Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down) by Hank Williams Jr.
Area of Influence Review
One page of instructions, one gimmicked deck, $10 bucks and one Area of Influence Review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Area of Influence Review: Effect
Right from the instructions:
"A deck is uncased and fanned to show all of the backs of the cards. The last card of the spread is shown to have a different back. This card is brought to the top of the deck but its face is left unseen. The red card is cut back into the deck, the deck is turned face up and given several more cuts. The magician explains that he will try to influence the spectator to select the red backed card while the observer is to resist this temptation. The cards are fanned face up and a card is named. The named card is removed from the deck and shown to be the one red backed card amongst the blue backed deck."
Area of Influence Review: Method
The method is a gimmicked deck. This effect was also taught in Kyle's excellent book, Of Cabbages and Kings. You're purchasing Kyle's routine and the deck. The effect is pretty much self-working. The deck does all the heavy lifting as they say. Also, there was a sticky note from Kyle on the deck that said that you can use cards from this deck to perform Hobo Travelers from the "Cabbages" book. Keep in mind that this deck is dedicated to this one effect, so you'll need to do a deck switch.
Area of Influence Review: Ad Copy Integrity
As far as I know there is no ad copy. Just the effect description which is 100% accurate.
Area of Influence Review: Product Quality
It's hard for me to 100% accurately judge product quality on this. The deck itself is excellent. It works perfectly and handles smoothly. No problems there. However, I was not sent the instructions, and the box that the deck was in was kind of dirty. It seems like he just sent me one that's been kickin' around which is fine, but the problem is that I don't get to see exactly what the actual customer gets. I'm going to assume that his customer get a better looking card box and some sort of packaging. Vince Lowe has been sort of the middle man that I've been working with to get the details about Kyle's products. Vince sent me the pdf instructions which is literally a page right out of the aforementioned book.
I don't know if it comes folded up or in a booklet, etc. But the write up is very good, easy, and simple to follow. It also tells you how to make the deck too, so if your deck every wears out, you can make a new one.
Area of Influence Review: Final Thoughts
The deck and concept is simple and well executed, and $10 bucks is a reasonable price to pay for a trick deck. Plus the nature of the gimmicked deck will be useful for other effects as well. If you like the effect then you'll be very happy with your purchase.
Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.
Available Directly from Kyle Merck.