Socks: Holiday Edition

Paul

With a little thought you can turn this very good trick into a marvelous one. There are many ways to do the necessary force. Liam’s is a good one, and I’ve also experimented with the Cut Deeper Force with two spectators each cutting their half pack (although TWO decks of cards would work even better). But all those alternative methods lose the matching socks finale (if you allow—as you should—the spectator to shuffle the cards), which is the stunning climax that makes the trick so mystifying as well as amusing.

So here’s my tip for those afraid of using the psych force necessary for the matching climax: use BOTH sets of force cards! Your audience won’t notice if they happen to see both sets in play (and it’s natural that they would!) Arrange the two stacks so that the second force pair is two cards away from the first force pair, but the opposite sock appears in each stack. (Those who have the trick will understand.) That way, if you miss the force the first time, there’s a high likelihood you’ll succeed the second time—and no one will be the wiser! Also, if they stop you just as you lay down the force (mismatched) pair, go ahead & use those cards, even though face up. Just adjust your patter accordingly and finish showing all the cards are mismatched, using the force (mismatched) pair stopped on by the spectator. (Tip: I sometimes use TWO spectators to say stop, which guarantees an early stop by at least one of them! 😉)

With TWO places (really FOUR) in the dealing that will give you a hit, you are almost guaranteed to succeed! Just deal slowly and use the timing the video teaches you. You will then be able to employ the wonderful matching kicker finale as originally presented.

More valuable tips: pencil dot all four of the force cards in the top left corner so you know with confidence that you’ve stopped on them. Also, by subtly EDGE-marking the top and middle card of the stacked deck of cards (AFTER you’ve done the displacement necessary for the matching finale) at the bottom left, you can use an easy “Haymow” or overhand false shuffle to apparently mix up all the cards, then cut one of the edge-marked cards to the top, then cut at the other edge-marked card to restore your perfect two stacks of cards!

One final tip: As you are showing the matched pairs as the kicker finale, look for the pencil dotted cards (upper right corner). When you come to one, stop your double dealing & turn just this one single card, as if you’ve divined the match to one of the chosen socks, and lay it on that matching sick card. Then continue showing the matches until (two cards later) the other dotted card appears and show that match. (I usually have the other spectators just “think STOP” and say someone just thought of stopping here and show the match!)

I really think the above techniques will turn this trick into one of your favorites.

Good luck!

Roger

Really like the trick and seems simple enough. Video was a little confusing on set-up of the preferred force but with a little practice will have this ready for the holidays! Bravo.

Jan

The best thing about this trick? You come as a well-dressed entertainer. Stroll the room (I'm wearing bright pink shoes and a pink bowtie) and nobody has an idea. But when you do a little show and halfway you roll up your pants and they see these big socks, laughter is guaranteed. It simply looks stupid and nobody sees it coming. Only then do you reveal that the cards are a match after all...and mouths drop open. They have been fooled. So sweet...

Lucas

Socks is one of a kind. Having so many moments of magic and all you need is a pair of socks and some cards which comes with a nice card holder. Michel's also leaves no stone unturned in the tutorial, even going to the extent of teaching you how to properly wear a pair of socks.

Andy

This is an amazing trick!
Performed it last year around christmas and everybody loves it!
The only thing i do different from the explanation of Michel is the force.
Craig Petty showed a different force for Socks on his youtube channel a few years ago that suits me more.

But this is a killer trick and a must have for the holidays!!!
it even has a card reveal on the socks itself.
Most of the times i perform it i start with a card trick that goes wrong, then do socks and as an extra kicker reveal their card on the socks.

Jerry

Adam

Wayne

Rene

This has been part of my act since it got released . Own all versions of it and the quality is great , the socks feel like banana republic socks, very comfortable to wear even if you have massive calves as they are stretchy.
The Xmas version will not disappoint you.

Stefan

People love this trick. And in my eyes, it's perfect for the holidays. I don't use the kicker, but that's the beauty of magic, we can (and should) make the tricks our own. As I said, the reactions are great, especially when they really believe you got something wrong and slowly reveal the socks.
The cards and socks are of great quality, although the socks are socks, so you should wear them carefully.

Dan

Derek

A really fun and unusual trick. Not much to add to everything else that has been said, except to offer one caveat-- I do think it's important for people to understand that, as with most effect trailers, what you see is the best case scenario (in terms of spectators stopping on the right cards). For seasoned pros, the sense of timing required won't be much problem. For everyone else, there is a very strong likelihood of not hitting it. If that happens, the "cleanup" is very messy. For people not comfortable with the timing, there are other methods offered, including using the gemini principle (which I think is the best version). Ultimately, I highly recommend this -- but understand that what you are buying is great props, and good routine / handling ideas. This is probably the best $40 you will spend in terms of something fun that you will use. What you are *not* buying is some secret or gimmick to make the spectators stop on the right cards as shown in the trailer. As Vanishing Inc stated, that's timing and psychology.

Simon

Robert

I performed this trick for the first time this weekend at the first holiday shows I've done this year. It went over great both times! The props are good quality and they instructions give you several options if things don't go as planned! The reactions were awesome. I did the kicker after the reveal, but that seemed to confuse everyone. Other than that, I'll be using this trick a lot this Holiday Season!

Jim

I performed this for our waitress tonight and she was blown away. A little later, she brought over another waitress and she too was impressed. Then, they brought over two bus boys and they were amazed! Since the reset is simple, I had no problem being ready! And though they were surprised at the socks matching their selections, it was the kicker that brought their acclaims! Well done! I will be wearing my socks to every Christmas event I go to this season :)

Cecil

Great routine!
I worried at first, now I see a great way to have the spectator pick the socks I want. If fact you are shown several ways to accomplish this. If you're on the fence about purchasing this trick don't be. All you have to do is pick "your" favorite method and a little practice.
Thank you!
Now all I need to do is purchase the standard set of socks.

Robert

Wow! What a great trick. When I saw the original version, I wasn't really interested. When I saw the Christmas version, I thought it might be good for a couple of Christmas parties that I was performing at. Did it at both parties and it went GREAT!! I'm definitely going to have to buy the regular version now. Really enjoyed performing this. I like that there are several versions taught. The first one didn't work for me, but one of the alternate ones was perfect. This is a trick I'll be adding to my repertoire for sure. So fun for both me and the audience. They didn't see the revelation of the socks coming. And the extra kicker ending - FANTASTIC!!! I really love this trick.

Garry

Socks, they look great. the cards which comes in a quality card holder, this also comes with a PDF file of the socks playing cards, which includes a back design card, as well as all the face card images, there are two videos of demos, and tutorials, liam does one method using the gemini effect, which i think is great for beginners, the other video comes with demo and tutorials too, using severall different methods, i feel this video could of been explained a lot better, A refreshing, and a good fun trick to do for all ages.

Tom

Got this last year and it's fun to do when you have a small crowd. The matching socks comes as a shock to people. By the way..you can have fun doing the" pateo force" with one special sock card and 13 others.
Tom Williams

Braeden

Simon

Very nice Instructions. I would suggest an additional Part with instructions in "clean" english for those who are not english mother tongue. I bet if Josh would have done one Part with his touches it would be even better. Especially the pat about different forces.
But even without it is a very nice trick for all ages from kids to grannies, everyone will be entertained.
I wish there would be a Socks Version with Superheros. I would by that instantly. As I have the standard, X-mas and Halloween :D