I normally perform with blue decks and so it makes it hard to transition to other tricks without a deck switch being noticeable (duh). I have a Fade Out deck made up with red backs which I've found useful - I perform Pip-Streak, switch out for the red backed Fade Out, perform Fade and make the cards go blank and then exclaim, "Oh well! You've ruined my deck - I need a new one!"

Details:

From the get go I have to say that Gregory Wilson is a great teacher. Of all the people I have learned magic from, I would have to say Gregory Wilson and Oz Pearlman are definitely the best. Gregory Wilson has a naturalness to him that makes him easy to listen to and learn from (see my review of Gazzo's Tossed Out Deck for the opposite type of teaching). His pace is good and I don't find myself drifting off into space because he is over-explaining something simple. The two handlings included on the DVD are great and his honesty, the real world experience and the insight that he provides are all invaluable to the keen student. I have had this DVD only for a few days and I have watched it through twice already.

The bonus colour changes are a great addition for those who don't have a colour change DVD/book in their library (Hot Shot Color Changes or Color Changes by Noblezada are good choices). I have been furiously practicing the Mayhew Flippant since I saw it and, I have to say, this is one of the most frustratingly "knack-ish" moves I have ever come across. The flippant move is a knack. The mayhew flippant move is like waiting for all the planets to align - it may not happen in your life-time.

The highlight of this whole experience was the Via Negativa with Alvo Stockman. Alvo is a humble student and the concept of learning through someone elses learning (and a lot of mistakes) is brilliant. It was perfectly placed in the DVD as well. I had just watched and played with the handlings and Via Negativa came along at the right time to correct my errors but also to reinforce the routine itself. I can only hope that Penguin uses this in all it's upcoming titles.

Conclusion:

A solid routine that will either be done well and have audiences floored OR it will be done by people who don't take time to make certain moves look natural. If you buy this, please don't ruin it for everyone else by being hasty in your performing of it. The secret is simple but that doesn't mean that you should run out and accidently reveal how simple it is.

A worthy addition to your repertoire!

(A thought: It would be good for Penguin to sell Pip-Streak refills!)

Cheers!

Greg has been performing this trick for a while and I'm so glad that it is finally available to buy. The idea is so great and it will always get great reactions from your audience. They love watching you move the pips down the card one by one until they all in one corner. It completely blows them away. For the finally, you take the card, turn it over, give it a spin, and all the pips are back to normal. The card can then be handed out. This is a great trick and I highly recommend it.

I think the effect is brilliant and has a serious impact on people, however repeating 3 times the same "move" is a bit tricky...
Also, if you are left handed as I am, you can't present the trick exactly like Greg does on the video... (well, you wont be able to show the pips moving exactly the same way as he does...)
Exept that, great trick as every Greg stuff.

Okay, I personally am sick of card tricks - because I buy them all the time and really don't need to complicate my life by finding yet another cool effect to add to my routine. So while I found this effect to be really cool, I secretely didn't want to like it! Unfortunately, my life is now in turmoil because it's that good.

Pip Streak is such an easy trick to do, has strong impact, and Gregory does a terrific job of covering every aspect of the performance. The most advanced move he teaches is a 1 handed double lift, but frankly, this shouldn't be stressed since it really isn't even necessary to learn because the top half of the deck is hiding the other cards when you do the double lift.

He teaches you several options on the DVD for achieving the same outcome so that you can pick the one that suits your style best. And he not only goes into great detail showing you what to do, but also devotes a whole section of the DVD going into great detail on what NOT to do. He then let's you watch him perform the effect several times in front of live audiences, so that you can pick up ideas on execution and patter. Very well done!

My only criticism that had me on the fence about whether to give this 4 stars versus 5 is the fact that the trick can't be repeated. Ok, I realize that the canned motto is that a good magician never repeats his tricks. But if you're working a room at a party, it will be difficult to repeat this trick if any spectators are following you around. Ideally, Gregory should sell this routine with more than 1 gimmick choice. He would make more sales as a result, and alleviate this one downside. But in hindsight, I couldn't justify taking a star away since the worst thing I found about this effect is that I want to buy more than one but can't benefit from doing so!

This is an awesome and original trick. I love using it on random folks walking around. The only major downside is that you have to do a certain move 3 times in a row and it's hard to do that without making it look suspicious. Also the box said that you end with you and the card completely clean and examinable... which is true I guess. The spectator can examine you and your person, and the card... just not the deck, which is what I think most people would want to examine. Also the red backs of the cards are a slightly darker shade of red than my deck, not that anyone has noticed so far, but if you look at them side by side it seems pretty obviously different, maybe its just my deck idk. My final gripe is with the force that Greg Wilson teaches, it leaves too much up to chance, and I will not be using it. That being said, some of the top changes he shows you are awesome, I particularly like the flippant change, but it does require practice and I put my own spin on it.

Still it is really cool and people don't even see it coming. And then they don't know what hit them. Especially when you change it back it back. I am receiving David Stone's "TOOL" tomorrow and I am already working out a routine in combination with this effect.

In conclusion, very visual and stunning trick, not perfect, but whether it kills or not is totally up to you. This is one of those tricks that separates the good from the amazing. Overall I am happy with this purchase.

This effect is great and so are the performance instructions. I am so glad I purchased this and can't wait to add it to my routine.

The best part about this is that you don't need to be an advanced card handler to do this routine. Highly recommended!!

Good trick, definitely worth buying, BUT... people tend to see there is something off with the cards rather quickly. And then they'll start asking questions. So far, I've fooled quite a few people with this, but also had equally often people figuring it out and asking to check my deck.

That being said, it's a good trick that will get definitely get good reactions. It's just not the awesome-tier that I'm used from Gregory Wilson.

I love this routine! If you have any other DVDs by Greg Wilson then you probably already know how to do some of the more advanced sleights which means you can perform it right a way! I particulary like how he handles the loud guy in the performance section. Lots of subtleties to pick up. I just hope replacement cards will soon be available.

Another masterpiece from Gregory Wilson. This is an amazngly well put together DVD and equipment. Everything is really smooth to pull off. I was able to perform this within a few hours of getting it and practicing. The performances remind me just how much I love "Des Moines."

Alvo's cameo also adds the the humor of the DVD. ("Is that your card?") The bonus material is also a great addition that can be used with other card magic.

amazing, who would of ever thought, i love this one so much, it takes a little time to get this one to perfect, it's also not that hard, it just really blows peoples minds, i have so much fun with this, add to cart and you will not be dissappointed. gregory does a really good job teaching this...