In Case of ESP

Very simple effect but with a great explanation and thoughts on how to make it your own effect.

"In Case of ESP" is so much more than a mentalism effect. You receive the "Performance" and the "Tutorial" as to the "how to" for the effect. However, Max Maven provides some brief background regarding the history of the development of the ESP cards, their introduction into the public domain and the world of mentalism, and helps the student or apprentice of mentalism to explore a segment of the mentalism expanse. The presentation is very clear as to understanding, it is interesting and educational. The presentation is brief to not lull the viewer into a dream state, but not so brief as to lose the significance of the material being taught. Excellent purchase. I highly recommend the purchase for the student of mentalism and for the non-mentalist to possess additional knowledge within the realm of magical entertainment.

this is a very compelling explanation of a very cool trick

As always Max Maven is very through and in depth. HIs knowledge of magic, history and theory is humbling. I love learning the background of an effect as well as the theory of the idea and presentation. As Max says, "It is a simple method, which is not to say simplistic". This is something you can easily carry with you at all times and a perfect way to introduce someone to the mysteries of mentalism.

A trick is just a trick...but to really makes a trick memorable it takes good presentation. Max Maven teaches you the mechanics of the trick but teaches you and challenges you to build on the foundation that he has laid down for you to get a "Wow" moment from your spectator.

That was amazing!!!!
Excellent effect, great presentation, and of course Max Maven a living legend...
Great production values.
Vanishing inc team please bring us more projects from Max.
Even as an one off speech.
Or Masterclass.
Important to have a quality microphone especially for Max Maven

Max is incapable of doing anything but exceptionally fine work. As always, this short clip is chock full of valuable information, advice, tips, etc. Very well done! And, of course, this effect is completely mystifying. Hard-hitting yet not at all difficult. What’s not to love?

OUTSTANDING!!!! God rest his soul!!!??

great deep understanding,..really helps in learning how to Act and Behave like a mentalist.

Max Maven has left us so many pearls--no, make that diamonds--of wisdom. And this video is a great example of that wisdom. A simple effect in the mind of the Maven, turns into a presentational Grand Slam Home Run. Watch his performance. Watch it again. And again. Did you note the absence of both extraneous movement and excess patter? Did you see how Max takes a simple "take a card and I'll tell you what it is" card trick and constructs a very believable demonstration of thought reading?

Take my word for it, if you want to learn how to be a mentalist, sage, or purveyor of hoo-doo, study anything you can lay your hands on by Max Maven (or his alter ego, Phil Goldstein.) Watch his performances, study his books. You will not find a better teacher. And in the case of "in Case of ESP" you'll have a wonderful jumping off point on you way to reading minds.

Interesting food for thought.

A very basic but effective version of ESP. In the hands of Max Maven, the demonstration is made to look quite guile-free. Max is and will be missed for a long time. This video will give you a solid understanding of the basics.

Max Maven (originally Phil Goldstein - and you can find some of his effects still under his birth name) - was at least a demi-god in Mentalism. Just about anything he wrote and EVERYTHING he performed is GOLD. This one - as are most great routines - has a simple method. Max's performance has beauty to it. His voice is mesmerizing. Once he gets rolling there are no bits of extraneous bits of fluff.
His explanation includes his original gimmick as well as a more recent one and suggests others. He includes references in how various parts of the routine have been developed by others over the past 500 years (don't worry - these parts comprise a total of maybe 2 minutes out of the video. Max was a historian of magic and mentalism.
This is an excellent buy.

I cannot believe that I am eating something from Max Maven as “below standard.” Yet I was disappointed. The effect is dependent on having a particular deck of cards, one that’s relatively hard to get these days. It’s always great to hear his dulcet tones and watch his expressive face. But there wasn’t as much substance as I’m used to from him. And I didn’t even feel his usual energy. Generally I would encourage anyone to buy anything Max Maven is involved with … even when it’s less than his best. Not this one. I hate to say it, but save your money.

So smart, it is a "simple" trick with such deep methods and thoughts. Well worth your time. If you pay attention you will become a much better mentalist and magician. I would highly advise this to anyone who wants to improve his skills in many ways.

It is the legendary Max Maven. This is mentalism with ESP cards. Absolutely clever and I really like it. Would definitely benefit from combining this idea with the ESP ideas talked about on Peter Turner's Masterclass. Currently working on coming up with an ESP set for walk-around and this effect will definitely be in there.

This is a very cool effect...and the explanation that Max gives is worth the effect in-and-of itself. Max may be gone in physical form...but his magic is still very much with us. Do yourself a favor...and pick this up...not for the trick itself so much...even though it is a great ESP effect...but pick it up for Max's explanation. All the Best, Dr. Dan

This is a great download, not only teaching the effect, but also delving into its history (along with a general history of Zener cards) and subtleties in a way only Max Maven could. Unfortunately, I do think the $18 price-point is a bit too much for what you get. "In Case of ESP" is only one trick, and it's a very basic one that anyone who uses Zener Cards in their work likely already knows the method for. That being said, it's certainly worth picking up the next time Vanishing Inc has a sale on downloads just for Max's insights.

This is so good!

One of the most inspiring presentations I've seen. Eugene Burger would be proud. (And no surprise there.) Not just "Here's a trick! Do it tonight!" He puts tons of thought into it. He provides history. He's a wonderful teacher, and he treats you with respect--he assumes you care about magic. I can't tell you how much I loved his explanation. I don't do mentalism, but I will do this effect. And what I learned I'll apply to my close up. He is an astonishing presenter. I've watched the explanation five times and I'll watch it again.

It was the MAXimum!

This is a simple but instructive introduction to ESP decks, their history and basic methods of using them, focusing on the simple mentalism effect seen in the advertising trailer. The fact that the teacher is the wonderful Max Maven adds immeasurably to the value of this download. He gives advice on performing that can be used in many effects beyond this one. I especially like his idea of “ostensible reality,” which can be applied to magic as well as to mentalism. This is an opportunity to learn some more from this late lamented maestro of magic and mentalism.

Simple method but a wealth of presentation possibilities, as Max Maven elaborates in detail at the end of the instructional video. This can be a quick, simple effect or a feature presentation piece in your show. The set-up need only be done once. After that, the reset is immediate. Get a standard set of 25 ESP cards and you’re ready to go. Highly recommended.

The last 5 minutes are pure gold. The rest is great. Buy this download and become a better magician, a better performer. Max, can you please come back? And bring Eugene with you.

It’s easy to dismiss this routine Once you know how it’s done. But there’s so much more to it than just the mechanics that teach you how it’s done.

I enjoy the history of the illusion. Now I have to think more carefully about mentalism and telepathy and how it works from the audience point of view. Hmmmm
Mike Gamble