Texas Foolem

THE BLURB:
The Legend of Jack 'Treetop' Strauss

Play a little Texas Hold'em poker and you're bound to hear
the phrase, "All you need is a chip and a chair." It's
usually offered as encouragement to a player who just lost
most of his bankroll, reminding him that he still has a
small chance to win.

Few know the legend behind those words... Back in 1982, the
World Series of Poker bracelet winner Jack "Treetop" Strauss
was competing in a major Texas Hold'em event at a Las Vegas
Casino. While still in the early rounds, a lucky player hit
his draw and Strauss got busted out. As Jack was headed for
the bar to drown his disappointment, the dealer at the table
noticed a single chip where Strauss had been seated, tucked
almost unseen beneath the cushion around the playing
surface. Called back to the table to play that lonely chip,
Treetop won the pot on the next hand and went on to finish
the tournament in first place.

A great background story, especially when it's true, makes
good magic even better. Texas Fool'em is a presentation that
allows you to re-create the historic moment behind that
poker wisdom, in a manner that will amaze and delight your
audience.

Following a brief demonstration of Texas Hold'em poker's
unique play,

    * They freely cut and deal the starting hand;
    * They secretly select the amount of the bet;
    * They decide which casino hosts the action;
    * They make the best hand they can. Yet...

Every detail is predicted in a 25-year old magazine
clipping!

Texas Fool'em is much more than a card trick - it's a
complete short routine, complete with authentic deck, chips,
and 'VIP cards' that are sufficiently compact to carry in
your shirt pocket, awaiting just the right moment to make a
timely and memorable impression.

You get everything you need for an enthralling presentation
that folks will talk about for years to come:

    * Five genuine clay poker chips in denominations of $20,
$50, $100, $500, and $1000, each one a different, vibrant
color
    * Ten plastic casino 'VIP cards' representing renowned
Las Vegas casinos
    * Multiple copies of the historic magazine clipping.
    * A complete pack of 52 cards assembled from canceled
poker decks bearing the back designs of the dozen major
casinos that used them at their tables
    * One incredible gimmick that guarantees your final
prediction. It's not clipped, hidden, palmed, electronic, or
mechanical. It's simple to use, easy to employ, and so dang
clever you'll want to smile when you put it to work
    * The detailed routine, word for word patter, and simple
handling to make this impressive effect a reputation maker
in your hands
    * An online video featuring an after-dinner performance
for a lay audience plus extra presentation tips
    * This is a Limited Edition product - only 500 sets have
been made.

A standard riffle shuffle is the only skill required.

MY COMMENTS:
Larry and Lee have come up with yet another unique effect
with quality props and a clever method. Then again, did you
expect anything less? When I first read the blurb, I
thought that this another variation on Casino Royale (e.g.,
Cruise Control, which I really like). It's not. The only
things that the two routines have in common are that it has
a gambling theme and it's a prediction effect. The
methodology is totally different, not to mention the
presentation itself. And if the presentation appeals to
you, you'll have loads of fun with this one.

Of the blurb, there are a few items to mention. It says
"Multiple copies of the historic magazine clipping." There
is only one copy. And the online video got delayed
(according to Larry) and is not available at the time of
this writing. It will be available and anyone who purchases
through me will get the information about it when it is
available. These are minor points and errors, and by no way
detracts from the quality of the props and thinking of the
routine, but need to be noted for those who do buy this.

Also, the deck does need to be arranged before each
performance, but Larry and Lee include a really nice tip on
how to do a one-time preparation of the deck so that the
re-set time is minimal. Again, this is not a critique, just
informational. This routine is a close-up effect and you
need a shirt or coat pocket in order to perform the effect.
It's also recommended that you get an additional item that
will help with re-setting the "incredible gimmick." It's
something you probably already have, but if you don't,
it's not a magical gimmick and should be very easy to get
one inexpensively.

The props come packaged in a small box, approximately 4" x
5.5" x 1" that includes three pages of instructions
(double-sided, stapled), five poker chips, some coin
envelopes, the VIP cards, the magazine, clipping, and the
special deck of casino cards.