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		<title>FOUR QUARTERS by Magick Balay</title>
		<link>http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/02/four-quarters-by-magick-balay/</link>
		<comments>http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/02/four-quarters-by-magick-balay/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:43:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/02/four-quarters-by-magick-balay/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What The Audience Sees:
&#8220;Okay, so Friday was really strange- I think we were all hypnotized! Jamie shows us an American one-dollar bill, right? Nothing crazy. But then, all of a sudden, it changed! It morphed itself inside out or something! Jamie told us that he had temporarily hypnotized all of us and that the bill [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[What The Audience Sees:
&#8220;Okay, so Friday was really strange- I think we were all hypnotized! Jamie shows us an American one-dollar bill, right? Nothing crazy. But then, all of a sudden, it changed! It morphed itself inside out or something! Jamie told us that he had temporarily hypnotized all of us and that the bill should look different, and did it ever! It was like all reversed, backwardsy, split into quarters, kind of magical weirdnessness! None of us could believe our eyes! And man, did we ever have a great weekend because of it!
How It Went:
You know, Ive never really given the Mis-Made Bill premise a go before and I have to say, Ive been missing out. I only wish I had been able to do it with borrowed money, which all you guys and gals in The States will be able to do. A Mis-Made Loonie just wouldnt be the same, lol (a Loonie is a Canadian one-dollar coin). On that note, those of you in the US do have a real advantage. Up here, the smallest bill is a Five, but people are never really carrying them around because the smallest bill that most ATMs give out are Twenties. So, if youre in the US, take advantage of it. However, I digress
Even though I was using my own bill, and a foreign one at that, it still rocked the house. I was a bit surprised myself, actually. People were giving each other looks like, Are you seeing what Im seeing? The magic really played with their minds on Friday. Ive been thinking about it all weekend and Im still trying to dissect why it went so well, and I think its because, unlike normal paper, people know how impossible it is to make a bill. And a bill has a feel to it that cant be faked (well, not legally, lol) so I think as soon as people touched it, they simply fully believed. There is also something more believable about it being the same denomination, I think.
And I have to say, I love Magick Balays handling of the switch! It has a more natural sort of feel to me than previous switches Ive used and it went by everyone on Friday. There is something about the turning in Magicks method that I really like and it seemed to help both me and my audience. Ill talk about it more in the video portion but I just found it a more believable way of folding something. I found people werent burning my hands as much as when Ive done switches before- perhaps it comes across as more casual.
The Difficulty:
This took me a while to get down and, as youll see, I still have to force myself to not look at my hands (when performing for real people, I find that an easier task because you have conversation going on, but it still took a while to get confident). However, this should be well within the capabilities of a solid magician. 3/5.
Best Lines:
&#8220;OMG, its backwardsno, its sideways, OMG! How did you do that?!
~Its always better to have someone ask, How did you do that? as opposed to, Where did the other one go?
&#8220;Holy %$^$! This is the same dollar, too!!!
~Im not sure what convinced them of that, but hey, Ill take it!
Angry Bob Rating:
For those of you reading this article for the first time, Angry Bob is a co-worker who has an understanding of some magic because his uncle was a magician. Angry Bob knows that TTs exist, for example, but he has no desire to become a magician himself. He also has an anger management problem that can be experienced first hand if he cant figure out how a trick is done. A high rating means he has no idea.
&#8220;You %$^$%#n switched it. Thats pretty cool, though.
3/5. Im giving this a higher mark than youd think after Angry Bobs reaction, but thats because he still has no idea how I did it. Ive used a bill switch for a few Magic Fridays in the past, so Im pretty sure Angry Bob has looked into how it works but I know he cant do it himself. If you were to do this to someone with no magic knowledge, youd fry them.
My Rating:
Magic Friday Approved!
Well, Ive decided to switch (Ha, Ha, get it? I saidnever mind) in Magicks new handling as the one Im going to be using in the future. When you watch the DVD and you see how fast he is with it, you can see how it will get light years better than how Im currently performing with it. And, when it gets to Magicks level (hopefully), I think it will be perfect. The turning combined with the kickup of the bill is just enough to make me put my old switch back on the shelf.
The JDG Tip:
Watch it here!
The iTricks Idea:
Make sure you crumple your bill up a ton before going live. What I did, was I always kept it in my pocket with another bill. It seemed like the other bills age rubs off a bit on the new one.
Closing Thoughts:
Congrats to NYMP for making such a great DVD. It was nice to watch something that just showed me the performer going through the steps. Sometimes Magic DVDs get so complicated that I want to throw myself out the window and this was a refreshingly straightforward instructional video. Very well done.
Have a Great Week Everyone!
Jamie D. Grant
 www.whatizit.net
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Aaron Fisher ONE-HAND POPOVER</title>
		<link>http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/02/aaron-fisher-one-hand-popover/</link>
		<comments>http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/02/aaron-fisher-one-hand-popover/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:04:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Corey Martin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Card Magic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Close Up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DVD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flourishes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://itricks.com/reviews/?p=1042</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Corey Martin is a regular contributor to iTricks Raves.
There are countless DVD&#8217;s out on the market that focus on the art of card flourishing. Many are rich in visual &#8220;eye candy&#8221; but very difficult to master. Then there are the select few that look fantastic but are much simpler to master. Aaron Fisher&#8217;s One-Hand Popover [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
Corey Martin is a regular contributor to iTricks Raves.
There are countless DVD&#8217;s out on the market that focus on the art of card flourishing. Many are rich in visual &#8220;eye candy&#8221; but very difficult to master. Then there are the select few that look fantastic but are much simpler to master. Aaron Fisher&#8217;s One-Hand Popover is a beautiful piece of slight of hand that can be used as a visual production, a slight or even just a flourish. It combines elements that many magicians use everyday combined with Aaron&#8217;s incredible insight and teaching to create a fantastic piece of magic.The DVD is broken down into sections to focus all the attention on the most important parts of the move. The Grip, The Popover itself, and then taking the actual move an applying it to effects and routines, both as a visual production and a slight.

