This re-released gimmick, now marketed as: 'X-Ball', is a true blessing to see on the magic market
again - after so many long decades of being wholly unavailable to Manipulators - and, this ball is
exceptionally well-made!
The basic concept behind this precision gimmicked ball for
approximately 1.75"/45mm sized Billiard Ball sets goes as far back in time as Professor Hoffmann's:
'Modern Magic', and, the basic concept can also be found documented in Dunninger's 'Complete
Encyclopedia of Magic' - though utilizing a different "modus operandi" - and, as a product of modern
engineering, this gimmick was originally only available to magicians as a European-made product of
the 1960s; and, had been become hopelessly unavailable - except through the private collectors'
market, fetching hundreds of dollars, IF someone had one for sale - after the German-made 'Durania'
balls became unavailable sometime during the mid-late 1980s.
To truly understand the unique
utility and massive potential which the re-titled: 'X-Ball', can bring to your own Multiplying
Billiard Ball routines, you must watch the Richard Ross, Greater Magic Library DVD, #27 - which is
available at popular Penguin Magic discount prices! - in which, World-Champion, Richard Ross,
personally demonstrates and teaches you his exact handling of this specialty gimmicked Billiard
Ball.
Get both the new-version 'X-Ball' and the Richard Ross GML-DVD #27, and you just
might take your routine to the FISM-winner level... and, be thankful you didn't have to wait 35+
years to finally get one of these amazing precision balls into your hands... and then, work it like
a master.
If I could give 10 Stars to 'X-Ball', I would!
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
I got the x-ball on a whim, having no idea what it was or how it worked. I was not disappointed in
its construction, but after a little playing around, it occurs to me that there’s nothing the x-ball
does that I wouldn’t rather accomplish with sleight of hand. Still fun to play with, though.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
This is a clever gimmick from Panky, however, it is not easy to master and I am not sure whether or
not it is worth the effort. I am an experienced billiard ball manipulator and have featured billiard
balls in my professional dove act. This, however, is my first experience with this type gimmick and
I would certainly say it has tremendous potential! I'll have to play with it some more to see if I
want to actually use it in a any performances.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
First, I have to say Penguins service was incredible. The same day I ordered it I received an email
with a video of it being wrapped, boxed and addressed! Wow. I got it in record time. It was my first
time ordering from Penguin and they impressed me greatly. And I've been buying magic for 43 years!
The ball itself is great. It is not for beginners, though. This is the durania style ball
for which magician's have long awaited since Richard Ross used it to win FISM many years ago. This
is the first time it has been readily available. Several FISM contestants recently have used this in
their acts, and it can accomplish effects impossible with a normal ball set. However, it is an
accessory for a routine.
It is ingenious, but will take practice.
Note that this
uses a different method than the X-Multiplying Balls, which is not a durania ball, but good in its
own right.
Spectacular Steve
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.