World's Greatest Magic: The Secrets of Packet Tricks Vol. 2
It seems to be commonly believed that the genre of card magic known as
packet tricks - that is, card tricks that use a small number of cards
rather than the entire deck - are a relatively recent invention in the
history of conjuring but this is not the case. While it's true that
packet tricks became insanely popular in the magic community of the
1960s and 70s (Jon Racherbaumer even coined the word "packeteer" to
describe magicians who specialized in these types of tricks), effects
with a small number of cards date back to the late 1800s. Though many
use the term "packet trick" disparagingly, the truth is that, if
well-conceived and performed, they can often be more astounding than
effects performed with an entire deck of cards. Don't underestimate the
power of the packet! Armed with just a small bunch of cards and the
wisdom gleaned from the masters on this download, you'll be a
"packeteer" in no time!
On Volume 2, you'll meet a number of
magicians performing and explaining small-packet card magic that any
close-up performer would be proud to add to their repertoire. Daryl
starts off with a Sam Schwartz classic where four blue-backed Kings turn
face up one at a time and are then shown to have red backs. For the
stunning finale, the Kings have mirrored backs! Then, Michael Ammar
demonstrates a game with four cards where the object is to guess which
card has been turned face up behind the performer's back.
One at a time,
the cards magically turn face up and then, for a big finish, the cards
are turned over to show that they're marked with big, bold letters! Paul
Wilson uses four Jacks and two Queens to relate an amusingly risque but
magical story while John Mendoza demonstrates the ability of three
blank cards to change into three selected cards. Michael Ammar turns
four blank cards into a four-of-a-kind one card at a time while Larry
Jennings causes the Aces to turn face up magically one at a time in an
impossible fashion.
Finally, Darwin Ortiz rounds out this volume with a
whirlwind of magic which begins with the Two of Hearts constantly rising
to the top of a four-card packet. However, just when the audience
thinks that the performer merely has four identical cards, they're shown
to now be all the Ten of Spades. For a finale, the cards are displayed
one last time and are now the four Kings!