Price$19.90
Media TypeBook
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedMar 16, 2003
Chicago Surprise
Haydn, Whit
School for Scoundrels
(Based on 2 reviews)
This 34-page booklet details all the ins and outs, psychology and theory of Whit Haydn's unique and very powerful version of the Chicago Opener or Red Hot Mama card trick-the version used by many of the top close-up workers.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
PRO
"Pop" Haydn has come out with a download video of the Chicago Surprise. It is a tremendous instructional video of a tremendous card routine.
The effect comes across so "fair" that he teaches a few alternative handlings because his presentation is so "fair" that the participant may change their mind. This makes this routine SO INCREDIBLY STRONG.
The routine has a bit of a jazz feel and is very liberating in that you are toying with the audience and your own routine, knowing you have a way to go depending upon the choices your participant makes.
Pop has taken Chicago Opener and re-worked it to have a stronger punch.
CON
While the sleights are well within the reach of most beginner or intermediate performers, you WILL need to practice this one to get it smooth. However, it is really worth the practice.
VERDICT
This is one GREAT routine with GREAT explanation by Pop Haydn.
"Pop" Haydn has come out with a download video of the Chicago Surprise. It is a tremendous instructional video of a tremendous card routine.
The effect comes across so "fair" that he teaches a few alternative handlings because his presentation is so "fair" that the participant may change their mind. This makes this routine SO INCREDIBLY STRONG.
The routine has a bit of a jazz feel and is very liberating in that you are toying with the audience and your own routine, knowing you have a way to go depending upon the choices your participant makes.
Pop has taken Chicago Opener and re-worked it to have a stronger punch.
CON
While the sleights are well within the reach of most beginner or intermediate performers, you WILL need to practice this one to get it smooth. However, it is really worth the practice.
VERDICT
This is one GREAT routine with GREAT explanation by Pop Haydn.
Suggestions
There is a point in the routine where he takes a shot glass and places it over the card to do the routine one more time "under test conditions". I have a set of lab shot glasses that come in various laboratory styles, such as beakers and test tubes. I think one of these makes a great humorous addition to the routine.(Top ▲)
I performed the traditional Chicago Opener for about a year, and found it great: it's quick, baffling, and funny. But it has some problems, which are well addressed by Whit's version. And Whit's version has some added advantages for me.
One problem with traditional Chicago Opener is that a different-coloured card has to be already placed on the bottom of the deck. Another is that the deck needs to be in a special order -- at least the bottom 2 cards do. A third problem, at least with the way I performed it, was that the first time a person chooses a coard from the Hindu shuffle we take the top card of the bottom half of the deck, but the second time we take the bottom card from the top half of the deck. This inconsistency is often noted by spectators and raises suspicions.
Whit's routine freed me up from all of these disadvantages, In addition it FINALLY has given me a safe reliable context n which to practice my Classic Force (which I STILL cannot do!) because in Whit's routine it matters not one iota whether I succeed, so the pressure is off. It allows me to perform this routine right after somebody has shuffled the cards and I have been using the deck for other routines.
The down side of this routine is that it does take a bit of practice to get the script down, and it is complex and so a memory burden. But I think any routine this good is worth putting some work and rehearsal into it.
One problem with traditional Chicago Opener is that a different-coloured card has to be already placed on the bottom of the deck. Another is that the deck needs to be in a special order -- at least the bottom 2 cards do. A third problem, at least with the way I performed it, was that the first time a person chooses a coard from the Hindu shuffle we take the top card of the bottom half of the deck, but the second time we take the bottom card from the top half of the deck. This inconsistency is often noted by spectators and raises suspicions.
Whit's routine freed me up from all of these disadvantages, In addition it FINALLY has given me a safe reliable context n which to practice my Classic Force (which I STILL cannot do!) because in Whit's routine it matters not one iota whether I succeed, so the pressure is off. It allows me to perform this routine right after somebody has shuffled the cards and I have been using the deck for other routines.
The down side of this routine is that it does take a bit of practice to get the script down, and it is complex and so a memory burden. But I think any routine this good is worth putting some work and rehearsal into it.