Price$28.99
Media TypeDVD, Prop
CategoryMentalism
Date AddedSep 07, 2013
Rhine's Revenge
Clint Barron
Alakazam UK
(Based on 3 reviews)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
ESP cards have been used in the mentalism/magic world since their inception in the early 1930’s. Primarily designed to test Extra Sensory Perception and telepathy, they are still used for the same purpose today by many mentalists. Even though many non-magician individuals are not familiar with ESP cards, the presentation of the effect typically has a scientific bent to it. Rhine’s Revenge by Clint Barron and Alakazam Magic is another of several dozen versions of a standard routine that has been performed over but unfortunately it contributes basically nothing to a routine that has been re-invented over a dozen times.Effect
The performer introduces two sets of five ESP symbols, and proposes a test. The test is to see how intuitive the participant is. The participant selects one of the packets and they both mix up their cards. The performer proceeds by placing one of his cards down first face down, and the participant the follows by placing one of their cards face down which they feel matches the card on the table. This continues until all cards are dealt. The cards are turned over and they all match.Method
The method is nothing new and has been used for time immemorial in the mentalism world, which is the “one ahead method”. In addition, marked cards are needed for the mentalist to achieve this minor miracle. Unfortunately, Rhine’s Revenge offers nothing new. This method has been done numerous times before and all this effect is basically re-inventing the wheel that already exists.Product Quality
The cards provided leaves a lot to be desired. First, they are Bicycle playing cards with the standard Bicycle playing card back. To me, that already telegraphs that this is a trick. There are numerous ESP card sets that have a “scientific” or more “organic” looking back which makes the ESP cards unique and interesting. Secondly, you would have to mark the back yourself so again, there was no effort in making this effect more than just basic. In comparison, there a several well designed marked ESP card sets on the market that are clever and visible. The DVD is less than ½ hour and the same performance is shown twice which is a waste of time. The actual “instruction” was only a few minutes.Ad Copy Integrity
Although the actual ad copy is not misleading, the build-up as to how amazing this routine is a bit overstated. There are many routines in books and DVDs that are performed the exact way. This version is not any different.Final Thoughts
Way overpriced for 10 unmarked ESP cards and a few minutes of instructions.(Top ▲)
Overview
10 ESP cards, 1 DVD, $29 bucks, The Dark Wizard, and 1 Rhine's Revenge review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.Effect
You lay down a face down ESP card. Then the spectator lays one down. You do another. Then they do, etc. until each of you have laid down some number of cards. The cards are then turned over and shown to match. Watch the trailer, you'll see. You'll also, likely, recognize the effect. It's old as the hills.Method
If you know how to be mentally epic, then you've got a sense of how this works. It's pretty much the same method that everyone does. In fact, I'm a bit confused as to what Mr. Barron is bringing to the table. The way he performed it, method, and all, is the only way I've ever seen anyone perform it.Depending on which way you will perform this, you will have to alter some or all of the included cards to your . . . let's go with . . . eye sight.
Lastly, this is a distant cousin (in method) to Vernon's The Trick that Cannot Be Explained in that each performance is slightly different. More on that below.
Product Quality
The video is well lit, mic'd, filmed, etc. One little annoyance was that the second the video starts, it's the ad trailer which is essentially a performance of the effect. Then immediately after the ad trailer is over, they show the performance again. By the time they got to the teaching, it felt like too much time had passed.Regarding the included ESP cards, they're well made. They have the tradition symbols framed with a border that is about 1/8 of an inch from the edge of the card. The backs are Bicycle rider-backs.
However, as mentioned above, this effect is an old one that has been around at least 100 years. It has roots dating back to Al Koran, Mark Lewis, Bro. John Hamman, David Britland, Dai Vernon, Nick Trost, Warren W. Wiersbe, John Scarne, and on and on and on . . .
There are various methods. Some use gimmicked cards, others do not. Some marked, some not. Sometimes the spectator's cards are face up. Other times they're face down. Sometimes they lay the cards next to yours. Sometimes on top. Sometimes there's a bottom deal, sometimes there's a displacement, etc.
The methods used in this particular project are amongst the above list. The problem - this is a product quality problem - is that none of the above is credited or even mentioned. They just simply state (in not so many words) that this version is the best version. Why? What did you change?
At the very least, where is the credit history on this?
