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Anthony Blake and David Harber's ESP Chips
Reviewed
by Tom Lauten
At last... at last, someone has had a moment of creative clarity and
provided those of us who perform mentalism effects with a very useful
alternative to the venerable Rhine/Zener cards... chips (as in poker...NOT
potato!).
Often performers find themselves under suspicion when using ESP cards (let alone
any other type of card) simply because many people are aware of "card tricks"
and "fancy moves".
"E.S.P. Chips" offer an alternative. One can easily present them as ESP tokens
or counters. One could even go so far as to explain that because people think
that performers try to trick audiences with cards, these "counters" are employed
to eliminate any fancy moves, shuffles etc.
Ahhhh but...we know different don't we!
The chips are 39mm in diameter, weigh 10 grams each as they are made to casino
specifications and material. They feel genuinely hefty and purposeful...almost
ceramic. The front is white with a colour ESP symbol on it; circle, cross, wavy
lines, square and star patterns are printed in their own individual colour. The
printing is part of the composite material used to face the chip so there is
little chance (if any) of the pattern on the front or back wearing off. The back
of each chip is also white. The edges (actually the middle layer of the finished
chip) are a rich cream colour. The back sports "The National Institute of
Paranormal Studies" printed boldly across it and surrounding this is a repeating
circular border of the 5 ESP symbols. All the printing on the back is in black.
The package one receives is very impressive. Inside a heavy Ziploc bag you will
find a full colour cover slip, 10 "ESP Chips" (two sets of the five symbols)
slotted into a sheet of clear vinyl pockets (as one might use to hold 35mm
slides), a velveteen drawstring pouch to keep the chips in during performances
and a stapled "booklet" of 10 fully detailed effects and routines written and or
adapted specially for this product. WOW! The contributors include, Anthony
Blake, Max Maven, Banachek, Rick Maue, Jack Kent Tillar, Jheff, Greg Arce and
others. The only downside I have found for the entire package is the layout of
the printed booklet. It is a tiny bit fussy and awkward to simply "flick"
through but that is really nit-picking...I promise. In future they will
undoubtedly alter this as more and more routines come along.
The purchaser is also invited to a website devoted to the use of the "ESP Chips"
where one can discuss the use of the chips, share performance ideas, get
questions answered and download routines written by the good and the great! The
site is also the place where future related products would be announced
including "gaffed" chips and related items. At the time of writing (December
2005) the site is not yet open but I am told it is merely a matter of a few days
away as final details are being ironed out.
This new mentalism tool (a tool NOT a one trick pony) is a breath of fresh air.
The chips provide an alternative and are substantial both in terms of their
construction and more importantly in terms of credibility in performance. Like
all effects, the manner in which they are presented must be confident and
believable but Anthony Blake and David Harber have come up with a product that
will set you on that road in true style and with unparalleled quality. Full
marks on this one!
You can order an "ESP Chips" set for $45 directly from
www.espchips.com (free
shipping within the US , $10 shipping world wide, via international airmail). Or
you can ask you favourite magic dealer if they can get them for you.
© Tom Lauten, December 2005