Symmetry, Parity and the Chimera Deck

75.00 usd

Book by Ben Harris ($75.00)

In stock. Order in the next 10 hours, 11 minutes and it will go out today!

Ben Harris is a creative force that regularly astounds our entire Vanishing Inc. team. He has created some of the best-selling effects in magic. But, Symmetry & Parity might just be his most ambitious and impressive project ever.

This innovative kit is dedicated to one versatile idea: how to elevate the principles of the classic Svengali Deck into something 10,000 times more amazing. Ben has rebuilt the concept from the ground up to unlock powerful new applications that transform the classic trick deck into one of the most powerful gimmicked decks available today.

Symmetry & Parity is a one-of-a-kind project that combines a stunning 130-page hardcover book with everything you need to start performing immediately. This includes three custom-made gimmicked decks that can’t be purchased anywhere else, as well as a handmade gimmicked card box specially designed by Ben with its own sneaky principles.

This is so much more than just slapping a new coat of paint on an old magic shop deck. Ben Harris has created a:

• Revolutionary way to seemingly allow your spectator to shuffle the gimmicked deck
• A color-changing deck routine with three different changes that takes advantage of a new style of Svengali deck
• The cleanest full-deck Oil & Water routine imaginable
• And so much more…

Symmetry & Parity is a masterclass in stripping an effect to its bare bones and rebuilding it in a way that offers the same clarity, but with just enough added complexity to prevent the audience from ever deconstructing it. In essence, by offering no plausible solution, a simple magic trick becomes a true miracle in the eyes of your spectators.

The ingenious discovery that allows participants to seemingly shuffle the gimmicked deck is worth the price of the book alone. But, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are a variety of new applications for this powerful principle ranging from magician-foolers to a string of impressive effects that can be done one right after the other.

You can learn as you read without every building a single gimmick. The three included gimmicked decks are specially-printed by the United States Playing Card Company and Ben’s ingenious, handmade Tardian Case comes ready to use. Everything is packed in a gorgeous box set that you will display proudly in your library or on your shelf.

Check out Ben's amazing two-part blog exploring the ingenious level of thinking that went into Symmetry, Parity and the Chimera Deck

Read Now

"It's a been decades since I've had this much fun with a box of ingenious magic." Richard Kaufman

"Ben’s ingenious reimagining of a classic principle has led to these remarkable decks. With them you can create visual, stunning card magic that looks utterly impossible. I can’t wait to perform these incredible routines." Marc Paul

130 Pages | Full Color | Hardcover

Be Ready to Perform

The three specially-made decks you receive offer new possibilities on the Svengali Deck principle. However, as most magicians already own one, a standard Svengali Deck was not included. Some of the routines do use just a regular Svengali Deck though. So, if you need one, you can grab it by clicking the button below.

Buy Svengali Deck

Add to wishlist

Add to cart

Community questions about Symmetry, Parity and the Chimera Deck

Have a question about this product? It's possible others do too. Ask here and other Vanishing Inc. Magic customers will be able to respond with assistance! Alternatively, email us and we can help too.

• Matthew asks: Is it a full size book or mini-book like with the recent Jermay release?

  • 1. Roberto answers: The description says it’s 130 pages with illustrations.
  • 2. Ben Harris (creator) responds: Yes. It's a full sized book. Beautifully produced.
  • 1. Roberto answers: The description says it’s 130 pages with illustrations.

• Kevin asks: If either of these turn out to be workhorses, will the decks be available individually, ever?

  • 1. Ben Harris (creator) responds: You'll always be able to make your own custom versions of any of the decks. The book also supplies detailed construction information. EASY.

• Karen asks: What level of difficulty would you assign to these tricks?

  • 1. Ben Harris (creator) responds: Beginner level for the handlings. If you can riffle a deck of cards and cut it, then you're covered!

• Nikita asks: Since the decks are gimmicked, do we have solutions/routining allowing to finish clean ? And consequently, are these effects suitable for close up performance (as opposed to parlour/stage performance) ?

  • 1. Ben Harris (creator) responds: Chimera Deck and Imagination Deck are performance pieces with those two decks and are not examinable. Parity Deck has endless uses and applications and is EXAMINABLE. It's my fave because of it's potential for creating new magic.

• John asks: Are there any videos of any of the effects with the decks being used?

  • 1. Don answers: Ben has posted a few videos of the decks being used on YouTube.
  • 2. Ben Harris (creator) responds: Hi. Video demo's of some of the effects can be found on my YOUTUBE channel. You can access these via wowbound.com Enjoy
  • 1. Don answers: Ben has posted a few videos of the decks being used on YouTube.

• Kevin asks: The ability for an audience member to shuffle these decks is critical. However, I don't see an audience member doing this in any of the videos I have seen. How natural and reliable is this audience shuffling technique?

  • 1. Ben Harris (creator) responds: The Parity Deck can be shuffled and examined, yet it's gimmicked to the hilt. Chimera and Imagination cannot be examined. The book also teaches how ANY regular Svengali Deck can be mixed by the audience members.

• mary haley asks: hi, is any video tutorial or only the book ?

  • 1. Ben Harris (creator) responds: Hi there. Apologies, but there is no digital version. It's all easy to learn from the printed page with Ever Elizalde's lovely illustrations.

