Psi-Poker by Ben Harris

[Tom Frame]

Psi-Poker (Ebook) by Ben Harris $20.00
22 pages, 1 photo
Available at: http://www.wowbound.com


As you know by now, Im a rabidly passionate No Limit Texas Hold Em player. So, I squirmed with excitement when Ben Harris sent me this ebook. My anticipation hung thick in the air like ripening moss. Im pleased and relieved to report that I was not disappointed.

Mr. Harris writes well and does a very good job of teaching the material.

And now, on with the show.

The performer hands an envelope to a participant. He discusses Texas Hold Em and stresses that the outcome is determined by the cut of the cards. He places the deck onto his left palm and the participant freely cuts a portion of it onto his right palm and completes the cut. The participant can cut the deck repeatedly if she is seized by that compulsion. The deck is tabled.

The participant deals herself the top two cards, face-up. She then deals two face-up cards to the performer. She deals the Flop. The performer remarks that the participant has a gut shot straight draw and needs an Eight to fill it. The participant deals the Turn, but its a rag. She deals the River, but its not an Eight either. The performer wins the hand, with his King beating her Queen.

The participant opens the envelope and reads the performers prediction. It states, I see us playing a close game. Although you will have the opportunity to hit a straight, one card will steadfastly elude you. Ultimately, you will lose by a very small margin, maybe one point. If only you had cut the deck a little differently. You missed your magic card by one single card. Please turn over the top card of the deck.

She turns over the top card of the deck and it is the coveted Eight. I like it.

Mr. Harris includes an advanced version of the effect in which the performers prediction names the specific value of the card needed to fill her straight. In this version, the performer removes the envelope from his pocket and tables it after the participant has cut the deck. Methodologically, there is more going on than meets the eye. I dont like this version for that reason.

The author also suggests a handling in which the performer openly writes a prediction that identifies the suit and value of the needed card. This prediction must be written after the participant cuts the deck. I like it.

In all three versions, varying degrees of simple mental work is required.

In some infrequent scenarios, the participant is required to burn the top three cards of the deck before commencing the deal.

I do not recommend performing this effect for people who are intimately familiar with Texas Hold Em. If you do, you will be viciously ridiculed and then invited to play in a nosebleed stakes cash game. After you decline the invitation, the savage excoriation will continue until you crumble to the floor and sob like a wee lass. Thats because these procedures bear little resemblance to real Hold Em protocol. You have been warned.

This effect is a tad overpriced at $20.00. Hell, Card Warp still sells for only $5.00! If you purchase this ebook before February 1st, it costs only $15.00. That price tag is more reasonable.

Despite those concerns, I like Psi-Poker. Its a strong, entertaining, well constructed effect. Mr. Harriss novel application of an old, familiar principle is quite clever.


Recommended

[Michael Close]

I do not recommend performing this effect for people who are intimately familiar with Texas Hold Em...Thats because these procedures bear little resemblance to real Hold Em protocol.

So I should do a Texas Hold 'Em trick for people who know nothing about Texas Hold 'Em?

[Tom Frame]

Hi Mike,

Seasoned Hold 'Em players will conclude that the non-traditional procedures are used because the method demands it. And they will be correct, even if they don't know the exact method employed. That awareness will certainly dilute the magical impact.

[Ben Harris]

Seasoned Hold 'em players are not the intended audience. So that should be kept in mind. This never has been pitched as a hard-core hold 'em demo. It's an EASY TO DO and neato prediction effect, that's all. The fact that the POKER hand is played out from a "recollected dream" (or state of deja vu) means that any slight variance from "100% correct" protocol is nicely covered. You are an actor playing the part of a magician, you are not a dealer in a Casino. Entertain. Tell a story!

I predict that the underlying curiosity that I've discovered will spur much variation. You may be able to tighten it up to your own specs, Michael.

Benny