Magic Tricks

There is useful information here, but there are issues, too.

First of all the ad info is contradictory. You don't write ESP symbols on a blank deck. You DO get 3 pairs of bicycle-backed, poker-sized non-gaffed ESP symbols...in my case, two each of circles, wavy lines and stars. (Ad has been up for years...how about an update?)

However, if you do buy this, by all means also buy the matching color Bicycle blank deck if you don't have one. They say you can use a regular deck, which is true, but really way less effective in the final display, as even Mr. Nardi admits. I think the blank deck should be included. Not including it on the assumption that "most magicians probably have one" is bad logic.

The technique is derivative, but credited and significantly different. Know that a table will be required. The presentation is mentalism, not so much magic. The provided presentation is slow and dry. The technique requires three separate, "Stop me any time you like" face down card deals for the participant to place their three symbol cards in the deck, the mentalist having previously inserted his three symbol cards at his mentally ascertained locations.

The deck is spread face up and the 6 cards are seen to be matched/paired at 3 locations in the deck - see why the clutter of a regular deck would dampen the reveal?

So. To laymen, a blank deck is strange. Why use one at all in the context of mentalism? Why not just lay the symbol cards down next to each other and see if they match? And what about the other two ESP symbols? Why Just 3? This is trying to be mental magic, and for me it doesn't work: the process is tedious and time consuming for the effect it delivers. In this case, (well executed) sleight of hand instead of the nearly self-working technique provided would significantly improve the pacing, but not the overall illogical approach to a mentalism effect.

I gave it 3 stars because I did learn something.