Review: Cryptext by Haim Goldenberg

Not a trick in itself but a cool revelation system for math-based mentalism routines, Haim Goldenberg's "Cryptext " is a fantastic concept. I have some issues with the way this effect is being distributed, but the core concept can rock your world.

Adds Up

First I'll describe the basic trick. You ask an audience member for his name (you can also do the necessary work to already know this) and write it on a large card for everyone to see. At this point, you perform an add-em-up numbers trick using a pad of paper or a calculator - your choice. Audience members contribute different numbers that are added together.

When you're given the total, you turn the card upside down, and the letters of the spectator's name form the final number. You've probably seen the old calculator tricks where by adding a few numbers you see the result of "710 77345," which turned upside down, forms the words "shell oil." It’s the exact same idea.

The Small Print

The kit comes with a CD-ROM disc that contains the custom font (True-Type for Windows). But the accompanying booklet recommends that you memorize the letters so you can simply write any name down and create a number. This allows you to prepare messages anywhere, even in front of an audience and lends an impromptu feel that can’t be present with computer-printed predictions. As a result, I think the CD is redundant

So the entire secret is the font that consists of 26 individual letters. Admittedly, some of the letters are convoluted and a bit difficult to discern as numbers when turned over, but here's where the power of suggestion on your part has to fill-in the blanks.

Some names form more recognizable numbers than others. As an example, my name, "Wayne," makes for a name as well as corresponding number that are difficult to read.

The concept is left to you to apply your preferred add-em-up techniques - these are not provided. However, this doesn’t take anything away from a fabulous idea and a stunning mental revelation.

MSRP: (US) $29.95

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