This is an excellent effect, but, I agree with the other review, it's not needed. The gimmicks included are optional, depending on you. The only two uses for the gimmicks:

1. Have the selected card be in it's exact location (right position).
2. Make it easier to load the selected card into the sealed deck.

1. I personally don't mind if the selected card isn't in the right position, because the fact that there's ONE red card inside of a SEALED deck AND it's the signed card would be enough for the spectator. Showing that it's in the right position is just an extra. When you reveal their sign card to be in the sealed deck, no one is going to ask or care what its position in the deck is UNLESS you point it out to them. So, I don't think it's completely necessary.

2. The second function of the gimmicks is to make the loading of the card easier. You can do the exact same effect, signed card to sealed deck, without the gimmicks, it's going to be a little bit harder. And by harder I mean by like 1%. Just practice the loading without gimmicks a few times and you should be fine.

In conclusion, the gimmicks aren't necessary to do the trick. Just put the gimmicks aside (don't throw them away, you paid for them), and do this with a normal deck, and end completely clean and examinable. The gimmicks are only there in case you want to use them. So yeah, gimmicks not needed.

Also, the easiest way to perform this is by wearing a jacket. I did't feel like doing this so I tried putting the deck in my backpack. It didn't work. I would have to have the audience face the complete opposite direction for them to not know what I was doing. In other words, you NEED to wear a jacket. The jacket provides the cover necessary to do the trick. If you don't have pockets, it comes with a holder that has an adhesive to stick inside a jacket of your choice. But keep in mind, the adhesive is INCREDIBLY, EXTREMELY STICKY. So, the jacket you decide to put it in, choose wisely, because you won't be able to take it out without ruining the stickiness. I don't really to this trick very much because of the jacket restriction.

Also, if you're going to buy this, buy wonder sealer first. If you don't have a wonder sealer, you will need to buy a brand new deck EVERY time you do the trick. (also get some deck seals).

So, that's pretty much it. It's a great effect, but, you don't need the gimmicks. But overall it's a nice effect.

Introduction:

Let me start off by saying that I'm a HUGE fan of this effect made popular by the highly respected FISM WORLD CHAMPION Mr. Shawn Farquhar (if Shawn ever released his version of this effect, I wouldn't even bother thinking if I should purchase it or not as it's a no brainer!!!! YOU JUST HAVE TO PURCHASE IT!!!). That having been said, Mark Mason's version of this effect known as “Fully Loaded,” is nothing short of a miracle! I have performed this at tables and a few times on stage ever since I've bought this (I have purchased 2 Fully Loaded sets (hey, you could always use an extra set!) on April 22nd 2013, so I've had ample time to test Mark Mason's take on this trick). Without further delay, here's my review.


Packaging:

After receiving my order from penguinmagic (PENGUINMAGIC.... REALLY WEIRD NAME AS THEIR DELIVERY SERVICE IS OPPOSITE TO THAT OF A PENGUIN! SHOULD REALLY BE CALLED A CHEETAH ON A JET OR SOMETHING SINCE THEY'RE SO FAST ON DELIVERING MY GOODS) I opened the box and saw my 2 Fully Loadeds neatly packaged in the box that my goods were shipped in. Grabbing hold of one of my Fully Loadeds, I inspected the cardboard, enveloped, box. The front of the enveloped box contained a loading bar with the words “Fully Loaded” written under it in yellow letters, and under that, Mark Mason's signature on the 3 of diamonds placed on top of a closed card box (there's also a description of the effect under that card box). On the back of the enveloped box is a description of the effect, again, as well as a statement that all necessary custom made gimmicks are included within the package. The back also contains a delicate tab to open the flat enveloped box. Upon opening the my Fully Loaded package, I found that everything was neatly packaged and thought out; from the gimmicks, to the included DVD, and even as far as the “coming soon” advertisement printed on the inside of the Fully Loaded enveloped box, was again, well thought out. This is exactly what I would expect from Mark Mason and his team.

Packaging Score: 10/10


Materials/Gimmicks/Preparation (DVD):

Before I begin, I need to make clear that you will need your own decks of cards for this effect. Within the Fully Loaded package, you will receive exactly what you need in order to accomplish this effect. The so called “locking” and “unlocking” gimmicks as well as the “overlap” gimmick and even the deck holder (mentioned in Penguinmagic's description of this product) are ALL EXTREMELY WELL MADE and TRULY UNIQUE, but are rather unnecessary for this type of effect (although these custom made gimmicks do aid in making this type of effect slightly easier, however, that having been said, if you do choose to use these gimmicks, then you won't be able to repeat this type of effect for the same crowd of people (if you own this, you will know exactly what I'm referring to) unless you choose to do this without the gimmicks or to use the gimmicks later on in your performance). The preparation found on the DVD (I know I should be starting another paragraph for this, but what the hey lol) was not too bad! Mark Mason shows you EXACTLY what to do as if you had ZERO experience in magic what-so-ever and the contents on the DVD are SO WELL ORGANIZED that it's IMPOSSIBLE for one to not make sense of something!

