On Mar 5, 2015, puggo wrote:
Mini Review

I thought that I would post this as unfortunately there are no demos. My opinion is based on an initial review, not on ‘in the trenches’ testing.

Bias rating:
I paid full price for this and although I have met Gary briefly a few times, I do not ‘know’ him well. I am a fan of his work though, as his stuff is normally great for the worker, due to the construction of the effects (but still very relevant for the hobbyist as it is normally of a very attainable skill level).

Chips, why chips?:
Poker chips are big, colourful and have an instant hook/plot (casino, my lucky chip etc. etc.). They are a touch larger than a dollar, but if you use 1//2 dollars or £2 coins, make the effort as it can make your magic more visual.
There are big advantages with chips as they don’t ‘talk’. The disadvantage is that if you use a click pass (and there is one used in one of the routines) then they have poor audio compared to dollars, half crowns etc. Also, you can use chips for an infinite amount of other routines.

Props:
You get 10 poker chips (un-shimmed), 3 of which are gaffed (think copper silver coin). The quality appears to be very good and the colours allows the specs to clearly tell the difference. A challenge of a poorly structured or performed copper silver routine, is that the spec can be confused as to what’s where. With these orange (+colour) chips, it will be easier to ensure they know the magic has happened. I did like the look of the chips in the DVD performance though (nice deep red), but then there’s nothing to grumble about.

DVD:
A well shot and produced, well lit DVD with several live performances. Some effects have a studio (Dave’s flat?) and live performance. The explanations are clear, with both Gary and Dave giving quality instruction. I would be surprised if anyone struggled to learn from this.

Difficulty:
There are some virtually self-working effects here (presentation skills still required!!), as well as some sleight of hand (SoH). There are no signs of multiple downs palmed, Goshman pinching reverse muscle passing though.. (lucky for me really!), so if you have reasonable SoH skills, this is all within your reach.

Routines:
All the following routines are ideal for REAL PEOPLE! Forget the multi-phase ace assemblies and hard core 5 minute flourishes. All the routines are simple (but not too simple), easy to follow potential workers.

Ceramic Sheep:
Watch this- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJyjcISXmgs Are you back yet?
A great effect, but this time with poker chips and with no real SoH needed.
A table is required.

Deep Fly:
A 3 fly with poker chips with very clear crediting to the inspirational source. I prefer this to any other 3 fly I have seen due to the ‘plot’ and the slot machine kicker. I will definitely be working this one up for paid work. It is not hard.
No table required.

Big Money:
A copper silver/wild coin type effect with a kicker. Quite a nice routine.
Table used but can probably be adapted.

Elimination (2 versions):
A solid, practical and fooling mentalism effect along the free will/equivoque lines. Good if you like that sort of thing, but not ideal for my working conditions/style. Easy to perform.
Table required.

Lucky 1000:
A simple copper silver type effect that audiences will appreciate.
No table required.

Gambler:
This is a routine based around blackjack, where a blackjack hand changes and a chip changes – all in full view. Well routined with a good story (ideal for parlour or hobby work – possibly for some table hoppers). I can see this playing well as a standalone piece or as part of a set. I like it.
Table required (the only thing which limits it for me).

RH Poker Chip:
Another copper silver type effect. It seemed to go over well with the specs, but not my favourite.
No table needed.

Chipper Silver:
A spell bounding multi-changing routine using a (borrowed) coin and chip which transform into each other. Well constructed with some good ‘empty hand’ displays.
No table needed.

Chips across:
A fair routine but the handling is rather over-worked for me. I’m not a fan of this one.
-----

Value:
The price is not cheap, but then again the props seem good quality and if just one of the routines go into your set for 6 months plus, you’ve had a bargain.

Final thoughts:
I am not disappointed. In fact I am a very happy customer. I will definitely work up Deep Fly and Chipper Silver for use gigging. I may practice ‘Gambler’ in case I get the performing environment to use it. I will also probably use the chips for a purse frame production and body loading routine I do, so more use from the same props.
Gary Jones and Dave Forrest have done a very good job. If it piques your interest, I would strongly recommend you buy what I would regard as being an excellent product, I very much doubt you will regret it.

Charlie

On Mar 5, 2015, puggo wrote:
Mini Review

I thought that I would post this as unfortunately there are no demos. My opinion is based on an initial review, not on ‘in the trenches’ testing.

