“Cheater Chips” is a set of poker chips that enables you to perform a variety of magical effects.
They comprise 14 poker chips. 10 of the chips consist of 2 sets of 5 poker chips each set. The 5 chips have values of 10, 25, 50, 100 and 250. Unlike other poker chips where the different value chips are of different colours, these poker chips are all of one colour: blue. Another way these chips are different from other conventional poker chips is that there is a back design on every chip. Conventional poker chips have their values printed on both sides of the chips.
The other 4 poker chips are gaffed. One has 5 on both sides, one has a 100 on one face and a 50 on the other, one is a double backer, and one has a back design on one face and a blank on the other face.
Because the chips are designed to have a back and a face value, they are like playing cards. And the gaffs are equivalent to double facer and double backer cards. Therefore these poker chips lend themselves suitable for doing effects that are usually performed with playing cards.
You receive these 14 poker chips in a nice gift box. The box contains a link to a 3 hour video tutorial conducted by Craig Petty.
The chips are secretly marked on their backs. There are no better method of marking than Phill Smith’s optical marking system. The markings are hidden in plain sight, and yet, they stand up like a sore thumb if you know how to read them.
In the video tutorial, Craig starts by introducing the chips and how to read the markings on their backs. He then proceeds to show how to do a false cut and the flustration count with the chips. He also demonstrates how to force one out of 5 different chips. He teaches 3 methods of forcing: the equivogue, the quinta force and the PATEO force.
Altogether, Craig puts together and teaches a total of 15 routines to perform with these chips. The majority of the routines are mental effects, with several using coin sleight-of-hand.
The mental tricks consists of a “Free Will” effect using 3 chips, a “WILL THE CHIPS MATCH” trick, a “Which Hand” prediction effect, an order prediction trick using Paul Curry’s swindle switch, and 3 different versions of ESP matching, one is a jazz version, and one involving the spectator writing the order in which she wants to arrange 5 coins. There is an interesting “10 card poker deal” using the chips. This one is based on the Paul Gordon’s handling of “10 card poker deal”. In “Impossible Prediction”, a spectator eliminates one out of 10 poker chips and the performer knows in advance which chip will be the one left behind. “Craig’s Discovery” is his take of a one out of 5 chips prediction.
Using the chips like coins, Craig teaches a “Chips Across” where a 50, a 100 and another 100 chips travel one at a time from one hand to another. Finally, all 3 chips magically fused together to form on 250 chip. In “3D” Poker”, a spectator chooses one of 5 different chips, say, the 10 poker chip. The performer then proceeds to “pluck” a $10 folded bill out of the 10 poker chip, leaving a blank poker chip in his hand. In “Shades Of Imagination”, the performer causes a chip to magically materialise in his hands, and then an imaginary purse to also appear out of thin air, and with a randomly chosen chip inside. Finaly, there is a silver/copper transposition coins effect performed with the 100/50 chips.
Once you understand how the chips are gaffed, you too can come out with your own favourite card or coin routines using these chips. Of the 15 effects taught, you can put several appropriate tricks together to form a short act with the chips. A worthwhile investment. (Rated 5/5 stars)
