Issue 26 - May 09
Ultragaff
3 Volume DVD Set & UltraGaff Deck
Daniel Garcia and Wayne Houchin
From your local magic dealer
Price: DVDs, £20 each
UltraGaff deck, £22.
There will always be the argument amongst magicians whether or not gaffed playing cards should be used in card magic. Either argument has its pros and cons... One thing they do allow you to achieve with relative ease, is magic that is not just amazing but completely impossible.
Daniel and Wayne designed the UltraGaff Deck after being given an opportunity by The USPC/Ellusionist to create a deck of playing cards however they wanted. Now that’s pretty cool! The cards were the impossible-to-get playing cards they wanted for their own performances. Simple cards that are used to deny reality.
UltraGaff is a deck of specialised playing cards, 'gaffed' cards, that are meant to fit in quietly with a normal deck of Bicycle playing cards. They are only available in regular red back Bicycle design, so anyone who only uses a blue backed deck or any other design will have to switch over to accommodate these cards.
There are 3 DVD volumes, all over an hour long. Volume 3 runs for an hour and forty minutes. Each volume stands alone and has plenty of material on it, but to get the full value of the deck you really need to purchase all 3 volumes or simply come up with your own routines for some of the cards. The volumes progress in difficulty, but you can find easy material in each volume as well. Many sleights are taught and there is an abundance of rare teaching from these two masters; subtleties, tricks of the trade, ways to get in and out of a routine with gaffs.
It’s obvious watching Daniel and Wayne together on film that they are really good friends. The banter between the two of them is great! It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but personally I enjoyed the digs and jokes with each other.
£22 for a deck of cards may appear, at first, to be quite an expense. And, to be honest if you only use one or two cards from it then it is. However, there is enough material within the 3 DVD volumes that you should easily get your money’s worth. In comparison, the DVDs are actually reasonably priced when compared with other titles on the market. Unfortunately the DVDs are not much use without the UltraGaff deck. Like them or not, this deck opens up endless possibilities, and having played around with them for a while now, I like them! PS
What’s Hot: Opens up lots of possibilities
What’s Not: The deck is a bit expensive if not fully utilised
Star Rating: ****
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