How to Win by Craig Petty, Josh Burch, Roco Cult, Michael John, Will Tyrell, Inaki and Javier Franco, Mark Mason, Rul Wilson, Liam Levanon, Judy Gabriel, France, Simon Lipkin, Hansen Chen, Sam Hong, Simon Lipkin, Seth Race, and David Kaplan

Created by: Craig Petty, Josh Burch, Roco Cult, Michael John, Will Tyrell, Inaki and Javier Franco, Mark Mason, Rul Wilson, Liam Levanon, Judy Gabriel, France, Simon Lipkin, Hansen Chen, Sam Hong, Simon Lipkin, Seth Race, David Kaplan

This year's Penguin Magic Awards livestream announced the nominees across several categories, celebrating the best magic tricks of 2024. Hosted by Eric Tate and Chris Anell, the event showcased performances and discussions, culminating in a lively announcement of the contenders. The overall tone was enthusiastic and celebratory, highlighting the creativity and innovation within the magic community. The livestream featured a unique element: a "Penguin Magic Award" trophy, a miniature gentleman penguin, to be awarded to each category winner. Voting is now live, allowing magicians to choose their favorites. The event also highlighted the importance of community engagement, with numerous mentions of social media platforms and the Magic Cafe for discussions and feedback.

Where to buy

How to Win by Jon Armstrong from Magicbox
MagicboxHow to Win by Jon Armstrong£37.00
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How to Win by Jon Armstrong from Monster Magic
Monster MagicHow to Win by Jon Armstrong£42.99
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How to Win by Jon Armstrong from Alakazam Magic
Alakazam MagicHow to Win by Jon Armstrong£43.58
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Key features

  • Unique gimmickry (e.g., Razer Card, Instant Transfer, Dream Table, Liquefy, Eye, Sandwich Coins)

  • Viral potential

  • Community engagement

  • High-quality construction

  • Versatile performance options (close-up, parlor, stage)

Pros

  • Innovative effects

  • Well-documented tutorials

  • Strong community support

  • Visually impressive

  • Relatable concepts

Cons

  • Some require specific setups or accessories

  • May require practice to master

  • Certain effects may be more suited to specific performance styles

How to Win: A Comprehensive Analysis for Magicians

This document provides a detailed analysis of the “How to Win” magic trick, designed to help magicians determine if it’s a worthwhile investment for their repertoire. We’ll examine the trick’s presentation, mechanics, difficulty, and what other magicians have to say about it.

Effect: What the Trick Looks Like to the Audience

“How to Win” presents a seemingly impossible feat: a spectator selects a card from a deck, and the magician accurately identifies the card without any apparent method. The trick culminates in a dramatic reveal, showcasing the selected card in a surprising and memorable way. The overall effect is one of mentalism, creating a sense of wonder and astonishment among the audience. It’s a visually engaging trick that relies heavily on misdirection and psychological influence.

Full Details

The “How to Win” trick utilizes a cleverly designed gimmick within a standard deck of playing cards. The core mechanism involves a subtle marking system on the back of the selected card, which is only visible to the magician through a specialized device. This device, integrated into a small, unassuming case, allows the magician to instantly identify the card without directly observing it. The trick’s presentation is crucial; it’s not just about the mechanics but about the performance. The magician’s demeanor, interaction with the spectator, and the overall narrative contribute significantly to the illusion’s impact. The trick is presented as a demonstration of mental ability, emphasizing the spectator’s role in the process. The trick is a multi-step routine, with several layers of misdirection to maintain the illusion. The trick is a very clean trick and it is very easy to perform.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is well-suited for magicians who specialize in mentalism, close-up magic, or stage magic. It’s particularly appealing to performers who enjoy creating an interactive experience with their audience and building a sense of mystery and wonder. The trick’s visual impact and relatively straightforward performance make it accessible to magicians of varying skill levels. However, a strong understanding of misdirection and audience psychology is essential for maximizing the trick’s effectiveness. Magicians who appreciate a trick with a strong narrative element and a memorable reveal will find “How to Win” particularly rewarding.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The “How to Win” trick is considered moderately difficult to master. While the basic mechanics are relatively simple, achieving a polished and convincing performance requires practice and attention to detail. Key challenges include:

  • Gimmick Integration: The magician must seamlessly integrate the gimmick into their performance without drawing attention to it.
  • Misdirection: Effective misdirection is crucial for maintaining the illusion and diverting the audience’s attention from the marking system.
  • Spectator Interaction: The magician must engage the spectator in a way that enhances the illusion and creates a sense of involvement.
  • Presentation: A confident and engaging presentation is essential for conveying the impression of genuine mental ability.

The trick’s difficulty can be mitigated by utilizing detailed instructions and tutorials provided with the kit. With dedicated practice, most magicians can achieve a professional-level performance within a reasonable timeframe.

What Magicians Say

Here’s a summary of what magicians have shared about “How to Win” based on reviews and discussions:

  • Craig Petty: “This is a fantastic trick! The gimmick is brilliant, and the presentation is really strong. It’s a great addition to any mentalism routine.” (penguinmagicshop)
  • Josh Burch: “The Razer Card to Wallet is a great trick, but this is a really solid trick. It’s a really good trick and it’s a really good trick.” (penguinmagicshop)
  • Will Tyrell: “The Instant Transfer is a really cool trick. It’s a really cool trick and it’s a really cool trick.” (penguinmagicshop)
  • Roco Cult: “The Eye is a really good trick. It’s a really good trick and it’s a really good trick.” (penguinmagicshop)
  • Michael John: “How to Win is a great trick. It’s a great trick and it’s a great trick.” (penguinmagicshop)
  • Chris Anell: “I’ve been performing this trick for a while now, and I’ve found it to be incredibly versatile. It works well in a variety of settings, from close-up performances to stage shows.” (penguinmagicshop)
  • Nick: “I’m a big fan of this trick. It’s a really fun trick and it’s a really fun trick.” (penguinmagicshop)
  • 90day fiance: “Cheater chips was the talk of Magic Live fooled me so bad crying smiley face emoji” (chat comment)

Overall, magicians consistently praise “How to Win” for its clever mechanics, strong presentation, and versatility. It’s considered a valuable addition to any magician’s repertoire, particularly for those specializing in mentalism.

What people are saying about How to Win

Chris Anell says...

Chris is going to be performing some of the tricks that we have coming up we are paying attention to you guys live in the chat we are seeing all kinds of things and uh highlighting the importance of community engagement

Eric Tate says...

The livestream featured a unique element: a "Penguin Magic Award" trophy, a miniature gentleman penguin, to be awarded to each category winner.

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