SWINDLE
Today I’m going to review Swindle by Steve Cook and Alakazam magic.
Steve Cook has been around the magic and mentalism community for a long time and has created some absolute belting effects over the years.
I’ve been an Alakazam customer for many years now and I’ve never had cause to complain, maybe today will be different? Let’s see…
What the ad says:
Swindle is a super cool influence effect, ideal for opening your performance.
As a little demonstration of using influence and human psychology you introduce two small tins (one white and one black).
Your spectator follows your instructions and selects a box.
The box is opened to show it contains a small slip of folded paper (the note reads I knew you would have this box). You state that the other box also contains a note but when you open it the note inside is actually a £50 note!
I watched the trailer of Harry Nardi performing this for a few of his family members.
Although I don’t always buy the latest products that are released into the community, every now and then (much to the misery of my long suffering wife),
I see a product with potential to keep me amused for a long time to come and this is one of those products!
I instantly liked it, and thought it would be good for just about any situation I may find myself in.
What you get:
Unfortunately, they don’t provide you with a £50 note, which is a shame really because I would have bought 2!
But what you do get is the instruction link, 2 tins and some other items which are needed to perform Swindle.
The tins are small mint style tins, nothing dodgy about them and they’re completely examinable.
Not too much I can say about the other items really only that you’ll need them to make it work.
The instructional video is presented by Harry and Peter Nardi.
The instructions are explained really simply by Peter with input from Harry.
All too often you get an effect with something ridiculous like 2-4 hours’ worth of instructional footage and they’re mostly fluffed out with a lot of waffle.
That definitely wasn’t the case here as it’s only about 17 minutes long and that’s fine because once they’ve shown the workings and the routine for the effect, there isn’t much more to be said about it really.
Who is this for?
Anyone! It’s ideal for magicians, mind readers, psychological performers and even drunk guys in a bar!
Final thoughts:
Swindle is a great, fun little thing you can carry around in your pocket or just leave it in your bag or car.
There’s no funny moves, furry flaps, unusual mathematical principles or magnets.
The only memory work needed is; to remember which tin you put your money in!
If you don’t like the idea of being a bit Jim Bowen then don’t bother with this, but if you’re looking for a fun, quick opener then this is for you.
I’ll be using this in a sort of bar bet scenario.
I highly recommend this and give it an 8 out of 10.