Gypsy Queen

James

Nice idea

Have to rough the cards yourself and still not managed to work out how fit 104 cards in a card box

great stuff apart from those issues.

Michael

A short version of this review could simply say "It has Asi Wind's name on it. Buy it."

But you deserve more than that! So here are my thoughts on Gypsy Queen.

THE EFFECT
Though the title has some complicated etymology attached to it (the word 'gypsy' is considered an outdated slur), the effect of Gypsy Queen is beautifully direct: A spectator is asked to think of any card with complete freedom of choice. The card is not named aloud or hand selected in any way. The magician then attempts to read the spectator's mind and goes through the deck, removing one card and placing it face down on the table or in the spectator's hand. Finally, now that the magician has openly committed to a guess, the spectator is asked to name their card aloud - let's assume they name the Seven of Spades.

The card on the table is dramatically turned over, revealing the Queen of Hearts. Clearly, the magician has failed. Or have they? The spectator is asked to more closely examine the face of the Queen of Hearts and discovers that the Queen is holding a miniature playing card in her hand. That card is the thought-of Seven of Spades.

HIGHLIGHTS
There's so much that's wonderful about Asi's effect that it's hard to know where to start. Thanks to a remarkably effective structure and an ingeniously designed deck of gimmicked cards that makes the effect a breeze, this is an absolute worker's piece that packs a memorable punch. The big virtue of the effect is that the magician's guess of the thought-of card is placed onto the table and out of hand before the spectator ever verbalizes the card they mentally chose. The card can be turned over super fairly at the biggest moment of heat, and the apparently failure of the effect creates a clever, inherent offbeat of relaxation where a simple and subtle sleight will set you up for the surprise climax; the kind of climax that can stare your spectators in the face and only reveal itself when it gets pointed out. The cards are printed on exceptional Superior playing cards by the Expert Playing Card Company, and the product comes with two decks: the gimmicked Gypsy Queen deck, and an ungimmicked one to match.

CONSIDERATIONS
Ultimately, though a strong trick, the Gypsy Queen deck itself is a literal one-trick pony; you can't use it for anything else. That's why it's essential to have a matching normal deck on hand that you can ring in and out when needed to accomplish Gypsy Queen itself. The other consideration here is that the cards are not available on Bicycle stock. I'm not complaining because Superior cards handle beautifully, but a quick Google search for additional matching decks reveals that they're not especially easy to find nowadays. So you'll essentially have to make do with the ungimmicked deck provided as part of Gypsy Queen and, when one or both decks inevitably wear out, purchase another set if they're still available through dealers.

OVERALL
If you love Asi Wind's magic, you probably already have this in your collection. But if you don't, you're missing out an an exceptionally powerful, direct, easy-to-do, and commercial piece of magic by one of our great living creators and thinkers. Well worth the $50 price tag.

Alta

What can you say about these cards that hasn't already been said. They are really nice and feel great, the two decks you get really complement each other. It's a great effect that you can combine with many other tricks which is the really cool thing.

Dave

I did not have this effect! Now I do and this version is fantastic! Highly recommended

Rudolph Paul

This company is absolutely beyond reproach. All the tricks that I have purchased are as described and the support of the staff is commendable in their honesty and support.

Martin

A real fooler

Michael

great effect and very informative tutorial

Zareh

Great trick! Asi is sooo funny.

Walter

I'll get to Asi Wind's "Gypsy Queen" in just a moment (spoiler alert: it's brilliant). But first, I want to say a couple of things about Vanishing Inc. Magic. I am always pleased to do business with VI, and their personnel whom I've seen perform magic are great. I've had questions and requests over the years, and VI are the BEST with customer care. Here's an observation that blew my mind: I received "Gypsy Queen" delivery FASTER than any VI shipment yet, in July 2024. Truly amazing, given what happened in June 2024.
Now, the illusion Asi Wind calls "Gypsy Queen." Magicians respect Asi Wind as a performer and as a creator, and for sensible reasons...the guy is so smart, and so effortless in performing illusions. This particular trick is simple in concept and only slightly complex in its execution (Asi Wind teaches multiple methods, one of which is easier than another). The payoff I have only witnessed so far in the performance videos, but I believe that is exactly how I would react to the effect. Since I probably will need to pursue the simpler-handling method, I will have to do a little preparatory work, which Asi Wind briefly explains in the included explanation.
As for the explanation video, it is briefer than many recent tricks I have purchased, but it is sufficient to learn and understand how and why to do the things necessary to perform the illusion as Asi Wind demonstrates. Some will consider the price is higher than "similar" products; I opine the product is worth the price. Thanks to Asi Wind for releasing these to VI at this time, and thanks to VI for just being awesome.

