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POW by Erik Casey and John Michael Hinton

Created by: Erik Casey, John Michael Hinton

POW is a visually stunning close-up card magic trick created by Erik Casey and John Michael Hinton. In this oil and water effect, the performer starts with three black cards on top of three red cards, all placed inside a wine glass. With a simple shake side to side, the cards appear to mix completely, alternating colors. Then, shaking the glass back and forth magically restores them to their original order. This self-working trick uses a standard deck split into red and blue-backed cards, relying on a clever mechanical principle rather than sleight of hand, making it accessible for beginners. It comes ready to perform out of the box and is versatile for settings from close-up to parlor magic, delivering a quick and impossible-seeming transposition that captivates audiences.

Where to buy

POW by Erik Casey and John Michael Hinton from Alakazam Magic
Alakazam MagicPOW by Erik Casey and John Michael Hinton£19.99
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Key features

  • Self-working effect with no sleight of hand required

  • Uses a standard deck of cards with red and blue backs

  • Comes with everything needed, including the wine glass

  • Quick reset for repeated performances

  • Suitable for beginners and experienced magicians

  • Versatile for close-up and parlor settings

Pros

  • Highly visual and impactful

  • Easy to learn and perform

  • Ready to use out of the box

  • Creates a strong sense of wonder and impossibility

Cons

  • Requires a one-time setup of the deck

  • May be less effective if the mechanical principle is suspected

Effect

POW is a visual card trick. A performer places three black cards on top of three red cards into a wine glass. After shaking the glass side to side, the cards appear to mix completely. When the glass is shaken back and forth, the cards return to their original order. The effect is direct and surprising.

Full details

POW is an oil and water style effect created by Erik Casey and John Michael Hinton. It uses a standard deck of cards split into red-backed and blue-backed cards. The trick includes everything needed to perform it right out of the box. It relies on a clever mechanical principle rather than sleight of hand. The direction of the shake controls the mixing and restoration of the cards. Shaking side to side mixes them, and shaking back and forth returns them to order.

Who should consider the trick

POW is suitable for magicians of all skill levels. Beginners can perform it because it is self-working. It works well in close-up and parlor settings. Performers looking for a quick, visual trick with strong audience impact will find it useful.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

POW is easy to perform. It requires no sleight of hand. The method is mechanical and self-working. Basic handling of cards is enough. The trick is ready to use immediately after purchase.

What magicians say

Alakazam presenters said POW is surprisingly enjoyable and avoids the cumbersome nature of traditional oil and water routines. They noted its visual impact and versatility. Erik Casey emphasized the effect's apparent impossibility, stating there is "no sleight of hand" involved. Itsallthingsmagic highlighted that POW is based on Erik Casey's acclaimed work, known for strong magical moments.

What people are saying about POW

AlakazamMagicUK says...

The presenters loved the visual impact of the card faces changing and mixing within the glass. They emphasized the effect's versatility, suggesting it can be performed in various settings, from close-up to parlor magic.

Erik Casey says...

Casey emphasizes the visual impact and apparent impossibility of the effect. He stresses that there is 'no sleight of hand' involved, suggesting the method relies on a clever mechanical principle.

itsallthingsmagic says...

Based on Erik Casey's acclaimed work on effects like Poker Test and POW, this trick is designed to be carried in your pocket yet delivers the impact of a larger illusion.

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