I have been performing Jon's effect for 3 years now. It is simply the best of them all. It is dramatic, safe and extremely well thought out. Highly recommended if you want to get serious about performing the spike routine. I can't thank Jon enough for this one. It has secured shows for me in both my magic and mentalism acts. It is amazing!!!

I purchased Smash and Stab awhile back and is a great routine, but there is always a chance someone might get hurt and you might be lucky for everyone to choose the correct one.

This is what I love about The Pain Game, audience can really choose which bag to smash your hand down on, that is the one thing I didn't like about smash and stab, but with The Pain Game you are safe, unless one of your assistants does not like you or you have a brain cramp and forget to do the special something.

I highly recommend The Pain Game. I may buy another one so I can do six bags.

I took the plunge as soon as this got back in stock, and boy am I glad I did. First I have to say that these props are extremely well made, and should last you forever. The case they come in is very nice, and a good place to store those props when not performing. The download provided goes over everything you need to know to perform the routine. It's not that long, but it doesn't have to be since this routine is pretty straight forward. It also comes with a good amount of paper bags to get you started. More will have to be bought online when you run out.

This routine is what it says, and that is %100 safe. You would have to be really stupid to injure yourself with this routine. If you've seen Jon perform this on video, then what you see is exactly how it looks. It flat out looks real and the audience can sense and feel the danger knowing the nail is ever present.

Depending on how you perform this, it can really be a suspenseful piece of magic and when you lift up that nail in the final bag they didn't choose, boy do you get good reactions. The props provided look real, because they are (to the audience). The nail is sharp and solid, the block of wood is solid, they see the nail go into the block sticking straight up, and the performers fate is squarely on the shoulders of the spectator and their choices.

There are no funny looking props, no funny moves, and what looks to be the point of no return, yet you somehow made it through the routine unscathed. It's a very scary yet beautiful routine that I highly recommend. I know the price is high, but it's well worth it.

If you are a working professional, this is absolutely worth every penny. The method is safe. I can't say it's 100% safe because it IS possible to hurt yourself doing this, but you'd have to be REALLY REALLY stupid to do so.

I've performed this many times so far- on stage for over 500 people, in a living room for friends, in a restaurant on the bar, at a charity event outdoors, ect. It is a KILLER, and the method is so safe and easy that it allows you to focus on your performance.

All in all, I'd buy this again in a heartbeat.

I love this effect. And having performed it many times, I'm totally bewildered by the reviewers who claim you have a slight chance of injury. Unless you have a brain-wasting disease or masochistic tendencies, you don't. It's truly 100% safe and extremely clever.

A lot of people don't like this effect or run away in horror when they read about its premise.

This effect provides you with one of the very best handlings for the spike effect, yes there is a chance (1%) you could get hurt, but believe me its worth it, I would totally recommend this.

This is by far the best effect of it's kind on the market. It has replaced Spike in my show. I have been performing Spike for about 5 years and only once did the method almost cause me to hurt myself. That was enough for me. This really is as safe as you can get. The price should keep it in the hands of the working pros.

3 stars? Well, that's middle ground, so I guess that would be "average." Fell short for a couple of reasons: first, package arrived with no instructions: no link, no Qcode, no hieroglyphics, no nothing. And yes, I checked every packaged item, all packaging materials, everything in and out.

Called customer support on Tuesday, following Memorial Day weekend at their local opening time. Left message. No response. Later emailed. No response. Finally tried the "chat" feature and Erik helped immediately by giving me the passcode to Jon Allen's instructional video. Still, I paid over $400 for this item, and thought I should have received the appropriate insert.

Later in the day received a call and was told they were off for the weekend (remember this was Tuesday.) But whatever. Asked him to supply the instructional material I should have received. Not a great response.

Now, the most frustrating part is that 2 of the gimmmicks of the product came detached during my first runthru. Without saying too much, I have tried three times to reattach only to have them detach again. This is the PAIN in Pain Game. Will try a different material to reattach this afternoon, but will add additional time and expense to find the right material. Again, this is for a $400 prop.

I am reminded of how many have pontificated about how the magic community is the only one who takes it upon themselves to fix inferior/damaged products rather than return.

As for the PRODUCT/METHOD itself (less the mentioned problems I'm having) I am quite impressed. Jon does a nice job of explaining, although I wish I had received access to the vid before buying additional bags... he explains a "substitution" that was made. Now I will have to cut the bags to his suggested measurements. I cannot see how anyone could hurt themselves by using the enclosed items and correct procedures Jon lays out. Is it ONE HUNDRED PERCENT safe? No, because someone COULD miss a step, and there's always someone who just... well,you know.

Jon presents the tutorial with some nice humor, but his presentation is quite serious. I believe I will add elements of Scott Alexander's "Nailed It" to my presentation to lighten the mood, while still maintaining the danger effect.

The props are very professional and well made. The instructions are very well taught. This is probably the only way I would ever do a Russian roulette. I would say this is 99% safe. The only way you could get hurt, and it’s very unlikely, is if you’re totally absent minded and you forget to do the ‘something’, or as someone else commented, you have someone on stage to move the bags around who doesn’t like you. I got this and like what I see. Can’t wait to work this at my next show. Y.

The craftsmanship is exceptional and the method is clever which allows for easy handling and complete safety. I'm excited to have this for my show.

When it arrived I had a moment of disappointment because there was no DVD or instructions accompanying it but I contacted Penguin Magic and they quickly supplied me a link to an online instruction video.

The price of this trick is high but the quality delivered it equally high and it enables a powerful audience reaction. For me it was totally worth the price.