Karl Hein’s reputation for being an extremely talented and skilled card handler is well deserved. He is great teacher and an impressive performer. Time flies when you watch this two-hour video and you will immediately want to watch it again because there is so much material packed into this lecture. Hein admirably credits the magicians before him who have influenced his methods, taught him, and who originated various tricks that he borrowed or improved upon. Mike Hankins does an excellent job at hosting Hein and asking him to repeat certain moves or demonstrate various sleights.
The lecture starts off with a humorous mock-infomercial for the “Koppertop” hat, Hein’s signature article of clothing. After Hein takes the stage, he immediately dives into his first card trick, the very strong, “That Would Be A Freaking Miracle” where the audience picks three cards, which are then shuffled back into the deck. The spectator then picks a card and it is not one of the three chosen cards, it is a joker. Then the joker finds the three cards, which almost instantly turn into three jokers. Then, as it that was not enough, the entire deck turns into jokers. Hein then locates the vanished three cards under the Koppertop, which is on his head. And, of course, then a bottle of water drops out of his hat. Hein clearly and articulately teaches the trick and the various sleights, forces, card palm and misdirection necessary to perform the trick, all of which can be used for various different routines. Hein’s explanation of the card to hat load was very entertaining and detailed. The camera angles during the explanation portions of the lecture really help demonstrate and explain what the performer is doing. When needed, Hein calls for either a front camera, a bird’s eye view camera, a worm’s eye view or a side view.
Hein then demonstrates his impressive version of Triumph and explains it step by step, as well as the false shuffles and cuts, including the Heinstein Shuffle. The Heinstein Shuffle is an effective version of the Zarrow Shuffle, for which Hein acknowledges and calls for a round of applause for Herb Zarrow. He also demonstrates the false overhand shuffle and the Hofzinser cull. He demonstrates his card prowess by performing a one-handed full deck riffle shuffle followed immediately by two simultaneous one-handed riffle shuffles – -with half the deck in each hand.
Hein teaches a fun and easy multi-colored sugar packet prediction trick, using business cards and dollar bills to reveal the different color packets that he predicted that the spectator would and did choose. He demonstrates, but does not teach, his Heiny 500 multiple bill change which is extremely visual and leaves you wanting more, and strongly considering purchasing his instructional DVD by the same name.
Hein fields many questions and gives advice on working restaurants and explains his theory and philosophy of interacting with tables, collecting tips in different venues and handing out business cards. He also gives some tips on how to draw applause from an audience for a volunteer, which gets a quiet audience more involved in the act.
Hein also demonstrates and explains his version of “Out of This World” which he calls “Out of your Mind”. Out of your Mind is an amazing variation on the classic trick that does not require a full deck or prior set up and plays very naturally. Hein teaches some handling that requires a bit of practice. He also demonstrates and explains his un-gimmicked version of Ryan Swigert’s “Kickback” which he calls “My Grandmother’s BLT” after his favorite sandwich (which his grandmother makes, which is very tasty). Hein breaks down every aspect of this and his other tricks. Practicing what was taught will no doubt up your game and improve your card handling skills.
This review does not and could not address everything in this fantastic lecture, which should not be passed over. You will thoroughly enjoy this download and no doubt watch it multiple times.