Magic Tricks

Let's start with what you get. Limitless comes with a standard Phoenix deck and a variety of gaff cards (also Phoenix). In addition, a 45-minute DVD contains instructions. There is no need for the purchaser to make any gimmicks or add anything, but many will probably want to create their own gimmicks (such as a written-out prediction on the back of a business card or the like).

One thing you do not get (or, to be more accurate, one thing I did not get) is a duplicate of the card that will be chosen.

The effect: You riffle through the deck and tell a spectator to think of any card he or she sees. That card, of course, is forced. After that, you can do the following:

1. Immediately spread the deck to show that the thought-of card is not in the deck.
2. Flip the deck and show that there is one blue-backed card in the deck and it happens to be the thought-of card.
3. Reveal the identity of the card in any way you want (such as having the card in your pocket, revealing a prediction that has been in view the entire time, or anything else that comes to mind).

All of this assumes, of course, that the spectator actually thinks of the right card. Most of the routines in the video take for granted that the method is foolproof. Alas, it is not. In fact, at the beginning of the video, there is a riffle for demonstration purposes. Without knowing which card was intended, I played along. I chose a different card.

I have not used this deck often enough to know how effective the force can be, but the principle is fairly simple and resembles that of a gaff deck I had years ago that was used for a riffle force. That deck was extremely effective, so I am hopeful that with use, I'll find the right speed to riffle through the deck to achieve near 100% effectiveness.

Ultimately, what you are getting is a single deck to force a particular card. What sets this deck apart from most forces is that the card is merely thought of and immediately disappears. There are several possible revelations discussed in the video, but I think almost any magician other than the merest beginner can achieve any or all of these effects with a standard deck and any forcing method that doesn't involve a one-way forcing deck.

Two important points: (1) The deck cannot be freely examined. (2) There is no necessary sleight of hand involved. You can perform the basic effect within five minutes.