I have just seen a demo of the Wow Illusion card sleeve and was very impressed. What experience has any member had with this effect and is the two wallet set worth the extra cost of having one wallet that can be handed out for inspection?

Take a look at this thread where many questions I think were covered:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......&start=0

Thanks for the info saysold1, it was a very comprehensive thread but most of it was beyond me as I have not received my copy yet. I do not seem able to start a search any more to find items as I am quite new to the Café.I will have to try harder to carry out a search for myself. Once again thaks for your help.

Don-G

I carry three of Masuda's Wow sleeves (6 of hearts, 9 of diamonds, and joker). I have several just in case I decide to walk around and don't want it to seem obvious. I do not own one to be handed out for inspection. I usually patter my routine based upon the following: 1) A spectator selecting a card and signing it; 2) I make a mistake revealing the wrong card; 3) Then I bring out my Geico insurance card, which is the sleeve with a Geico logo taped with clear scotch tape on the sleeve...good stuff. 4) I say that I always carry my Geico insurance card, which covers mistakes and introduce the sleeve showing that it is clear by passing it over the card a few times to reveal that it is innocent; 5) I insert the error card into the sleeve and tell everyone to watch as I hold the sleeve with my thumb and index finger...I prefer this hold because it is very up front and less people think that I can be doing anything because I only got two fingers on the sleeve...the card is revealed as I shake the sleeve; 6) I again run the sleeve over the card to show that is is not gaffed and pass out the card bringing all attention to the card.

I have had not one spectator ask me for the sleeve, and I have been performing this since the original release, but if you want you can always carry it around, just in case. I carry it in my multi-pocket vest.


BalloonMagicGuy

Great answer and very helpful info. I can see how if done properly spectators should not ask to check the sleeve normally. As I am known as the Tommy Cooper of card magic I find that what can go wrong will go wrong, it must be down to the way I perform it. I must work more on my presentation.

Don-G

Balloon and Magic Guy, want to sell your 9 of Diamonds sleeve?

Did anyone see that you can get a sleeve for around $3?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.33947

I've had a cheap one and it's crap...
I prefer the original WOW or the Knock-out.

Yes I have a cheaper wow (£12), got it when I first got into magic (didn't know it was unofficial). But I've just ordered the official masuda wow. Is the masuda gimmick a lot better quality?

Mal3,
Absolutely the Masuda gimmick is the best and way better than the knock-offs.

Tom

The only problem I find with my wow
Gimmick is sometimes the plastic sleeve loosens up and the card can slide all the way out ruining the effect...I solve it by placing the wow sleeve under 10 heavy books to flatten it tight...seems a little ridiculous but oh well...

In Chapter 20 of my new book, The Book of Destiny, there is an effect called "Snatched From the Middle" which uses the WOW sleeve in an unusual way. It's an amazing prop with many uses.

Larry

I owned one of the old one's back in the 90's when they were just a kid's trick. Thinking about the possibilities now is encouraging enough to buy a new one.

I intend to use mine together with the vanishing card deck box, it is on order but I have not quite figured out a routine yet. It would be very handy if you could choose whatever card you wanted in the Wow wallet to suit your own needs.

I don't use an un-gaffed on e to hand out and have never had anyone ask to see the sleeve. It's innocent look and obvious transparency make it appear to be incidental to the effect. I introduce it as a casino " marker
" that they use when they are shuffling multiple decks of cards for things like blackjack. I know, it sounds kind of a flimsy premise but more than once I have had people ask me to explain why they do it and forget all about the sleeve as a prop. Therefore it can also be handy to lead into gambling routines as well.

Daz,

What is your answer to 'why do they do it' it sounds like a good idea as it does seem a odd thing to place the card in the wallet in the first place.

Don

I have been using the original since it came out and have always floored with it !! I do have a couple of the knock-offs for use with and to change cards if I want to do it again. But the Masuda gimmic by far works the best. The knock off's I have don't seem to work or be as smooth. SO I tend not to use them as much... I Have also never had anyone ask to see the sleeve ever !! The effect is just too strong.

I explain that when multiple decks are used and shuffled they always " burn" the first card i.e turn it over so they know when they have used all the cards and need to re-shuffle.In a casino however they don't turn it face down which could be suspicious, but place the card in a clear sleeve. Very few people ask for the full explanation though, they just accept that I probably know more about the workings of a casino than they do. If I get someone who has a good knowledge of casinos and tries to question me about it,I explain that this is the way it is done in smaller European casinos and not here. It seems to staisfy everyone, and the fact that I hand out the card after the change switches the heat to the card and not the sleeve. Works for me anyway

Thanks for the explanation Daz, as a non gambler, I can't say I understand what you are saying but I can understand the method. If people think you know your subject and they are not expert themselves, they don't usually push it but do what I would do any and just nod knowingly. Thanks for your answer, I will bear it in mind.

Don

I bought a cheap one and have only used it once. I m not really into cards that much as a rule as I don't like to carry a deck around with me. However I have to say that the reaction I got with this was brilliant.Its a very powerful effect that's possible with very little skill. Its fair to say that on the back of this reaction I got it will probably spur me on to get into cards more so for me it has been very worthwhile.

I have not seen an official WOW sleeve so cant comment on how much better it is than the cheap ones. I guess the price with the original includes the secret as much as the actual gimmick, so in that respect I have " cheated". However,a very good effect