Ultimate Free Choice
An instant sellout at The Session and Magifest, “Ultimate Free Choice” by Alexander Hermann is an easy to do, fooling, and commercial routine that is a ton of fun to perform
“Ultimate Free Choice” by Alexander Hermann (the very-much-alive German one, not the super-dead 19th century French one) fooled our entire team when we first saw it at The Session a few years ago. This fun and surprising Open Prediction on steroids had us screaming four letter words that would make our mothers clutch their pearls. Your audiences are going to love the kicker ending.
In fact, we encourage you to scroll back up and watch the full performance in the trailer before reading the description of the effect below.
How it Works
After informing your audience that you have a prediction in your pocket, you spread the deck face down on the table (or in your hands) and invite someone to participate in an “anti-card trick”. Instead of picking a card they want to keep, they choose a card they wouldn’t pick. This is then repeated a few more times with larger chunks of cards.
Eventually only one card will remain. Then, with completely empty hands, you reach into your pocket and remove the prediction card that’s been in there the entire time. It’s a perfect match!
Yet, nobody applauds you for this bonafide miracle. You’re very confused by their reaction until someone in the audience points out that they saw you had multiple other cards in your pocket.
What an embarrassing mistake…or was it?
They were correct. You do have multiple cards in your pocket. But, guess what? All those cards match too. Just when they thought they had you caught, you instantly floor them with a surprise ending they’ll never see coming!
“Ultimate Free Choice” uses a deviously clever method and a swift-moving presentation that eliminates much of the boring drawn out process that plagues similar routines. You might be tempted to think there’s a bunch of equivoque too, but there isn’t. In many cases there’s none at all. In the few situations where a small bit of equivoque is needed, the presentation is perfectly designed to make it completely natural and invisible.
You’ll receive everything you need to start performing right away with a red Bicycle deck. However, “Ultimate Free Choice” can also be modified to work with any deck of cards in a matter of seconds. If you’re not a fan of the multi-card “fakeout” ending, the included specially-made envelope also allows you to perform a more traditional Open Prediction single-card ending. Everything is explained in the detailed tutorial video that teaches you how to perform with confidence every single time.
Exclusive Bonus Video
Anyone who purchases “Ultimate Free Choice” directly from Vanishing Inc. will also have a special bonus video from Alexander added to their account in which he shares a variety of extra ideas and tips to help you get the most out of this routine. You’ll also get advice for performing without a table, as well as an impromptu variation that uses a named card.
Make “Ultimate Free Choice” by Alexander Hermann a permanent part of your repertoire today!
Customer reviews for Ultimate Free Choice
It is, however, an arguable stretch as a single trick release. The core effect as performed is gimmick-less, and the only "extra bits" needed beyond a standard deck of 52 cards are things every card magician will certainly have at their disposal at home. I think this would make a really great $10-$15 download release rather than a $25 physical one. If you like the looks of this, you won't be disappointed by the very worker-friendly and practical method. But don't expect to receive any special apparatus in your package.
I think this would have been a great opportunity to offer this as either a download or a purchase. The items you get in the box are things that are easily sourced for magicians, but, if you don't want to go through the trouble of having multiple incomplete decks of cards, well, then you buy the product instead of the download.
With that said, it is reasonably priced, so I would recommend this trick.
Masterclassmember
In all, money well spent
The routine is not difficult, is fun to do, and is interactive.
I have used the method and routine aspect of 'not picking a card' in a way that fits my personality, without a pocket full of cards.
Is Ultimate Free Choice good? Yes, though I feel it should have an option of download or with props.
Community questions about Ultimate Free Choice
Have a question about this product? It's possible others do too. Ask here and other Vanishing Inc. Magic customers will be able to respond with assistance! Alternatively, email us and we can help too.
Matt asks: Are there 2 to 3 outs for the routine in the video ?
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:Please email us at [email protected] and we can discuss this with you
Dan asks: Is half the deck a force card?
- 1. Paavan responds:No - the deck you perform with is a regular deck
- 2. Carl responds:No forces used AND you use a NORMAL deck No gaffs or gimmicked cards used !!!
Spencer asks: is this a regular deck? or??
- 1. Dustin responds:While a fully impromptu method is taught, the strongest method involves something more than just the deck. However, it's extremely easy to both get ready and end with a regular deck. Alex and I have both used it in the middle of a set many times before without any issue.
Bernard asks: So are there any props with this trick or is it a download? And can it be done from a shuffled deck in use?
- 1. Dustin responds:You basically get what is necessary to perform. The cards for the pocket reveal(which are all ungimmicked) as well as an envelope to use in case you prefer a handling that does not use the pocket. The handling in the video is not fully impromptu, although you will never need a special deck. At the beginning of the performance, you can easily get ready with the same deck you used the entire performance. At the end, you're automatically left with a normal deck to continue to perform. It's worker friendly
- 2. Dustin responds:And I should add, an impromptu version is included!
Rick asks: Will I need to alterate/modify my pocket?
- 1. Dustin responds:Nope. You don't even need pants. (A breastpocket works too)
- 2. Paul responds:Well, I plan to do this at a formal wedding, so doing it without pants would be frowned upon.
- 3. Kai responds:HaHa
Andrew asks: Is it always the same card or an it be varied?
- 1. Andrew responds:I believe the lack of response answers the question.
- 2. Dustin responds:Actually, it does not quite do at all. It's complicated to answer. It depends for example on the reveal you prefer. In ALL cases, different cards can be revealed in a row. If you want, you can also easily adjust it so that you are guaranteed to always have a different outcome, although that would be more efficient with the envelope method, otherwise you would need far more cards for the pocket reveal. But if your concern is whether you can guarantee different cards at different tables, yes you can.
- 3. Matt responds:Assuming that there are at least 2 to 3 outs, correct?
- 4. Carl responds:You can use ANY card and it doesn't have to be the same card ANY one of the 52 cards can be the prediction
- 5. ZAP responds:
Steven asks: Sleights involved? Suitable for a beginner/amateur?
- 1. Dustin responds:No sleights involved, and it's absolutely beginner friendly. It just takes some time to get used to the process, and in a very short time it will be second nature.
- 2. ZAP responds:
7 questions