Materials/Gimmicks Score: 10/10

Preparation (DVD): 10/10


Practicality:

This... Is where I ran into some issues as it's not as practical as it may seem. This effect is moreless a special, one time effect, that takes some time preparing (unless you're a psycho and manage to prep and somehow carry more than enough stuff to do this more than once). When using the custom supplied gimmicks, I have found this type of effect to be relatively fast and easy, but man... This effect takes up a lot of essential pocket real estate and requires one to wear a blazer. Also, when this effect is being performed, the deck is examinable, up to a certain degree, and there is no instant reset if you were to do it again. Still, I really love the concept as well as the effect and because of that, I have found a more practical method (upon experimenting) that requires absolutely no gimmick and a full proof method for handing out the card box and the deck both before and after the effect (my method is 100% examinable whereas Mark's method is 90% examinable). Regardless of my 100% examinable method, the practicality for this type of effect moreless remains the same; I've decided to save this type of effect for those “special occassions.”

Practicality: 7.2/10


Performances/Reactions:

WOW.... Regardless of it being a table, or on stage (I've never done this for walkaround due to practicality, mainly regarding the reset for this trick) this trick just BLOWS THEIR MINDS!!!!!!! Words cannot describe how amazing this type of effect is to an audience except the audiences' reactions! When this effect hits, it HITS THEM HARD!!!!!! Not only is a shuffled up deck magically put back in new deck order, but THE SPECTATOR'S SIGNED CARD IS FOUND TO BE IN THE EXACT POSITION OF THAT NEWLY ORDERED DECK!!! Oh ya.. AND IT'S A BRAND NEW, SEALED DECK OF CARDS WITH THE STICKER/CELLOPHANE AND EVERYTHING INTACT!!!! OH AND YES, THE SPECTATOR CAN EXAMINE, OPEN THE CELLOPHANE, BREAK THE SEAL AND DO EVERYTHING THEMSELVES!!!! IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE AND MIND BOGGLING TO THE AUDIENCE!!! I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT, AS ADULTS MY AGE ARE JUST JAW DROPPED (LITERALLY JAW DROPPED) AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS EFFECT!!! When I did this on stage, my random volunteer was just WOW and the audiences' reactions were just out the door!!! I even overheard someone in the audience state that they don't need to even look at the deck beforehand because it was passed around on stage and verified by everyone else!! (Also, they've probably come to realize that this isn't your normal “pick a card, any card trick” and you'll find it XD).

Performances/Reactions Score: 12/10 (Reason: Just look at all the capital letters found within that last paragraph LOL).


Conclusion:

If you're one of those performers looking for a trick that could be performed straight out of the box, then this isn't the trick for you; however, if you're a performer looking for that special one time trick that will knock your performance out of the park (and you also wouldn't mind some preparation prior to your performances) then this is definitely one trick you should consider! Despite some issues in regards to practicality, THIS STILL GETS MY MOST HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS!!!!!!! MARK MASON AND HIS TEAM HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB AND HAVE PRICED THIS PRODUCT AT A VERY REASONABLE PRICE!!!!!

Conclusion: I'm still giving this a 10/10!!! XD

What you get is an elaborate method to AID you in doing the trick. The truth is, it is not that hard to do without the gimmicks just using ungimmicked cards to do the same thing. I will not say do not buy this, but if you do, do what I did and put the gimmicks aside and perform this with a 100% examinable deck with no gimmicks. Greg Gleason's version on Theater Close up 2 is better. I expected more. But Mark's routine that is on the demo is taught on the DVD so that could be a plus if you want to learn that.

This trick is a bit pricey, but the gimmicks, explanation, and routine are well worth it. I enjoy Mark's tricks--they are always quality items, well explained, and very commercial.

If commercial and easy-to-master are not your cup of tea, yes, take the other reviewer's advice and seek out his recommended products.

I am completely satisfied with the purchase (much thanks to the Penguin staff)!

Well i think the dvd is ok nice aproach to the trick, the gimmick you receive will confuse you and its great quality.
But you can performe this effect the same way without the gimicks, so the deck whould be examinable and you can do it with any card not nessery the 8 clubs.
So i think its a great method but its not needed to be a gimmicked trick.

This is a fantastic trick and Mark put a lot of thought into simplifying it. He made this interesting gimmick that makes the trick easier to do for the magician in a way the audience will never realize. It really is just an indicator of how seriously he took this trick.

The video was really good and his teaching style is quite clear.

The one move that the trick requires overall is pretty easy and actually really easy to cover if you simply hand over the original deck to the spectator and have them start looking for their signed card.

I'd always wondered how to do this trick and was quite pleased with Mason's way of doing it. HIGHLY recommend!

It's a good solid trick and Mark explains each and every detail very well. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is it's not a trick I care to carry at all times. This issue mostly stems from what steps you have to take in carrying it to assure the trick will work properly. However, if I was working a stage you can bet your bottom dollar this would be on the program.

I've seen many magicians do this type effect over the years, but I was never able to figure it out. Now Mark Mason has given us a powerful way to accomplish the magic without too much work involved. The gimmicks included will confuse you completely until you watch the DVD. It all makes perfect sense then. Mark does a great job teaching this and going into the setup. You will have some pre-show work to do, and performing this more than once per night will require you to have several boxes set up beforehand (it's not necessarily something you can reset between table-hopping). Still, it's not impossible, and Mark even goes into the "card in mouth" routine he does in the demo video in case you want to use it.

Great trick. Excellent method. Easy to do. I only gave it 4 stars because of the fact you can't examine the deck after.

I buy Fully Loaded becuase i see shawn farquhar on Penn and Teller show. The only defect of this gimmick is that the deck after the performance cannot be completly examineted from the spectator but i develop a new method after i see the DVD so it is very useful. Now i perform this trick without the gimmick and after the performances the deck can be examinated from the spectator. In my opinion the jacket isn't essential, i am be able to do the trick using the pocket of the jeans.