Magic Tricks

Marlo's Bluff Ace Assembly (4/5):
It's a standard Ace Assembly with the typical ace-of-spades-is-the-leader patter. There are no set-ups, and the very end has a nice kicker that makes this routine different from others: Once the four Aces are shown to have gathered together, The Ace of Spades is placed back in one of the non-ace piles and it, again, reappears back with the ace pile while the spectator holds the packet. This is a nice way to clean up the end of the effect. I really liked this idea.

Homing Card (3/5):
This is basically "The world famous five card trick" where you keep screwing up how many cards you are counting or holding. The difference in this case is that rather than the number of cards being in question, a black card amongst a group of red keeps appearing. It's not my favorite plot, but this is a decent version with a nice ending.

Repeater Card To Pocket (4/5):
In the card-to-pocket plot, this is one of the better ones. There's a nice subtlety at the beginning that really makes for a clean card to pocket. You also learn a couple of great moves in this routine, the Misdirection Palm which is a killer top palm, and the Crimpless Card Control. One of the things I really admire about Bill Malone is that, even as a magician, I really feel like the cards are lost in the deck when he shuffles. The Crimpless Card Control is yet another move in his arsenal that really sells that illusion of lost cards

A Simple Ace Routine (2/5):
The effect is decent and the card control (Marlo's Simple Shift) is nice, but there's really no climax. It's just the same effect four times in a row . . . name a number . . . count to it . . . add the two digits of the named number . . . count to it . . . there's an ace . . . four times in a row.

Have Another Sandwich (5/5):
I may be biased on this one. I love this effect and have been doing it for about 15 years. It's a super visual sandwich effect that looks impossible. It's a little angley, but it's a beautiful effect in the right setting. Additionally, Malone added a couple of lines and gags that justify parts of the routine making it a wee bit better. This is one of those effects where you have to take your time and do a deliberate and slow delivery. Malone was a little rushed which took away part of the effect, in my opinion. However, it's still an incredible effect.

One Hand Ace Cutting: (With Double Surprise) - Aces Over Kings (3/5)
This is an impossible looking and beautiful effect from the "Spades" book. However, it requires an extensive set up which renders the deck virtually untouchable until performing the effect. The deck actually has to be set up and sitting on the table (it can't be in the card box) in preparation for this effect. The effect itself is a 5 out of 5. However, because of the slightly impractical set-up required I docked it two points; thus the 3/5 rating.

Collectors (4/5):
I'm not a huge fan of the Collectors plot (sorry guys). However, if I were to perform it, this is a version I would definitely consider. It's very direct, clean and fast. The technique is very simple and deceptive. Also, as a bonus, Malone teaches another Marlo Collectors effect (Collect Double) that is guaranteed to fool your fellow magi at the next club meeting.

Startling Climax (4/5):
This is a super simple surprise card change. Included, you get some good pointers on some of Marlo's peak-control work.

Devilish Miracle (4/5):
This is another one of those take-the-spectator-by-surprise effects where what seems to be just a gag turns out to be a frickin' miracle. You also learn a nice little move (Slider Card Control) by David Solomon.

Bluff Call To Colors (3/5):
This requires some heavy-duty false (2nd) dealing. Second dealing's hard enough, but add to it the time of when you do and when you don't do the move on this effect, and you can easily screw yourself up. This is, in my opinion, one of the most technically demanding effects in the entire series. I'm not entirely sure that the effect is worth the work. It also require an entire deck stack. However, the stack is one that the audience is aware of.

So that's it. Most of the stuff on this volume can be done with a borrowed and shuffled deck. The only exceptions are One Hand Ace Cutting, One Hand Ace Cutting: (With Double Surprise) - Aces Over Kings and Bluff Call To Colors