"Hypno Aces" by David Penn
Suggested Retail USD$30.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Hypno Aces", an effect by David Penn, is a clever piece of work, built around an interesting and engaging premise, that strikes just the right magical tone to make this astonishing.

Not bad at all, especially for a packet trick.

Whoops. Lost you right there and then, didn't I? Well, "Hypno Aces" is a packet trick, but it also happens to be an extremely fine one.

"Hypno Aces" goes like this: four playing cards are shown, front and back. The backs are normal, but the faces have been replaced with "hypnotic" spiral designs. Explaining how hypnosis is used to cheat at cards, the faces of the cards are moved around in front of the spectator. Two of these cards are given to a spectator to hold. With a snap of the fingers, these cards are turned over and seen to be Aces. The other two cards the performer is holding are also turned over, revealing the other two Aces. These are casually and fairly shown front and back, leaving no doubt what happened (but a big question mark as to how).

Okay, okay, so this isn't really new. Turning four "indifferent cards" into Aces has been around at least as long as Aces themselves have been. And the method isn't that new, either -- this is a packet trick, after all, and the "usual suspects" of handlings and gimmicks are in play here. In fact, given a burst of inspiration and motivation you could probably whip something similar out in no time.

And you'd be missing the point of "Hypno Aces".

Penn's real work here is not just the trick -- which is good, certainly as good as comparable tricks out there -- it's the presentation. First, the premise is interesting to spectators (does any working card performer go a week without hearing how someone, somewhere, wouldn't want to play cards with us?). Second, it's different ("How do you use hypnosis to cheat at cards?" It's an alien concept to spectators). Third, it builds suspense beautifully. There's a lull there, a period of time between the introduction of the cards and the magic, that has the spectator knowing something is going to happen but without a clue as to what. Normally, this would kill a trick, but with the presentation structured as it is, that thirty seconds or so works to the effect's advantage and to the performer's.

Yep, I love "Hypno Aces". It's one of my favorites right now and I'll probably rub the cards thin doing it. Audiences eat it up, it packs a wallop, and it's so small to carry I can throw it in my pocket and be content with giving up that little space. Because of that, it's worth the high price tag.

You? Maybe not so much. If the thought of specially printed cards (with those spirals on them) drive you nuts, even when it's the McGuffin here, then don't bother. If you don't like the idea of pulling out a packet of cards instead of the whole deck, even when it's perfectly acceptable and justified, don't bother. If you think you can do it better, even though Penn's version is slick enough for just about anybody, then don't bother.

If you get the gist of this one and see the worth and the potential, then by all means take a look at "Hypno Aces". It's a mighty fine piece of work.

"Hypno Aces" by David Penn
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 9
It's a packet trick and it carries the baggage like the majority of such things, but "Hypno Aces" carries it much better. With its open displays (especially at the end) and a carefully crafted presentation, the heat is dispersed extremely well. The set-up is a breeze and reseting it simply a matter of arranging the cards in a certain order. All in all, this is a very practical piece.

Workmanship: 10
The cards are on Bicycle stock and look excellent. You'll need to supply some of the cards, and one part of the gimmick will need re-work after a while, but that's a minor thing.

Documentation: 10
The documentation is entirely on DVD and it's exceedingly well done. You'll have no problem learning this routine as Penn is does a great job going over the details.

Effect: 10
This one plays and plays big, much bigger than I originally gave it credit for. Audiences seem to eat this one up with a spoon.

Presentation: 10
The real gold here is Penn's presentation which, in a word, works. The premise is an interesting one and, tied with the sudden appearance of the magic, makes this one a winner.

Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact FUN, Inc. by phone at (773)745-3837, email at info@funinc.com, or visit the FUN Inc. website.