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Oops, Just Cards – Paul Hallas https://www.magicbookshop.com/p/books/oops-just-cards A few years ago, I purchased a book called “Small, But Deadly (A Packet Trickster’s Handbook)” by Paul Hallas. This is one of the very few magic books that I have read cover to cover more than once. So when Paul asked if I was interested in seeing his latest book, he didn’t have to ask twice. In an age of getting one trick on a DVD for $20.00 - $30.00, a book is still the best value. Any of the folk who’ve been in magic for a long time will tell you that. And this is no exception. For a mere $28.00, you get 42 routines. Routines include: Four Play, Out Of Sight In My Mind, Mr. Wiggley Card Revelation, Like Clockwork, A Short Do As I Do, Elevator Rescue, Spell Checker, Tucker Time, Buddha's Card To Wallet, Witch Frog, A Winning State Of Mind, So Easy Card Stab, PHS Control, That's Definitely It!, Foxy Double Card Stab Revisited, So Easy Aces, The GPS Card Trick, The Jack Of Hearts Trick, Revised Blank It Decision, Captured Signature, Scott Corell Has A Meltdown, The Imaginary Card, The Up And Down Cut, Scanner, Spectator Restored Card, Fade Away Trick, Still Diminishing Not Likely, A Simple Reverse Assembly, Everywhere And Nowhere In The Air, The All Seeing Eye, The Apt Pupil, Kane's Kabbala, Liar's Deck, Create A Card, Circular Mind Reading, A Change Of Mind, By The Numbers, Family Values, Un-Estimated Prediction, The Straight Dealer, Another Psychic Poker Too Variation, and Speedy Seven. Paul had published a series of E-books under the OOPS banner and most of the included effects come from these. OOPS stands for “On other people’s shoulders” as all of the tricks are based on tricks created by other magicians. Paul gives his take on a number of plots, credits the originator and then adds on to the original, offers an easier method or even a whole new ending. It is obvious that Paul has done his research homework in putting this tome together Like John Bannon, Paul extensively credits not only the original source for the effect, but anything that might have influenced his thinking. And, after giving the technique needed to perform each effect, he will often give the locations where numerous other alternative handling can be found. This can prove quite valuable as you now know just where to go to find the original write-ups. There are 42 tricks in the book and, while I can’t write up every one, there are a few that I am going to be playing with. A Short Do As I Do – Like most of you, Do As I Do was one of the first really good tricks that I learned. Paul has come up with an easy to do method that does not require you to swap decks with your volunteer. So Easy Aces – Nice Ace assembly with a Royal flush kicker. Scott Correll Has a Meltdown – This alone justifies the purchase of the entire book. It uses a marketed gimmick called Meltdown but I realized as I read it that I had already purchased one under the name, Optic Wallet. Simple to do and absolutely devastating. Why didn’t I think of using mine this way? Elevator Rescue – After making up the prop Paul describes and sticking it into your pocket, you will be carrying this one when you go out. There is so much good material here, I could go on all day but I am going to let you discover the rest for yourselves. Conclusions: I have owned other books by Paul and have always enjoyed them. The effects are all within reach of the average card worker. Paul also does restaurant work and these effects are good for walk around. At $28.00 for 42 tricks, that works out to $.67 per trick. You can’t find magic this good cheaper anywhere. Buy this one, curl up in a comfortable chair and enjoy a good evening’s reading. And while I am at it, make sure you also get a copy of “Small But Deadly”. If you are a packet trick lover, this will become your bible.
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