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CardGames Vol 1 Issue 3

The third issue of Card Games by Chris Rawlins and Brad Hodgins arrived in my mailbox last week, and I have to say, it’s my favorite one yet. 

If you haven’t heard of this or seen my previous reviews, it is a monthly release of a new trick. It’s not subscription based (although they did sell a limited number of subscriptions), and each release only has 100 copies. So, when you buy it, you know you're getting something unique that only a select few have. Vol. 1 Issue 1 was their take on an ACAAN, Vol. 1 Issue 2 was their one card version of a Mind Power Deck, and here is the description of Issue 3 from their site,

“This issue highlights a famous scandal from the gambling world. Whilst sharing an incredible true story, a miraculous coincidence unfolds. Everything happens in your participant's mind. Nothing is written, nothing is spoken, everything is imagined.

All props used to perform Issue Three are fully examinable before, during and after performance. Nothing is hidden, added or removed at any point. The secret taught is so impossible that we know for certain, without the instructions - you’ll never find it.

With a devastatingly fooling method, an intricately designed gimmick and an impossible object - wrapped up in a strong engaging presentation. We believe this issue will quickly become your favourite coincidence effect to perform. Ever.”

This is a really fun one. Essentially, a spectator imagines cutting an imaginary deck and thinks of a random card using the prop from Vol. 1 Issue 1 (don’t worry, they provide one for you.) One card is revealed in a card protector, and it is the thought of card. 

It’s super direct and totally self working. The thing I love most about this is the story. It’s based on a true story and the impossible object you receive has been designed to be a replica of a real thing. So you really do get something that shouldn’t be possible for you to have. The thing is also like a legit thing you’d want to show off if you had it. It’s not like “this card represents LOVE and this card represents HATE.” It’s not a corny “story” like that. It’s a real thing that you’d want to brag about if it were true. And it makes sense for a magician or mentalist to have this thing. 

I am going to elevate this even further by framing it and hanging it on my wall. This is the frame I've bought:

It practically screams for someone to ask about it. (For those that own it, I am going to put both things together like you would in the card sleeve with the different things facing out.) At the moment when it’s time to do the reveal, I’ll open the frame, put on some white fabric gloves like art collectors use, and carefully take apart the frame to show the actual collectible thing behind the other thing. I mean, just imagine how memorable that would be. Imagine the story someone would tell about that later. I’m practically giddy just describing it because I know how strong this type of thing is. 

Now obviously, this is the social, casual magic approach. But if you want to carry this around with you, the card sleeve version is totally practical. 

The other two issues were good, and I’ve already used them both, but I genuinely can’t wait to do this one. I also love that this issue ties back to the first in an unexpected way. The method for Issue 3 has been hiding right in front of my face since the very beginning, and I never noticed.

I hear this is the last CardGames that uses this particular style of card, so I’m excited to see what the next half of Card Games Volume 1 has in store for us. 

Available while it lasts for £45 here:

https://www.hiddengames.store/store/p/earth-sky-planter-4awkk-nazcb-zktac-8p9b8

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