Like Riding a Bicycle
The trick's amusing premise is that the joker in a Bicycle deck is really a king of spades. And in the course of the trick, four jokers "dismount" from their bicycles on their cards, one at a time, and transform into four, full-sized king of spades.The plot is clear and easy for spectators to follow and each transformation becomes more astounding. In the latter phases, you clearly show the stated number of jokers and kings.
Visual and Straight-Forward
The effect uses only four gimmicked cards that are printed on standard Bicycle stock. When performing packet tricks, there's always a danger of turning over the wrong card at the wrong time. But Bean has marked the cards in a subtle way to help you keep track of which card is which.It's a brilliant touch that spectators will never notice. In fact, you can hand the cards to magicians who won't be able to identify it.
The trick doesn't require a table - it's all in the hands. The moves are basic and the effect isn't complicated to learn and perform. I like the way that when performing the Elmsley Count during the trick, there are no discrepancies as there are in other tricks when the first card is shown a second time. Reset is instantaneous and is done as spectators are watching.
Great Instructions
The instructions are particularly well written and easy to follow and feature clear pictures. Bean provides several options to end the trick, many that allow you to end with four cards that may be examined by spectators. He also provides background information on the moves as well as the trick's evolution. For those of you who publish tricks, please read Bean’s instructions to view a model of what great instructions can look like.After the instructions went to press, Bean came up with "Seven Kings," a strong transposition between kings and jokers that ends with four kings in the spectator's hand, and a variation that leaves aces. The instructions come with an insert that explains the effect.
Something Good
If I have to criticize something, and believe me, I'm looking, it's that the paper envelope that the cards come in that will probably wear out in short order.Other than that, rest assured, this is a review and not an ad. And Gordon Bean's "Bikers" is this good.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
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