Symmetry and Parity by Ben Harris

Effect

The trick Symmetry and Parity by Ben Harris presents a series of card effects that rely on a clever underlying principle. To the audience, it appears as if the magician has an impossible level of control over the cards, with sequences and arrangements that defy logic. The effects often involve cards matching, pairing, or arranging themselves in ways that seem mathematically impossible, creating a strong sense of mystery.

Full Details

Symmetry and Parity is a book by Ben Harris that explores a specific concept in card magic, applying it across multiple tricks. The book does not require learning new sleights for each effect, as the methods build on a shared principle. This makes it efficient for magicians who want to expand their repertoire without mastering entirely new techniques for every trick.

The book includes different presentations, allowing performers to choose variations that suit their style. The effects are designed to be highly deceptive, with strong audience reactions.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This book is ideal for magicians who enjoy card magic and want to explore a versatile concept that can be applied in multiple ways. It is especially useful for those who prefer learning a single principle that can generate multiple effects, rather than mastering entirely new methods for each trick.

Intermediate card magicians will benefit most, as some effects require a solid understanding of card handling. However, the book is structured in a way that allows gradual learning, making it accessible to dedicated beginners as well.

Difficulty

The difficulty level of Symmetry and Parity varies depending on the effect, but most tricks rely on a foundational principle rather than complex sleight of hand. This means that once the core concept is understood, performing the effects becomes more about presentation than technical skill.

Steve Faulkner, a reviewer, mentioned that he spent hours studying the book, practicing the effects, and taking notes before feeling confident enough to perform them. This suggests that while the methods are not overly difficult, they do require practice to execute smoothly.

What Magicians Say

Steve Faulkner, who reviewed the book, emphasized its depth and the time he invested in mastering it:

"I've read this book now this is my third read... I've read it once through, I've read it then with cards in hand, and now I'm reading it to learn everything in it... I get that thing as I want to learn this."

He also noted that the book’s approach allows magicians to build on a single concept rather than learning new skills for each trick:

"They don't require any new skills each trick doesn't require me to learn a new skill."

This makes Symmetry and Parity a valuable resource for magicians looking to expand their card magic repertoire efficiently.