DVD Review: Magic With Dice (World's Greatest Magic)

L&L has combined dice effects from the DVDs of several artists that include: John Mendoza, Daryl, Steve Dacri, Mark Leveridge and James Zachary. There are two “dice stacking” and two “Chinese Assembly” routines and Daryl teaches a version of the popular “Sack’s Dice Routine.” If you want to perform with dice, you may find this DVD worthwhile.

Stacking

There are two dice stacking routines. These routines make use of a technique that allows a performer to sit at a table and build towers out of dice by shaking them around in a mouth down cup. John Mendoza performs and explains Senator Crandall’s routine that not only features stacking, but offers some entertaining twists where the entertainer predicts the number on the top-stacked dice.

James Zachary’s dice stacking routine is equally entertaining and features “taking down,” the ability to use the technique to reduce a stacked tower one dice at a time. Zachary’s routine features some fun large loads, but goes into extreme stacking to build towers of up to 15 dice.

Assemblies

The second routine that’s offered by two magicians is classic Chinese Assembly. In these routines the magician lays out a series of objects on a table and by covering them with his hands, causes the objects to mysteriously gather in a single spot. Daryl offers a great routine that requires only four dice and a cup while Steve Dacri’s version requires a gaff that allows for a climactic transposition.

(For purposes here, I’ve described the routine by a name that isn’t derogatory. I’m following the lead provided by Richard Kaufman in his “David Roth’s Expert Coin Magic” where he renamed an effect “Chinese Coin Assembly.” I hope that others in magic will consider referring to these routines by this naming convention.)

In “Wild Dice,” Mark Leveridge offers an offbeat routine, something of a pea and shell game that’s performed with matchboxes and dice. Dice not only travel from box to box, but they change color. And at the end, Leveridge produces several dice from each box. It’s a great routine, but this one requires boxes and dice with specific dimensions. Of note, this one is not practical for walk around or strolling.

A great strolling and walk around effect is “Sack’s Dice Routine.” Daryl performs and explains the classic effect where numbers switch around on two dice and dots travel from side to side. I originally learned the routine from the James Lewis video and it has served me well. If you’re interested in this dice routine, you should also consider Bob Sheet’s “It’s the Rules” (click here to read our review). Sheet’s routine features different handling that I’ve adapted and a killer closer.

This DVD is worth it whether you want to learn dice stacking, a Chinese assembly or the Dr.Sach’s routine.

-Wayne N. Kawamoto

MSRP: (US) $19.95

Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.