One of the strongest workers in magic is Bob Sheets. Stand-up, close-up, this guy does it all. And when he tips one of his own routines, you know that it’s going to be entertaining and good. His “Killer Kitson Miracle” is an excellent routine that uses Patrick Page’s “Three-Card Monte” gimmick. It’s a powerful effect that’s perfect for strolling.
As in any three-card monte-style routine, spectators try to follow one of three cards. But in this entertaining, in-the-hands version, the different card seemingly appears and vanishes throughout.
The great thing is that the routine doesn’t require a table, which makes it perfect for those strolling events where you’re entertaining people in lines and in other such situations. The minor downside is that you can’t allow spectators to hold and examine the cards. But with the correct handling, the secret is undetectable.
The DVD presents segments where Sheets performs the effect and you see spectators’ reactions, and there’s another segment that focuses on Sheets through the entire performance. Finally, of course, there’s the explanation.
The only downside to this DVD is that Sheets explains the entire routine in a single video segment. I wish that he had broken down the routine in sections so I didn’t have to constantly pause and go back to review his instructions. The trick is not difficult to learn and perform, but will require practice.
When watching the performance segments, some magicians may feel that the gimmick looks fake. I know that I initially did. But I can tell you that after a few weeks of performing the effect during several strolling gigs, I received strong reactions from it.
This effect is a keeper and I’m now a true believer. In fact, I’m planning to purchase another gimmick so I can put it in my stand-up kit to entertain before shows. Bob Sheets sells the DVD with cards and a well made gimmick.
Like “It’s the Rules,” Bob Sheet’s excellent dice trick, which we reviewed earlier, “The Killer Kitson Miracle” is another winner for close-up/strolling magicians. As we’ve said before, it’s from Bob Sheets. It’s gotta be great.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
