Howdy,

Im looking for the haunted deck routine (the one without the gimmick. I heard it can be done but I've had no luck finding it. To avoid exposure, PM me if you know the secret or know where I can buy it. (I am willing to trade for it)

StreetWalker

The haunted deck is not a gimmick deck, it can be done with any deck of cards.

There are many versions of this effect, some are gimmicked decks and some use regular or borrowed decks. Most of the versions that use a regular deck involve introducing a utility gimmick (most of the time this is much the same gimmick), these can be well routined and made to be instantly reset.

I personally only know of one that can be done with a borrowed deck and nothing else. You will find it in Derren Brown's book " Pure Effect". At first read it may sound a little crude, with a little practice you will notice that it does get the usual eary reactions.

You may want to try a product called loops, which can be purchased at your local magic vendor. This utility comes with instructions for a haunted deck that can be done with a borowed deck.

Eugene Berger has a great version. He details the workings on his "Eugene Goes Bizarre" video. It's also in one of his books. Can't remember which one. I'll look when I get home.

Mark

See on John George's video "The Valentine Pack". This is an ungimmicked deck, super clean version of the haunted deck. The deck cuts itself around the card, then the card hops out of the deck face up on the table. Think "loop". Contact John at http://www.johngeorge.com or from your favorite dealer.

There is a version in the book The Card Classics of Ken Krenzel that does not use a gimmick. My favorite is the Valentine pack mentioned by Doug Brewer, but that does use a utiliy gimmick that you can get alot of mileage out of.

Paul Curry's book "Special Effects" has just what you are looking for.
PSIncerely Yours,
Paul Alberstat

Let's add to the list "Kulini Rising".It uses any (borrowed deck)and can end clean..
Gary

Sorry "Kudlini Rising"

It is actually "Kundalini Rising" by Jeff McBride, great effect but more of a rising card effect than a haunted pack.
My favorite by FAR is using LOOPS. This can (should) be done with a borrowed deck, and I even have the spec hold the deck as the haunted action happens. Knocks their socks off. It doesn't get any better than that, if only the loops were more durable...

There is a pseudo way to do it with little grains of a material used by dentists. Similar to mini ball-bearings... you use it like the old "salt" location... wobble the table and the deck cuts at the "stuff".

The BEST, IMHO, gimmicked deck is finn jon's ESOTERIC... A MIND BLOWER.

Pete,

Is there a reason you recommend the dentist material over the more easily obtainable salt?

Turk

Hi Turk!

You have to work a little more, with the salt, to get the movement to look right. Remember, the salt crystal has hard edges and angles.

When using the salt...place the deck flat on your hand. You can wobble or tilt your hand less noticably than the table method.

Jlareau
:bluebikes:

IMO, Mesika's version is superior to the "Valentine Pack," and Varone's version (marketed by Henry Evans) is superior to "Kundalini Rising" (but doesn't use a borrowed deck unless you ring the gimmick in to an identical deck). Esoteric kills too.

There actually a ton of borrowed deck version using no gimmicks. One of which I saw on Hocus Pocus Magic. they are everywhere! Jusat search the sites. There are also various handlings in books or videos.

There is really and excellent version in Bertram on Sleight of Hand.

Steve

Yea, there are so many versions of the haunted deck out there that an entire book could be composed of just them. I've even seen some methods that you can actually see what's making the deck move, yet it still seems kind of magical. One in particular that comes to mind if a version in which a rubber band is wound around the deck, The deck twists and what ever card(s) you want pop out. It's pretty cool. I forget who's that is though.

Whenever I hear someone talk about the haunted deck with loops. I always agree that it is a great method and a cool effect. I also get the urge to point out the advantages of using an ITR for the haunted deck.
One of the biggest advantage is that you don't have to keep your hands close to the deck. Imagine having the selected card(s) returned to the deck. Placing the deck on the floor or table (Even in their hands). Stand up and then cause the deck to move. So you don't have to be near it.
All the while you have complete control and you can actually tell the deck to stop moving and it does. Then you make it start again. Thus proving you have complete control.
I'm not putting the loop method down at all. It's great! I just like to do the effect with the ITR better and that is one of the main reasons why. It is only a personal preference though.

Ron Jaxon

I use John Leclair's method from his 'who's afraid of IT' you can use a borrowed deck and the 'animation' is as fast or slow as you want it to be.

Pete, can you (or anyone else that performs this version) tell me a bit more about why you think highly of it? I use the version as performed by Burger so I'd be interested in knowing what the difference is.

Thanks