Magic Tricks

In this 2 hours, 33 mins lecture, Eric Jones performs a selection of mainly close-up material, entirely with coins and cards. Roughly a third of the lecture focuses on gimmicks (magnetic flipper coin with shell, as well as Eric’s own Twizted card gimmick). Another third of the lecture is dedicated to „moves“ that aren’t stand-alone routines. In my opinion, the lecture suffers a bit from a lack of fully-routined, impromptu (or, no-extra-purchase-necessary) material. It doesn’t help that following his 3-Fly routine, Eric wanders away from the explanation and never returns. By finishing the magic portion in under 2 hours, and focusing a considerable portion of the lecture on tricks that rely on not-your-everyday-average gimmicks and including „filler“ type material, this lecture is underwhelming. Moderated by Dan Hauss.

Includes the following:
1. Fingertips pt. 1 (also referred to as „Oxy-Clean Coin Routine“) – Standing 3-coin Production and Vanish. This is a pretty and magical sequence that relies on aforementioned gimmicked coin as well as a clever and simple hold-out that you can make for about . The gimmick is for use with short or rolled sleeves.

2. Bare-Handed 4-Coin Assembly – this routine is performed on a close-up mat on the floor, with spectators looking down. It features a clever palming technique that is as clean-looking as it gets. The first 3 coin transfers are great, but the last one-to me-looked like he was doing exactly what he was doing.

3. Various tricks using the Twizted card gimmick – This gimmick is available for purchase ().

4. Passless Pass – This is a sleightless card control which relies on a spatial discrepancy. While I’m sure this flies by many people, I also believe some people can see right through it. Further, as Eric says himself, it fools the spectator by confusing him. I don’t agree that this is a good approach.

5. Oil and Water – In this version, by Woody Aragon, the separation of mixed cards is self-working. Eric directs the spectators to push card packets together, themselves; colors then separate. This is a very clever idea. It should be noted, however, that a crimp is necessary, and the crimp is noticeable during the routine.

6. Marionette Coin Count – In this false coin count, 3 coins effectively masquerade as four. The handling is very natural, and when positioned properly within a fully orbed trick—as it is in Audio, available separately—can make a marvel of a routine.

7. 3-Fly – Performance only. Unfortunately, and contrary to what the first reviewer—Magic Tia, from Italy—wrote, this is NOT explained. Eric opens by telling us this is a favorite and teaches it in every lecture. However, after the routine, he seems to get sidetracked by a request to cover a flourish featured in the routine. Eric goes on to teach a single coin roll (down the arm). Unfortunately, he does not return to 3-Fly.

8. Quarter/Penny Transpo – (Scott Robinson) This is a simple, impromptu, in-the-hands transposition that doesn’t need any extra coins. Cute, quick, not mind-blowing.

9. Card Translocation Trick – This trick packs a wallop and seemed to stun the audience. Basically, a card is selected—but not removed from the deck—through a bit of procedure (think Overkill, by Paul Harris), then cleanly vanishes from the deck. Selection appears face-up, in packet spectator has held from the beginning (before the card was selected), which the performer has NEVER touched. This is a very strong moment, and will fool laypeople and magicians alike. However, for lay-audiences there are simpler methods for achieving the effect of a card or cards appearing in a card-packet held by the spectator. I would choose Paul Harris‘ Las Vegas Leaper, which generates a similar response, but which can be done impromptu. Eric’s trick requires a (common) gaffed card and simple set-up.

10. Absolutely Brilliant Group Participation Card Trick Without a Name – This trick (again, by Woody Aragon) was the gem of the lecture, for me. In fact, it’s probably the only thing here that I would use, but I would use the heck out of it. Each person in the room chooses 4 cards. The cards are fairly mixed, torn in half and mixed further. 1 piece is set aside. The remaining pieces are mixed, traded among friends, thrown in the air and lost until only 1 piece remains. The piece each person ends up with matches the piece put aside at the beginning. This could be gold for a stand-up performer, as you can involve every person in the room. Easy to apply a motivational theme, company concept, tarot, holiday, anything.

11. El Cambio Nada – Card color change from Extension of Me/Theory 11. Pretty, done at high chest level, with performer‘s face in the frame. Drawback is that you have to handle a „single“ card with two hands.

12. Eclipse – Card control. Very nice control inspired by Harry Lorayne’s Ultra-Move (which I don’t know, so I can’t compare.) With angle issues on both sides, this move is only meant for audiences head-on. This restriction aside, it is very clean-looking.

13. Elevator Cut – Flourishy card cut, based on Karrel Fox’s Butterfly Cut. Pretty. Not a false cut, although Eric shows how one can adjust for a false cut.

14. Enigma Change – Copper/Silver coin transformation. In the hands, chest-level transformation for a head-on audience. Nice little move.

In conclusion, although Eric is a fine magician, he held back on this lecture. Considering the lack of fully formed, no-extra-purchase-necessary routines, I feel Audio should have been included and 3-Fly should have been taught. The strongest material was straight from Woody Aragon's new book, which is probably what I should have bought. On the other hand, if you own or are interested in the magnetic flipper coin and shell, and Eric’s Twizted card, then this lecture will be more valuable to you.