"Regal Color Changing Deck" by David Regal
Suggested Retail USD$25.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

David Regal's latest, "Regal Color Changing Deck", is his version of the classic plot that plays quickly and is structured to get the most magic from the theme you can get.

Most version of "The Color Changing Deck" suffer from one of two problems: too little magic (it's over so quickly spectators don't have time to absorb what really happened) or too much (the routine becomes a marathon session of color changes until the feeling that it needs to end is almost palpable). Regal's version hits the middle ground perfectly.

In the "Regal Color Changing Deck", a card is selected by a spectator (or simply cut to if you prefer) from a blue-backed deck. The card is placed on the table and is shown to have changed from blue- to red-backed. Then the card is picked up and is seen to have its face change color to a reverse-printed card (for example, a black Six of Hearts). The deck is spread and now all the cards are seen to be red-backed. For the big finale, clumps of cards are turned over showing that every card is now "misprinted" in reversed colors, with the spades and clubs becoming red and the hearts and diamonds becoming black. You can take a look at the video of the routine here.

The nice thing about Regal's routine here is that it is quick but most pointedly magical in appearance. Focusing on the single card change, which is done in two parts, and then quickly having the deck change makes this very workable in most situations. Regal kept that practicality going in the workings, relying on a few simple sleights and very simple gaffing to pull things off.

There are, though, a couple of places in the routine that will scare off some folks. Think discrepancies on a large scale. Regal takes a paragraph or two in his instructions to explain how this is not something to be scared of, no matter how gutsy it seems. You know something? He's right. I'll be the first to admit, though I have no problems with slight discrepancies, I cringed when I read about these. When I did it, though, I found Regal to be right on the money; there were no wrinkled foreheads or quizzical looks in evident. Still, if you're the least bit concerned about getting away with something that all logic says you'll never get away with, "Regal's Color Changing Deck" isn't for you.

While we're getting into details here, let's talk about the deck. It's not gimmicked per se, so at the end, if you were so inclined, you could use the reverse-printed cards to perform more card effects (it's a full deck, by the way, minus the Jokers) after you ditch a few simple somethings; forget about doing anything with it before the color-change routine (naturally, you could use this as a climax with a deck switch). Because Regal kept everything simple, you've got a minimal reset to worry about and he even worked out handlings for stand-up and table work both.

At the end of the day, David Regal did a great job with the "Regal Color Changing Deck". It's fast, visually striking, and plays better than most other color-changing deck routines and definitely worth looking into.

"Regal Color Changing Deck" David Regal
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 9
The set-up is easy, re-set is simple enough, the handling is simple, and there are handlings for doing this one with or without a table. It's a special deck of cards you'll have to carry around, but if you don't mind doing other card magic with a reverse-printed deck, even that's acceptable (you'll need to ditch some certain somethings to be really clean, though). Overall, this is a very practical piece of work.

Workmanship: 10
The cards were printed by USPC; 'nuff said there.

Documentation: 10
The documentation, heavy with color photos, is very clear and concise. Extra points go to Regal for adding additional handlings here and there and offering two version of the routine (with table and not).

Effect: 8
Color-changing deck routines are not usually the stunners we all hope for; this is no exception. However, it does play, very well and doesn't disappoint.

Presentation: 8
The presentation is light -- all about the strange property of a deck of cards -- but Regal did the right thing by keeping the routine short and punchy with a good number of minor miracles built in.


Shane