Its A Match2

THE BLURB:
Now includes DVD, more matches, and bonus ideas!

Transform the Spectator into the Star!

Effect

You display a glass bowl filled with over two dozen
matchbooks from hotels around the country. You also show a
hotel key card which is placed face down on the table. The
key stays in full view the entire time. The spectator
randomly removes matchbooks from the glass bowl, one at a
time, and stops on any one they choose. They turn the key
over and both are a PERFECT MATCH!

This is so diabolically clever; we wish we could tell you
how it's done!

The spectator FREELY chooses ANY matchbook.
There are NO switches or funny moves!
Perfect for close up or even platform!
This updated version now includes 25% more custom printed
matchbooks (with a different hotel from the original
release), a custom manufactured hotel key, and detailed dvd
instructions which include bonus ideas and tips.

MY COMMENTS:
This is a favorite among many, many mentalists. It truly is
a great effect, and over the years it's gathered a deserved
reputation. Many mentalists have built on it so that the
revelation of the hotel's name is only part of the routine.
So what's different in this version? You get DVD
instructions (all the better to show you some more videos of
magic for sale), the matchbooks, and the hotel key, which is
the modern plastic credit card variety. More importantly,
there is a different hotel from the original release and a
few more matchbooks in the pile. I also like the feature
that will enable you to lay out the matchbooks on the table
without giving the method away. (I'm not sure that was in
the original as I can't find mine to compare.)

This is a wonderful effect that uses a principle which is
not new. If you are familiar with Casino Royale by Larry
Becker (who graciously gave his permission to release this
effect), then you probably know how this works. You can do
this surrounded and impromptu, but it's probably not
suitable for walkaround since you'd need a container for the
matches. A switch bag, such as Jay Sankey's Clear Close-Up
Switch Bag, would go well with this, although it's not
needed. Also, this trick is not instantly repeatable. The
only other downside to this routine is that the matchbooks
are in English. Though one can certainly claim that these
are matchbooks collected from the U.S., that won't help much
if most of your audience doesn't speak or read English.

This is the best type of mentalism effect: simple in plot,
easy to do, and stunning for audiences. If you already own
and use the original, you'll probably want to get a couple
of these just to have a different hotel. If you don't
already own and use this, I'm sure when you get this, you
will use it. Highly recommended.