Bias rating:
I paid full price for this and although I have met Gary briefly a few times, I do not ‘know’ him well. I am a fan of his work though, as his stuff is normally great for the worker, due to the construction of the effects (but still very relevant for the hobbyist as it is normally of a very attainable skill level).

Chips, why chips?:
Poker chips are big, colourful and have an instant hook/plot (casino, my lucky chip etc. etc.). They are a touch larger than a dollar, but if you use 1//2 dollars or £2 coins, make the effort as it can make your magic more visual.
There are big advantages with chips as they don’t ‘talk’. The disadvantage is that if you use a click pass (and there is one used in one of the routines) then they have poor audio compared to dollars, half crowns etc. Also, you can use chips for an infinite amount of other routines.

Props:
You get 10 poker chips (un-shimmed), 3 of which are gaffed (think copper silver coin). The quality appears to be very good and the colours allows the specs to clearly tell the difference. A challenge of a poorly structured or performed copper silver routine, is that the spec can be confused as to what’s where. With these orange (+colour) chips, it will be easier to ensure they know the magic has happened. I did like the look of the chips in the DVD performance though (nice deep red), but then there’s nothing to grumble about.

DVD:
A well shot and produced, well lit DVD with several live performances. Some effects have a studio (Dave’s flat?) and live performance. The explanations are clear, with both Gary and Dave giving quality instruction. I would be surprised if anyone struggled to learn from this.

Difficulty:
There are some virtually self-working effects here (presentation skills still required!!), as well as some sleight of hand (SoH). There are no signs of multiple downs palmed, Goshman pinching reverse muscle passing though.. (lucky for me really!), so if you have reasonable SoH skills, this is all within your reach.

Routines:
All the following routines are ideal for REAL PEOPLE! Forget the multi-phase ace assemblies and hard core 5 minute flourishes. All the routines are simple (but not too simple), easy to follow potential workers.

Ceramic Sheep:
Watch this- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJyjcISXmgs Are you back yet?
A great effect, but this time with poker chips and with no real SoH needed.
A table is required.

Deep Fly:
A 3 fly with poker chips with very clear crediting to the inspirational source. I prefer this to any other 3 fly I have seen due to the ‘plot’ and the slot machine kicker. I will definitely be working this one up for paid work. It is not hard.
No table required.

Big Money:
A copper silver/wild coin type effect with a kicker. Quite a nice routine.
Table used but can probably be adapted.

Elimination (2 versions):
A solid, practical and fooling mentalism effect along the free will/equivoque lines. Good if you like that sort of thing, but not ideal for my working conditions/style. Easy to perform.
Table required.

Lucky 1000:
A simple copper silver type effect that audiences will appreciate.
No table required.

Gambler:
This is a routine based around blackjack, where a blackjack hand changes and a chip changes – all in full view. Well routined with a good story (ideal for parlour or hobby work – possibly for some table hoppers). I can see this playing well as a standalone piece or as part of a set. I like it.
Table required (the only thing which limits it for me).

RH Poker Chip:
Another copper silver type effect. It seemed to go over well with the specs, but not my favourite.
No table needed.

Chipper Silver:
A spell bounding multi-changing routine using a (borrowed) coin and chip which transform into each other. Well constructed with some good ‘empty hand’ displays.
No table needed.

Chips across:
A fair routine but the handling is rather over-worked for me. I’m not a fan of this one.
-----

Value:
The price is not cheap, but then again the props seem good quality and if just one of the routines go into your set for 6 months plus, you’ve had a bargain.

Final thoughts:
I am not disappointed. In fact I am a very happy customer. I will definitely work up Deep Fly and Chipper Silver for use gigging. I may practice ‘Gambler’ in case I get the performing environment to use it. I will also probably use the chips for a purse frame production and body loading routine I do, so more use from the same props.
Gary Jones and Dave Forrest have done a very good job. If it piques your interest, I would strongly recommend you buy what I would regard as being an excellent product, I very much doubt you will regret it.

Charlie

On Apr 4, 2015, Jamie Ferguson wrote:
My set arrived today.

These are beautiful chips with a bunch of great routines.

A lot of love has been poured into this project. It could easily have sold for twice the price because of the quality of the props alone. They look like real poker chips, because they are.

The gimmicks are amazing. So much thought has been given to how they work to create maximum impact.

Gary's routines, as always, are practical and hard hitting.

Although I paid full price I still consider this a gift!

Thanks Dave and Gary.

On Dec 20, 2015, Craigers wrote:
Not a sh*** in sight Videoman