The Big Kick - Liam Montier
$25.00
https://bigblindmedia.com/products/the-b......70127845

The Hype:
Comes with special Bicycle Deck - everything you need to perform included!

'The Big Kick' is the perfect self working trick - in fact, it is basically a mini-act, with predictions, a classic gag, and then a full-blown monster kicker that NOBODY sees coming!

No sleight of hand. No gaffs. No Sticky / Rough Stuff. Ends Examinable. Fast Reset.

You remove two prediction cards and a Joker from a deck of cards, and the spectators choose EXACTLY where in the pack all three cards go. They manage to place the first two predictions next to the MATCHING cards! But what card have they placed the Joker next to?

You explain that the Joker is a 'Wild Card' and so could be paired up with ANY card... and so the spectators shout out the name of the first random card that comes to mind... which you explain will be the face down card next to the Joker!

However, it turns out to be a gag, as the card is turned over to reveal a full pack of cards, printed tiny, all over its face!

But then there's the kicker...

'Do you know where all the faces came from? The rest of the pack!'

The deck is turned face up, and ribbon spread, to reveal EVERY. SINGLE. CARD. IS. BLANK!

Everything you need to perform this masterpiece is included in the package.

My Take:
As soon as I saw the promo vid, I knew this was Gemini Twins. Most people assume that the effect was created by Karl Fulve and first published in his 1984 classic, "More Self Working Card Tricks" although it seems likely that Karl stood on the shoulders of giants and was inspired by earlier versions such as Herb Rungie's "Hidden Mystery", 1940.

In the years since, "Gemini Twins" has become one of the most popular self working tricks being performed. Everyone has seen the 21 card trick and if you do it for a magician, well, just don't do it for a magician. However the Twins even today is very deceptive. There have been numerous versions released in the years since. The one I have kept in my case is The Rainbow Deck. The deck is shown to have all different backs. On the reveal, it is shown that the backs and the faces of the selected cards match. Then when the deck is tuned over, all the rest of the cards match a different suit or value. (Mine is the 10 of clubs). There have been versions where the rest of the deck is blank and I am sure this was some inspiration for this effect by Liam.

Since you already know the trick and maybe even own a special deck, why would you want this? Liam has thrown a new twist into it that will probably even fool the folks at your club and will definitely destroy laymen. Now, instead of just two cards matching up, you get three. Liam has taken the Twins and by combining it with a joke by Simon Lovell and a method by Peter Duffie, it has become even more mystifying.

Of course, you can still do a nice version with a borrowed shuffled deck but this is so much more powerful. When the deck is turned over at the end and shown to be all blank, you truly get an NFW moment. And everything can be examined. I know how often your volunteer loves to grab your cards to examine, even if they really can't. No fear here. They can examine the cards all they want and there is absolutely nothing to be found.

Something I really like is the new way Big Blind Media is packaging their decks. I am not sure if every deck is packaged like this but it is something I really appreciate. I have a tendency to carry a deck in my pocket and after a while, the tuck box shows some real wear. The two decks I just received both come in a clear plastic case making them perfect to travel with you. I hope they keep this up and it is something I would like to see other companies emulate.

I like Liam's new take on a classic. It is easy to do and it can be a real eye popper. Thumbs up.