"Capitulating Queens" by James Swain and Gary Plants
Suggested Retail USD$15.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

"Capitulating Queens", a packet trick by James Swain and produced here by Gary Plants, is one of those things that is way to rare: a packet trick that is so powerful with audiences that some of the big names in magic break this one regularly. With an easy and open handling, a clever plot, and a slick little presentation, it's a strong and entertaining piece of magic.

"Capitulating Queens" carries the Swain hallmark of simple, easy-to-follow magic that leaves an impression. As such, the plot is simple. The performer brings out four Queens from a wallet (or envelope or pocket or anyplace else they can be carried) and asks the spectator to choose one. The performer then shows that, in the packet, all the cards are blue-backed except for the chosen card which has a different colored back. Explaining that things would have been different if the spectator had chosen one of the other Queens, one by one the backs of the Queens change to completely different colored and designed backs.

As I said, simple, but effective. Now, I don't normally name-drop, but when Larry Jennings and Darwin Ortiz admit to using this and, more, developing their own touches and handlings to it, well, you just gotta pay attention. When that happens, and the effect belongs to someone of James Swain's caliber, you really have to stand up and take notice.

I'll admit I'm a fan of Swain's and "Capitulating Queens" is a good example of why. Swain's magic is simple and straightforward with very basic visuals that, at some point, become powerful in the spectators' minds. Such is the case here. Swain then throws in some added extras by keeping the handling almost ridiculously simple (the old packet trick standards of an Elmsley and a double-turnover are the sleights at work here, with a bit harder one if you go with one version offered), allowing you a couple of ways of ending perfectly clean, and getting rid of any complicated set-up or reset.

Presentationally, the plot is light and airy. There's nothing heavy here for anyone to deal with, and the effect is over quickly (a plus with most audiences today). However, don't let that simplicity fool you: this one is fun to do just to watch the reactions you get. When that chosen card is shown to have a different colored back, you get cute little one word exclamations like "wow" or "cool". The second card garners you a fairly standard, "what the..?" The third card changes and you net a good "no way". By the time the fourth card has changed and you've dropped 'em on the table, the expletives are flying.

That's just good to hear from folks, no matter how you get it. And getting those reactions is very easy here.

I'm loving "Capitulating Queens". Yeah, I know... I love almost all packet tricks. I grew up on the genre, learned more sleights and handlings and ideas from Emerson and West than I did from many a magic book, so I have a soft spot for the little treasures.

But here I'm not alone. Pros get the power of this one and spectators get their brains fried with it. What more can you ask for from a few playing cards?

If you're not shy about using packet tricks -- or playing cards for that matter -- "Capitulating Queens" is something you need to seriously consider. It's got everything in the world going for it and nothing going against it.

This one is a solid winner.

"Capitulating Queens" by James Swain and Gary Plants
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Practicality: 10
Throw the cards in the pocket or wallet and you're ready to go with this one. The set-up is as non-existent as the reset and you end clean as clean can be when you're done. This is a very practical piece of magic to say the least.

Workmanship: 10
The cards are all printed courtesy of the USPCC and look great. Kudos to Swain and Plant for selecting cad backs that are widely different from each other in terms of color and design: that's a great little touch.

Documentation: 10
Plants and Swain did a fantastic job with the directions here; you'll have no problem picking this one up. More, there are tons of ideas and tips by some of the top workers that use this one. A big thumbs-up for that.

Effect: 10
This is one of the few packet tricks that absolutely sinks people. By the time those cards hit the table at the end, the spectators jaws have already hit the floor.

Presentation: 10
Swain knocked the ball out of the park here. He kept this one quick, easy, open, and surprising. Add those up, then multiply it by a cute verbal component and this, presentationally, is a mind-numbing piece of work.

Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.