Price$25.00
Media TypeDVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedNov 24, 2008
Sankey's Best Card Magic
Jay Sankey
Sankey Magic
(Based on 1 review)
- Over 2 HOURS of killer card magic featuring 20 of Jay's most powerful and creative card effects!
- Includes 'lost Sankey gems!' Little know, wildly creative, hard-hitting effects from some of Jay's earliest DVDs!
- Over 25 years in the making! All of Jay's BEST card magic on ONE DVD!
- Outstanding value & convenience!
- An incredible variety of card magic!
- Completely self-contained. All sleights and techniques are described in detail!
For LESS than the cost of many 1-trick DVDs sold on the market, you can now own 20 of Jay's BEST card routines!
If you love card magic this is THE DVD FOR YOU!
All of Jay's BEST card magic, all of his classic and most celebrated card routines, all on 1 DVD!
1.STATE OF THE UNION/ Two selected card MELT TOGETHER!
2.CARDIVORES/ Jay's famous handling of Walton's 'Cannibal Cards' plot. Completely mystifies magicians and laypeople!
3.A SHORT FUSE/ Be among the first to marvel at this little-known, 'early Sankey' stunner!
4.GUARANTEED/ One of Jay's favorite card effects for the bar. Great presentational hook + super easy handling!
5.BELLY OF THE BEAST/ An impromptu, 2-phase mind-bender!
6.ONE OF ONE/ A wild amount of magic in one short super visual effect!
7.HOTLINK/ One of the most 'romantic card routines' in the free world! A drawing of two hearts comes to life + a killer souvenir!
8.FORGERY/ An 'early Sankey' card effects that started all the buzz! The definition of VISUAL CARD MAGIC!
9.HEALER/ One of Jay's favorite torn and restored card handlings!
10.IQ TEST/ Draw a 'hole' on a selected card with a Sharpie marker and then push the marker THROUGH THE HOLE!
11.JOKING AROUND/ The classic sandwich handling Jay's been wowing audiences with for over 20 years!
12.IN CAPTIVITY/ Two cards transpose while wrapped in black electrical tape! A total heart-stopper!
13.REVOLUTION ACES/ Jay's innovative (and little known) handling for Vernon's 'Twisting the Aces!' Perfect surprise ending!
14.TRACKING DEVICE/ One of the Jay's most commercial card routines ever! A button vanishes and appears SEWN to the selected card!
15.MAGNETIC/ A wonderfully magical, multi-phased impromptu effect involving the drawing of a magnet!
16.OUTSIDER/ A flashy, very creative color change handling that breaks all the rules!
17.DEVIANT BEHAVIOR/ Four Jokers jump to four pockets under test conditions! Great closer!
18.SELECTIVE MEMORY/ Using his ingenious variation on Garcia's 'Topper' move, Jay creates an especially SWEET 4 card change handling!
19.MIX MASTER/ Jay's famous 'underground' color changing deck routine! Total FOOLER!
20.THE BLACKPOOL EFFECT/ A devastating combination of mentalism and magic! Super easy yet LETHAL!
Running Time Approximately 2hr 20min
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Ok many of you probably know that Jay Sankey and I are good friends and that we've worked together on a project or two in the past, and we also are consultants to one another.
I get feedback from him on my stuff, and he gets feedback from me on a lot of his stuff. Additionally, I do not receive any sort of compensation whatsoever for reviewing or "pitching" his products (I was briefly involved with this project . . . I offered feedback and suggestion on which effects from past projects should be included.).
I tell you that up front just to sort of clear the air and to let you know that when I give Jay feedback, I'm brutally honest with him. I tell him if I think he has a crappy idea or a good idea. He wouldn't have it any other way, nor would I. So I want to make it clear that Jay's products get the same level of scrutiny as any other products I review.
On to the review: This offering from Sankey Magic is perfect for fans and people who are unfamiliar with Jay's work. This is a 5 DVD set (each sold individually). Basically these DVDs are a collection of footage from previous DVDs. His best stuff combined from various different past projects.
