I think I want to use every single effect that Looch shared. Half an hour into the lecture it was already the best one I'd ever seen. The ideas were so practical with minimal handling. Things that you knew could work in the real world.

I've seen two other lectures on mentalism and left both feeling disappointed. Their teachings felt very vague like, 'pay attention to things you notice', 'be nice to the audience' and very basic cold reading things with no chance for a real 'hit'.

And the style of pretending to genuinely mind read has always left me a bit cold whenever it seems contrived. I've often been left with the feeling that many performers actually have no idea how they're being received by the audience.

But Looch's style was so down to earth. He framed his presentations as memory game, body language etc. but in ways that were so totally believable and credible - which makes the out of the blue punchlines hit so much harder. His style is something I think I have a lot to learn from.

If you like Derren Brown, you will love Looch's work.

With so much mentalism the methods seem so painfully obvious that I almost feel embarrassed for the performer.

Looch's performances have a style of leading you down the garden path and just when you think he's let you in on something . . . boom. He fools you.

I can't wait to rewatch this and buy everything he puts out.

I've downloaded this lecture based on the many positive reviews but have to admit I'm disappointed.
I've seen and enjoyed Bob Cassidy's lecture, Richard Osterlinds 1 and 2, Ian Rowland and Peter Turner. I also have a lot of Derren Brown material. So I like mentalism.

This lecture is probably nice for beginners (although I would still advise Osterlind instead) but if you have seen the above you will learn nothing in my opinion. No new method nor new presentation ideas. All the methods were obvious to me (the pool game... come on...) without seeing the explanation.

I really don't get the comparison with Derren Brown that was made. Love him or hate him, but Derren is smart, original and his presentation is mysterious and intriguing, he is a great entertainer, and a smart mentalist. I don't think Looch is, in this lecture.

Having seen all the Mentalism lectures offered by Penguin this was the best. Several effects were worth the cost of the lecture. The impromptu effect called Hustler is fantastic. - this realy shows how to dress up an old principle and apply it to real world situations - looking forward to performing.

All the effects are workers - what else can I say. Great pointers and this lecture comes with art work for one of the effects. Again an old principle dressed up but this set up allows you to practice cold reading and is very logical.

the underlying theme is simple and direct and that is what these effects offer.

I really LOVE Hollow by Looch,
as taught in this lecture,
and if you don't have a laser cutter as Looch had access to,
a crafts/fabrics store has a near-perfect hole puncher that is suitable and will save you a ton of time
if you've tried an exacto knife (which was my first try--total failure in time investment and also the edges
are too jagged for smooth sliding...that'll be clear to you if you know the method).

However, I never use it anymore (at a paid gig)
because I can't justify taking up all that valuable pocket space just for a full peek of a business card (I've become very conservative with pocket space),
when there are equally effective methods such as Banachek's from Psi Series or, which I personally use, Kuff's Bold Business--but with Convincing Control which
I feel is much fairer than telling the participant to place her card on the top of a stack and then cut the cards multiple times as Kuffs does.
Anyone else do Bold Business but with a Convincing Control instead, or is that just me?

"All that pocket space?," you ask?
Yes. If you're only planning on doing one effect,
and it's a DD, then it's negligible.
Looch here had the benefit of being able to have a case off to the side of the stage and walk on-stage then off-stage
to draw from his case. I do walk-around,
and pocket-space is precious to me.
If you do around 10 effects at a show,
and each of the 10 require that much room in your pockets,
then you'll need a fanny pack and/or you'll look ridiculous.

This is especially true if you can achieve the same result
with what you already carry on you--a stack of ordinary business cards.

Also I've performed the Rock, Paper, Scissors,
with success. However, I didn't like that all of the outs
are in his pockets (since my FIRST thought was that the MO was MO, and therefore I wanted to check all his pockets).
So I place a wager on the outcome of the game, and folded into the wager someone holds is one of the outs.
The other out is on the back of my lanyard.
And the 3rd out is in view the entire time (not my pocket, which again seems shady).

Of the 2 above effects I just mentioned which are taught in this lecture, I prefer the RPS. Why?

1. Because I can do a DD using business cards in a few OTHER ways, using a stack of ordinary business cards, which are basically as clean, but do not require extra pocket space (since I already carry a stack of ordinary business cards on me). With Hollow, your gimmick can be used only for Hollow. And it takes up as much pocket-space as another deck of cards (almost--a stack of at least 25 business cards is what you're looking at). Not an issue for everyone.

2. Because RPS seems so immune from guile/deception. It's a game kids play on the playground. Derren Brown did it sensationally, it seems so spontaneous and innocuous.

3. It takes up as much pocket space as 3 business cards. That's fantastic.

-

He also shows his effect which was shown in his SAD DVD, where he memorizes a deck of cards in a flash. When I first saw SAD, I didn't like this effect (seemed boring I think). But seeing it again, I'm starting to like it more.

I think this is one of Penguin's most under-rated mentalism DVDs.

It is packed with real world material that you can tell has been worked until it's is taut and well-toned.

His update to "Nod to Pocketwatch" is a terrific re-thinking to a classic mentalism effect.

Looch is a real dark horse for me. Highly recommended.

This was the best out of all Live Lectures I have attended. A very well explained session. The effects are simple and mind blowing. Infact I was able to perform some the next day. My mentalism skills improved over night! Thanks Looch and Penguin!

This is the best mentalism lecture I've seen, totally worth spending my money on!

Will definetly be using "Hollow" and "Rock, Paper, Scissors" in my next close up routine. Every effect in this lecture are gems of mentalism.

The effects have such wonderful presentations and the methods are hidden with a good level of psychological misdirection. I myself have certainly learnt a great deal on not just effect but presentational tips such as logical disconnects, cold reading ploys, garden path theory etc...

Certainly a fantastic lecture, teaches mentalism the way it should be, simple and direct!

A very commercial and professional set of routines. Each one simple in their preparation and execution. I will use and adapt all of the material.

Looch is one of the greats.

Seeing his lecture available here I was admittedly a bit nervously first, but Looch never disappoints.

The content covered was clear and easy to understand and fun. I know I'll be using a few things in my sets performing.

From close up to parlor to stage. Looch has something in here for all.

Could hear everyone fine:)

Thanks for making mentalism look fun and exciting.

This is the best penguin live mentalism lecture yet! There are so many excellent tricks and ideas here. Well done Penguin & well done Looch!