"Thoughts Across" by David Solomon
Suggested Retail USD$15.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

"Thoughts Across", the latest trick from David Solomon, is a masterful take on the classic that is simple, sleight-free, and with as much power as you could ask for.

I'm not going to pound out the plot -- we all know it by now -- so I'll just spell out some specifics. "Thoughts Across" works with two packets of ten and two thought-of cards. The spectator does the initial counting of the cards and the first packet of ten. Solomon's method relies heavily on gaffed cards but gets rid of the usual sleights (forces, palming, false displays and the like are gone).

All in all, this is a fine version of the classic. Solomon's handling is gorgeous and gorgeously simple. He uses an oh-so-devious subtlety to accomplish most of the dirty work and, even looking for it during the performance video, I missed it by a mile. I won't go into a lot of detail talking about it, but it's clever as can be and Solomon, once again, shows how a little thing can pull off big things.

Oh, but wait a second. This is Solomon and it's a FUN Inc. production which means we're not done yet.

Two Solomon classics are also taught on this disc. Both are transpositions and both use nothing more than a couple of simple sleights and a borrowed deck. The first is "Pure Vice-Versa", a transposition of two selected cards, that is quick and stunningly clever. The second is "Double-Crossed Switchcraft" which is a multi-phase transposition between two cards. Both of these routines, taught by Solomon, are pretty much worth the price of the disc. By the time you through in the actual, titled effect you're buying, this disc is definitely worth the money.

So is "Thoughts Across" worth the purchase for you? If you do card magic and like the "Cards Across" plot but don't do it, then this is likely a perfect fit for you. If you already do a version of the plot, it's still worth the money just to see Solomon's thinking in action and glom onto some of his ideas. Throw in the two excellent bonus effects and you'll be in heaven.

In the end, "Thoughts Across" gets the highest recommendation I can give it; it's an excellent take on the classic. Period.

"Thoughts Across" by David Solomon
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Practicality: 10
There's a bit of a set-up, but once done reset is easy. Solomon relies on some gaffed cards to get most of the work done, but this is David Solomon here: he introduces them logically and, if you need to, getting rid of them to clean up the deck is easy enough. Put the gaffs into your deck, do a little certain something, and you're good to go. All told, this is quite practical. The other two routines supplied on the disc use a borrowed deck; 'nuff said.

Workmanship: 10
The cards are printed on red Bicycle stock and look as great as you'd expect from them.

Documentation: 10
The instructions come on DVD and Solomon does his usual masterful job of teaching his effects. No problems here.

Effect: 10
"Cards Across" is inherently powerful just from the theme itself. All it needs is a direct, straightforward, clean working and jaws are just begging to be dropped. Solomon's version accomplishes that in spades.

Presentation: 10
Verbal components for the plot are pretty much narrative; the impact comes from the appearance of the "dirty work". Here, Solomon's handling is simple and dead-on with its impact thanks to that.


Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact FUN, Inc. by phone at (773)745-3837, email at info@funinc.com, or visit the FUN Inc. website.