The beauty of this from a fan's perspective is that you have all of Jay's killer stuff at your finger tips. You don't have to dig through your collection to find what you're looking for. After watching these, I realized that there was some footage that I didn't recognize, and I thought I had everything from Jay.
For anyone unfamiliar with Jay's work or those who haven't made the full-on-die-hard-Sankey-fan leap yet, this is perfect. Pick your favorite subject (cards, coins, mentalism, street magic, ordinary objects) and get Sankey's Best. You'll quickly know if you like Jay's material or not. My gut tells me that you will.
One of my favorite things about this set is that you get to see all different sides of Jay from several different projects . . . "Serious Jay", "Funny Jay", "Professional Jay", "Crazy Jay", "Insane Jay", it's fun to see the variety.
For each of the five sets (Cards, Coins, Mentalism, Street Magic, Ordinary Objects), you will find the above commentary as well as specifics about the particular DVD. First the effect title, then description from the ad copy, then my opinion, so onward with . . . Cards:
STATE OF THE UNION: (2.5/5)
Two selected card MELT TOGETHER!
Not the most earth-shattering handling of the card fusion plot. Although the handling to get the signatures is very clever and very streamlined. There's a sort-of ambitious phase that I didn't care for, but if you do Anniversary Waltz (my favorite version of this effect), you may want to consider this version for the streamlined "signature-getting" portion.
CARDIVORES: (4/5)
Jay's famous handling of Walton's 'Cannibal Cards' plot. Completely mystifies magicians and laypeople!
I really liked this one. It's one of the cleanest handlings of the plot that I've seen. Three cards are clearly interlaced between the four Queens and they vanish one by one. The Four Queens can immediately be handed out.
A SHORT FUSE: (3.5/5)
Be among the first to marvel at this little-known, 'early Sankey' stunner!
This is sort of a combination of a card-fuse (ala anniversary walz) and a two signature transpositions. This is pretty clever. I'm not entirely sure if one of the subtleties used will fly, but overall this is a very clever effect. There are two great moments where you clearly show two spectator's initials on two completely different cards. Yet a moment later the two signatures/initials are on a third card.
GUARANTEED: (4/5)
One of Jay's favorite card effects for the bar. Great presentational hook + super easy handling!
This one's pretty darn sweet. The moves are easy, and the effect is extremely clever. It's got a Your Signed Card (Hamman) kind of feel to it. Most of the effect seems to happen in the spectator's hand, yet a card that is on the table from the beginning turns out to be the spectator's signed card. The only bummer is that you ruin two cards every time you perform it.
BELLY OF THE BEAST: (4.5/5)
An impromptu, 2-phase mind-bender!
I read this in Jay's Newsletter a long time ago. I liked it then and I love it now (after seeing it in action). A very clear and visual 2 card transpo with an additional kicker . . . beautiful.
ONE OF ONE: (4.5/5)
A wild amount of magic in one short super visual effect!
This has a fun playful presentation. The effect is very visual and very interactive . . . plus you get to see Jay perform for a real audience member. I like the presentational premise and some of the "lines" so much that I may use them for another routine in my act.
HOTLINK: (4/5)
One of the most 'romantic card routines' in the free world! A drawing of two hearts comes to life + a killer souvenir!
Another excellent presentational premise . . . very visual, and the concept can be used for many variations of the effect.
FORGERY: (4.5/5)
An 'early Sankey' card effects that started all the buzz! The definition of VISUAL CARD MAGIC!
Classic Sankey . . . If you know Sankey's work, then you know this effect. It's one from the "early years." It's beautifully visual and has a cool presentational premise. The only reason I didn't give this one 5 stars is because in other places that this has been published, he explains the premise and presentation a little bit better. For those not familiar with the effect, you may miss out on a couple of key points that make the presentation more logical.
HEALER: (4/5)
One of Jay's favorite torn and restored card handlings!
No question that this is super visual and even one of the better handlings for a torn and restored effect. As for the handling, it's super easy and pretty well within the reach of most performers.
IQ TEST: (4.5/5)
Draw a 'hole' on a selected card with a Sharpie marker and then push the marker THROUGH THE HOLE!
