Cards of Influence

THE BLURB:
Kenton Knepper tips some of his highly successful and wildly
entertaining examples for the public on subliminal influence
and word power – using cards no less!

Mark Townsend is a student of Kenton’s who is well known for
adding deeper dimensions and unusual presentations to all of
his effects.

These two extraordinary thinkers present material you will
use right away that is unlike nearly anything else you may
have seen or read before.

You will find everything from close up material and magic,
to story-telling effects, weird pieces, never-before-seen
card concepts and yes, even mentalism. Here are just a few
of the effect as the audience sees them...

*A card, object or anything else is apparently seen inside a
crystal ball by a spectator. NO gimmicks.

*Letters on blank cards are mixed by spectators yet return
to their original state and more under the fairest
conditions imaginable. Truly UNIQUE magic.

*A spectator cannot avoid the performer's subliminal
influence on repeated occasions, ultimately unable to move
or do anything but be influenced "as if hallucinating and
smelling laughing gas" - This is a riot for everyone,
including the spectator.

*Design Duplication made easy, with the audience realizing
that they are the ones who have been hypnotized as a finale.

*A marked deck you can read across the stage or down the
hall...

*And MUCH, MUCH MORE.

Memorable and unusual effects made simple, as only Kenton
and his students can.

EASY to do material. Basic card sleights or no sleights at
all are required.

You should have a basic background in card sleights if you
wish to perform all of this material. Other effects
incorporate standard trick decks available at most dealers.
In many cases you can simply make your own cards with a
marker and blank cards, or use a regular deck, to perform
material in this book.

Includes the favorites “Subliminally Wild”, “Your Spell Is
Numbered”, “The Well”, “Amethyst”, “Subliminal McCombical”
and that's just for starters.

With bonus effects by Allen Zingg. Be prepared for some real
twists!

80 Pages of surprising, easy, innovative card magic and
mentalism. It's Kenton - so you know it's not like anything
else with cards - ask Jay Sankey!

"This book is a shining gem of a collection featuring
supremely practical effects and marvelous examples of rock
solid, real-work scripting.

Among my favorite effects are an inspired variation on Frank
Garcia’s “Wild Card” and a really lovely variation on the
“Split Deck.”

I was especially impressed with the generous spirit of the
writing here. As the authors share one smart alternative
handling after another there is a sense that they are
completely focused on you the reader and care deeply about
imparting their creative knowledge in as clear, humble and
patient a manner as possible.

Such a gift!" - Jay Sankey

MY COMMENTS:
Obviously, the title will turn off those of you who don't
use playing cards for mentalism effects. Too, this work
explores very creative uses with gimmicked decks, such as
the Wild Card set, the Split Deck, the McCombical Prediction
Decks, and an original deck called the BMD (Blatantly Marked
Deck). There's also some work with the tarot. All of the
routines with these decks have a subliminal, or
Kenton-esque, edge to them. And all of the routines are
intriguing and well-thought out. This is actually a more
accessible work by Kenton (and friends) than some of his
others which require you to be have a certain familiarity
with Kenton's performing philosophies (i.e., "Kentonism").
If the premise of this work interests you, then you'll enjoy
this.