Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Let My Love Be Your Pillow by Ronnie Milsap

Xpert Review

Two PDFs, one download-able video, one special gimmick, $25 bucks and one Xpert Review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Xpert Review: Effect

Many effects are possible. Take a look at the product description page, and while on that page, click on the Penguin Magic link to watch the trailer on Penguin's website. However, after seeing the effect descriptions, you, likely, still won't quite "get it." There's more (in a good way) going on than they're explaining in the effect descriptions.

Xpert Review: Method

The method works due to the supplied gimmick. Based on the ad copy and the video trailers, it's clear to me that Penguin doesn't want any hand tipping here. They're trying to keep the secret . . . well . . . secret. I get that, and I don't fault them for that. That being said, I'll do my best to give you the information you need to make a decision. First, unless you already know this principle and/or you're familiar with Kenton Knepper's X that they mentioned in the ad copy, then this is probably nothing like what you're expecting.

Don't let that throw you off. The method works great. It's an old idea that has been well disguised in a new way. The best part is that they teach you how to easily make this gimmick once yours is no longer use-able.

The only other point to mention is that some of the effects with playing cards will require you to visit the dollar store and get a certain type of deck of cards. At least one of the card effects, however, is done with any deck that you want as long as it has a cellophane wrapper. In fact, with a little thinking, you could adapt the method of that card trick to be done with a couple of packs of cigarettes . . . maybe a cigarette transpo or something along those lines.

This method truly has stood the test of time, and Neil Tobin has brought a lot of "stuff" to this method that makes it extremely versatile. I mentioned the gimmick "wearing out." Don't worry, it's not the kind of thing where it will break during performance or anything like that. You'll know, well in advance that it's time to consider replacing it. You'll never be in a situation where a performance is screwed up because of the gimmick. It's not that kind of thing.

Lastly, I'll just say this about the method. It allows you to be in a position that's way ahead of your audience. They think that some object (coin, card, etc.) is marked when it's actually not.

Xpert Review: Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy and trailer are solid. If anything, they undersell how deceptive some of the effects truly are. Not much to say here folks.

Xpert Review: Product Quality

The gimmick is excellent. It works perfectly and is very well made. The training video is loaded with tons of ideas and effects, etc. Plus, you're given a 3 page PDF that fills in a few gaps that were missing from the training DVD. Further, a second PDF contains a list of chapter titles from the training video along with the starting time on the video. This allows you to navigate to various effects more easily, something that's missing from many of the streaming/download videos.

Finally, the tutorial on how to make this gimmick was extremely valuable.

Xpert Review: Final Thoughts

I wish I could tell you what the gimmick is. I think that many of you would want it just for the gimmick. But, since I can't, let me just say that if you like any of the effects and/or you have a need to secretly make your audience believe that the marked object is over "here" when it's really over "there" then you'll be very happy with your purchase.

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

Available at your Favorite Magic Dealer. Dealer's see Penguin Magic for details.