Price$39.00
Media TypeTrick
CategoryMentalism
Date AddedMar 29, 2024
Free William Hicks
Dead Rebel Productions
Dead Rebel Magic
(Based on 1 review)
'Free William Hicks' is an anytime, anywhere practical piece of bizarre / mental magic that will fool everyone. You tell the story of Joseph Pascal, a charlatan who used to get his partner, William Hicks, out of trouble by fooling the sheriff - with three baffling effects using some poker chips, a leather wallet, and a prediction...
First of all, the chips are mixed - the spectator looks at one, and then moves them around to leave you no clues - you reveal which one they looked at! Second, they repeat the above, but this time you just verbally reveal the color of the chip they looked at, without touching anything! Finally, you have them mix the chips again, and have them keep one, give one to you, and put one in the wallet. Astonishingly, a prediction that was eft in full view reveals the location of ALL THREE CHIPS!
Combining two classic mentalism principles (Bob Hummers Mathematical Monte, and Deddy Corbuziers Free Will) gives a pack small, plays big, three phase self-working routine that is always ready to go - no reset required. And, as always with the Dead Rebel Productions, the props are second to none. The chips are custom printed in full color, the leather wallet looks gorgeous (and will only look better with age) and the whole thing comes wrapped in a faux tobacco packaging. Even the prediction card looks amazing!
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
A 17 minute tutorial, some cool looking props, 1 Liam Montier, 1 Dead Rebel product, $39 bucks, and 1 Free William Hicks magic review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.Effect
The gist of the effect is that you divine (twice) a thought of poker chip, and then you end with a prediction of who would get each poker chip. That's the TL;DR.You get to add in your own presentation. The props lend themselves to the story-line found in the trailer, which is (likely) how I would perform this.
Method
The ad copy spills it. I love the honesty here. It uses Bob Hummer's Mathematical Monte, and Deddy Corbuzier's Free Will principle. The end.The combination of the Hummer idea (used in for two different phases) and the Corbuzier principle make for a routine that builds nicely.
Considerations
This is one of the cleanest and purest uses of "Hummer" that I've seen, and it's completely deceptive and clever.
I've never personally like the "Free Will" principle. I know I'm a minority, but it's always felt a little too transparent, and so far every time I've used it, I got "caught." Admittedly I may be doing something wrong in my presentation, but nonetheless, it's put me off of using the principle.
However, there is a minor addition or two to this that certainly helps "clean" it up a little. Further, when combined with the the first two phases, it seems to boost the "Free Will" usage here as well.
Part of me feels like the final (Free Will) phase isn't as strong as the first two phases. Another part of me, however, disagrees.
I think the combination of the two Hummer phases, plus the aforementioned minor additions, along with the story boosts the "Free Will" principle to better place.
Product Quality
You get three aged wooden-looking poker chips, a well-made and beautiful "old" leather pouch, plus a business-card looking thing (with the Free Will prediction printed on it) and a faux-tobacco pouch envelope to keep everything within.All of the above is extremely well-made and are the kind of props that I personally love. But whether I like them or not, there's no disputing that they're well-made.
You also get a 17 minute tutorial from Liam Montier explaining things clearly, cleanly, and simply. Perfect.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is 100% solid. Read it / watch it, and know that everything said is not only true, but in the written ad copy in particular, they go above and beyond, and literally give you the method. Perfect.Final Thoughts
- Effect: Solid. Fun. Easy.
- Method: Solid. Deceptive (especially the Hummer stuff)
- Product Quality: Perfect.
- Ad Copy Integrity: Perfect.
Products like this are easy to review. With everything you get, it's hard to believe it's only $39 bucks.
If you like the effect as described in the ad copy, you'll love this. It is easy, no reset, and all self-contained. If you know how the Hummer thing works, then you know that there's a little secret something going on with the chips. I'll just let you know that one of the little secret somethings is very small. I'm not 100% sure what kind of lighting is needed or how perfect ones vision might need to be.
That said, from the minor testing I've done, I think you'll be just fine.
Lastly, I won't be giving this one to my reviewers like I often do once I've reviewed something. I'm keeping this one, and will be performing it.
Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.