Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: The Ocean by Led Zeppelin
Paul Harris Presents Fair Play by Steve Haynes Review
One DVD, one super clever self-working gimmick and $40 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
Three objects (card, coin, bill) are borrowed. Spectator makes three free choices (keeps one, gives you one, puts one in her pocket). The spectator then reads the prediction that has been on the table from the beginning which clearly predicts the location of all three objects. There are no forces and no switches. The effect really is that clean.
Method
This effects is accomplished by a very clever self-working gimmick that you can carry with you on your key chain. The gimmick automatically adjusts to the correct prediction based on how you handle the gimmick. It's very simple to use and requires almost no thinking on your part. Further, it resets almost instantly. This really is a no-brainer method that anyone can do and is within the grasp of all skill levels. You have to be able to read, but that's really it.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is solid. It is as fair as they say. The only thing that I feel needs some clarification is the 100% examinable claim. On the video trailer they say "100% Examinable." However, on the written ad copy they say "The keychain [sic] prediction can be completely examined!" That's closer to reality. Watch the demo. Once the inner plastic is removed from the outer plastic, the inner plastic is 99.99999999999% examinable. If they happen to bang it on the table — but why would they — they might see "something."
The video trailer also shows the spectator removing the inner plastic from the outer plastic. That cannot be done every time, and even the time that it can be done, you have to be careful to make sure that they do it correctly. The proper removal of the inner plastic is what ensures that the prediction is correct. If it is removed incorrectly, the prediction will be wrong.
Just keep in mind, however, that they can hold the entire gimmick before the routine starts (as long as they don't read it). You can then (after their choices have been made) remove the inner plastic very cleanly and openly with no switches and right in front of them. They can then read the prediction. No funny moves whatsoever.
Product Quality
The DVD is relatively well produced. There were a few lighting issues here and there, but all in all it was fine. The gimmick itself is excellent. It's a good solid plastic that will last a long time. There was, however, a weird section on the DVD called "Care and Feeding" of your gimmick. It was a 10 second segment of Bro Gilbert saying that there's really nothing you need to do. Weird. What was the point of that?
Final Thoughts
If you like the effect, then this is a no-brainer. I've never seen a method easier and more doable for this effect. You just have to have this with you on your key chain and you can do it anywhere with no other props on you. You just need a bill (paper money) a coin and a card (business or otherwise — just a card). If you can borrow those items, you can do this effect. This is one of the best products I've reviewed in a while.
Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!
18 Comments
the biggest problem for me is how small the writing is. makes it difficult for older participants. but this is very cool!
@Christopher – Hey man! What’s happening . . . it’s been a while since I’ve “seen” you ’round these parts. I felt the writing was fine. I’ve used effects over the years that require the person to be able to read smaller print. You just have to make sure that somewhere along the way you ask for someone who has good vision to help you out.
Magic is happening! Have some new stuff coming out for you to get your hands on :-). Tried to write the ad copy as honest as I could! The tiny writing is not a huge draw back. Makes it a bit harder to do in a darker environment, but the method is solid and very cool.
@Christopher – I can’t wait to see your new stuff. On the “small writing,” it’s funny. Several people have mentioned this. It doesn’t seem small to me at all. Curse my good vision! 🙂
I have 20/15 vision in one eye and 20/17 vision in the other. They refer to it as “better than perfect” vision. No Joke. So that might be why I don’t notice it being too small.
Writing is a little small but workable- very cool little effect and the gimmick is something special- My favourite purchase from 2014 and getting a ton of use out of it in close up, parlour and also stage- great effect
@Scot – Thanks for the feedback. It’s always great to hear about real world performance experiences. As you know, I don’t rate the effects, but rather the method, the ad copy and the product quality. So having some perspective from someone using the product is always helpful.
This thing is cool. I do ‘Free Will’ so I probably won’t get it simply because the effect to the spectators is the very similar. It appears that this gimmick simplifies things and eliminates the need for ‘clever wording’ to make everything come out how it should. It is pretty awesome that you can put it on your keys and are ready to go, who doesn’t always have keys on them? On second thought, maybe I will get it! (I should be a magic salesman, I totally just talked myself into buying this thing!)
@Jay – Funny brother. I already have one, and I think you talked me into paying for it. 🙂
RE: FairPlay Hot Tip Insert
You mention in the video review that the reset explained on the sheet doesn’t work. It does work, you just have to make sure you lay the insert on top of the holder with the black dot side up. This puts the strongest pull against the gimmick. It doesn’t work to reset when placed against the other side.
Fabulous trick by the way.
@Craig – Thanks for the comment. I actually did try it that way . . . still nothing. I’m not too worried about it though, because the other way to reset it works just fine.
Got this in the mail today. Very happy with it, and agree with your review 100% except the part about the reset, it works fine with mine. I am going to start doing the easy handling right away and then come up with my own version of Steve Haynes routine. He has some good psychological subtleties that add to the effect.
@Jay – I’m glad you liked it. I’m always nervous when someone buys something based on my recommendation.
Jeff: I’d say your reviews are at the top of my list to read before considering an item. As the number of products has dramatically increased over my 40 years of magic it has become essential to have some go-to reviewers that give truly honest and straightforward reviews. I would also add that having someone fact-check and verify the sometimes over-hyped, over-produced and generally uninformative stream of video ads is a great service to the magic community.
@Craig – Thanks brother. That means a lot to me. I know what you mean. Back in the day, it was all about the live demo at the magic shop . . . gone are those days. 🙁
My UK version arrived on Thursday and I’m already using it. The word bill is changed for note.
And an easier way of resetting the gimmick is included on A4 paper with badly photopied pictures that are extremely difficult to read.
Hopefully the reset will be quicker with practice.
Hi Jeff,
I stumbled on your site. Your name was familiar to me from My Lovely Assistant, so I stopped to have a look.
I like your style:
– English wording even a Finn can understand,
– no “radio football commentator breathless speed,”
– no distracting video and noise effects.
I REALLY DO APPRECIATE that you help us avoid buying crap and the WAY in which you do it. Keep up good the works.
Kaarlo von Freymann Helsinki Finland
Hi Jeff,
Just got the UK version of Fair Play. Gimmick works well except that it never responds to “Pocket has card”. Tapping and resetting has no effect and the gimmick is obviously
useless in its present state. I went on to Magic Cafe and saw pages and pages of complaints about faulty Fair Play gimmicks, so I’ve had to go back to the magic dealer
for some kind of redresss. What a pity! Love your in depth reviews by the way.
@Bob – Your name reminds me of Seinfeld. Kramer’s always talking about his friend “Bob Sacamano.” 🙂
As for the gimmick, Paul Harris Presents is usually pretty good about taking care of stuff like this. Hopefully you were able to get it squared away.