A real magician-fooler

[u-magician]

Too often we see the words “magician fooler” in a dealer’s ad where the words don’t truly belong. In such cases, the only reason we are fooled is because either we see an incomplete performance video or we don’t see a performance video at all and rather only see a written description which conceals some key facts. Of course, there are exceptions but generally that’s the way these things go.

I try to avoid these things whenever I publish and advertise a “magician fooler.” I either provide a complete performance video or else a fully accurate written description with nothing important amiss.

With the effect that I wish to discuss in this thread, I initially released it as a competition on Lybrary.com. The competition ran for a month. The first magician to figure out the methodology was to be rewarded $200 USD. However, no one who entered the competition managed to win.

After the competition was over, I released the secret.

You can watch a complete performance video at the bottom of this page here: https://www.lybrary.com/the-gift-p-926574.html

There is also a list of conditions provided in the dealer’s ad to accompany the video.

To repeat some of the important conditions here:

The spectator can fully examine the deck, front and back, at the beginning of the effect to make sure that it’s completely ordinary - and it really is. It isn’t gaffed or gimmicked in any way. There are no markings of any kind, especially no tactile markings - no punched cards, no short or trimmed cards, no crimped or bent cards, etc. So there is absolutely no ‘work’ put into any of the cards. Moreover, all the cards are present and different. The spectator - who would be a magician as this is meant for magicians only - can verify all this at the start of the effect. Once they’re done verifying that the deck is ungaffed / ungimmicked, then the effect may begin.

Having said all that and for full disclosure, the deck may not be shuffled at the beginning. So, while it is completely regular and fully examinable before the effect starts, it may not be shuffled before the effect starts.

As mentioned, the effect is only meant to be performed in front of other magicians. The procedure is overkill for normal non-magician audiences and, for those audiences, there are many other Impossible Location effects to choose from that are superior to this one. But, when it comes to a magician audience, I believe this is a real fooler and hard to beat for an Impossible Location. And since only magicians are present on this forum, I thought this would be the appropriate place to discuss the effect.

If anyone has any questions about the product, feel free to ask. Happy to answer.


-Unnamed Magician

[Bob Farmer]

What's the effect? Are girls involved?

[u-magician]

What's the effect? Are girls involved?

It’s a double behind the back card location. Two spectators select a card each - after which they lose their card into the deck - and then the magician locates both cards behind his back.

[Bob Farmer]

So no girls!?

[Dave Le Fevre]

So no girls!?

Not even Miss Direction?

[Leo Garet]

There is a girl and she certainly looks mystified.

[jason156]

This feels like Deja Vu, didn't we go through this nonsense last week?

[BarryAllen]

This feels like Deja Vu, didn't we go through this nonsense last week?

Indeed, we did.........but grifters have gotta keep grifting!

The 'Art of Self-promotion' is indeed still alive and kicking.

Anyway, what do you want for $20........a bloody miracle?

Good luck to the lad. Looking at the empty shelves in the video clip, let's hope that he can fill them with some decent card magic books by Christmas.

[Jack Shalom]

Wow, not sure where all these negative reactions are coming from. The effect is as good as hundreds of other card effects out there in print or video that are well thought of. Yes, so it was a lackluster performance. So what, it's a demo. It's clearly marked as a magician fooler. It may not be to one's taste, but to call the creator a grifter is really strange to me. If there is some interesting method there, then it would be worth more to me than version 1700 of Triumph.

[BarryAllen]

Wow, not sure where all these negative reactions are coming from. The effect is as good as hundreds of other card effects out there in print or video that are well thought of. Yes, so it was a lackluster performance. So what, it's a demo. It's clearly marked as a magician fooler. It may not be to one's taste, but to call the creator a grifter is really strange to me. If there is some interesting method there, then it would be worth more to me than version 1700 of Triumph.

The 'Grifter' reference is used primarily because out of this bloke's contribution of just 9 posts to date, they are ALL focussed purely upon marketing/advertising two of his OWN products.

Don't know what you'd call it - but as a Brit that "says it as he sees it" with no sugar-coating that, to me, is grifting.

[katterfelt0]

I think of a grifter as someone who is trying to pull a con. I don't see any evidence of such behavior from u-magician. He is simply being a salesman.

[user_241]

This is outright bullying. u-magician’s self-promoting posts are no different from countless others on the Genii forum.

