Review of Any Signed Card to Any Spectator's Wallet

Is it truly possible to have a card signed, lost in a deck, and freely shuffled by a spectator, and then pull it out of his very own wallet? After checking out "Any Signed Card to Any Spectator's Wallet," I find the considerable hype surrounding this product to be real. In this review, I'll attempt to adequately answer the many questions that have been coming from readers. Here goes.

To start, I’m always intrigued by any “card to impossible place” effect, and “Any Signed Card to Any Spectator’s Wallet,” by Jeff Kaylor and Michael Ammar, offers the following, amazing premise: “Any card is chosen, signed, and placed back into the deck. The spectator takes out his wallet. His signed card is found in his wallet.” Furthermore, the ads state: “any spectator’s wallet, any signed card, any deck, no stooges, no palming, no magnets, no trick cards, no pulls and no special [gimmicked] wallets.”

While I can’t divulge the method to this card trick, I’ll do my best to not turn this explanation into a puzzle that further obscures the concept. To answer the big question whether this product delivers what it states, my answer is “yes.” Of course, while there are a couple of other elements that allow the effect to occur, which aren’t shown in the promotional video, in spectators’ minds, the events should appear just as depicted and stated. The marketing points are not unwarranted hyperbole.

In my opinion, “Any Signed Card to Any Spectator’s Wallet” offers a brilliant and innovative method. A term being bandied about with this effect is “Ultimate Card Control Utility” (UCCU), which simply represents the name of the prop and system that not only can be used to place a signed card into any wallet, but can control a single card or multiple cards as the spectator shuffles the deck.

Interestingly, for a card to wallet effect, this one does not rely on a trick or gimmicked wallet. The prop is something that you install, and it’s a process that takes under five minutes with no additional tools. For optimal use, you can add a bit of something that everyone has around the office.

Method wise, the concept is similar to that of “mucking” - the gambling technique of pulling out key cards during a game and placing them into a safe place or holdout (say, aces when playing poker), and then bringing them back into play when needed. Using the UCCU, you can effectively pull out and ditch a signed playing card and later, when you wish, bring it back into play by secretly introducing it into the deck or, apparently pulling it from the spectator’s wallet. As a result, you don’t need to somehow access a spectator’s wallet ahead of time. This system is also great for introducing gaffed cards into a deck when you need them.

By the way, the picture on the packaging that depicts a playing card being pulled from a pocket of a wallet isn’t how the card appears in real use. This is strictly a promotional shot. While this could probably be accomplished with some work and the right wallet, it’s not the standard appearance for the signed cards.

Is the process completely invisible? No. You may experience angle issues from the side, but in use, the actions are well covered. And with the right misdirection, spectators should have no idea that anything occurred. If you know what to look for, you’ll probably notice “something” occurring, even from optimal angles.

Those who already possess basic card control/sleight of hand techniques can get right into installing and working with the gimmick. It will take some practice to become adept at handling the cards and working with the gimmick, but the moves are not difficult.

There are clothing considerations. While I’m sure that all guys will own clothing that will work with the gimmick, I’m not sure about females. I probably can’t say anything more, but if you watch the promotional video, you’ll see Jeff Kaylor wearing clothing that is optimal for the effect. Interestingly, more formal style apparel can be less than optimal. A well done DVD that comes in the kit offers solid instructions on how to install and employ the gimmick, as well as teaches basic controls and moves.

Will I personally use the product in my strolling and close-up sets? I see some great uses. I particularly like the ability to allow a spectator to freely shuffle the cards without standing there dirty with a card palmed in my hands.

With respect to the main effect with a spectator’s wallet, I’m a hands-off magician who never steals watches or wants to handle a person’s wallet. I would probably never perform this effect with a stranger’s wallet. However, keep in mind that if you can produce a signed card from a spectator’s wallet, you can bring it out of your own or from other objects. I’m thinking that this can be used with pay wallets in restaurants, for example.

Do I recommend this product? Yes, I do. I think that most card magicians will not be disappointed with what they find and can readily employ the gimmick. And I think that it’s something that most can and will use and it won’t end up residing in a “magic junk drawer.” Every once in awhile, some brilliant new innovation comes along. I think that this qualifies.