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Charades by Dan Ives

Created by: Dan Ives

Charades by Dan Ives is a mentalism trick cleverly disguised as a standard charades board game deck, making it ideal for close-up or parlour magic. Spectators see a fun, interactive game where they think of a film or concept, act it out, and the performer accurately guesses it every time, creating a mind-reading effect. The deck features thick, high-quality cards with no magic branding, allowing seamless integration into casual settings like family gatherings or parties. It includes multiple routines with strong audience interaction and dual reality elements, and comes with an extensive tutorial. Buyers should note that it requires confident performance skills and may have visibility issues in low light, but it's not angle-sensitive and offers versatility for both entertainment and professional use.

Key features

  • Disguised as a board game for authentic, non-magical appearance

  • Includes multiple mentalism routines with an hour-and-a-half tutorial

  • Requires strong audience interaction and performance skills

  • Not angle-sensitive, but visibility may be poor in low light

  • Versatile for informal, fun performances and family games

  • Features a special card for accessing an expanding library of effects

Pros

  • High-quality, deceptive design that blends into casual settings

  • Extensive tutorial covers all necessary routines

  • Versatile for both magic and game play, adding value

  • Encourages engaging audience participation

Cons

  • Requires confident performance; can feel awkward if hesitant

  • Potential visibility issues in low-light conditions

  • Special card may limit impromptu setups for some performers

Effect

Charades looks like a normal game of charades to the audience. A spectator thinks of a film and acts it out. The magician then correctly names the exact film the spectator was thinking of. The trick uses a deck of cards that appears to be a standard board game, making the mind-reading effect seem impossible.

Full details

Charades is a mentalism trick created by Dan Ives. The product is a deck of high-quality cards designed to look like a board game, with no obvious magic branding. It includes an hour-and-a-half-long video tutorial that teaches multiple routines. A special feature is a card that provides access to an expanding online library of effects. The trick uses dual reality, meaning different participants can have different experiences. The design allows a smooth transition from a casual game into a magic performance.

Who should consider the trick

Charades is best for magicians who perform in informal and fun settings, like family gatherings or Christmas parties. It is ideal for performers who enjoy strong audience interaction. As RealMagicReview notes, it is suited for "fun, informal performances rather than formal shows." Magicians who like tricks that double as games will find this product versatile. It may not be the best choice for performers who prefer completely impromptu setups or for use as a formal show closer.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The method behind Charades is not technically difficult. The tutorial provides clear instructions. The main challenge is performance-based. RealMagicReview states it "requires strong audience interaction and performance skills." Confident audience management is essential. Performing hesitantly could make the routine feel awkward. The trick is not angle-sensitive, meaning it can be performed surrounded. However, visibility of the cards could be an issue in low light conditions.

What magicians say

Reviewers praise the quality and deceptive nature of Charades. AlakazamMagicUK highlights that the deck "looks like ordinary charades cards but hides powerful mentalism features," making it great for blending playfulness with magic. RealMagicReview's Steve Faulkner calls it a "cleverly disguised" trick with a "well-made design." He emphasizes the "extensive tutorial that covers everything you need to know." The trick is recommended for its versatility, acting as both a family game and a professional prop. The only noted limitation is that the special card might feel restrictive for those who prefer totally impromptu magic.

What people are saying about Charades

AlakazamMagicUK says...

These aren't just ordinary cards—they come pre-loaded with mentalism and card routines, making them ideal for magicians and casual gamers alike. [...] The hosts emphasize how these cards seamlessly blend into family gatherings, like Christmas parties, doubling as entertainment and magic props.

RealMagicReview says...

The deck is designed to look like a board game, not a magic trick. [...] The trick includes multiple routines, with a strong emphasis on audience interaction and dual reality elements.

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