While U-magician's performances may lack luster, the methods he uses are undeniably fooling to magicians. He’s not selling himself as a stellar performer, but as someone clever enough to fool knowledgeable magicians, even if his ways are dull.

Unjustly bullying u-magician only escalates a situation that needs no aggravation. The posts belittling him reflect poorly on those who write them.

u-magician has released full performances that can be viewed, paused, and dissected repeatedly; yet, magicians remain mystified. That’s no small feat. I have yet to see anyone who claims they can create better magician foolers than u-magician put out a full performance video to back their claims.

u-magician creates magician foolers. If that’s not your cup of tea, just ignore him and move on.

[Leo Garet]

Bullying? I don't think so. Matter of opinion.

As for "ignore him and move on," it's difficult to ignore. It's been posted on a forum that more than umpteen people visit every day.

[user_241]

You are right on both points. I do think it is bullying but I can also see why others might not think so. I accept that it is a matter of opinion. I just think it reflects poorly on the community.

I think you also make a very good point given the amount of traffic this forum gets ("more than upteen" as you put it). The more people talk about him, the more attention he attracts. I feel as if forum members are just playing into his hand. That's the only reason I suggest ignoring and moving on.

[Brad Henderson]

If someone posted an ad and we all gushed over the product, you would likely have no problem with that. So what is the objection in sharing opinions when those opinions are negative?

If you don’t want engagement on your posts - then don’t post in places that are built on engagement.

This is the agreement you make when you post - you openyourself up to commentary.

Now - I also think it’s more than reasonable for people to object to using the forum solely as a means of selling their products. Even on the marketplace section we don’t allow multiple ads - so why should we in sub forums that are not dedicated to sales?

Do we really want the forum to become a place where people come to merely continuously pitch their own products - especially one’s that are so poorly received by most?

[user_241]

It's all self-promotion, that's my point. Negative opinions are actually giving u-magician more publicity, which only aids in promoting his product. Why help him out like that? This is precisely the engagement u-magician seeks. Plus, it doesn't contribute to a productive discussion about magic. Just look at the quality of the posts above and the thread that was locked.

You could put it this way: It's one thing to point out misleading ad copy or edited performances and offer real critiques. Sure, you could even say his performance skills aren't the best. But the main purpose of his product is to fool magicians. The only question that matters is: were you fooled given his outlined conditions? I already agree with the negative comments about his performance, which I hope he seeks to improve.

[Brad Henderson]

But isn’t there value in discussing the value of fooling magicians? Or when continued self promotion crosses the line and becomes a nuisance? Or maybe, what are the ways to try to attract the attention of your target market without inviting let alone encouraging negative responses? If he wants to sell his trick without such discussions he can post in in the for sale section where I believe comments are not allowed. But otherwise - this is exactly what forums are meant to do

[user_241]

But isn’t there value in discussing the value of fooling magicians? Or when continued self promotion crosses the line and becomes a nuisance? Or maybe, what are the ways to try to attract the attention of your target market without inviting let alone encouraging negative responses? If he wants to sell his trick without such discussions he can post in in the for sale section where I believe comments are not allowed. But otherwise - this is exactly what forums are meant to do

Yes! This is the kind of discussion that's actually valuable. Unlike the previous posts above.

[Bob Farmer]

I've told the creator he should use his abilities creating magic for laymen rather than working to fool magicians. "Magicians" are not a homogeneous bunch, they range across a spectrum so what might fool one end of the spectrum might not fool the other end.

[Brad Henderson]

I've told the creator he should use his abilities creating magic for laymen rather than working to fool magicians. "Magicians" are not a homogeneous bunch, they range across a spectrum so what might fool one end of the spectrum might not fool the other end.

And one can be fooled have have a crappy trick. Puzzles and magic are different. Maybe we need a magical Will Shortz who curates these sorts of things for people who like these sorts of things.

[BarryAllen]

This is outright bullying. u-magician’s self-promoting posts are no different from countless others on the Genii forum.

While U-magician's performances may lack luster, the methods he uses are undeniably fooling to magicians. He’s not selling himself as a stellar performer, but as someone clever enough to fool knowledgeable magicians, even if his ways are dull.

