Equilibrium is a trick in which the spectator cuts the deck and takes a certain number of cards. The performer thumbs through the remaining cards, one at a time, and selects a certain number of cards that happens to match the number of cards in the spectator’s pile. The trick can be performed blindfolded, behind your back, or a variety of ways. This trick comes with an instructional DVD and two gimmicked Bicycle cards; one red and one blue. The gimmicked cards are well made and virtually undetectable to any spectator.
If you like the premise of this trick, then you may enjoy Equilibrium. However, I did not find the overall effect to be that impressive or exciting. First off, the spectator is instructed to pick less than half the deck. This restriction makes the trick seem less free and controlled. Then after the spectator cuts the deck, the perform picks up the deck and thumbs off some of the remaining cards into a pile. Again, this move leads the spectator to think that the performer may be counting the cards. Then, the performer, deals down his cards at the same time as the spectator and low and behold they have the same number of cards. The trick is a bit underwhelming.
The DVD instruction by Meadows is average and to the DVD’s detriment, there is no actual demonstration of the trick being performed to a spectator; no live version and no studio version. On the DVD, Meadows performs the trick and plays the part of the spectator.
In the promotional video you cannot really tell what the trick is as the live performances are heavily edited and overdubbed with music. Also, the graphic imposed text claims that Equilibrium uses “advanced technology” and that “you can’t make this gimmick easily yourself.” If this trick uses advanced technology, then it must have been created in the late 1800’s. I have no idea what that claim refers to. The gimmick does not seem to be advanced in any way and in fact, contrary to the claim, it would be very easy to create the gimmicked card, although using a different process. I could create a card that acts exactly like the gimmick here, a.k.a the deadly locator card, in about 20 second, probably less. I believe that the ad copy however, is accurate. This trick is easy to do, if you want to do it. For what you get, I think that $24.95 is a bit too expensive.
Despite the criticism above, the gimmick in Equilibrium is clever and I have permanently placed it into my regular deck of cards, but not for use in the Equilibrium routine.