Magic Tricks

The Devil Always Knows (Seven Deadly Sins) is essentially Nick Trost's 8-Card Brainwave using a different presentation, the seven deadly sins, of course. The cards are lovely with a perfectly chosen font for the sins and a cool devil picture. Christopher's routining easily solves the sole "numerical" issue here. (And for those of you who know Trost's trick, you'll get what I mean.) The method then is exactly as Trost created it, except with the spooky premise instead of the Brainwave effect. That means there is exactly one card sleight to learn, and it's not hard at all. (C'mon mentalists. You can do it!)

This is a true classic in a wonderful new routine. Performed smoothly, it will absolutely stun and baffle audiences. In the interests of consumer disclosure, Rick Lax's Reverse Psychology is a DIY psychological version of the Trost effect. As a mentalist, I have it and use it because it doesn't look like a "store-bought" trick. It's terrific, and I like it a lot. But I have to say, Devil is a winner too for those who like the bizarre magick.

By the way, you get links to some low-tech instructional videos of Christopher that teach this pretty well. But if you know the old trick or watch the move a few times, you won't really have any problems. For this one, a small practice investment will yield a huge reward.

I see that at the time of my review, this is sold out on Penguin and awaiting a new shipment. That's great. It deserves it.