Greeting

Alright, you magnificent tricksters, let’s dive into this week’s magical mishmash. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a card floats like it’s on a cocktail lounger or how to mark cards without getting caught red-handed, you’re in for a treat. Buckle up, buttercup—this newsletter’s got more twists than a magician’s thumb.

TL;DR

Ten videos reviewed, ranging from Daniel Madison’s sneaky gaff cards to Branden Wolf’s gravity-defying palm. Highlights include a card force tutorial that’ll make you feel like a puppeteer of fate, a tribute to Ollie Mealing’s Show And Tell, and a peek into The Grail—a CAAN effect so slick it’s been called a “true masterpiece.” Plus, Alex Kirk’s Saturday Show reviews are the equivalent of a pint down the pub with a chatty magic guru.

Videos Reviewed

🎩 The Balance Palm!! | Saturday Sorcery Branden Wolf

MurphysMagicSupplies
Branden Wolf teaches a card that floats like it’s auditioning for Strictly Come Balancing. The tutorial covers mechanics, misdirection, and how to make your hands look like they’ve been blessed by David Copperfield’s yoga instructor.

The Unhinged Take:
If you’ve ever wanted to make a card defy physics without a single gimmick, this is your golden ticket. Wolf’s tips on “natural hand motions” had me giggling—because of course, casually balancing a card on your palm is totally normal. Blimey, this is clean magic.

Details here → The Balance Palm!!

🎩 Tribute Gaffs Pt 6 | DANIELmadison

Daniel Madison drops another installment of his gaff card series. If you’re into cards that look normal but are sneakier than a magician at a poker night, this is your jam.

The Unhinged Take:
Madison’s aesthetic is “minimalist grifter,” and Pt 6 delivers more of his signature practical magic. Warning: Watching this might make you question why you ever settled for a regular deck. Spoiler: It’s because your wallet screamed.

Details here → Tribute Gaffs Pt 6

🎩 The SNAKEBITE Marking System | DANIELmadison

A system for marking cards so discreetly, even your cat won’t notice. Madison’s pitch? Subtlety over gimmicks.

The Unhinged Take:
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a 19th-century cardsharp without the risk of a duel, Snakebite’s your jam. The video doesn’t reveal the method, but Madison’s reputation suggests it’s less “glow-in-the-dark ink” and more “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” genius.

Details here → The SNAKEBITE Marking System

🎩 False Table Shuffles and The Soap Theory | DANIELmadison

Madison’s Expert Module Eight teaches false shuffles so smooth, they’d make a DJ blush. The “Soap Theory”? Sounds like a philosophy lecture, but probably involves making moves so slippery, spectators won’t know what hit ’em.

The Unhinged Take:
False shuffles are the unsung heroes of card magic. Pair them with a theory named after something you wash off? Chef’s kiss. This module’s for magicians who want to shuffle like a Vegas pro without breaking a sweat.

Details here → False Table Shuffles and The Soap Theory

🎩 The Grail Magic Live 2025 | AlakazamMagicUK

A reimagined “Card at Any Number” effect that’s been called a “masterpiece.” No forces, no switches—just a prediction that matches a freely chosen number.

The Unhinged Take:
If you’ve ever wanted to make a spectator feel like they’ve bent reality, The Grail is your new best mate. The impromptu version with a borrowed deck? Pure cheekiness. Marc Spelmann called it “impenetrable”—and he’s not one to flatter.

Details here → The Grail Magic Live 2025

🎩 Show And Tell - Card Trick | AMillionCardTricks

A performance and tutorial of Ollie Mealing’s trick using a classic Bicycle deck. The creator’s enthusiasm is contagious—like a kid in a candy shop, but the candy’s made of pure magic.

The Unhinged Take:
This one’s a crowd-pleaser. The tutorial’s step-by-step breakdown makes it accessible, and the use of a standard deck means you won’t need to raid your savings for a gimmick. Ollie Mealing’s work? Always a banger.

Details here → Show And Tell

🎩 How to Force a Card | magicorthodoxy

A beginner-friendly guide to card forcing—the art of making someone think they’re in control. Classic methods like the riffle force are covered, with tips on looking like you’re not rigging the game.

The Unhinged Take:
Forcing a card is magic’s version of gaslighting. Do it right, and your audience will swear they chose freely. This tutorial nails the basics, though I’d have liked a warning: practicing in front of a mirror might make you question your own sanity.

Details here → How to Force a Card

🎩 Tribute Gaffs Pt 5 | DANIELmadison

Another entry in Madison’s gritty, minimalist gaff card series. If you’re into cards that look innocent but are about as trustworthy as a politician, this is for you.

The Unhinged Take:
Pt 5 is like a secret handshake for card nerds. Madison’s work thrives in the intersection of practicality and “how the hell did he do that?” If you’ve got a penchant for the edgy side of magic, dive in.

Details here → Tribute Gaffs Pt 5

🎩 The Saturday Show 9th August | monstermagicshop

Alex Kirk reviews four tricks in his dressing gown, because why not? Products include a phone levitation, an ESP effect, and a time-travel illusion.

The Unhinged Take:
Kirk’s reviews are like a cozy chat with your mate who’s also a magic encyclopedia. His humor and honesty make this a must-watch—even if you’re not buying the tricks, his facial expressions alone are worth it.

Details here → The Saturday Show

🎩 How To Learn 200+ Card Tricks | AMillionCardTricks

A promo for Ollie Mealing’s The Mealing Experience—a course promising to teach you tricks faster than you can say “Abracadabra.”

The Unhinged Take:
Learning 200+ tricks “instantly” sounds like a clickbait headline, but Mealing’s rep precedes him. If you’re a beginner, this could be your gateway drug to card magic domination.

Details here → 200+ Card Tricks

Other videos I didn’t have space for

• Tribute Gaff Cards...
• The ULTIMATE tool for a card player
• Magic Card Trick Tutorial - Easy Color Change
• Deck Review - Bicycle Disney Daisy Duck Playing Cards
• Bicycle Disney Daisy Duck Playing Cards
• Top 10 - Best Coin Magic Tricks
• Saturn Magic Live Stream

Farewell

A quick shower thought: Did you know the first recorded card trick was in 1593? Imagine explaining that to a Tudor-era audience. “Behold! The queen of hearts… now in my boot!”

Sleightly Unhinged
“The only thing more slippery than a false shuffle is my grip on reality.”