I use Loops for the HP, but this looks very good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlTdEQ-MsZk

The site ad says: Vector can be performed anytime, anywhere with any deck. Borrowed, old or new. No magnets, no threads, no reels, no gaffs, no hook-ups. No nothing. Just your hands and a borrowed deck of cards.

It is available at Ellusionist. Any thoughts?

I have this.

I would rather use Loops to be honest because I like the slow animated cut. I'm not a big fan of the shoot out but I am practicing this down pat for impromptu sake..It's very very easy.

Why in the world would anyone want to perform the Haunted Pack effect in the hands vs. hands off?

It's a great variation if you came unprepared.

If I came unprepared, I'd perform a different effect instead of an inferior version of the Haunted Pack.

To each his own. I'd rather do Nate Kranzo's Haunted Card

Jon Leclair does his version in his hands.

Dal Vernon - "Your animated pack is the best I've ever seen."

Vernon wasn't a layman, but that aside, how many and which specific hands off versions did Vernon see, and which versions, hands on and hands off, did he perform for laymen to judge reaction?

I'm not sure Mr. Davidson. Magicians loved showing Vernon their work, so I would think he saw many. Was Al Baker's "The Pack That Cuts Itself" in the hands?

Please call me Larry.  My father's name is Mr. Davidson.

The original Baker method was generally performed in the hands.

If a magician is interested in performing for laymen, the way to judge which version of an effect is best is to perform is a number of versions many times for many audiences and study the reactions.

Based on my experience performing eight different versions for laymen over the years, both in the hands and hands off versions, as well as based on my observation of other magicians performing a number of versions for laymen, including in the hands and hands off versions, my judgement is that, everything else being equal, a hands off approach gets the best reaction.  Why?  My guess is that it adds another layer of impossibility to the effect because, in laymen's eyes, the magician can't possibly be manipulating the deck with his hands if he's not touching it.

My postings have concerned only method, not presentation, which is an even more important topic in my opinion.

Anyway, I don't want to hijack this thread any longer, so I'll leave it to others to post about this particular method.

Larry

Larry, thank you for your input. The thread was not hijacked, but added to.

I LOVE your version "Dad’s Deck" from your wonderful DVD set "Scripted Insanity". I certainly understand why you prefer a 'non' in the hands method.

Anyone wanting to take their magic to a higher level should invest in your DVDS and learn the power of scripting their magic.

Thank you, Dr. Magic.

Hey everyone, it's Patrick Kun here. Although using loop or thread maybe stronger reaction, I think that magic is all about how you want them to see and think. If this presented right, I don't think it will get any worse reaction than a gimmick one. I think they still get the feel that you didn't touch the deck as the right hand is far away and the other one is lay flat. The shooting card at the end is what really catch spectators. Again, we all have different opinion on magic and I do agree with loop and thread but as far as impromptu wise I don't know what else you could do with this concept.

-Patrick

I think this looks awesome! maybe a different feel than a haunted pack but very powerful