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Simon Says by Simon Lipkin

Created by: Simon Lipkin

Simon Says is a stacked deck magic trick designed to resemble a celebrity guessing game, making it a unique blend of mentalism and close-up magic. The deck is cleverly marked, allowing performers to easily identify cards, including the ones above and below, even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. It's versatile enough for impromptu performances, walk-around magic, or as a powerful reveal in a larger mentalism act. The deck features a wide range of celebrities, ensuring relevance to any audience. This trick is suitable for magicians of all levels, from beginners to professionals, and can be used both as a fun game and a sophisticated mentalism routine.

Key features

  • Stacked and marked deck for easy identification of cards

  • Versatile for various performance settings (impromptu, walk-around, mentalism acts)

  • Wide range of celebrities included for audience relevance

  • Suitable for magicians of all skill levels

  • Can be used as both a game and a magic trick

Pros

  • Easy to read markings, even in poor lighting

  • Highly versatile for different performance types

  • Engages audiences with familiar celebrity content

  • No sleight of hand required, making it accessible to beginners

  • Comes with a variety of celebrities to suit any audience

Cons

  • May require practice to fully utilize the stack's potential

  • Limited to audiences familiar with the included celebrities

Effect

Simon Says by Simon Lipkin is a magic trick that resembles a celebrity guessing game. The performer presents a deck of cards, each featuring a different celebrity. A spectator selects a card, and through a series of questions or mental imagery, the magician accurately reveals the chosen celebrity. The effect combines elements of mentalism and card magic, creating a fun and interactive experience for the audience.

Full Details

Simon Says uses a specially designed stacked and marked deck. The cards feature well-known celebrities from various fields, including actors, musicians, and athletes. The deck allows the performer to force a specific celebrity or determine a freely chosen one. The markings are clear and easy to read, even in low-light conditions. The trick includes multiple performance options, from simple force-based routines to more elaborate mentalism presentations.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Simon Says is suitable for magicians of all skill levels. Beginners will appreciate the straightforward method and minimal sleight of hand required. Mentalism performers can integrate it into their existing routines for powerful reveals. Close-up and walk-around magicians will find it versatile for impromptu performances. Those who enjoy interactive, audience-participation tricks will benefit from its game-like presentation.

Difficulty

The trick is easy to learn and perform. No advanced sleight of hand is needed, making it accessible to newcomers. The marking system is designed for quick and reliable reading. Performers must focus on presentation and audience management to maximize the effect.

What Magicians Say

AlakazamMagicUK praised Simon Says for its versatility and strong audience impact. They noted, "This is perfect for hobbyists because it’s something you can have at home and play as a game, then transition into mind-reading." They also highlighted the deck’s clear markings, stating, "Even with bad eyesight, I could see the markings perfectly."

The reviewers emphasized its suitability for mentalism beginners, saying, "If you're new to mentalism, this is a great way to start. The presentation skills you learn from Simon Lipkin are invaluable." They also recommended it for experienced performers, adding, "It’s a powerhouse deck for one-ahead routines and final reveals in mentalism acts."

Overall, Simon Says is described as a fun, engaging, and powerful tool for magicians at any level.

What people are saying about Simon Says by Simon Lipkin

AlakazamMagicUK says...

Simon Says is a stacked deck with potential, transforming a familiar principle into a fun and engaging experience. It's versatile, suitable for both casual play and sophisticated mentalism routines, and the marking system is very clear, even for those with less-than-perfect eyesight.

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