The Grip, as discussed both on the DVD and in Aaron&#8217;s book &#8216;The Paper Engine&#8217;, is the most important part of making this move work. The grip is explained step-by-step so that you know exactly where to put your fingers in order for things to go smoothly. Aaron Fisher has always been an incredible teacher of magic and really wants those out there watching and learning this move to understand the importance of the little things such as finger position, not just in this effect, but in card magic as a whole. He talks about being able to be as natural as possible and to avoid any unneeded movements when getting into position to perform the move. His attention to detail, while at the same time stressing how important the proper grip is for this move, really makes the rest of the effect run much smoother then if you simply &#8220;thought the grip was good&#8221;.
The Popover itself is the actual &#8220;production&#8221; of the card. (Remember this move can be used as both a production and a slight. But we will get into that a little later&#8230;) If you follow the advice on the grip, executing the move will not be as difficult as you think. While we all may be a different skill levels when learning this move, over time, even for someone who is a seasoned pro, the mechanics and movements will become second nature. One thing that is stressed in this section of the DVD, is finger strength. Because the grip is sospecificto making this move work, it is important to build up enough strength in your hands to make it run as smooth as possible.
As a visual production the Popover, once perfected, is the easiest way tointegrateit into a routine. Aaron gives a very humor-filled presentation on a simple &#8220;finding a selected card&#8221; routine and just by adding the Popover is able to add a touch of grace to an age old effect. As a slight things get a little harder, but this is where those who are really serious about advancing themselves in their card magic can really shine. Each move is broken down as only Aaron can teach it, and it allows you to see just how many different applications there are for this move. If you want to use it as a production, the tools are there. If you want it as a slight, you have that ability as well. Do what works best for you, and I am sure you will find many more uses for the One Hand Popover.
Overall, what more is there to say about this DVD. Aaron Fisher is one of the greatest card performers in the world of magic. His attention to detail makes his teaching style unique and shows how much time and effort he puts into his work. I highly recommend this DVD to those who want to really get serious about their card magic, and if you like this, check out some of Aaron&#8217;s other work as well.
Until next time,
Corey Martin
www.twitter.com/coreymmartin
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>DE&#8217;RING by De&#8217;vo</title>
		<link>http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/02/dering-by-devo/</link>
		<comments>http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/02/dering-by-devo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:46:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/02/dering-by-devo/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What The Audience Sees:
So Jamie has become some sort of ninja, apparently. You should have seen it man, this guy is so quick! He showed us his ring, but then he took it off his finger so that he wasnt wearing it, but simply holding it. ThenBLAM! It was right back on his finger! We [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[What The Audience Sees:
So Jamie has become some sort of ninja, apparently. You should have seen it man, this guy is so quick! He showed us his ring, but then he took it off his finger so that he wasnt wearing it, but simply holding it. ThenBLAM! It was right back on his finger! We were all like, WHHAAAAAA??! So he does it again- Ring On, Ring Off, BLAM! It was like Bruce Lee stuff! Or maybe he took his ring off, hypnotized us, went out for a coffee, hung out with some druids, wrote a few spells, had a hamburger, came back, put the ring back on, and unhyptnotized us. Who knows! All I know is that it rocked. 
How It Went:
Im a huge fan of ring magic. Ring Thing, Pinnacle, DeRing, all of this stuff- I really enjoy it. I can also confidently say that the audience enjoys it too. DeRing is a bit of flash that just looks super cool! And rings just have a sort of magical quality about them- I think that if I was going to do magic with something Im wearing, then a ring seems to make sense, as opposed to, say, a belt, lol. Devo, if you read this, I would love to see a wicked belt manipulation video! That would be fan-tastic.
So Friday went over really well. DeRing is one of those effects where it its not such a mystery as to whats going on but as to how its going on (literally). Well, maybe thats not a fair thing to say. Because DeRing does fool people. Most people wont know how you got it back on your finger, thats for sure. I think people come away with a feeling that Ive done a specific task and that Im good at what I do. Its almost like a confirmation of skill in all aspects of what Im performing. In a sense, I felt like people thought, Of course, Jamie can do that. Hes so good, which puts them in a fantastic thought process of Whats next?! And peoples reactions were great! Its just such a shock to see it back on.
And of course this is all thanks to Devo, who is such a talent its freakin scary! The things he can do are absolutely stunning and look like the kind of things youd only expect someone with superhuman gifts (which he has) to do. I think hes not into magic so much as manipulation but, Im sorry DeRing, when done well, is real magic. It was especially powerful when people didnt realize that it was back on my finger right away. Instead of a travel, it was a disappearance and an appearance, Two for the price of one!
The Difficulty:
Im not going to lie to you and say that youll be busting this out in ten minutes. It takes practice. Its not as hard, by any means, as some of the other stuff that Devo puts out though. Also, youll also be throwing your ring all over the place (well, at least I did!) so dont practice with something expensive, lol. 3.5/5.
Best Lines:
WHHAAAAAAA??!!! DO IT AGAIN!
~Lol, Imagine walking up to someone and slapping them in the face. But instead of it hurting, it feels good. Thats what this is like.
How the %#^# did you get that back on there so fast?! Thats amazing!
~Simple, Practice.
Angry Bob Rating:
For those of you reading this article for the first time, Angry Bob is a co-worker who has an understanding of some magic because his uncle was a magician. Angry Bob knows that TTs exist, for example, but he has no desire to become a magician himself. He also has an anger management problem that can be experienced first hand if he cant figure out how a trick is done. A high rating means he has no idea.
You %#%##n put it on your finger, ^^&amp;$&amp;((*$.
Yeah, I know. I put it there. So does this fool Angry Bob? I guess not. 1/5. But, does it impress Angry Bob? I would think so. I mean, its a display of skill, as well as being a great effect. For me, its almost a no lose situation, If someone has an idea how its done, it doesnt phase me because it simply looks so great.
My Rating:
Magic Friday Approved!
Like I mentioned above, I love Ring stuff and DeRing is an effect I use daily. No kidding, I probably do DeRing for someone every single day of my life. How many other effects do I have that I can say that about? So for me, DeRing is an absolute must-have! I also love the fact that it doesnt take up any more pocket space. If I could wear a deck of cards on my finger, I probably would, lol.
The JDG Tip:
Watch it here!
The iTricks Idea:
Check out your finger before you walk out the door. Lol, this might sound crazy, but depending on the weather, how much ice cream youve eaten, etc, your performance can really differ. So just do a quick check to make sure youre ready to roll before you bust it out!
Closing Thoughts:
Thanks for reading and watching! If youve got a minute, please leave a comment and let me know you came by for a visit! And
Have a Great Week Everyone!
Jamie D. Grant
 www.whatizit.net
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Doug Higley 3 NO EVIL</title>
		<link>http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/01/3-no-evil-by-doug-higley/</link>
		<comments>http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/01/3-no-evil-by-doug-higley/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 Jan 2010 10:08:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/01/3-no-evil-by-doug-higley/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[


Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Holy Smokes! Jamie brought in an envelope of some crazy weird photos on Friday- they looked like Angry Bob as a baby, Ha! Seriously, they were these four strange photos of some Shrunken [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[


Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Holy Smokes! Jamie brought in an envelope of some crazy weird photos on Friday- they looked like Angry Bob as a baby, Ha! Seriously, they were these four strange photos of some Shrunken Heads that were totally bizarre. On one of them, Jamie had a message on the back, and he gave it to me and said to not read it yet. He then had me select, from the remaining three, one of the photos for me, one for himself, and one to go in the envelope. Well, youre not going to believe this, but after I made the selections, he told me to look at the back of the photo I was holding&#8230; I looked on the back&#8230;and it said exactly what I had done!!! It was creeeeeepy awesome! Big Ted started to take off his shoes, and I went running to look for some Garlic and a wooden stake. Those Heads must be stopped!!! 
How It Went:
Sometimes theres magic that you know will stay with people. A special moment of time, an image, a thought, ~something that they wont ever forget because it made such an impact. 3 No Evil is one of those effects that provides that magic. Not just because of the outcome, but because the story and the pictures are so interesting. I dont think many people have seen a Shrunken Head before, let alone four of them, and they caused mucho discussion on Friday. Note: It helps to have a little bit of knowledge of the history behind Shrunken Heads and I encourage you to read up a bit about them- theyre absolutely fascinating and will give you some great discussion material!
Most people on Friday were absolutely fascinated with the pictures, which is great, because they can be studied to no end. Theres nothing to find, which makes the ending so strong and I really emphasized the selection process, which is quite clear. As a result, the reveal came across as a real kicker. People just werent expecting it. I think because this effect is so hands off that it just played a bit differently, which was nice. When they read the card, theres an element of mystery, in the sense of, Who wrote that message? And when? Its deeply intriguing.
I love magic like this. It brings something into play that is totally outside the norm for most people. I mean, if I was a piano player, it probably wouldnt make sense to be carrying around an envelope with four Shrunken Head pictures in it, lol. Thats why its so great to be a magician. Where else can I introduce these kind of things into someones life? Awesome.
MUCH MORE INCLUDING THE iTRICKS IDEA AFTER THE JUMP
The Difficulty:
Zero. Well, maybe a 1 because you need to know how to read. Other than that, completely easy peasy.
Best Lines:
AIIHAHHIIIIHAHAiiiiiiiiiiii!
~Lol, and the trick hadnt even really started yet. I just brought out the pictures, lol.
What the %^#^# are those things?! Where did they come from?!
~This is actually a very interesting comment. They didnt ask, Where did you get that made? but rather, Where did they come from? It just showed how people knew they were real. Very cool.
Angry Bob Rating:
For those of you reading this article for the first time, Angry Bob is a co-worker who has an understanding of some magic because his uncle was a magician. Angry Bob knows that TTs exist, for example, but he has no desire to become a magician himself. He also has an anger management problem that can be experienced first hand if he cant figure out how a trick is done. A high rating means he has no idea.
Everybody do the Angry Bob Dance! Ha Ha Ha, Angrrrry Bob! Ha Ha Ha, Angrrrrry Bob! All together now!
Lol, he was floored. He kept trying to switch the one he wanted to keep and the one he wanted me to have. And before he read the back, he was so sure that the trick needed another step. He was shocked when I told him to read the photo he was holding.
Read the back? It better not say to go ^#&amp;# myself&#8230;  How the ^#^&amp; did it know that. ^$%^!!!! This is ^#&amp;&amp;&amp;#&amp;!!
5/5.
My Rating:
Magic Friday Approved!
Why is this trick such a fooler, I wonder? Its like some sort of left jab. You dont see it coming, I guess. People get so wrapped up in the story, and in their own questions, that maybe they forget that theres magic involved? And once the reveal becomes known, it just sends people for a loop. Great work and a great effect. Truly.
The JDG Tip:
Watch it here! Thats right, we now have video!!!
The iTricks Idea:
I write The Dark Museum on the envelope itself. On my original set, that I have framed, I also wrote over the printed font on the back of each one with a calligraphy pen and scratched it up a bit. Every little bit helps.
Closing Thoughts:
Thanks to everyone for commenting and for writing such kind words, with regards to the new video reviews. Even though the amount of work has tripled, lol, Im absolutely loving this new format and am really happy its being so well received. Super thanks!
Have a Great Week Everyone!
Jamie D. Grant
 www.whatizit.net
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Paul Vigil DIPLOPIA</title>
		<link>http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/01/diplopia-by-paul-vigil/</link>
		<comments>http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/01/diplopia-by-paul-vigil/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:24:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://itricks.com/reviews/2010/01/diplopia-by-paul-vigil/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[


Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Today was MY day, man! Im thinking of starting my own mind reading business! Jamie comes in and busts out a deck of cards and tells us that today is going to be [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[


Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Today was MY day, man! Im thinking of starting my own mind reading business! Jamie comes in and busts out a deck of cards and tells us that today is going to be good. He asks me to think of a card, any one I like, and then remove it from the deck. Them HE selects a card, and were all laughing because were pretty sure hell be able to find that one later. Anyways, once our cards are back into the deck he tells me to read his mind! Yeah, like right. But he insists. He tells me to concentrate and pull his card out of the deck, but to not show him. So I just pull out some whatever card, you know what Im sayin, and he has me put it into my pocket. So Ive selected a card, hes selected a card, Ive found his, and now he says hell find mine. Well, he does! Which is whack because I have no idea how he does this voodoo crazy mojodojo. But then it gets really %^^##%d up. Because, wait for it, he tells everyone the name of the card that he had picked for himselfand thats the card I pull out of my pocket!!!! It was Mingo!! People were freakin out asking me how I knew what his card was and I didnt know what to say! When youre good, youre good. Booya!
How It Went:
What can I tell you? When Paul showed me this at MINDvention, it just blew my mind. Its not just the effect which is so awesome, but the completeness of it all. The plot, routining, involvement, and method are as good as it gets. And its all accomplished with a deck of cards and nothing else. Fantastic.
And, Im very happy to say, that it played as well as I hoped. Sometimes Ill absolutely love something only to have the Magic Friday Crowd collectively go, meh but this wasnt the case on Friday. Every group loved it. Period. And its just a surprise to have the person pull your card out of their pocket. Theres a certain sort of legitimate real-world magic to the scenario. Im even happier to say that I also was 100%. I was worried that I might crack under pressure and mess things up but I managed to really rise to the occasion. Which is funny, because I was jamming with my magic gang a couple of days before and I was having some difficulties with some very basic life skills. But, hey, thats what practice is for.
On that note, Id also like to mention that practice actually works. That might be a strange thing to say but I think it needs to be said. For me anyways, I know that I might be going through something and think that Ill never get it down but if I keep at it, I always get it. And from that point on, I always seem to not have a problem. The mind is a wonderful thing.
MUCH MORE INCLUDING THE iTRICKS IDEA AFTER THE JUMP
The Difficulty:
No forcing &amp; no knuckle busting sleights. This trick requires some thought, though, and isnt something youll be busting out in 5 minutes. I think the practice required is nothing compared to the end result. Oh, and its not a memdeck either.
Best Lines:
How the %^#^ did you do that?! Wait a minute, how the %#^#%^ did I do that?!?!!
~Theyll never know
AHHHHHHHHH!!!
~Thats what she said when she pulled my card out, lol.
Angry Bob Rating:
For those of you reading this article for the first time, Angry Bob is a co-worker who has an understanding of some magic because his uncle was a magician. Angry Bob knows that TTs exist, for example, but he has no desire to become a magician himself. He also has an anger management problem that can be experienced first hand if he cant figure out how a trick is done. A high rating means he has no idea.
Angry Bob was decimated on Friday. He had such a smug look on his face when I showed him his card, and I knew he was going to say something. But when I started to tell him the card that was in his pocket? He was crushed. Remember, I never see this card as he just pulls it right out of the deck and sticks it in his pocket. No controls or anything. Brilliant.
Wha?! Well, &amp;^#^%&amp;**, I guess this shows that Im better than you. You &amp;#^&amp;.
5/5.
My Rating:
Magic Friday Approved!
And happily so! There was some concern with my magic gang that I was A) going to take too long to do the trick, and B) that someone might catch on to what was happening. Both concerns were completely unwarranted. The trick is really engaging and the method is something that a layman would never figure out. And what the magic gang thought that people would think was happening never crossed a mind either. Diplopia is simply one of my favourite card tricks to date. No kidding.
The JDG Tip:
Watch it here! Thats right, we now have video!!!
The iTricks Idea:
Theres one phase that you must ensure is understood. Paul outlines it wonderfully but its something I must have glossed over during my practice sessions. Luckily I caught it before Friday. Its the one hint that they get. Make sure you, and the spec, are in unison.
Closing Thoughts:
Im super excited about having video reviews now and would love to hear your thoughts on it. It took me hours, lol. Thanks for reading (and watching!)
Have a Great Week Everyone!
Jamie D. Grant
 www.whatizit.net
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		<item>
		<title>Jeff Prace GUM</title>
		<link>http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/12/gum-by-jeff-prace/</link>
		<comments>http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/12/gum-by-jeff-prace/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:36:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Close Up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/12/gum-by-jeff-prace/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Okay, okay, okay. So apparently Willy Moth%^ f#^^#n Wonka came into our office on Friday. Yeah, Im not kidding you. I wont be surprised if my desk is now made of cotton candy [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Okay, okay, okay. So apparently Willy Moth%^ f#^^#n Wonka came into our office on Friday. Yeah, Im not kidding you. I wont be surprised if my desk is now made of cotton candy or something! First Jamie did this super quick trick where some aces switched places, which was awesome! We were all lovin it. But then, as hes leaving, he asks us if we want some gum. When he shows us the pack though, theres only one piece. Big Ted almost trampled poor Shortstop trying to get it when Jamie told him to hold on a second. He waved his hand, and the pack was now full! It was now full of gum! It was utter madness! I mean this was some seriously Golden Ticket magic going on right here. I almost had me an Oompa Loompa! 
How It Went:
I should mention that the trick where the aces switched places that I performed prior to GUM was John Bannons version of Doc Daleys Last Trick. Ive already reviewed that trick for Magic Friday but John has a specific moment in his handling, which is awesome, that he just released via his new DVD set Bullets After Dark. If you havent checked it out, you should.
Okay, so how is Jeff Praces GUM? What can I tell you- I love it. I am a big believer in having everything in my life contain a magical property or have the ability to do something magical. I think, and this is just me, that everything I touch should have the ability to obey my command, lol. A nice idea, but pretty impossible. Its not impossible, however, to stack the odds in my favour. And if I can do so by simply carrying a gum packet around with me, then rock and roll.
Now, some people are probably thinking, do we really need Gum Magic? Is this what our arts all about? And I say; sure, why not? This trick isnt going to take people into a new state of consciousness about society or anything but it is something, I think, that they expect a magician to have the ability to do. If I knew a magician, a real magician, liked gum and he/she ran out, I wouldnt expect them to head to the 7-11. I would expect them to do the very thing that Jeff has enabled us to do. Make it appear, as if by magic.
And it does appear so. Its real eye candy and looks wonderful. People were absolutely stunned when they saw the full box. Whats great about this is that no one misses it because everyones truly paying attention. I mean everyone really wanted a piece of gum, lol. So the disappointment and subsequent joy is real emotion. And the trick itself is utterly foolproof, which leads me to a possible new section
The Difficulty:
Ive had a few requests over the years of adding a Difficulty Rating to Magic Friday but Ive always turned it down because I felt that it shouldnt matter. If a trick was awesome, but it meant spending a month in the forest eating nothing but hot chocolate powder, then so be it. Off to the forest we go.
That said, theres another saying that says the customer is always right; so maybe Ill give it a shot. How difficult is GUM, then? Well, if youre able to pour a glass of water, then you can do this trick. Its probably the easiest trick youll ever perform. A better question is, how easy is Gum to make? And even that is pretty easy too. Well, youll need about twenty minutes and a couple of things that Im pretty sure youll have. Theres nothing weird you need to go out to get or anything, I dont think. And, if youre a true magician, you should have some arts and craft ability so this wont be anything difficult. It will take, like I said, about twenty minutes of some private time at the table and then youll be able to use it for as long as it lasts, which Im thinking will be a long time.
Best Lines:
OMG, theres gum!!!! Hes got gum now!
~I wish you could have heard this lady. She was sooooo happy.

