Bounded Deck by Juan Luis Rubiales (£42.99)
Santa found me — even on my little boat — and first up was Bounded Deck. The effect: a deck is split in two, both halves spiral-bound like notepads. A card is selected, and when both packs are dealt simultaneously, only the chosen card matches — until, magically, they all match.
It’s a clever, quirky twist on Paul Curry’s “Power of Thought,” and the spiral-bound presentation adds charm and clarity. The props are well made: perforated Rider Backs, spirals, and a neat box.
However, the tutorial is brief (about 12 minutes). The advertised timing force isn’t properly taught, and some handling details aren’t shown clearly from the fixed camera angle. It’s largely self-working, but a fuller explanation would help. That said, the concept is strong, practical for close-up or parlor, and genuinely novel — just slightly pricey for what’s included.
https://monstermagic.co.uk/products/the-bound-deck-by-juan-luis-rubiales-and-bacon-magic
Tennis by Alex Ng and Henry Harrius (£73.00)
Next: Tennis, which I first saw performed at Blackpool — and loved. A tennis ball is tossed around the audience to choose a card (color, suit, value). When opened, the ball contains that exact card.
Brilliant thinking. The ball feels normal, looks normal, and arouses zero suspicion. The load is cleverly designed and invisible in performance. Crucially, the audience doesn’t suspect the ball as a prediction — it’s just a selection tool — so the reveal lands hard.
Method-wise, it uses a pocket index for a truly free choice.
The 30-minute tutorial is thorough, covering handling, timing, angles, and performance tips. While David Stone explored card-to-tennis-ball ideas before, this version feels more refined and practical. It’s clever, deceptive, and hugely impactful — my favorite gift of the bunch.
https://monstermagic.co.uk/products/tennis-by-alex-ng
Giftism by Buck Bowen and Deuce Gala (£21.50)
A festive mentalism piece using illustrated gift boxes. A participant thinks of a present from a list, then checks various “boxes” to see if their gift is inside. In the end, you reveal exactly what they chose.
It uses a classic mathematical principle, cleverly disguised with imagery and a logical presentation. The “shaking the box” premise is charming and relatable, making the method invisible. The backs are one-way for subtle handling advantages, and while marked, the routine can be done hands-off.
The hour-long tutorial is excellent — covering structure, psychology, pacing, and audience management. It’s playful, seasonal, and smartly constructed. A strong worker, especially around Christmas.
https://monstermagic.co.uk/products/giftism-by-deuce-gala-magic
Cheep Trick by Nojima and Bacon Magic (29.99)
More of a utility gimmick than a single routine. You receive specially prepared jokers and secret materials that simplify sandwich effects, transpositions, and packet tricks.
Five routines are taught, but the tutorial relies heavily on music with minimal explanation and little instruction on basic sleights.
It assumes prior knowledge. While the gimmick principle is powerful and classic, the teaching lacks depth and presentation guidance.
Compared to similar work in books like Constant Fooling 2 by David Regal, this feels less developed in terms of scripting and theatrical framing. Still, it’s a useful method and a handy addition to a magician’s toolkit — just not beginner-friendly.
https://monstermagic.co.uk/products/cheep-trick-by-nojima-nobuyuk
What Do You Do When a Trick Goes Wrong?
It happens. Sometimes once a show. Sometimes… more.
The key? Move on quickly. Keep the journey fun so the entire show doesn’t hinge on one reveal. Never blame the audience. Have a strong backup trick ready — something reliable, quick, and powerful — so you can recover momentum and end strong.
Learn from failures, but don’t dwell forever. In comedy, you’re allowed to moan until midday the next day — then you move on. Magic’s the same. Experience the mishaps, survive them, grow from them. Sometimes even going on slightly unprepared can teach resilience and remove the fear of failure.
And that’s it — the final show of the year. I hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas and that 2026 brings you joy, creativity, and plenty of magic. Grab a deck, go perform, and have fun with the best hobby in the world.
Happy New Year!