Magic Tricks

This trick is confusing and overly complicated. But what really bugs me is that a better, simpler and easier to execute solution is already known to the author, and yet he still decides to publish this.

If it’s not clear from the trailer, here’s the effect: two folded-in-quarters cards of contrasting colors and held together by a small bulldog clip are introduced to the audience and laid aside. A card is selected from a deck that matches one of the clipped cards. The selection is signed and lost in the deck. When the clipped cards are revealed, the card of contrasting color matches the selected card, and the remaining card proves to be the actual, signed card!

Why?? Why are there two cards? Is it because that makes for a stronger effect? No. It’s because the method requires it. And the effect, therefore, suffers. It’s confusing. Worse, however, is that Jay Sankey’s “Paperclipped” accomplishes the exact same effect, but with one card, freely selected (the effect in “The Bulldog” requires a force), and without the awkward manipulation that’s necessary to get the card in position. Everything about this method is obnoxious. It’s a step backward, and a big one.

Jay Sankey would roll over in his grave, if he saw this, if he were dead. He’s not, but this just might kill him.

Dickinson also teaches the slip force and the depth illusion (without credit to Vernon or Marlo). The aforementioned force ranks as one of the worst and most well-known forces among non-magicians who know one trick. I do not recommend this force.