Magic Tricks

DISCLOSURE: I have personally known the creator, and he is one of my good friends. However, the following review is completely unbiased.

Mentalism is currently booming and there are so many products on the market right now. However, not all of them are great. Sometimes it looks like mentalism is just being used for “monetization” by some magic-related person who loves money (I want to not call this kind of person as a "magician".).
It's for these reasons that I'm extremely happy when I find a good piece of “mentalism.”

Here’s another good one— “Think of One” by Allan Zola Kronzek.

I believe he needs no introduction. Allan Zola Kronzek is a magician, educator, and the co-author (with his daughter Elizabeth) of the New York Times bestseller “The Sorcerer’s Companion—A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter.” He also wrote some great magic books for the public like “The Secrets of Alkazar”, “52 Ways to Cheat at Poker”, and his latest bestseller “Grandpa Magic.”


I still remembered the day when I received “Genii” magazine, August 2012 issue.
Because I found his trick named “Think of One” appeared in this magazine and it was so wonderful!
Later, this effect was included in his wonderful collection of works “Artful Deceptions” from Vanishing Inc. in 2017.


He takes some lesser-known clever principles and creates a baffling and strong direct mind-reading effect with cards.
Before this effect was published, my good friend fooled me badly with this principle, so I already knew how powerful the principle it was.
Allan-san streamlined presentation and handling well. Since then, this effect became one of my favorite “magician’s fooler.” (Of course, you can blow away the lay audience with this effect, too!)
Watch the trailer. Spectator’s face shows you the impact of this effect.

The effect is straightforward: Ask the spectator to think a card-a a totally free mental selection—then performer divide the deck into 3 piles. Even no one knows the location of the mental selection, the performer identifies which pile contains the mental selection, then he names it.
If by chance the performer makes a mistake about the location of the selection, he divines the mental selection. During this performance, the performer NEVER asks the spectator about his mental selection.

This effect requires no sleight of hand and can be done with a borrowed and shuffled deck. And this effect is very simple to perform.

But here's a word of caution for you. I never say this is a “very easy to perform” type effect. You have to practice quite well before you perform it for your spectators. You need to learn the whole system well (This system itself is very easy to understand one.)
Once you learn the whole system and you perform this effect without any hesitation, you can give a strong punch to your spectator with it.

In 25 minutes movie, Allan-san explained everything about this effect for you. His explanation section that shoots at Penguin magic’s P3 theater is really clear and camera work is terrific, too.

I already know several people seem to be criticizing certain manipulation by the spectator and performer in this effect, but if you use your head, the manipulation is easily justified.
(In fact, If you study this routine carefully, you can understand that Allan-san cleverly removes heat from some "process".)

If you don’t know how to justify your move or manipulation in your performance, you have to read noted magician from New York City, Mr. Peter Samelson’s wonderful essay, “Three Types of Justification,” which appeared in Genii Magazine, September issue 2014. or watch his "Penguin Live Act."

To further study, I’ll mention 2 wonderful variations of this effect. 
One is “AK-47” by John Bannon. This effect appeared in his awesome book “Destination Zero” (Squash Publishing, 2015.) You also check one of the coolest, controversy-provoke blogs on magic, “The Jerx” by Andy. Google “TweAK-47, The Jerx”, and you can read his thought-provoking entry on “AK-47.”
Another one is “Thinking and Syncing” by John Caray. This effect appeared in his wonderful book “Crafted with Carey” (Magicseen Magazine, 2015.)
I believe both effects and all references can buy from here.

Price tag $9.95- is a bargain price. If you search for a strong piece of mentalism with playing cards, this effect is for you.
 Before some of your friends fool you so badly with this effect, grab it!

Highly recommended.