Unjustly bullying u-magician only escalates a situation that needs no aggravation. The posts belittling him reflect poorly on those who write them.

u-magician has released full performances that can be viewed, paused, and dissected repeatedly; yet, magicians remain mystified. That’s no small feat. I have yet to see anyone who claims they can create better magician foolers than u-magician put out a full performance video to back their claims.

u-magician creates magician foolers. If that’s not your cup of tea, just ignore him and move on.

Just to make absolutely clear that it was never my intention to bully anyone. I abhor bullying - indeed, I always have done - even going back to my childhood.

However, that doesn't change the fact that (within the guidelines) a forum is about expressing opinions. To this end, I have very little time for people suddenly appearing on magic forums, simply to promote their products - lest we forget, for their own financial gain. There's nothing wrong with earning a living. However, to suddenly appear purely to self-promote is, to my mind, fundamentally wrong. I've never had much time for people who are all about take - and never give.

To this end, had the contributor engaged previously with others across the raft of subjects upon this excellent forum, then maybe I'd have a different view.

As an aside, I actually left a UK-based magic forum some years back, for this very reason. There were magicians (a few were actually very well-known names) who only appeared when they had something to flog. No contributions whatsoever to help newer/less-experienced members - just an occasional appearance to self-promote their latest brainfart.

Bullying? Not intended - you're barking up the wrong tree completely on that one mate.

[Tarotist]

I haven't watched the video yet but I may exert myself to do it despite the fact that I know perfectly well I won't like it anyway. I don't know why I know that----just call it a great psychic vibe. He has already talked me out of the trick by saying that it is really for magicians. I have never been interested in the incestious and unrewarding practice of trying to entertain magicians. It is always a very bad sign of incompetence when I see too much of that happening.

I am only commenting on this matter because there are two terms which are always getting confused especially by Americans. There is a difference between a GRAFTER and a GRIFTER. They are NOT the same thing and it really is about time that Americans learned to speak English properly. The word "Grifter" does indeed mean a scam artist but the word is not really used in the UK as it is a mere Americanism and by dint of such is of no importance whatsoever. However the word "Grafter" is a UK expression meaning someone who gathers a crowd and sells products by means of demonstration. Americans use the rather daft expression "Pitchman" which means the same thing.

To complicate things further most British people have no idea of the meaning of their own word either. To them "Grafter" means someone who works hard and they don't know there is a secret language among product demonstrators who call themselves "grafters". There---now you all know although I suspect you probably don't and are more confused than ever.

While you all wallow in this confusion I will now go and look at the video to see if it is really as crap as I suspect it to be. However, if it really is good then I will admit it.

STOP PRESS! I did attempt to watch the video but alas I couldn't hear what anyone was saying so I shall have to reserve judgement on the matter.

[u-magician]

I haven't watched the video yet but I may exert myself to do it despite the fact that I know perfectly well I won't like it anyway. I don't know why I know that----just call it a great psychic vibe. He has already talked me out of the trick by saying that it is really for magicians. I have never been interested in the incestious and unrewarding practice of trying to entertain magicians. It is always a very bad sign of incompetence when I see too much of that happening.

I am only commenting on this matter because there are two terms which are always getting confused especially by Americans. There is a difference between a GRAFTER and a GRIFTER. They are NOT the same thing and it really is about time that Americans learned to speak English properly. The word "Grifter" does indeed mean a scam artist but the word is not really used in the UK as it is a mere Americanism and by dint of such is of no importance whatsoever. However the word "Grafter" is a UK expression meaning someone who gathers a crowd and sells products by means of demonstration. Americans use the rather daft expression "Pitchman" which means the same thing.

To complicate things further most British people have no idea of the meaning of their own word either. To them "Grafter" means someone who works hard and they don't know there is a secret language among product demonstrators who call themselves "grafters". There---now you all know although I suspect you probably don't and are more confused than ever.

While you all wallow in this confusion I will now go and look at the video to see if it is really as crap as I suspect it to be. However, if it really is good then I will admit it.

STOP PRESS! I did attempt to watch the video but alas I couldn't hear what anyone was saying so I shall have to reserve judgement on the matter.

Perhaps the audio is better here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iCjarQ_WJb0

[Tarotist]

I still couldn't hear it very well so it would not be fair of me to comment on it. My hearing is not as good as it used to be. However, I will be interested to hear what other people with better hearing than me have to say about it.

With regard to the promoting of the product I personally have no objection to it.