Card effects make up the bulk of the tricks. In “One-Armed Aces,” Diamond Jim cuts to four aces using one-hand cuts and incorporates a card change. There’s some good work here with a crimp. In “The Gunslinger,” a chosen and signed card is shot with an imaginary gun, which causes the card to fall and earn a bullet hole. An entertaining effect, but because of the method, you’ll only be able to perform this one indoors and under certain conditions.
“Paperweight” demonstrates how you can estimate the exact number of cards that a spectator cuts to. Diamond Jim presents a relatively simple method for performing this puzzler. In “Mathemagic,” a packet of cards grows in number as spectators count them. While these effects may sound a bit sterile on paper, they are impressive to spectators. Diamond Jim’s “Comedy Shuffling Routine” offers a fun demonstration of various shuffling techniques with accompanying jokes. The routine can potentially dress up just about any card set.
Diamond Jim also offers his take on classics. “Trapdoor Coins” is his “Coins Through the Table.” The work is not difficult, uses no gimmicks and is within the means of any magician with basic coins skills. More interesting is “Pieces of Eight,” a coin to glass routine that ends in three startling loads. Pieces of Eight is a fine close-up routine, but too bulky for most walk-around or restaurant work.
As the name implies, Ring & String is a five-phased ring on string routine that relies on standard moves. In New Age Spellbound, Diamond Jim replaces the usual copper and silver coins with glass stones that repeatedly change. Based on a Bill Goldman routine, Diamond Jim dabbles in mentalism in “Whatever It Takes,” where he predicts a thought-up number, letter and selected card.
The remaining effects are better classified as bar tricks. Invisible thumbscrews offers an old hypnotist trick. Nimble Corks offers a bar challenge where spectators try to repeat a series of moves using two corks. Three Burnt Matches offers a bit of word play where you con a spectator out of some money using three burnt matches. All may provide a diversion between tricks.
Magicians looking for good, even offbeat variations will enjoy “Pockets Full of Miracles.” And just about anyone should be able to gain at least a few additions or bits to use in your regular close-up.
