Game Changer - Jason Ladanye
$60.00
https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=63194

The Hype:

Game Changer is a sensational collection of magic and gambling effects with cards. This book picks up right where Jason's critically-acclaimed debut, Confident Deceptions, left off. Jason has once again raised the bar with 18 new, powerful effects, gorgeously illustrated with 225 stunning, high-quality, full-color photographs.

Jason makes his living with a deck of cards, and the routines in this book come directly from his close-up act. These effects have been performed over and over for years in front of lay audiences. You'll find nothing but strong, polished routines that amaze and entertain.

Along with technical ability and presentational skill, Jason's strengths also include his creativity. He creates new card plots and completely reinvents the classics. The effects are constructed so as to baffle the sharpest audience. Although some routines in this book will require focused practice, any difficult sleights are taught in explicit detail, and the reward is well worth the work.

350 pages, hardback, containing 18 effects and 225 full-color photographs.

My Take:

The first thing I noticed about this book was its printing quality. This is one of the most beautiful magic books I have ever seen. Color photo after color photo. And one thing I have noticed about some books printed in Europe was the tendency to bleed photos right to the edge of the page, with no white margin. The last book I saw printed this way was Pit Hartling's "Card Fictions" And that was only black and white photos. The pages seem to be printed on coated glass stock which not only makes the photos extremely high quality but makes the book quite a bit heavier than what you are used to. To me, this technique really makes a publication look a lot classier and this will be a beautiful addition to your book shelf.

The book features 18 routines spread over 350 page so do the math. That averages almost 191/2 pages to describe each routine so you just know that the book is going to go into great detail about technique and performance. Obviously different routines take up more or less room. One routine takes up 37 pages by itself.

This is not a book for beginners. You are expected to be capable of multiple culls, perfect faros and a variety of special deals (seconds, bottom center, Greek) among others. One routine requires twenty culls so it is definitely not for the beginner. It reminds me of something Kostya Kinlet would do. Almost without fail, Jason explains how he does each technique illustrated with perfectly shot photos. There are a few routines featuring culls and set ups that you can actually fudge a bit on and just set up the deck in advance. Jason has given you the work needed to do it under fire with a shuffled deck. However, a previous set up will let you do some without the skill level required. Lots of the routines do require heavy work to accomplish. This is no reason to pass this book by. It is an education just to read this and see what is possible. Plus, it will look great on your shelf and impress the heck out of your magic buddies when they come over.

One thing you will need to know is the pinky count. Jason uses it in almost every routine. He gives you a technique to practice it but does tell you it could take you several weeks before you are comfortable with it and can preform it flawlessly. He is very fond of the Underspread Force, which he credits to Simon Aronson. Another dodge he uses fairly frequently is using the cellophane on the card box as a loading device. It does allows some miracles to happen.He is also very good at crediting moves and ideas so the proper people get credit.

One thing about the book really appealed to me. Most books teach a routine and include the patter in the instruction. Then, at the end, I always had to go back and write the different parts of the patter down to have it complete.. In every single one of Jason's routines the presentation is a description of the effect, the method, the entire patter in one place and additional material giving more information on techniques, etc.

Obviously with 18 full routines, I can't go over each one but let me tell you about a few that caught my eye.

The book is divided into two sections. Magic Effects and Gambling Effects.

Game Changer (the title routine) uses something that pops up several times through the book. Making the routine more interesting by offering your volunteer a chance to earn money, even though we all know that it will never be won. This is Jason's take on the Anniversary Waltz card trick but does offer a different climax to reveal both signatures on the same card.

Catch Me If You Can is the first effect I will be playing with. It is a three phase routine that is not difficult to do. Your spectator is given three chances to earn money with each challenge increasing the amount to be won. The first two phases are something you are already familiar with but it sets up your spectator with the third phase which he cannot possibly win. There is a very small chance he could win on one of the first two phases but there is no way he can win the thrid, putting your cash back into your pocket. This routine is a great way to get your feet wet into Jason's way of thinking.

Lucky Charms uses a simple to make prop that adds a lot of interest to the routine. Jason does use one of his favorite techniques, multiple convincers. The plot shows a previous shown folded card to be the signed selection. A nice tutorial on the Mercury Fold is given.

The Wire suggests something I think I would avoid. You ask the spectator for a small part of her social security number which is okay. But then you do it twice more, revealing the entire number. To my way of thinking, this would make my volunteer very uncomfortable but Jason says he uses ti to great effect so choose for yourself.

In Liar, Liar a shuffled deck is rearranged onto perfect sequential order making it a snap to find out which card had been selected. This trick requires multiple faros but the plot is not complicated and it packs a punch.

 Dead Center teaches Marlo's Convincing Control which is also a move Joshua Jay is fond of teaching in his lectures.

Hold 'Em Hustle. Nice routine that uses an old dodge that you will recognize that shows just how inobservant your spectator can be. This does require perfect faros. A nice tutorial is also included on doing a full deck crimp.

Fast Track offers a stunning display of tracking cards through a series of cuts and shuffles.

Power Play is the routine requiring 37 pages so obviously this one is very involved and intricate.  You will definitely not be doing this one overnight-but the impact is well worth the effort.

In conclusion, this is a book that needs to be on your shelf. Sure, a lot of it may be beyond your reach right now but this is the kind of tome that inspires you to get better. A few years ago, Paul Gertner put out Unshuffled and that inspired a lot of us to work on the faro. This book should accomplish the same purpose. Buy the book, sit down and read it and dream.

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