Whasha? Wahtcha? Whasha whatcha?
~Lol. My new mantra.
Angry Bob Rating:
For those of you reading this article for the first time, Angry Bob is a co-worker who has an understanding of some magic because his uncle was a magician. Angry Bob knows that TTs exist, for example, but he has no desire to become a magician himself. He also has an anger management problem that can be experienced first hand if he cant figure out how a trick is done. A high rating means he has no idea.
Give me a piece of that ^#^&amp;&amp;, you ^#&amp;#^#&amp;!!!
~Oh, happy days! Ha ha! I was ready! I gave Angry Bob the first pieceleft to go, and then handed out others. 4/5. Im only saying 4, instead of 5, because he was to bust chewing and studying other peoples pieces to say anything. So I cant be sure, but he looked fooled!
My Rating:
Magic Friday Approved! 

I like it and Ill stand by that. That said, I wouldnt bust this out at a corporate gig or anything. I also wouldnt do it as a stand-alone effect. You dont want too much focus on this being a trick as it should appear as something completely outside of a performance. This is the kind of magic that I love most, the kind that just happens because Im a true magician, not because I happen to have a deck of cards on me. So use it lightly. Do so, and youll have a winner.
The JDG Tip:
Read it here!
The iTricks Idea:
People will never see the sides of your gum so make sure that its cut to size. Less is more here, as you dont want anything other than completely smoothness. Oh, and scissors. Thats a tip, as well.
Closing Thoughts:
I hope everyone has a wonderful season and thanks for reading, writing, commenting, listening, supporting, and believing. 2010 is going to be a year of Magical Fridays, I can feel it!

