Product description: I’ve never been a fan of ACAAN, I don’t really know why, I find the strength of the trick to be weak in comparison with other effects. However, the fact that I don’t like a specific effect doesn’t mean that I cannot enjoy watching it being performed. You Chose Wisely is a very interesting take on the plot with gimmicked (but examinable) deck which ticks nearly all the boxes. You show a box of cards, ask someone to name a card and a number between 1 and 52. You take out the cards from the box and they count, it’s a miracle. It’s time to review it !
Price and where to buy it: This is sold at 34.50€ now so about $40 and you can find it in on qmagic shop: http://qmagi.com/.
What you get: The packaging is quite nice, a white cardboard box, a little bit bigger than a deck of cards with a cardboard booklet in which you have the explanations for the trick. The explanations are written ones, but I believe a video version of them will be available in the future. Even if you don’t speak English, the instructions are easy to follow, so is the trick. There is a bit of maths to do but again, it’s quite simple and you should pick it really quickly. The deck is very very clever, I’ve never seen such principle and it allows you to perform a clean ACAAN wirh the spectator dealing the cards. The case is also cleverly gimmicked. Overall, for what you receive, the price asked is fair and the material is top notch, I don’t think you will be disappointed with the method or material.
Teaser: there is no teaser yet for this one. You can find the description of the routine here: https://qmagi.com/shop?olsPage=products%2Fyou-chose-wisely
The pros and the cons: Here is the core of my review, let's begin with the cons, as I will usually be doing, I prefer to keep the good things for the end.
THE CONS:
The deck is gimmicked but you could use it for other tricks. However, it would destroy the setup. So I consider this one as a 1 trick deck.
It requires a bit of simple maths, everyone will be able to do it but you still need to think during the effect.
THE PROS:
I really like props that are both gimmicked and examinable, and this deck is a perfect example. It’s cleverly gimmicked but examinable.
The spectator can name almost any number between 1 and 52 (it must be 3 or greater), and also any card!
Once you get the knack, it’s quite easy to perform the effect. I think the impact deserves the work you need to provide for it to work.
You nearly never handle the cards, except when you take them out of the box, so it’s very fair.
The spectator is dealing the cards himself and can see that they’re all different.
The reset is quick, just put the cards back in the box and you’re ready to go again.
There is no multiple outs or anything like that, you can repeat the trick with a different card and a different number !
Overall rating: I’m not a big connoisseur in ACAAN but You Chose Wisely is a very good and solid solution to the plot. It’s nearly hands off, uses a clever principle and is spot on every time. I wouldn’t carry the deck with me just to do this effect but I can see how powerful it could be for people, 3/4 hearts.
As for the difficulty level, you need to know how to handle the memorization and maths but it’s a matter of 1 hour I think, 2/5 stars.
Similar products: I really like X-Act by Mike Kirby, Think by Shin Lim or the ACAAN from Asi Wind.