Mark

You can tell Asi Wind is a working pro. He offers three different ways to perform and present Gypsy Queen. It is very well thought out but also wide open for your own explorations of how to use this.

It doesn’t require a table. There is a version with two spectators so you can play with the idea of connection, simpatico etc.

It only uses one very basic sleight that anybody doing card tricks should know how to do.

Highly recommended.

Ben

All hail the Gypsy Queen! Any chance to learn from Asi is a gift unto itself. He provides excellent instruction and two very different variations on the effect. If you ever need any motivation to master your "TC" technique, this is it!

Rick

Pro tip - do some magic with the Non Gypsy Queen Superior Deck first.
Deck switch and then close with Gypsy Queen.
I find the reactions much stronger to Gypsy Queen (always is strong though) when the crowd has seen the superior back design and the faces of the pack for several tricks. I feel this is because in the back track process, several methods get cancelled. You could also do Gypsy Queen first and then switch to the Non Gypsy and also hand the deck out or do some things after. But frankly some people will guess the method if presented as a one off or without thought or presentation.
This trick for me is great becasue it is unique. And really surprises people.
The other fun thing is if / when someone names "The Queen of Hearts" as their fav card or thought of card - you've got a deck to do another effect you can do as Card at Any Number with another thought of card being held by the queen that is at their number. This would use the same methods as described in the instruction to achieve the final effect.

Stefan

I'm a big fan of Asi Wind's work, so of course I love Gypsy Queen. You get a normal and a gimmicked deck, both of course of great quality. I really appreciate the full performances that come with the project and the whole explanation is of course very well done.

Peter

Great tutorial and fun to do!

Jonathan

great

Matt

I've been told time and time again that if Asi Wind releases something to the masses that you should probably get it while its available. This was my first experience being able to snag something and I dont regret it one bit.

Although I have not had a chance to take this out in public yet (Pandemic and all) It has definitely made its way into my walk around sets and impromptu hangin out at the bat with strangers impromptu magic.

The effect follows such great principles of magic. The accompanying video with Asi was well worth the $50 itself. I cannot wait to perform this out in a crowd.

John

On the surface the effect of Gypsy Queen is a thought of card is randomly selected by a spectator, but Gypsy Queen is far more than that. Gypsy Queen does all of this in a surprising, deceptive and elegant manner, the spectator can choose ANY card and only says it out loud once it is in their hands, and in a completely unexpected shock the magi is proven to be right in an unexplainable twist of expectations.

Asi is a thorough teacher and explains everything you need to know clearly to achieve this dynamite effect. This is far from anything else you have in your repertoire in terms of effect and style, and the fact this constantly sells out is a testment to how many other magicians too think fondly of it.

If you want a powerful effect that is unlike any other in your repertoire that doesn't require expert levels of sleight of hand, look no farther than one of Asi's best creations, Gypsy Queen.

Cüneyt

Rishabh

One of the best tricks i have ever bought. Such a beautiful way to reveal a card. Exactly what i was looking for in my routine.

Rick

From Zero to Hero.
For my style of performing, being naturally a little fumbly the fact you (might) miss at first I love.
It drops the spectators consciousness to the conclusion that "I knew this guy was going to fuzz up."
"There is no such as thing as magic."
And then you hit them with the reveal. Which immediately puts in doubt their judgement.
Those huge quick contrasts in Magic are a rush for all.
So you've got them believing maybe magic could be real and this guy is different than I thought.
What a great way to open. And it also says we can do cool things with cards.
Asi notes and encourages the growth of this trick and credits D Blaine and others for the evolution.
The markings are the best and clearest you'll find. You get two decks. Both marked, but one is the Gypsy deck and the other a Poker deck. And this was a great add on. Cuz really you just need the one deck, but it's better to have an extra. And again these marking are so perfectly placed it's like a trick in itself. Basically zero time look for the marks, which leaves zero time for the spec to think of marked cards.
Even I am a little jealous that I'll never be able to experience this trick like a spectator will.
I'll try :)
Thanks ASI !

Michael

This might be the most powerful Card Trick I do!! Thank you Asi and vanishing inc., If only they made refills so I could pass these cards out as souvenirs that would be Amazing

Garry

Gypsy Queen, a great card magic trick, and yes the spectator can think of any card, then you do the reveal, as shown in the video add.
This comes with a video, including demonstrations, followed by how to handle this deck.
There are four different versions explained on this video in detail, on how to use this deck.