Regarding the teaching, as mentioned earlier there are a variety of paths. One of the paths is not a pleasant one, and they only by happenstance briefly discussed it when The Dark Wizard kind of stumbled upon it. Clint Barron just kind of breezed right passed it and said that because of the probability of the cards, it's not likely to happen (paraphrasing). He did, roughly, show/say how to handle it, but it was definitely a missed opportunity to give some real world experience lessons learned, but instead, it almost seemed like Barron had never thought about that variant before.
Ad Copy Integrity
This is the entire ad copy: "Clint Barron's Rhine's Revenge is one of the cleanest, fairest ESP tests we have ever seen! Rhine's Revenge has been Clint's go to effect for many years and finally he's agreed to share it."All the stuff about Clint using it for years, sharing it, etc., I can only assume that it's true. As far as it being the cleanest, and fairest, that's subjective. You can make up your own mind by watching the trailer.
Regarding this being Clint's, I have to take issue with that. As mentioned earlier, everyone I've ever seen perform this effect does it this way. Clint looks like a pretty young dude, so unless he created this handling when he was a toddler, it's likely not "his."
I totally get/accept that there will be independent creation and so forth, but when the video and trailer state that this is the cleanest version of this effect, that lets us know that the creator (Clint) is well-aware of the existence of the effect, and thus should do some due diligence to find out the history and share with us what he's done to make it (paraphrasing) "The Best" version.
Final Thoughts
- Effect: Solid. Impactful.
- Method: Mostly Solid. Iffy sometimes.
- Product Quality: Good. Not Great.
- Ad Copy Integrity: Fair.
The crediting is non-existent, and it just feels like he decided to make a DVD and include some cards for "that ESP trick that everyone does this specific way."
With all that said, I think I have to go right down the middle on the rating, but regardless of that, you have all the information you need to know to make a decision.
Final Verdict:
2.5 stars with a Stone Status of grubble.
(Top ▲)
PROS
This is a great routine with a very good method. Once you learn the method, you could apply the same method to a card routine. If you don’t know this method, it could be very useful to you.
You get two sets of ESP cards that are very good quality. They are made with regular bicycle stock, so they will become worn over time, but the handling does not require new cards. There is little sleight of hand required and the moves are easy. In addition, given the moves do not require new cards, with just a bit of care, you could use these cards for many years without having to purchase a replacement.
The instruction is very good and very thorough. The strength in the method is it appears very clean. You place a card from your packet down first, then they do. There are no additional cards used in the routine.
The effect is true to the ad copy. However, there are different ways this routine plays out depending upon how the cards are played by the participant. As I recall, in an older version of the demo video, there was a live performance. That live performance was of one of the possible outcomes. I think all outcomes play very strong.
I would say this is most suited to a relatively well lit close up environment because it requires relatively good vision.
The difficulty level is pretty easy.
CONS
As I mentioned above, there are different possible outcomes depending upon the cards played by the participant. I don’t see this as a problem, but you should be aware of this as a potential buyer.
You will need to consider how good of eyesight you have in order to perform the effect. There are different options for different levels of vision.
VERDICT
Very nice routine with very good handling. Beware that there are different possible outcomes with each performance, and each outcome plays strong. You will need to have reasonably good vision.
This is a great routine with a very good method. Once you learn the method, you could apply the same method to a card routine. If you don’t know this method, it could be very useful to you.
You get two sets of ESP cards that are very good quality. They are made with regular bicycle stock, so they will become worn over time, but the handling does not require new cards. There is little sleight of hand required and the moves are easy. In addition, given the moves do not require new cards, with just a bit of care, you could use these cards for many years without having to purchase a replacement.
The instruction is very good and very thorough. The strength in the method is it appears very clean. You place a card from your packet down first, then they do. There are no additional cards used in the routine.
The effect is true to the ad copy. However, there are different ways this routine plays out depending upon how the cards are played by the participant. As I recall, in an older version of the demo video, there was a live performance. That live performance was of one of the possible outcomes. I think all outcomes play very strong.
I would say this is most suited to a relatively well lit close up environment because it requires relatively good vision.
The difficulty level is pretty easy.
CONS
As I mentioned above, there are different possible outcomes depending upon the cards played by the participant. I don’t see this as a problem, but you should be aware of this as a potential buyer.
You will need to consider how good of eyesight you have in order to perform the effect. There are different options for different levels of vision.
VERDICT
Very nice routine with very good handling. Beware that there are different possible outcomes with each performance, and each outcome plays strong. You will need to have reasonably good vision.