Rick Lax has created a self working trick that does what other self working effects do not. It is interesting, commercial and doesn’t require any preparation. I have tried it out in the real world and it gets great reactions.

Tearing the cards makes the difference. That action takes it from an ordinary trick to something that the audience remembers. That action also makes it a difficult trick to perform a lot. To perform the main version you need to tear about 20 cards. If you tear up a deck you have a great reason to pull out a new unprepared deck. It’s a sleight-less deck switch.

In my personal work I use a single deck of cards for signatures, I usually hand the cards out as they are signed. This leads to a small stack of hodge podge cards in the deck at the end of the night. A hodge podge deck of 15 or more cards is great for this effect. You can even leave the cards with the table at the end of the night. I have begun to present the effect as a funeral for the deck, it’s a little funny and a little morbid.

Over all I think that this is a solid routine. I love the idea of destroying a deck but you get an alternative handling as well that you can use a deck without destroying it.

"Was the sequel better than the original?" - in this case, YES!

I'm so glad Rick released this version! There's a lot I could say about it, but the short answer is - if you liked Binary Code, you'll love this one more.

In fact, if you do binary code, this doesn't have to be an "either / or" choice. You can still do Binary Code THEN end with this.

I see why Rick almost wouldn't want to release this. It's practically self working - it's THAT easy. If the "memory" and sleight of hand of Binary Code was too tricky for you, THIS effect is the easier version for you - which actually will get you BIGGER reactions.

like always, Rick has thought this through and covered every aspect to make sure you learn this quick and fry brains immediately. HIGHLY RECOMENDED!

Binary Code 2.0 might be a misleading title. While the memory portion of the trick is there, the method and presentation is completely different. It's not an upgrade, it's a whole new trick with a stupidly simple method.

I'm not a big fan of ripping up cards (bicycle decks have gotten more and more expensive!) however, ripping the cards makes it even more difficult for laypeople to comprehend how you're doing it. So rip away if you feel the need.

If you don't feel like ripping it Rick's got a whole card version that works in the exact same method. You need to think a little (and I really mean the slightest extra bit) more in this method, but it's incredibly easy.

Don't be afraid this trick is so good. It's easy, simple, and works perfectly. Rick's teaching is fantastic (as always) and he gives you ideas on presentation, method, and everything else. Really cool trick.

The method is genius, and will take seconds to learn. You will definitely be fooling a ton of people with this. There's not much more to say. BUY THIS NOW !

This is super easy and fun, and the presentation is intriguing. (Rick seems to have a knack for that!)

There's something about tearing the cards (real people don't do that)
that makes this special.

Would I do it walk around for every group?
No.

Would I do it at the end of the night with a big group who wants to see something special?
You bet!

I showed it to my daughters and their jaws dropped.

There's very little to remember, and once you learn this, you'll have a very interesting piece of magic that involves two people.

As others have said, there's also a version where you don't tear the cards.
However, the tearing is part of what appeals to me. I'm all about the presentation, and that definitely makes it more interesting to watch.

Great routine...thanks Rick Lax!

I picked this up because I wanted to work it into a show. After rehearsing it I had to give it up because it takes TOO long. And I was only ripping 39 cards. The other point I would make is that Rick made a couple of “magicians assertions” in the video that I admittedly fell for. The most serious one is that there is only a 1 in 52 chance that the spectators will cut to the same card. Actually if they each cut near the middle, the chances are a lot closer to 20 percent, forcing an alternate ending. Didn’t want an alternate ending for a show. Are there workarounds? Of course, but things you need to work around aren’t worth five stars.
And I love Rick Lax’s stuff, I am not disappointed about the cost of the trick. I just wish that he hadn’t given a magician’s explanation of why he was releasing the trick. People were figuring it out...and then it would be a free trick. He doesn’t need to be disingenuous about being crazy about tipping the secret. People are willing to pay for having something before a general release.

This is a neat trick. I wasn't familiar with this method before. This trick is easy to learn and perform and stands out from the rest. I prefer the torn deck performance. What magician doesn't have a drawer of excess cards at home?

It is a high level of the old pick a card trick using a very old key card principle.

Binary Code 2.0!!! Rick Lax does it again. This is a killer impromptu closer with no set up. Just a deck of cards. And it's so easy to perform. Must buy. Thanks Rick for the preview!

I like it but I like binary code better. I was disappointed as it was expensive and in the trailer he tells you that the spectator selects any card but they need to cut the pack and see the top card and that would be their selection. Also you would need to place the deck in a specific order.