Brian

RIDICULOUSLY INGENIOUS :) !!

Despite guessing correctly how this is done (and it was obvious to me after seeing the trailer), I'm still giving this a 5 star rating and positive comment/review

The secret is exactly what I thought it was and personally I won't be handing the card out to the spectator afterwards either - that's just my opinion and if you personally choose to give the card away afterwards, that's your decision and you don't have to (we are all different obviously) and for £45, this is definitely worth the money in my opinion

The video explanation is 28 minutes and 7 seconds long and Asi covers three different variations of this and I think they're all genius ways of doing this effect

There is a move you have to perform in order to make this effect work, and it's easy to do - I already use this move and learnt it years ago so it was a nice bonus for me, and Asi teaches you this move in the video anyway. I will not mention the name of the move as it will spoil it but it's worth it in my honest opinion

For me personally, it's one of those "I wish I thought of this" effects and wish I could turn back time and invent it lol

Erik

I bought it at the Blackpool Convention. I learned it. But now I can't find the explanation video. Can you help - I have of course the code word.

Cedric

Brilliant

Mark

WOW what an amazing effect! Leaves peoples stunned. True magic! Little set up, hardly any moves..... Let the Queens lead the way!

Nick

I knew from the video this trick would suit my personality and style very much. I had no idea that this trick would get such amazing reactions. A lot of people are saying this is the best trick they have seen me do, which is surprising to me, and I didn't expect that. You truly never know how people will react until you show them. Amazing.

Benjamin

The $50 is well worth the money. With the decks that you get and the tutorial by Asi, you are getting more than you paid for.

Keith

I think the trick is awesome, and there are a lot of things you can do with it. However, I do not like how he speeds through the explanations of the different versions of the trick. He uses jargon and glosses over methods I've never heard before. Plus, he mentions putting the deck in a certain order (again, an order I don't know), and he sends us off to learn from others how to do the one key move. I'm sorry, but for the money I paid for this trick, I don't feel it's right to have to buy two more ebooks or videos to learn different deck orders or the key move. I'm not a beginner. I've been doing magic for 33 years. That doesn't mean I know every count, deck order, or sleight. I've made a good living doing very few tricks over and over. Fortunately, I have lots of friends who may be able to help me fill in the blanks. While the video is only about 30 minutes long, I will have to use software to slow down his moves and some of the things he says to learn how to do the version I want to do. So, 5 stars for the effect. Maybe 1 or 2 stars for the explanation. Therefore, 3 stars.

Jim

I like the idea and the effect comes off well. I purchased Gypsy Queen in late June 2023 and promptly received the product and instructions. The product and instructional video could both use some improvement.

I understand there are complexities in the manufacturing process, and not all card manufacturers are able (or willing) to produce cards to a specific design. I believe that is the case here, I would have preferred bicycle backs in a bicycle case - just an observation. As for the card faces, the card values are smaller than standard Bicycle, I believe this limits the usable audience size to be a few people. I would not try this for more than a small circle.

The trick offers two methods to set it up, and arrives with all the gimmicks in one deck, and a normal deck as the other package. You need to do some assembly and optionally add some materials he mentions in the video. Personally, it should arrive ready to go. However, packaging as received does offer the magician more options. That was a disappointment, despite the setup flexibility.

Now, let's talk about the video and content. This tone sounds demeaning, but it is the most concise way I can express my disappointment. When the project was put together, plan the video and get sufficient actors involved that are familiar with the effect and can actually assist. I am not expecting Emmy Award performances, but the assistant seemed to be a last minute stand in, never faced the camera, etc. What is worse, the author had the same actress act as two people simultaneously and she tried to act like a woman and a man so we could tell the difference. Come one folks - they knew a video would be recorded ahead of time. They are about to make some money on the project. You can get two actors (helpers) to be two unique people to be the helpers. You can wait until you have the proper people in place to provide an excellent product. Because of these things, I rate the overall package only as "fair."

Overall, the effect is nice, but the back video just does not cut it. You will probably have to watch it a couple of times. It does give you everything you need, and then quite a bit more. Just very very disappointed in the way the material was presented. If it is not too difficult, have the Author remake the video.

Would I buy it knowing this information? Well, best I can say is, probably.

Brian

tutorial was horrible and not helpful at all
it was all about showing the trick and not teaching

waste money