Not every effect is for every magician.

My three-star rating for Psychic Money does not speak to the effect as much as it reflects the 'fit' between this effect and my personal style.

I tried Psychic Money a few times and clearly saw its great potential - in certain situations. Perhaps sitting in a bar carrying on conversation with a few people and then impromptu doing some magic with a pencil and a folded bill.., or something I used to enjoy doing, sitting in a waiting lounge at an airport or bus station or doctor's office, and without seeking an audience, simply doing something that attracts attention like causing a folded dollar to spin on a pencil. Sometimes doing something liek that will get you a large audience; sometimes a nice smile.

That is how I see this clever gimmick being used. It might fit someone else's show style but not mine. So this is one that even though it seems to have great potential in certain situations, will most probably go into my drawer of things that I may never perform.

Psychic Money is not hard to do but it does require some very delicate motor skills which many or most will possess. The gimmick is well made and can be switched out so that everything can be handed out for examination.

I would give the gimmick and method four stars - it is clever in the very practical way that many Japanese effects are. It is the 'fit' with my style that makes this a three for me personally.