Magic Tricks

Hi! This is your official PenguinMagic reviewer, B_Magic.

I cannot recommend against this trick enough. I purchased it years ago, and I think I performed it maybe a handful of times before it was shelved, ne'er to return to my arsenal.

The reason is actually interesting. There are certain effects that are almost too powerful. This is one of them. What I mean is that when an effect is THAT powerful you don't want a non-examinable gimmick to be its focus. People will automatically assume it's in the cards, and unfortunately with this trick, there is no real way to end clean. You just got to hope that the spectators don't ask. Even with doing a deck switch, you really can't end completely clean because of the improv nature of the effect. The trick is really awesome, but because you are super dirty at the end of a powerful trick, people are going to be less impressed with you if they can't examine the cards.

Almost the same effect can be done with Invisible Deck, and can be done cleaner and better. Some argue that Invisible Deck is also gimmicked and non-examinable, which is true. But Invisible Deck doesn't lead to the same amount of skepticism due to being "overpowered" the way Brainwave does. Brainwave not only finds the card, but also focuses attention to the back of the card being different from the others. People will question not so much the appearance of the card but if in fact the others are all truly a different color. Invisible Deck doesn't have that problem. It's the same effect, but to the audience they see everything they need to see when you show it. And bonus, Invisible Deck can be easily switched out if needbe. Not so with Brainwave.

I would highly recommend Invisible Deck over this, as it is more versatile, cleaner, and provides the same if not even greater reactions as Brainwave. Brainwave just isn't worth it.