Have a Great Week Everyone!
Jamie D. Grant
www.whatizit.net/MagicFridayStudio
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		<title>Aaron Fisher SEARCH AND DESTROY FEATURING THE NOWHERE PASS</title>
		<link>http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/11/search-and-destroy-featuring-the-nowhere-pass-from-aaron-fisher/</link>
		<comments>http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/11/search-and-destroy-featuring-the-nowhere-pass-from-aaron-fisher/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:13:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Card Magic]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/11/search-and-destroy-featuring-the-nowhere-pass-from-aaron-fisher/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[


Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Well, its good to see Jamie back on track, man. He had a bad stretch there for a while but last week he took us to the bridge with that Coin and Chapstick [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[


Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Well, its good to see Jamie back on track, man. He had a bad stretch there for a while but last week he took us to the bridge with that Coin and Chapstick magic, and this week, %#^#, this week he had us all havin the time of our lives with this card trick he pulled off.  He took the two Kings out of the deck right, and he had me select a card. I put it back, but with a snap of his hands- BOOM, it was between the two Kings!
Then he took it to the next level! He gave the deck to Angry Bob and said that A.B was going to do the magic! He had Big Ted select a card and put it back, and then he gave the deck to A.B. The two Kings were put back in near the ends of the deck but after A.B. said his magic word of Go ^#&amp;&amp; yourself, the Kings got closer together! He did it again, and this time the Kings were side by side in the deck with only one card in between them- Big Teds!!! It was awesome! Angry Bob dropped the cards in astonished disgust and Big Ted started to rub his knees with his elbow! Me? I just freaked the %$^$ out!!!
How It Went:
Im starting over. Im talking about my Card Magic here. I think Im done with special decks, custom cards, etc. I just cant deal with it all anymore. I keep losing track of what does what, lol! So Im starting over. Every card trick I want to do now needs to be done with a regular deck that I can leave with the specs. Thats my plan. And I want to do strong magic. Really strong magic. Paul Vigils Diplopia is on my list definitely (look for that in the next couple of weeks) as is Kostya Kimlats Roadrunner Cull. This week though? Aaron Fishers SEARCH and DESTROY  (featuring the NOWHERE PASS). And it fit the bill to a T. A regular deck, with awesome sleight of hand, that can be done for the spectators and left with the spectators- both the memory and the deck itself- thats what Im talking about.
MUCH MORE INCLUDING BEST LINES, TIPS ON HANDLING AFTER THE JUMP

It was a great Friday. SEARCH and DESTROY is simply a great routine (not a card trick, but a routine). If you perform professionally, youll know what I mean here when I say that finding a solid four minutes is a hard thing to do. But this effect held it! Its entertaining and held the attention all day. What was funny was that people were pretty amazed at the first phase, where their card is found between the Kings, alone. When I told them that they were going to do it, they were simply rapt. When the cards keep moving closer together, people really couldnt believe it and by the time we hit the last reveal, they were on the edge of their toes (I always perform standing).
People truly love card magic. I firmly believe that. It just needs to be engaging. I think that the attention span of the audience nowadays is fairly short unless you can convince them, right off the bat, that youre worth their time. And the way SEARCH and DESTROY is laid out, youre able to do that. Sheer awesomenss.
Best Lines:
Lol, Dont give those cards to me Magic Man, I cant do %$$  I DID IT! I DID IT!
~Sometimes a happy spectator makes a brilliant magician. Not the other way around.
OOH OOH OOH ooh ya ya ya!
~I dont know what joyous song this person started singing, but it was catchy. Ooh ooh ooh
Angry Bob Rating:
For those of you reading this article for the first time, Angry Bob is a co-worker who has an understanding of some magic because his uncle was a magician. Angry Bob knows that TTs exist, for example, but he has no desire to become a magician himself. He also has an anger management problem that can be experienced first hand if he cant figure out how a trick is done. A high rating means he has no idea.
5/5. He dropped the cards, lol. It was so funny. Well, he more like threw them, lol. Either way, he was ^^#^&amp;&amp;#. And fooled.
My Rating:
Magic Friday Approved!
You know, I knew Aaron Fisher by name but hadnt seen any of his work. I had heard of his book The Paper Engine but for whatever reason, I thought he was a knucklebusting, card ninja, serious kind of guy. I was wrong! He came across as a funny, cool, super fantastic performer. An  awesome surprise. Needless to say, Ill be picking up whatever hes offering next. I think thats important- find a performer you like, and support them. After all, hes already helped me (without knowing it probably) all day Friday, lol. You know a nice thing someone said to me on Friday? Jamie, thank you for that. That says it all. So Aaron, thanks for this.
The JDG Tip:
Read it here!
The iTricks Idea:
Aaron  has a great bit that uses the spectators Magic Word. Make sure you follow his wording to the letter. When it plays, and it always does, it totally makes the routine. Milk it for all its worth but, like Aaron suggests, keep an eye out for when to let it go. Its awesome, though!
Closing Thoughts:
Things are going really well these days! Keep an eye out here in the next while because Ive got some great stuff coming up- I cant wait!
Have a Great Week Everyone!
Jamie D. Grant
 www.whatizit.net/MagicFridayStudio
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		<title>CHAPTER ONE  Asi Wind</title>
		<link>http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/11/chapter-one-asi-wind/</link>
		<comments>http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/11/chapter-one-asi-wind/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:24:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Corey Martin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Book]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Card Magic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Close Up]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://itricks.com/reviews/?p=967</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Corey Martin is a regular contributor to iTricks Raves.

Some performers and those close to the art of magic well often say, &#8220;The most beautiful magic is done up close.&#8221; This of course is all hinged upon which style you like, what you perform (if that is the case) and the vast differences between the different [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
Corey Martin is a regular contributor to iTricks Raves.

Some performers and those close to the art of magic well often say, &#8220;The most beautiful magic is done up close.&#8221; This of course is all hinged upon which style you like, what you perform (if that is the case) and the vast differences between the different magical styles. Every so often we find a performer who takes their style and makes it elegant and a pleasure to watch. Asi Wind has created &#8216;Chapter One&#8217;, a look into the &#8220;evolution of magic&#8221; and how he has contributed his ideas to that concept. You get very well put together 35-page book which includes five incredible close up card effects, three essays on various topics related to magic and performing, as well as the DVD which includes performances with or without cometary.

