Magic Tricks

This is a great little trick. I'll have to admit that it's pretty darn convincing. When I watched the demo, I could see a move that was suspicious... but I suppose laymen aren't watching that closely.

Nick does, as usual, a great job teaching this. He's very clear and goes nice and slow. This trick is essentially a mini-routine as you actually do a variation of the linking laces twice (and if you choose to, you can even start with Nick's version of the self-tying shoelace).

Speaking of self-tying shoelace, I will just say this right off the bat: when I heard that there was a bonus trick of the self-tying shoelace, I was excited to see how this would be done gimmickless. To be honest, this version, in my opinion, is not as good as the original... so it doesn't replace it. HOWEVER, it is a sufficient method that works. So I would use it. In fact, my idea would be to attract spectators by leading with the Jay Noblezada self-tying shoelace... and then have your other foot ready for the linking laces mini-routine. You could, in effect, be redoing the self-tying shoelace using a different method. If you have some smart butt out there that knows the original trick and calls you out, you can let him examine this other leg (where you just did it a second time). I guarantee you that if he looks for a gimmick and doesn't find it, his mind will be BLOWN.

Now regarding the actual trick, it is definitely a brain stumper as well. Nick's presentation really makes this feel like a magic trick (instead of just some topographical manipulation or tricky knot). The fact that this is done on a spectator's shoe instead of your own is a huge bonus.

The only downside to this trick is an obvious one... this is a limited viewing trick. You'll want to position your body so that everyone can easily see what is happening. Either that or use a stool to prop the spectator's foot up for easy viewing.

This is an impromptu trick that, once you learn it, will enable you to always have something when people ask and you have nothing else. It's organic (everyone wears shoes) so you don't have to have cards or coins.

All in all, I say that this is a great trick. I give it four stars... I generally reserve 5 stars for the mind-blowing extreme visual stuff. Get this trick!

(By the way, I always try to be honest and straightforward in my reviews, while being respectful to the magician. If you appreciate my reviews, can you please click the "Yes" button below beside the question, "Did this review help you?" It's not like I actually benefit in any way by your clicking it... but it would be nice to see if my reviews are helpful or not. I hope they are. If you ever have suggestions or comments or questions about my reviews, please feel free to leave me a constructive comment. I'm just trying to be helpful. I love the Penguin community and hope that I can someday contribute my own product. :-) Thanks for reading and for any (hopefully positive, but either way, at least kind) feedback.