Portraits by Olivier Zaragosa and Magic Dream

Effect

Portraits by Olivier Zaragosa is a celebrity-themed deck of cards with a unique twist. Half the cards have red backs, and the other half have black backs. The deck allows magicians to perform classic card tricks like Out of This World and Shuffleboard with a fresh presentation. The effect includes predictions, visual transformations, and humorous reveals based on the celebrity faces printed on the cards.

Full Details

The deck consists of 52 cards, with 26 red-backed and 26 black-backed cards. It includes subtle markings to help identify card colors, making certain tricks easier to perform. Some cards are gimmicked for additional effects, such as predictions or transformations. The deck also features a mix of male and female celebrities, allowing for creative storytelling during performances.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Portraits is ideal for magicians who enjoy self-working card tricks and want a themed deck for presentations. It works well for performers who like to incorporate humor or storytelling into their routines. Those who frequently perform Out of This World or similar tricks may find the red/black separation useful. However, if you already own a celebrity-themed deck, this may not offer enough new material to justify the purchase.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

Most tricks with Portraits are self-working or require minimal sleight of hand. The included tutorial covers routines like Out of This World, Shuffleboard, and other prediction-based effects. The difficulty level is beginner-friendly, but performers should practice the presentation to maximize the deck's comedic and thematic potential.

What Magicians Say

Alex Kirk from Monster Magic Shop describes Portraits as "a fun novelty, but not essential." He appreciates the red/black separation for tricks like Out of This World but notes that the artwork and utility feel generic. He suggests that similar effects can be achieved with a souvenir deck.

AlakazamMagicUK highlights the visual appeal of the deck, mentioning that a selected card can "morph into a detailed portrait illustration." However, their review lacks detailed performance insights.

Overall, Portraits is a decent utility deck with some clever features, but it may not stand out enough for magicians looking for groundbreaking methods.