Hi, I don't know where to put this since it is cards, coins, mentalism, linking rings, etc. so I'll put it here in the card section. If it needs to go somewhere else, could a mod please move it? Anyway, for a long time I have been thinking about getting one of these items. In your opinion, which one do you is best?

1. Xpert
2. Color Fusion
3. Cultural Exchange
4. Cultural Exchange 2
5. Three Ring Circus
6. TVBO

Also, if you only have one or two of these, please tell me.

Thanks in advance.

I would go with three Ring Circus if I were you.

Expert because the effects are limitless with your imagination and it is a diabolical utility device every magician and mentalist should own.

Another vote for the Xpert, don't have 3 ring circus but odds are it has some good stuff on it.

Thanks for the Xpert votes, guys. Honestly, I don't have any of the others you've mentioned, but have heard good things about some of them. But without knowing your performing venues, performing style, or level of experience, I would be hard-pressed to recommend any of them, anyway.

With that said, there is one thing I've discovered when somebody asks the "what should I buy" question: t's usually because he's still trying to figure out what his performance style is, and he's hoping the next new trick will contain the answer.

It won't.

If this applies to you, pause for a few minutes and think about who you are as a performer. What experience do you want to give your audience? How do you want them to perceive you and your abilities? Under what conditions/in what venues do you perform (or desire to perform)?

After you've answered all that to your satisfaction, you'll be in a much better place to consider the acquisition of any new material.

Best of luck,
Neil

P.S. If this didn't apply to you, maybe it will open the eyes of somebody who chances across it.

P.P.S. Want to know a secret? The best new tricks aren't the ones all your magic friends are buying up -- they're the ones you'll discover for yourself in The Jinx and Tarbell. And they're both steals -- you can get all three volumes of The Jinx on a CD-ROM for about $20, or in bound volumes for about $25 each. Tarbell goes for anywhere from $20 to $30 per volume (get all eight, or buy them individually). Happy hunting! NT

Thanks Neil, terrific post. I can never gobble up enough wisdom from the professionals that post on these boards. Love the Café…

I think the 3 ring circus looks the best. Penguin magic has a demo video on it. It looks pretty cool! I would get that one if I were you!