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A Beautiful Mind Magic: Indigo Reviewed

One small box o' stuff, one gimmick, a bunch of stuff to tweak and maintain the gimmick, 2 hours of video instruction and $30 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect

Four cards (or any objects) are "selected." Before the selection, however, a prediction is placed (face down) on the table. After the four objects are "selected" the spectators can choose to swap objects with each other. When the final objects are resting in their final place, the prediction is turned over to reveal the exact prediction of which person would end up with which card/object/etc.

Method

The method uses a super simple gimmick that is basically self-working along with a standard card move,Β the Vernon Strip-Out Addition, which is taught on the video. You don't have to use that move, but it's simple and gives you the sense of the level of sleight of hand you'll need (i.e., very little).

The gimmick is a self-contained method four predicting four possible outcomes of a particular situation.

Ad Copy Integrity

There are some issues that need clarification with the ad copy. Let's just dive right in. First, the claim of "unlimited possibilities" is true, but there's a caveat . . . you can use the gimmick to predict any four objects/cards/ESP symbols/etc. However, once you set up your gimmick, that's it. you're stuck always using those four objects forever . . . sort of. If you do the method where the prediction can handle four different outs, then it's as I said; you have to stick with the same four objects forever.

If, however, you do the method that does not allow the spectators to swap objects with each other, then in that case, at the end of the trick, you can (apparently) dump the ink from the prediction off of the card and on to the palm of your hand. If you decide to do this method, you don't have to stick with the same four objects forever. You can change the objects to something else if you'd like, but even then, it's not something you can swap outΒ between tables. It's more like something you'll do once in a while when you get bored of using the same four objects.

The claim that "the prediction is on the table since the beginning and remains untouched until the trick is finished" is 100% true. It never leaves the sight of the audience. Next, there's a bullet point list of claims:

  1. No stooges!
  2. No switching!
  3. No writing!
  4. 100% Self Working!
  5. and it's EXAMINABLE

Numbers 1, 3 and 4 are absolutely true. Of course, "no writing" means no writing during the performance (i.e., no secret writing). You will, obviously, have to write the prediction ahead of time. Numbers 2 and 5, however are only true if the other one is not. In other words, if you want to have it examined (number 5), then you have to do a switch. If you don't do a switch, then you cannot have it examined. However, to be clear, in order to reveal the prediction, there is no switch. The prediction that is placed on the table before the trick starts is the one that is turned over and shown at the end of the trick. You just can't hand that out because it's gimmicked. If you want to hand it out, you gotta switch it folks.

Product Quality

The product quality is excellent. The gimmick works perfectly and really does do all the work for you. It comes with spare parts and everything you need to make your gimmick last a very long time. The only complaint I had was the the instructional videos (two of them) were way too long. They could have, literally, cut the time in half and still covered everything in plenty of detail. The videos (streaming) were very redundant . . . I mean . . . very redundant . . . I mean very redundant. Also, during the performance section, the audio was almost non-existent. The explanation sections were better, but still low. The lighting was also not great, but overall, you're able to learn everything without a problem.

The unfortunate thing is that after watching the over-an-hour first video, you'll still needΒ to watch the hour long second video too. The problem is that most of the stuff on the second video is redundant from the first video. However, there are critical things sprinkled throughout the second video, so you'll have to wade through the redundancy to get the added info that you'll need.

There are no chapters; it's all or nothing. Putting aside the quality of the videos, etc., the teaching is very well done, albeit a bit too thorough, and the physical gimmick itself is very well made. The only thing to consider with the gimmick itself is that there's a slight "lost in translation" issue. The prediction on the card says:"Magician get","Partner get", "Lady get" and "Gentleman get". Each word "get" is followed by a colon (:) and a space for you to write your prediction. The problem, of course, is that the prediction ends up saying something like "Lady Get Four of Clubs." It should be "Lady Gets Four of Clubs." Note the addition of the letter "s" to the word "get."

The gimmick is well made and will last a long time, but it's not the kind of thing you can keep in your wallet. You'll need to keep it flat and un-bent. So if you don't mind the "s" problem and the fact that you have to keep it flat, then you'll be very happy with the gimmick.

Final Thoughts

I know that's a lot of explaining and clarifying, but I do believe that the ad is honest and the product is super well made. My plan is to either use mine for a prediction of four ESP symbols, or use it to predict who will pick a $1, $5, $10 and $20. Of course, I'll have to pick one and go with it. Once I've made my gimmick, I'll have to always use ESP (or Money β€” whichever one I decide upon) forever . . . unless I want to buy a second set. All the clarifications considered, this is a SOLID product. If you like the effect, my vote is go for it.

Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.

9 Comments

  • Bob says:

    As usual another useful and well thought-out review, nicely explained and a good prep for buying the trick. However, your typos are driving me crazy.

    • Jeff Stone says:

      @Bob – Are you referring to my typos in the review, or the “Magician Get” in the product? I just found a bunch of typos in my review and fixed them. Sorry about that. πŸ™‚

  • Dennis van den Hove says:

    Just a quick note: the Vernon Substitute Transfer does not exist; it is a – thanks to Jay Sankey – popular misnomer for the Strip-Out Addition, also by Vernon. Another sleight, but completely different in both technique and effect, is the Vernon Transfer.

  • Rock on! Thanks for the review. I might have to ask Mrs Santa for this for Christmas. I like the idea for the most part that it is for the most part self contained about from the basic sleight.

    What is the card made of? Playing card type material? Plastic?

    Jeff, If people make fun of you for liking Taylor Swift just shake it off.

    Have an awesome day everyone.

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