"Decisions" by Mozique
Suggested Retail USD$39.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Decisions", the latest by Mozique, is a great multi-use gimmick with some killer material supplied, but you'll really have to work out your imagination to get the most from it. Thankfully, some of the supplied routines are astounding enough to help get the juices flowing.

It's hard to really explain what "Decisions" is -- even if I just blurted out the nature of the gimmick it wouldn't help much. At its most basic, "Decisions" uses two cards with the words "yes" and "no" printed on them (in what appears to be a dialogue bubble of sorts) and, using these cards, you accurately predict the actions or responses of spectators.

Sorry, but that's about as good as I can do with this one. Unfortunately, that doesn't do "Decisions" justice. The supplied routines, in a rather thick booklet, give a much better idea of things. The routines there accomplish the basic effect, but also go on to predict a series of actions and responses, perform "challenge" routines, cover the old "lie detector" plot (sans playing cards), and much more. The routines really do show just how much power you can wring from "Decisions", which helps a great deal when it comes to putting together your own routines.

Let's look at some details. The cards themselves are poker-sized, with the printing on them being about an inch in size, so you're talking strictly close-up work here. Thankfully, the cards are blank on the back so you don't have to deal with anything resembling playing card designs. All in all, the cards are made very well, though the gimmick is a bit fragile: definitely handle with care. About that gimmick, although the dealer ads lead you to believe otherwise, you cannot allow the gimmick to be examined -- that's a big no-no -- and all the examining before and after the effect means switching. Not a big concern -- some of the routines handle this really well -- but you ought to know that before walking into this one.

Now, the routines. These really run the gamut, from "No Way Would I Do This" to "Ohmigod This Is Fantastic" from some creative folks like Looch, Peter Nardi, Mark Elsdon, Ran Pink, Simon Grant, and others. From simple, one-shot predictions to full multi-phased routines, it's all here. While the most basic use of "Decisions" doesn't require much else other than the cards and gimmick, some of the routines -- not surprisingly, the better ones -- will have you grabbing peek wallets and the like.

The best thing about "Decisions", though, is what you end up doing with it that's yours. Yes, the gimmick is a sweet thing and yes, a couple of the routines are reputation-makers, but that's all the tip of the iceberg with "Decisions". Read the routines, get an idea of where the creators are going with their thinking, pick up the handling nuances and the ideas behind the routining, then come up with your own routine; "Decisions" is certainly flexible enough for that and, honestly, probably deserves all the originality you can throw at it.

"Decisions" by Mozique
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 8
The gimmick itself packs small, resets quickly, and doesn't require a set-up. However, most of the supplied routines require much more work than that. Nothing insurmountable, but as is usual with a multi-use gimmick like this, it's all in what you do with it (that's something you'll hear a lot with this one).

Workmanship: 10
The cards are very well made, including the gimmick. It must be handled carefully but, with care, it should last a while.

Documentation: 8
The documentation, at first blush, seems expansive and detailed. However, some of the routines are confusing and hard to follow. You'll be reading the instructions a few times to get things right. Still, some of the routines are wonderfully described and incredibly thorough.

Effect: 10
It's all in what you do with it, but a few of the supplied routines are simply killers and take the "Decisions" gimmick to its full potential.

Presentation: 10
It's all in what you do with it (told ya you'd see that a few times) but a couple of the presentations are really incredible work.


Shane