"Cash Flow" by Juan Pablo
Suggested Retail USD$40.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Cash Flow", an effect by Juan Pablo, is a bill change that is as quick, visual, striking, and best of all completely workable without all the drawbacks usually seen in this kind of effect; throw in a one-handed, fingertip change and you've got something you'll carry with you wherever you go.

Picture this: you hold a dollar bill by just two fingers, right at the fingertips. With no cover and only the slightest motion, the bill has changed to a twenty that is shown freely on both sides, with hands that are empty except for that bill. No rush, no trying to hide something with a sleight or an acquitment: just as clean a bill change as you can ask for.

And just like the best bill changes, you're not limited on the change. Any similarly sized bills/paper can change. You can even change one piece for two pieces with no more effort than you'd expend changing just one for another. That means blank paper, cut-up newspaper, lottery tickets, and the like are all fair game. Also, again like the best bill changes, you're looking at something with a easy and quick set-up and no reset worth mentioning, making this easily repeatable.

Where "Cash Flow" shines, though, is in just how clean it looks. The handling is incredibly opened -- no palming or hiding things required -- and the bill (or bills) are shown very fairly and plainly. You're not trying to hide anything here so the flexibility you have in showing just how clean things are is huge.

In fact, with the exception of my beloved thumb-tip based switch, this is my #2 favorite that I'll whip out when the suitable situation arises.

Why isn't "Cash Flow", as good as it is, in the #1 slot for me? Simple: the heat is incredible on that poor bill and getting rid of it is going to take some work I'd prefer to spend elsewhere. That isn't a deal-breaker for me, but it is something that needs thinking about. Me, I carry both and use whichever one I think will get the job done and I'm comfortable with that. After all, what's the big deal about carrying another ("Cash Flow" prepared) bill in my pocket?

Now, I'm climbing on a soapbox here but I've got good reason.

I'm raising my glass and removing my hat in salute to Juan Pablo and the producers of "Cash Flow". I have had it -- HAD it, all in caps, because I'm emphasizing here -- with bill changes that have some weird and quirky set-up that has to be done before I can enjoy the privilege of getting my hands on what I paid good money for. Glue these five bills like this, says one. Cut up two bills like this, says another. Sorry, but when I cough up the cash, I expect to have, in my hands, something I can work with when I open the box.

Juan Pablo and company read my mind (or at least thought about my frustrations shared with countless others) and include a perfectly made gimmicked bill, from real US currency, that I could take out of the box, practice with, put in my pocket, and begin getting mileage from in about the same amount of time (and for less money) than I'd spend putting together most other bill changes out there.

And they didn't stop there. Not only do you get a workable gimmick right out of the box, you also get the material you need to make your own gimmicked bill without gutting the original. Do I even have to tell you how cool it is to have a working "sample" in front of you when you put together that second one? Nah, didn't think so.

So, Juan Pablo, thank you for thinking not just of your audience as magicians but also consumers; you're one of the Good Ones and you and your efforts are much appreciated.

I descend from my soapbox gently now.

At the end of the day, "Cash Flow" is one beautiful bill change, with a lot going for it that puts it head and shoulders above many other such effects. Figure out the heat problem and you've got a solid winner on your hands.

"Cash Flow" I can solidly recommend.

"Cash Flow" by Juan Pablo
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 9
Other than heat dispersal, there's nothing about this that isn't practical. The angles are great, there's precious little set-up or reset needed, the whole thing packs as small as two bills should... this is a very practical piece of work. And yes, it works with other currency and not just US funds.

Workmanship: 10
Juan Pablo includes a marvelously constructed gimmick that is all ready to go right out of the box and should last a good, long time. Also included are the additional materials to create your own version.

Documentation: 10
There instructions here are brief and thorough, with Pablo doing a great job, especially during the construction of the gimmick. You'll have no problem picking this one up.

Effect: 10
It depends on what you do with this one, but the included routines make jaws drop solidly. It doesn't get much better than that.

Presentation: 9
The visuals are great, the handling is simple and open, but the heat is pretty bad. Figure that one out and you've got an absolutely stunning bill change on your hands.

Shane