CardGames Vol 1 Issue 2

Chris and Brad are back with Vol. 1 Issue 2 of CardGames. If you haven't heard about this yet, CardGames is Chris Rawlins and Brad Hodgins newest endeavor. 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, and this issue is their unique approach to revealing a thought of card. Here is the description from the website,

“Issue 2 of CardGames showcases our unique approach to understanding and revealing a thought of card, without using a deck of cards.

In a playful and impossible way, during an imaginary game of poker you accurately describe the card your participant is merely thinking about. 

The best part? You can repeat this immediately and it becomes even more baffling. 

This works as perfectly with one person as it does many.

This brand new gimmick will quickly become your favourite way to reveal a thought of card. Carry it with you everywhere and always be ready to read minds."

This issue comes with a booklet and two gimmicks. The gimmicks can be used as standalone pieces that you keep in your pocket/wallet, or the gimmicks can become part of virtually any deck of cards you carry. They are very well made and look exactly like what they represent. The gimmicks masquerade as the same thing from issue 1, but this one has a different layout that makes the mind reading possible. The design of the gimmick also eliminates the need to memorize anything.

The booklet is small and direct without any fluff. Still, it is well illustrated, well written, and has a very nice feel to it. 

The basic effect, as stated above, is that the spectator thinks of a card and you reveal it. It is based on a well known gimmicked deck, but this allows you to perform that classic trick with any deck of cards you’re already using, or even without a deck of cards at all. It feels totally fair and casual. The only drawback to this is that a spectator may want to look at the thing again after you’ve read their mind and they can’t really do that without seeing the method. So you have to think about that as you prepare for how you want to perform it.

They have added an interesting presentational angle that helps make the method even cleaner. If you perform the original trick with the gimmicked deck, you have to do a good amount of fishing to find the thought of card. You could perform this using that original fishing method, but with their new idea, you will know the card after just two statements. It’s a clever way to eliminate half or even three quarters of the options before you ever even begin.

Overall, this is another strong effect. It’s simple, but it is well done. While it’s taught as a mind reading effect, it actually has potential for a lot more than just that. It could make for a very clean way to do predictions or a reveal of a thought of card beyond just the verbal reveal that is taught. The additional ideas section at the end of the booklet will get you thinking in the right direction. What I love most about this is that you can throw it in your wallet and be ready to go with a strong mind reading demonstration when you’re caught totally unprepared.

It can be purchased (while units last) for £40 at:

hiddengames.store