Madison Gamblers / DVD and Gaff Deck
DVD 1: THE EFFECTS. (1 hour 35 min)
Dice Gaff (14:35) - The only gaff in the entire deck that stands out as a ‘gimmicked card’. A standard die transforms into a paper die in the action of being thrown. When unfolded, turns out to be a previously selected card.
2 Card Monty (4:37) - Daniel teaches his handling for both a tabled and in-the-hands version of a two card Monte.
Black Jack (3:79)- A demonstration that combines center dealing two cards from different places in the deck in a single deal where you deal yourself the perfect blackjack hand (almost) every time.
Replacement Ace (5:50) - A game of poker is dealt to the number of hands named by a spectator. While the spectator receives a very strong hand, they are of course beaten by the performer. A fact predetermined by the writing on the Ace of Spades.
Replacement Joker (3:14) - The same basic effect as Replacement Ace, only this time the spectator is accidentally dealt a joker as part of their hand - a card which they obviously discard. The effect is possibly stronger, given the writing was in front of the spectator the entire time.
The Poker Lesson (11:34) - A Sam-the-Bellhop style of effect that makes sense in a gambling demonstration, teaching the ranking of poker hands to a spectator. The method for this effect also opens itself to memory recall presentations, included but not limited to card at any number.
Stolen Card (7:02)- A card is chosen and returned to the deck in a "cards across" fashion. The performer deals a poker hand to the table, and confirms with the spectator that their card is amongst those dealt. In the act of squaring the pack, the chosen card is stolen "invisibly," to be dealt from the pack whenever the performer decides.
Straight Switch (6:30) - The performer attempts to demonstrate crooked dealing, aiming for a straight poker hand, however misses completely. The hand is squared, and invisibly switched for the correct cards - the named straight now in the performers hand.
Royal Switch (9:20) - Similar to the Straight Switch, the performer misses dealing the winning hand. With a switch, he swaps the incorrect cards for the Royal Flush - the incorrect cards being returned invisibly to the top of the pack.
Cut Cards (10:26) 1 - A utility cut card that supposedly makes bottom dealing impossible. As this card is printed on card stock, it is easy to manipulate. Daniel shows how he uses it to Greek Deal the four Aces, and how to apparently prove you have a photographic memory.
Cut Card 2 - Daniel demonstrates a number of ways to use the cut card as a stab card to present a prediction effect, a switch or a center deal with an indicated card.
Cut Card 3 - An idea from Mark Calabrese. The cut card is placed on top of the face up deck. In a move that begs belief, the card below the cut card is topshot from beneath the cut card into the hand.. Daniel also teaches a method that allows you to vanish a single card from under the cut card openly in your hands.
Center Deal (5:02)- Four Aces are placed face up in separate places throughout the face-down deck. The deck is spread both Face Up and Face Down to show the position of the cards. Cleanly and fairly, the four aces are dealt, one at a time, from their respective places in the deck. The deck is spread to show the aces have indeed been dealt cleanly, and that there are no duplicates.
Middle Deal (4:05) - The four aces are dealt from the top of the deck to the table, before being put face down into separate positions throughout the facedown deck. Again, they are dealt fairly to the table - each having come from the middle of the deck. The deck is spread to verify they have truly been dealt.
Review:
As a long time fan of Ellusionist, I naturally have almost all of their gaff decks. I even have a few gaff decks from other sources - so I have seen a lot of gaff cards in my time. So for those of you who've perhaps "seen it all" the big question is - is there anything new here?
Well yes and no.
First off, these are precision made gaffs for use with Black Rounders and the Green Dealers, decks. That said, you're going to get at least 2 sets of each effect for each respective deck (i.e. half your cards will have black Rounders backs and the other half green Dealers backs).
Yes, you will get gaffs you are familiar with, namely double facers and double backers. Anyone familiar with gaffs will know these are universal and will apply to hundreds of effects you already know. Is this a good thing? Yes! because Madison's court cards are unique to his own line of cards - so technically all of the DFers can be used with all 7 of Madison's signature decks.
Plus, most decks today come with a single double backer, so it's nice to have a few extras.
Second, many times you'll get a DVD/deck combo and the artist will explain a handful of tricks leaving you with a stack of gaffs that seem purposeless - not here. Daniel Madison explains each and every card in your set - YES - he even has effects for your DBers and DFers.
Those of you familiar with gaff cards will Recognize Daniel's 2 Card Monte gaffs - those truly on the "inside" will understand that with the addition of a third "regular card" you could use these cards for another "Ultimate" effect.
The Replacement Ace and the Replacement Jokers are "card reveals" similar to Jay Sankey's "Fine Print" effect - however, Madison has re-engineered them past a simple reveal into another genre all together.
All of the Gamblers Gaffs have been created for routines of seriously advanced sleight of hand used in Gambling and Poker demonstrations. No, they won't create a brilliant presentation for you, but, slipped in occasionally to a demonstration you might already know, and they will "blow a few minds" especially if there a few kindred card sharks in the crowd.
Is this a good deal? Absolutely! You are getting at least 12 effects and the gaff cards to go with them for $80. Not to mention the possibility of hundreds more effects from the familiar gaffs that are included. Any other magic house would charge you between $30 and $40 for a single trick that includes a DVD plus cards.
NOT TO MENTION - there are at LEAST 3 effects on this DVD that are worth the TOTAL cost all by themselves! Stolen Card, Cut Cards and Royal Switch are hands down complete stunners!
But wait, there's more!
DVD 2 // Daniel Madison sits down for an hour long discussion with several magic professionals (Brad Christian, Peter McKinnon, Adam Wilber, Tony Chang, Mark Calabrese, Alex Pandrea and Tobias Dostal) - to discuss the psychology of gaffed card use, and how unseen gaffs can (and should) be used to enhance demonstrations of "cheating at the card table."
All in all, I'd recommend this to anyone who's interest is peaked. No, these effects are not "self-working," you will still need to know a few trick deals, a few false shuffles and of course the good 'ol DL. None of which Daniel teaches (if you want his help with Mechanics then you need to look elsewhere)
Purchase:
http://www.ellusionist.com/madison-gamblers.html
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