This, in my opinion, is up there with Max Maven's 'B'wave.
In spite of what some think, it
is not based on a Vernon trick but Arthur Carter's 'One Red Card' from Peter Warlock's The Pentagram
magazine, Dec. 1951. Vernon later added the die and Dean Dill added other subtleties. These are all
credited in the excellent instructions by Mr. Wilson, who covers everything that's needed in less
than 30 minutes, unlike some online instructions where they waffle on endlessly as if the purchaser
was an idiot (a conclusion the poor customer might come to on his own).
I suggest you stick
with the script given by Paul. It is precise and to the point. Adding extra patter will more than
likely add confusion and detract from the clarity of the effect. As a working professional, it's
somewhat surprising for me to want to stick with someone else's script but I can't think of a better
one and Paul has been performing this for years. Every word counts.
Alan Alan (Michael
Vincent's mentor) told me that, "Misdirection is the initiation of trains of thought." Paul's script
is a perfect example. Your participant is led along a path from the very first words and every step
is a masterpiece of mental misdirection.
I highly recommend Challenge Coin by R. Paul
Wilson. He has stood on the shoulders of giants and by adding the coin and a precise script that
sets up the participant, reached way higher than before. I think Arthur Carter would be thrilled to
bits.
8 of 8 magicians found this helpful.
This is a great pocket effect, and it has worked well for me since I got it. Ypu cannot repeat this,
but that's why you carry a couple effects with you. It really confuses most people.
3 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
What a wonderful EDC! It is easy to do, yet, the prediction always works. The script is easy to
remember, and the procedure is easy.
I always search for compelling and impactful Magic. R.
Paul Wilson has given us a real world strong Piece of magic.
The prop itself is authentic
and place its part extremely well. This routine will find its place in my performing repertoire! I
highly recommend it for any strolling or restaurant worker.
This gets my highest
recommendation!
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
I love R. Paul Wilson. He is one of Magic’s finest minds. This trick is super simple. It’s a classic
plot that has been taken and spin on its head and made soooooooo much better! It now seems like it’s
extremely more complex but in reality you really can not lose! The presentation here is absolutely
phenomenal! And the coin is beautiful and intriguing. You will not regret owning this gem!
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
Just received this and can’t wait to start performing it. Very strong effect. My only question is
how best to handle the participant rolling a six on the die. If they do not place the marker on the
correct card the first time or even the second time the ending seems much weaker. Any thoughts from
those who have worked with this? Thanks
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
I learned Dean's version of this trick many years ago from Dean, and have been doing it ever since.
R. Paul Wilson has distinctly taken it to the next level with all of this. I saw it a while back and
my first thought was - I already do this - it's just an engraved coin instead of the prediction card
that I already use.
I was wrong!! After watching the trailer a couple more times, I
decided to go for it. As soon as I watched the instructions, with all of his subtleties and the
details of the presentation - this trick is 100% worth it. Something I'll definitely be carrying
around with me.
The routining, the thinking behind it. Wilson shares all of that and gives
us an amazing trick. I'm so glad he put this out. I'll be doing this ALL. THE. TIME!
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
Easy to perform & great reactions.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
I just started doing this. Easy and gets great reactions. Highly recommended
1 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
I have many of R. Paul Wilson’s wonderful effects and regularly use many of them including Challenge
Coin. However with Challenge Coin I alter a small part of his instructions. I tell the spectator he
will make all the decisions but do not say he will do all the actions. Also, in the case of
“rolling” a six, there could be a situation where the spectator misses the prediction before
arriving at it, in which case the prediction on the chip doesn’t quite fit because it seems like a
different bet. So, when a six is rolled, I use a procedure similar to what I use if a five is rolled
– before showing the prediction card I show all the other cards as not matching the prediction and
then reveal the prediction card that does match the prediction. Challenge Coin is a wonderful effect
and I highly recommend it. The metal chip markedly enhances the effect. But if you see it like I do,
the procedure may require a few small changes as described above.
You follow the rules on the coin AND follow Paul’s rules as he explains them. He clearly says,
pointing to the coin, “these are the rules, AND I WON’T CHANGE THE RULES!!! He then demonstrates,
without clarity the participant and the magician are alternating turns. His trick won’t work IF you
Roll, move to the left the number of cards according to the dice.
If the participant says
I do everything, rolls a 2, the participant would then start on his left, magicians right and move
the token, two cards and land on a black card. Same if the participant calls a 1 on the roll of the
die. Paul explained on a roll of a one, rather than moving the coin one card to the left, you move
the card to the Ace, which I acknowledge is a domination of 1 in games like 21. However, in every
other instance he’s moving the coin the number of cards the participant calls out, ie: a four, he
moves the coin four spaces from the left not to to the card with a four on it. He tells you to do
the same thing if the participant calls a 6. Rather than move the coin six cards from the left,
which means the trick fails every time, he tells you NOW RATHER THAN MOVE the coin 6 cards, the
participant is supposed to have to guess where the number 6 card is located. Again he changes the
rules mid game, which he clearly states he won’t do.
If one follows the rules on the coin,
ie: roll the die, and moves the coin the number of cards to the left as indicated by the die, the
magician loses more often than not.