Hustle by Juan Marcos and Murphy’s Magic Supplies is a fantastic and surprising trick. Hustle has a monte feel to it because the spectator has to pick a specific card that has just been turned face down, but the kicker ending knocks the spectator on their face.
From the spectator’s point of view, they see 6 jokers being placed face down and one red queen. They have to pick the “different” card. They go for the queen, that cannot be anywhere else and… it is a queen. But, the kicker is that all the 6 jokers are turned over and they are all queens. So, the spectator loses because the card they thought was the “different” one is actually not. There is only one joker despite seeing a whole hand full of them. This routine is truly a befuddling slap to your spectator’s brain. Having performed this trick a few times, it was comical how many spectators said the exact same words… “Wait! What just happened?”.
With your purchase of Hustle you get all the necessary cards and a 15 minute DVD taught by Chris Oberle. The production quality of the DVD is excellent. There are two edited live performances with multiple camera angles which show genuine reactions of spectators. These performances are shown on the promotional video. I would have liked to have seen an unedited single camera shoot for the live performances. Chris Oberle also demonstrates the routine in studio, with two different handlings. Because I believe that this trick is wide open to different styles, patter and presentation, I wish there were many more live demonstrations of this routine. The DVD does not have a menu and is more like a straight through 15 minute watch. Because of that, initially, I thought the instruction was a bit rushed and I had to watch the DVD a few times to get the steps down. I actually watched it with a pad and wrote it down which was very helpful. 
The cards that come with Hustle are red rider backed Bicycles. The only thing that is not provided is something that most magicians will have already from prior tricks and most offices have sitting in the supply closet. If you need to run out and buy this extra stuff, it will cost you a few bucks.
The ad copy states that Hustle is “Easy to learn, easy to do. Instant reset. No sleight of hand.” It is true that it is easy to learn, but it will require some practice to get the steps down and to eliminate what initially looks a bit clunky. With a bit of practice you will feel comfortable and ready to perform Hustle. I do believe that there is some sleight of hand necessary, but it is simple. Some may think it is more of a move than a sleight, but this may qualify as both. This trick is not for an absolute beginner. I also do not agree that there is an instant reset. An instant reset means you are ready to go without any rearranging. That is not the case here. Reset takes about 3 seconds to get in the get ready position. When performing this trick, there are some angles to be aware of during the “move” or “sleight” discussed above, but this trick will be performed when you are across the table from your spectators. You do not end 100% clean…actually you are 85% clean, so the spectators are easily led to believe you are 100% clean with a bit of audience management. A table is required to perform this trick.
At the time of the writing of this review, Hustle retails for $24.95.
I highly recommend this monte-like routine which will throw your spectators for a loop.
This excellent product is available at your favorite Murphy’s Magic retailer.