Another classic O' Sankey . . . I've always loved this effect and have used it a few times. It always gets a great reaction. Also this one has a very logical and fun presentational angle.
JOKING AROUND: (3/5)
The classic sandwich handling Jay's been wowing audiences with for over 20 years!
Not my favorite Sankey effect, however, there is a super sweet handling of a packet of cards that is such a beautiful illusion and may be worth studying for any packet style effects that you do.
IN CAPTIVITY: (4.5/5)
Two cards transpose while wrapped in black electrical tape! A total heart-stopper!
The visuals and the effect of this . . . awesome. Also the presentational angle is interesting and has room for a lot of fun with the spectator.
REVOLUTION ACES: (4/5)
Jay's innovative (and little known) handling for Vernon's 'Twisting the Aces!' Perfect surprise ending!
Combine The Biddle Trick and Vernon's Twisting The Aces and you get Revolution Aces. This is a very clean handling and a nice kicker ending. Plus you get to see some "whacky Jay" on this on . . . always nice.
TRACKING DEVICE: (4/5)
One of the Jay's most commercial card routines ever! A button vanishes and appears SEWN to the selected card!
Yet another presentational premise that I think you'll like. It starts out simple and very "low key" . . . then suddenly . . . BAM! You smack them in the face with a kicker ending. Very cool.
MAGNETIC: (4/5)
A wonderfully magical, multi-phased impromptu effect involving the drawing of a magnet!
Cute presentation and a fun idea. Another classic Sankey from the early days. It's basically a variation (a very good variation) on the ambitious card plot. It gives the effect motivation, reason, and a much better presentational hook.
OUTSIDER: (4/5)
A flashy, very creative color change handling that breaks all the rules!
Crazy Jay comes out again. This effect is an excellent color changing deck that has a very visual element.
DEVIANT BEHAVIOR: (4/5)
Four Jokers jump to four pockets under test conditions! Great closer!
This is one of the most deceptive handlings to convince the audience that you've put four cards into four different parts of the deck. Very clever. The trick itself is a nice and clean version of the Cards to Pocket plot.
SELECTIVE MEMORY: (4/5)
Using his ingenious variation on Garcia's 'Topper' move, Jay creates an especially SWEET 4 card change handling!
This is an application of a move that nobody else is doing. It's used in a way that is just sneaky, yet bold and in your face. The effect is a great way to produce a four of a kind, but it's also a great effect as a stand-alone.
MIX MASTER: (4.5/5)
Jay's famous 'underground' color changing deck routine! Total FOOLER!
Killer handling of Vernon's Triumph with a great presentational hook, and a super-surprising kicker ending. You don't wanna miss this one.
THE BLACKPOOL EFFECT: (4.5/5)
A devastating combination of mentalism and magic! Super easy yet LETHAL!
This is a very, very, very clean and direct mentalism effect. You write a prediction. The spectator names a card (any card). You then immediately show your prediction (no funny moves) and it matches. There's an added kicker that you can do that adds a level of magic to the effect. Frankly, I like the effect without the magic kicker, but either way, this is a killer effect.
Houdini Change
Additionally, you get a mini segment on the Houdini Change. If you're not familiar with this beautiful move, you're in for a real treat.
If you take the average rating of each trick above, you get a 4.09 out of 5 stars. Add to that the inexpensive price, and Jay's experience (he's been performing since he was a teenager) and you've got a 4.5 or better. One of my favorite things about Jay and his magic is that he never stops thinking, and he shares with the student bits of wisdom and thoughts that just can't be found on other magic projects. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, a Sankey fan or have never heard of Sankey, there is something for you in this DVD. Get it!
Disclosure/Disclaimer:
If you've read a few of my Sankey Magic reviews, then you know that Jay Sankey and I are buds and that we've worked on a few projects together, and we also are consultants to one another.
I get feedback from him on my stuff, and he gets feedback from me on a lot of his stuff (I was not involved in this particular project other than to answer a survey about which effects of his were my favorites).
I tell you this to clear the air and to let you know that when I give Jay feedback, I'm brutally honest with him. I tell him if I think he has a stinky idea or a groovy idea. He wouldn't have it any other way, nor would I.