• Mark asks: The pictures all show red Bicycle decks. If I buy a red Svengali deck am I assured I won't be "surprised" by blue decks in the S,P&C package?

  • 1. Ben Harris (creator) responds: Hi Mark. All the decks with Symmetry & Parity are RED backed, promise. The Chimera Deck changes from red to blue to yellow. The Parity Deck is red, as is the Imagination Deck. Other routines in the book can use any colour Svengali Deck that you like.

• Ged asks: The idea of a side/end Svengali is an old one. I saw it in an early Abracadabra and, I think in a later Harry Stanley's "Gen." Any kid who got a box of magic tricks will recognize the method. My question. Are you going to give attribution?

  • 1. Ben Harris (creator) responds: The book deals with the history of Svengali and explores new applications and presentations for printing routines, colour changing deck routines, etc. No claim is made for inventing the Svengali Deck.

• ken asks: Can the Spec overhand shuffle with the "Parity Deck'

  • 1. Nev answers: The full deck cannot be overhand shuffled by a spectator

  Post an answer to this question

• John asks: Red Bikes? I ask because the Svengali that first came up was Mandolin backs. Thanks!

  • 1. Chadwick answers: I've seen this question multiple times. Bicycle (bikes) is the brand, not the back design. Mandolin backs are still considered "Bikes". Most people, when asking "are they bikes?", should instead be asking, "are they rider back?"
  • 2. Ben Harris (creator) responds: You are correct, Chad. These are Rider Backs.
  • 1. Chadwick answers: I've seen this question multiple times. Bicycle (bikes) is the brand, not the back design. Mandolin backs are still considered "Bikes". Most people, when asking "are they bikes?", should instead be asking, "are they rider back?"

• Kyle asks: Any chance of getting a signed version? I just ordered the book today.

  • 1. Jim answers: Since these are in one country, and Ben is in another, this is unlikely. Your best bet to to meet him at a magic convention.

  Post an answer to this question

• David asks: Hi I bought this at Magic Apple in Los Angeles. How can I post a review since its not on my account here? Quick note, I’m only on page 35 and I can already tell you this man is a genius. I’ll absolutely be using this method asap.

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: Just scroll down to the reviews on the page and press the orange "Write a Review" button. Hope that helps and I am very glad you are enjoying it!

Interested in Symmetry, Parity and the Chimera Deck? You may also like:

Second Thoughts
Ramon Rioboo has a reputation as an innovator of card tricks capable of fooling...

Before We Begin
Asi Wind is a shining light in our industry, and his first book, Repertoire,...

The Darkest Corners
A complete sellout at Magifest, The Session and Blackpool, this inaugural...

Astonishing Essays - Tina Lenert (Volume 7)
In this extraordinary Astonishing Essay, Tina Lenert delivers a personal,...

 

Richard

Ben Harris has engaged in some excellent ways of thinking about things in a way they are not normally seen and used. This beautifully boxed set includes a hardcover book, three special decks made in Bikes, and a card case (white ... a necessity due to the way it's used). "The Chimera Deck" is something new: a triple color-changing deck where you end with the most clean-looking display you could hope for. I've been playing with the contents of the box all evening.
While some of the material requires sleights, much of it is completely sleight-free. Anyone can do the full-deck Oil and Water in about ten minutes.
All in all, something special. And it's fun—not a phrase often associated with a box of gimmicked decks, but this really is a box of fun.
Richard Kaufman

 

Cosmo

The svengali deck, or should I say the principle itself, is one of magic’s great underrated tools.

As a working pro, I’m a big fan of the concept, and utilize it in many ways, “Symmetry, Parity” had my curiosity instantly, and I ordered with great hope that I wouldn’t be disappointed. Of course, Ben Harris is hardly one who disappoints!

You will find “real” work that takes an old, standard, beginner’s Svengali deck, and transforms it into a tool for creating true
impossibilities for a discerning, real world audience. The value here isn’t just the deck(s) themselves, it’s the well thought out details of both presentation and method. If one takes THESE things to heart, then the lessons learned from this set are MUCH MORE VALUABLE than the props.

If you’re looking for just a new trick. Well, yeah, this would do it, but, as you go through this, step back and realize the THINKING that Harris demonstrates, and allow this to inspire YOUR thinking!

The book itself is an EASY read, very well detailed and illustrated, AND, the decks are made by USPCC.

For me, it will take a little choreography and thought to work this into my existing shows, as these are “gaffed decks”, however as stand alone effects to do in a less formal atmosphere, these will be fun to perform and are very strong effects. Bravo to Mr. Harris! Money well spent!"

 

Jeff

Fun is important to me. This collection of cards and an extensively integrated book.
This collection is fun as well as effective and entertaining.

 

Winton

The book is outstanding. 10 out of 5 stars. However, the Chimera deck I received, which is likely standard, has white boarders that are woefully too narrow rendering the deck useless. I would give still have given 3 ½ stars, given how excellent the book is, but that seems not to be an option. However the price, perhaps 25 to 50% higher than the book alone (do the numerator over denominator math before criticizing that estimate) implicitly includes the three decks. With one of them DOA, that needs to be pointed out. Expected better. Please fix for future purchasers.