This card trick is almost self working and it builds itself to a great reaction from the spectators (best if you have at least 2 like in the video). It requires no memorization, you can use a borrowed deck and there is no force - the spectator gets a free choice. The note card that John pulls out of his pocket is the only other prop you need. You can construct your own or use one of the 2 PDF's that you also get with the trick...just print it and you are ready to go. As for the utility move that John teaches, its very cleaver and requires some slight handling/practice and once you get it down, the move can be used in many other card routines. The video is about 24 minutes long and he covers/teaches every detail. You will not be disappointed with this purchase, like I said, it's almost self working and packs a great punch at the end...you will have people going for a state of confusion to amazement in a matter of seconds.

I first became introduced to this plot many years ago in a Sankey trick, I'm pretty sure it was in Sankey Unleashed. When I first saw it I was enthralled by the idea and I made up the deck only to realize that the trick was inherently flawed and essentially made people want to inspect an uninspectable deck. There were ways to get around it it, but none of them were elegant so I shelved the trick.

Over the years I've came back to the plot a few times, but none of the reincarnations ever made it into the tricks I do regularly.

I don't pretend to know every version of this trick that exists but this is the only version of this plot I can see myself doing. All you need to carry around is an index card, not an entire separate deck which is a huge plus. You can put this into your set at any time as it uses a completely shuffled deck.

It was a nice touch for him to include two PDFs with names on them (although I plan on making my own for several reasons).

It may also be worth exploring the idea of saving it as an image on your phone and texting it to your friend as they shuffle the deck.

The utility move he teaches is a nice one and its well taught. I don't know if that's the peek I'd use, but regardless its a good move and well worth knowing.

This trick is not a knock 'em dead closer, nor is it meant to be. Its meant to be a middle trick, or maybe even an opener, and it serves that purpose well.

Even if the line doesn't fit your personality it may still be worth picking this up and then if you are ever working a table and you get the feel that this is the right trick to do for that table you can just whip it out at any time.
(You can even use this trick as an out if you are doing a trick in which you intend to classic force a card and miss the force.)

I must say, I'm definitely more happy with this than I expected to be. I really particularly love the fact that you don't need to memorize anything. That's very rare for these types of tricks and his solution works really well. Enjoy!

I've been doing the Fred trick for a long time, but the downside of that is you are carrying a full deck that can only be used for that one trick. This gives the same impact but you just need to carry an index card, the effect can be done with a borrowed deck.

If you do one of the "Fred" tricks you will be performing this as soon as you make up the card. A note on that, be sure to make it very legible. You don't want the spectator spending a lot of time to trying to figure out what it says, the clearer the names the better.

I highly recommend this for anyone that carries a deck or can be sure there will be a deck that can be borrowed.

Let me start off by saying that I do very much enjoy John Bannon's material, so I was glad to get a chance to see and review this latest work of his. To be clear this is NOT a packet trick, it uses a full deck. And you can use any borrowed and shuffled deck. And, unlike some routines that advertise that, this real does require zero setup. The effect is just as is shown in the video.

There is one move and its not hard and its a great move to have in your repertoire for so many other effects. The card with the names used can be of any size for larger or smaller audiences, and you can make up your own card with your own names, and NO, there is zero memorization involved.

Sound to good to be true? Well it's not.

The secret is in how John layered the routine to make it bigger than the one might expect, or as John says, "It has a high Gain to Pain ratio."

Definitely a great buy! Highly recommended.

As usual John Bannon has come up with a really nice AND clean version of the name deck trick.
This time it doesn't use a special deck or extra pocket space. It's a normal deck and will garner (almost) the same if not a better response.

When you watch this you will also learn a really cool move to add to your arsenal. I can attest for its power! I have used this move for a long time in my restaurant work.
After toying with this, I have a non deck version for those mentalists out there too.

Almost NO sleights. Really easy to do so you can focus on the presentation.
I recommend this!

A lot of work for a minimum result. You have to make and print the name card, then either use the "skill" move taught or one of your own choosing. That's not all that bad, but the folks I performed it for were only moderately impressed. No jaw dropping with this. I believe there was too much handling between selection and the "finale". It might work much better with a force of different cards done to two or thee people at the same time. It still remains just a "Pick a card and I'll name the card" trick, regardless of the name being matched to a person. The only redeeming feature is that it teaches a move you might like, but that alone isn't worth the price of admission.

At first glance, this trick didn't seem remarkable. Then I read it can be done with a borrowed and shuffled deck, now that's not just more fooling, but also more practical. I also love the idea of offsetting the revelation. It's a lot better than just saying, "it's the three of diamonds." Plus the utility move can be used for countless other effects. It's a great trick, especially for beginners.

John Bannon has done it again with an improved version of a classic. This is nifty little trick that is easily learned and can be performed with any deck. The video is well-done and John shows a clear step-by-step process. Another nice feature is no reset is required. As a bonus, I learned another clever sleight that I'll be using in various tricks. This one's a keeper and won't disappoint.

I was disappointed with this effect. The idea is sound enough but the method involves what struck me as a glaring illogicality. What happens is that a spectator genuinely chooses a card and puts it back in the deck. The magician shuffles and then the spectator is handed the deck to himself shuffle and thoroughly lose his card. Then without any real justification he is asked to find and remove his chosen card (that he has just shuffled into the deck)and place it face down on the table. There is a short distraction where a second spectator is handed a prediction but this, to my mind, is not sufficient for them to forget they are asked to search for a card that they have just had in their hand, and been asked to lose in the deck.
But the trick works, and the denoument is puzzling. The method strikes me as messy.

Q: Who doesn't love John Bannon? A: No one. This trick is a prime example of why Bannon is one of the most popular creators out there today. Watch the promotional video and if you like the trick, buy it. It is a borrowed, shuffled worker.

Fred By Any Other Name is a 24 minute download, expertly produced, that comes with 2 pre-printed PDF name cards. The video shows Bannon performing the trick to different live spectators in a real world setting and it kills! Bannon then teaches the rather simple trick (with a simple move required). This instructional video does what every video should do! It shows the performers POV for the move to enhance quick learning.

The teaching is top notch and if you buy this, you will be instantly using it. It is easy to perform with a basic move. No tough sleight of hand at all.

I am using it tonight!