Somebody Stop Me, is a new twist on the &#8220;say stop&#8221; style tricks we see so often on the street. Mixing audience interaction and basic slight of hand, out comes this very powerful effect which Asi stresses the importance of brining out your character as a performer. The trick relies on the way you speak to the spectator which allows you to create a very strong piece of magic. In the first of three essays Asi speaks on his experience with spectator Dishonesty and how he gets around it. It happens to magicians all the time, and there is some very helpful advice for those looking for another way to deal with heckling spectators. Those familiar with the effects &#8216;Out Of This World&#8217; and Paul Harris&#8217; &#8216;Galaxy&#8217; will find Red &amp; Black one of the better tricks in the book. (I say this because the rest of the effects require the use of a memorized or &#8217;stacked&#8217; deck. I find that even those types of effects can be very high impact, sometimes the setup is very tedious.) Having audience tested this trick, if done properly and with a stylistic twist, your reactions will be great. It is a very elegant way to split the deck by color.
Out Of The Blue (or red) is a nice effect similar to the &#8216;Invisible Deck&#8217; in where the spectator names a card, and the deck is removed to find the only card different from the others (in this case, a different color back) is the spectators named card. I found some of the slights in this effect to be a bit troublesome, but with practice, like all things, it will become second nature. I really enjoyed the second essay in the book, The Oxygen of Suspense. Asi speaks at length about the importance of building suspense in the midst of an effect and relates to the creation of suspense to one holding his breath and how it is the oxygen of the effect. Another very good essay full of advice for beginners and pros alike. A.A.C.A.A.N is a clever twist on the &#8216;Any Card at Any Number&#8221; plot. Like &#8216;Out of The Blue (or red)&#8217; it requires some complicated set up, but is well worth it. Subliminal is the final essay in the book that talks about why we, as magicians, use suggestions, and jokes to further our routines and how that may effect an audience in both a positive or negative way. The final piece, Transposition in Three Phases is a very strong transposition effect that envolves, like the previous effects some slight of hand, but nothing too difficult. It is rare to find a transposition effect done so well, with so many different moments of astonishment mixed in.
Overall, this book really interested me. I sometimes thought that the essays, although short, were the most valuable part of the book. You can never go wrong with great advice from a great performer. If you decide to use these tricks, I hope that you will take the time and give them the attention and presentation they deserve. I highly recommend this book for those who have prior knowledge of basic card techniques. Some beginners may find some things in the book useful, but you need to know your stuff before tackling some of the more advanced effects.

Until next time
~Corey Martin (aka C_Michaels)

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		<item>
		<title>Craig Fillicetti PROXIMITY</title>
		<link>http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/11/proximity-from-craig-fillicetti/</link>
		<comments>http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/11/proximity-from-craig-fillicetti/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:18:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mentalism]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/11/proximity-from-craig-fillicetti/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[


Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Okay, so Jamie has, like, Superman Sight or something. Get this- the guy can see through your skin, dude! For shizzy! I was holding a coin in one hand and a thing of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[


Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Okay, so Jamie has, like, Superman Sight or something. Get this- the guy can see through your skin, dude! For shizzy! I was holding a coin in one hand and a thing of chap stick in the other. I put them both behind my back and then brought out only one hand. And he could tell me what was in it! Every time! I think I made him do it seventy times and he was never wrong! Never! He can probably see the inside of my lungs and read my fortune for &amp;^$%s sake! Hes outta control! 

How It Went:
As long as you havent moved into a cave recently, you already know who Craig Fillicetti is and have probably heard about his amazing products. I reviewed his incredible Multi Dimensional a while back and am pleased to say that his Proximity is just as good. The thing I love about Craigs work is the effect is so clear and the method is so undetectable.
Proximity is a which hand effect and it is a real fooler. So much so, in fact, that the method never even enters the equation. I never gave it a moments thought and the specs were utterly baffled the entire day. Not once did anyone come within a light year of knowing how I knew what they were holding. What I did have to focus on, however, was presentation. And this is one of those rare cases where it changed with every group I did it to. How can I explain this- well, with The Cups and Balls, for example, everyone watches and is surprised when I finally reveal the live untamed raccoon at the end.
With Proximity, however, I found that interest levels, duration, focus, etc. were different with everyone every time. Some people would be shocked with me doing it once, some people wanted it done ten times, some people would try and mess with me, some people would be rapt, etc. So it ended up being a great way to gauge people. So much so, that I think I may start doing this as my opener for my Walk Around Sets, Hi, Im Jamie, Can you hold onto these for a quick second while I introduce myself?
Its just a fantastic effect to discover a bit from your audience. That, combined with the fact that its foolproof (a must, in my case) makes it an absolute winner.
MUCH MORE AFTER THE JUMP!


Best Lines:
&#8220;Which one am I holding now, magic man? Hunh? Tell me!!!!!!&#8221;
~Lol, it was quite obvious that he wasnt holding the coin or the chap stick but instead of saying Nothing, I said, Neither. BOOM! He was fried as he revealed a paperclip.
ButI dont understandmy hand is closed&#8221;
~Bsshhshwooohohhh. The sound of a brain melting.
Angry Bob Rating:
For those of you reading this article for the first time, Angry Bob is a co-worker who has an understanding of some magic because his uncle was a magician. Angry Bob knows that TTs exist, for example, but he has no desire to become a magician himself. He also has an anger management problem that can be experienced first hand if he cant figure out how a trick is done. A high rating means he has no idea.
I cant tell you. He was particularly Angry on Friday and refused to take part, lol.
Go stick that %$^^$%# up in your %%^#^&amp;.
My Rating:
Magic Friday Approved! 

