Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Ramble On by Led Zeppelin
Review of The Money Card by Shaun Robison:
Three Cards, One Gimmicked Card, a Newspaper "Himber" Wallet, 17 minutes and $35 bucks . . . is it Gem or is it Rubble?
Effect
The effect is a relatively standard 3 Card Monte routine with standard things like isolating the money card and "clearly" placing the non-money cards on the table. Then the money card appears on the table, and inside the wallet (or whatever isolation device) is found the non-money card. However, this one ends with a kicker: the three cards (Two Black Jacks and the money card - Red Queen in this case) are clearly shown. When suddenly, the Queen vanishes and in its place is found a $50 (or whatever denomination) bill.
Do you like that effect?
If you do, keep reading. If you don't, stop reading because who cares what I think about the product if you don't like the effect?
Method
The method is simple . . . a gimmick that is supplied. I've tested it out, and it works great. It's so simple and down to Earth that you should have no problems working it. Additionally, the gimmick is self contained, and is ready to go right out of the box. You'll need to supply the cash that will appear. Further, this trick can be done in the buff . . . that's right, naked. So for all you nudist colony strollers, this effect just might be for you. You literally only need the newspaper wallet with the cards inside of it, and bam . . . you're ready to go. If you already do a 3 Card Monte style effect, you already (likely) know all the handling/moves and already have the skills needed to perform this. It's super easy.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is 99% dead on. The only "issue" I have is this claim: "Shaun Robison's take on Three Card Monte takes an already commercial routine and makes it easier for the spectator to follow and way easier for the magician to perform." The second part (the magician being able to easily do it) is totally dead on accurate. However, the routine was a little confusing at a few points. That is inherent in this type of routine. There are many points that are very clear, but I still felt there were a couple of "less than clear" moments as well. Luckily, that is something that is easily rectified with simple scripting and performance pace. Other than that super tiny issue, the ad copy is dead on.
Product Quality
Though the DVD is short, it's well produced and covers everything. Plus, Robison was fun to watch, a great teacher, and a downright nice guy. The DVD was super easy to navigate. The cards and gimmick are all Bicycle 808 Rider Backs and thus very well made and easy to handle. The "Himber" style wallet looks pretty good too. It's made to look like a folded up piece of newspaper or maybe a sort of "poor man's" wallet made from newspaper. It is a little flimsy-looking, but it's still pretty dang solid.
Further adding to the product quality, is the bonus effect you can do with the main gimmick. Basically, you can cause a $50 (or whatever denomination) bill to quickly, instantly and visually appear in the middle of the deck right above a previously selected card. The deck can be shuffled (by you) right before performing the above effect.
I think, however, that this gimmick has even more potential than they give it credit for. It would have been nice to have a couple more uses for it.
Final Thoughts
When you consider that you get a special gimmick, a special newspaper wallet and the three card monte cards, and when you consider the fact that the method is uncomplicated and easy to do, $35 is a pretty decent price. I do, however, feel that they could have spent a bit more time on the presentation and on how to keep it more clear and direct. So many good things . . . so few not-good things.
Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.