I am usually a huge fan of Mark Mason products as he releases a lot of fantastic workers that are durable and easy to reset. Usually, I love the quality of the gimmicks.

However, this one is awful and makes me want to use the word junk to describe it. I really feel for the first time that I have completely wasted my money on this.

I am very familiar with the gimmick as it is the same as used in 2wenty1 and a few other effects. The quality of the gimmicks with 2wenty1 were fantastic and on bicycle stock. They are on some flimsy cards and you can easily see the gimmick on both sides of the cards! I will not go in to detail on what you can see as it will reveal the secret. However, as soon as I performed it for the first time, the person asked me what was running across the card and why it had [edited]. You could never see the gimmick in previous versions of these cards so no clue why they changed the cards and the material used.

Very, very, very disappointed. Worst purchase for a while as it is unusable. As said, the routine is amazing and a real worker that re-sets. It will only be performable if you are in a darker room with no light shining on the cards or if you create your own gimmicks which is not too difficult but extra effort when you pay to receive them.

I performed this effect last weekend for four hours (along with several other effects) for Thrillist's "Best Day of Your Life" event in Brooklyn. I was working in very bright sunlight (via the bar window) and never had one spectator "notice anything" about the cards. So my experience was different than the other reviewer's.

Also, the other reviewer mentioned that the cards are "flimsy." In actuality, they are meant to be the ultra-thin version of the Phoenix Deck (check out the Phoenix Double Decker Deck here at Penguin Magic) because then it's easier to disguise a certain something.

The spectators got a kick out of this! Especially when the queen jumps around the kings and then finally disappears--only to reappear elsewhere.

Only once did a spectator say, "Wait! Do it with those (red Bicycle) cards instead!" (Because I had the red Bicycle deck on the table.) So I picked up 3 non-gimmicked Bicycle cards and went into Monte Monte Plus (credits: Ken Krenzel; Trevor Lewis; Harry Lorayne).

It pays off to have another (non-gimmicked) Three Card Monte routine in your arsenal!

Anyway, I'm happy with my purchase....

Guys this really is a killer routine. I bought this trick at the Winter Carnival of Magic. I use this routine at my both of the restaurants I perform at. The gimmick is well made, but before you try, WATCH THE VIDEO. Because you will think you know but if you do it one wrong time the gimmick will break. I recommend this trick to anyone who loves closeup.

Pros

Practical
Easy to do
Well made gimmick
They'll never figure it out if done well

Cons

My only con I would have is the cards aren't examinable, maybe you could do a move to switch them, I don't know.

Overall easy 5 stars. Buy this today!!!😀

I recently purchased this as an open box sale on Penguin Magic. I played with it for a few days before daring to perform it. Haven't even watched the DVD yet. Since then, I have performed it and started developing my own routine. IT KILLS! Packs small, plays big is an understatement. This would slay people in a bar or restaurant setting. Darkness would help a bit (and drunkenness)! I wish it came in red or blue Bicycle, but I do have a Phoenix deck that I use on occasion. I would recommend this product.

This is a great method for doing the Monte effect. I disagree with the reviewer who called the cards junk. I actually think they work quite well. The cards are durable and won't wear out like typical playing cards. The only way the spectators will notice the gimmicked aspect would be in bright sunlight very close up if the magician holds the cards very still for an extended amount of time. But the cards are in motion during the routine, so I can't imagine anyone ever detecting anything.

I love Mark Mason, he is one of the best Demo guys and a very talented magician. He makes all look easy. He is a great teacher. The DVD is well produced. This trick is a WINNER !!!.I Put this right into my Walk around / Table hopping. It needs no reset time. I do not perform this like Mr. Mason, I do my own thing and it kills. I Bought one from the "MAGIC EXPO" ( Expo was great !). Than I bought one from PENGUIN if its good you have to have two. Its so good and so easy to perform I will be purchasing a THIRD after this review.
Note: I learned from a Derrick Dingle lecture perform in your hands not on a table, try not put things down on a table and the value of instant reset...He was trade show performer. This trick is all that. Very powerful !!

This monte routine is up there with stand up monte by garrett thomas it is a must buy the price is cheap and the gimmicks are strong and extremely usable in the real world the guy who commented that its a bad product is 100% wrong i rarely buy magic but this product is well worth it

I am really a mediocre magician and found this magic very easy to do and one that really entertains and fools people. Another great item by Mark Mason.

Received the product today. Reviewed the DVD several times (rather short but to the point). Very clever trick. Mark did a good job of explaining the workings of the cards. For me, it will take some practice to polish the routine. Very good trick that does not break your bank account. No, all the cards cannot be handed out for review.

Use this product as well but again would be much better with Bicycle stock