Proximity has made it into the I take it with me when I leave the house file so that says a lot. I also love that I can perform this sitting- i.e. when I go out to dinner, without having to get up or anything. Its effects like these that seem so innocent but help build your reputation forever. It might not be crazy visual or anything but it really affects people. Its what Ill call a Connecter. And I love having the ability to create those types of moments. Great work, Craig!
The JDG Tip:
Read it here!

The iTricks Idea:
Again, the final one needs to be the strongest. Have a back turned, pass one to a friend, anything to mix it up. With a couple groups, I had them pass one of the objects to someone else and had them walk away, Dont forget to bring me my coin when you come back was a nice moment.
Closing Thoughts:
Sorry for the delays in reviews folks. Ive been trying to give effects a try that might not normally get good reviews and well, lol, theres a reason for that. Ive got a freat line up for the next couple months, though, so look back here next week! And
Have a Great Week Everyone!

Jamie D. Grant
www.whatizit.net/MagicFridayStudio
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		<title>Bill Abbott and Richard Sanders POWERBALL 60</title>
		<link>http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/10/powerball-60-from-bill-abbott-and-richard-sanders/</link>
		<comments>http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/10/powerball-60-from-bill-abbott-and-richard-sanders/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:16:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jamie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Close Up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://itricks.com/reviews/2009/10/powerball-60-from-bill-abbott-and-richard-sanders/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[


Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Man, weve been talking about Friday all day around here! The Monday water cooler talk has never been so lively; and all because Jamie came up in here and read our &#38;*^%^ minds. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[


Jamie D. Grant is now a regular contributor to iTricks Raves with an enhanced version of his reviews from MagicFriday.blogspot.com.
What The Audience Sees:
Man, weve been talking about Friday all day around here! The Monday water cooler talk has never been so lively; and all because Jamie came up in here and read our &amp;*^%^ minds. You would think we were used to it by now! But Friday was special because it involved something we all know and love- the lottery. 
Jamie came in and said that someone had told him that if he was so great at magic and all, then how come he didnt win the lottery. They had even sent him some scratch and win tickets to prove their point. But Jamie explained to us that sometimes he just gets a feeling about certain things and the lottery just hadnt been one of those things yet. But he showed us the tickets that his friend had sent him and asked us if we wanted to try something. He asked me to think of any number between one and sixty. He then showed me the six tickets and asked how many of them had my number on them. I only had two, to which he said that that was better than most. He put the tickets away though and said he was starting to have one of those feelings he was talking about, and he quickly jotted down something on a Sticky Note. He then asked me what number I was thinking of and, remember, I hadnt told a soul what that number was yet. But when he turned over the sticky note, my number was on it!!! It was craziness! How does he know these things?! I told no one!!! Big Ted started to clap behind his back and Angry Bob almost cracked a tooth!
How It Went:
Powerball 60 is awesome. Anytime I can add a routine to my wallet, I am a super happy guy, and this has been in it since I got it. Ive been performing this every single day and have had such great reactions each and every time. Part of it has to do with the fact that every spectator has been thinking of the same thing at one point or another, namely, if this guys so good, how come he hasnt won the lottery yet. So on Friday, my patter was right on point. Not only did it explain why I had lottery tickets on me, but it also justified why Im not riding around in a Lambo (I just love saying that word).
There were a couple of hiccups during the day that Ill go through in the JDG Tip and iTricks Idea but overall this effect went over great. It was interesting to see how many people liked the fact that every number that was scratched was a soccer ball, lol. Everyone commented on that. And the method is absolutely foolproof- I never made a mistake and wasnt worried about it. A couple of things I did to protect myself was I had the spec lay the lotto tickets face down after they checked them (I didnt want to see the numbers) and I chose to write the number down and have them verbally say it. I think Bill and Richard suggest, in one of the routines, to have both of you write it down, but I like having them just saying theirs out loud and then I turned mine over.

Best Lines:
We have a winner!!!!!!!!
~That just made me laugh.
Come with me right now! Were going to go buy some tickets!!!!&#8221;
~Any time moneys involved, youll get more interest, lol.
Angry Bob Rating:
For those of you reading this article for the first time, Angry Bob is a co-worker who has an understanding of some magic because his uncle was a magician. Angry Bob knows that TTs exist, for example, but he has no desire to become a magician himself. He also has an anger management problem that can be experienced first hand if he cant figure out how a trick is done. A high rating means he has no idea.
5/5. He was floored. I think what hit him the hardest was that I didnt look at faces of the tickets. That, and that my prediction was already written down when the spec named their number out loud.
My Rating:
Magic Friday Approved! Like I mentioned, this went into my wallet immediately. Im not sure if I would do this in a Walk Around set- maybe if I was Table Hopping, but it is a killer for Impromtu, thats for sure. The fact that it so easy is wonderful as well. I also can appreciate the amount of time it must have taken to design the tickets. Unless youre performing at a Gamblers Anonymous meeting, you shouldnt have anyone question them. And I didnt have anyone on Friday. All in all- fantastic!
The JDG Tip:
Read It Here!

The iTricks Idea:
After I have them lay the tickets face down on the table in a winning and losing pile, I pick the winning pile up (facing them) and ask them if they got any Bonus Numbers. After all, this is a test of their psychic abilities and I want to give them credit, where credit is due  
Closing Thoughts:
The only thing I dont understand is why Bill and Richard are offering Refills. These will last for a super long time! Nice of them to do, however, in case you ever lose them (the tickets, that is. It would be pretty hard to lose Bill and Richard).
Have a Great Week Everyone!
Jamie D. Grant
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