BDM Hands Off - The Perfect Chest (Gimmick and Online Instructions) by Bazar de Magia - Trick

This effect is so well done and so well crafted that it deserves some consideration in how it is presented. The demo is very accurate and shows an honest depiction of a safe box and that it would not raise an iota of suspicion. No one would know the difference between the BDM and a ungimmicked box, myself included. The method is not new as many pad locks work in a similar fashion, but the locks needed to be held in a particular way and be in the magicians hands more or less. You never have to lay a finger on this box at any point. It is completely self working. There are no electronics involved. So self working you don’t even need to be there.
I’ve performed it a couple of dozen times over the past two months. I’ve also been in Magic for 58 years. That is not meant to impress you. There was a time when I only had 12 months of experience. My point is I know when I bring down the house and I know when I stink up the joint. But I’ve learned over many years how to get the reaction I’m after. If I take a comedic approach, then I want them turning red with hysteria. If I take the spooky erie direction, then I want hairs on their neck standing up. For BDM I want real Drama and suspense. And this is where I respectfully part ways with the presentation in the demo. I don’t perform this as a mind reading or a prediction. I tell my audience after they each select a key from a glass and all fail to unlock the box with their key, that my key in my pocket will. And one of them tries it and it does open the box. But here is where it begins to take an unorthodox turn for this effect. I explain that, “I have been studying for many years on how to influence another person. I wish to truly hone my skills in this area and perfect this ability. That is why I call this effect Paying the Price.” First I explain that I do know which key in the glass with four other keys that appear to be identical will open the lock. I tell them because I marked the key that is undetectable to a non- magician. You can look through all of the keys, but I assure you, that you will not find it. I even let them examine closely the key that did open the box. While the box is open I take out an envelope of money and I tell them that if I fail to keep them from opening the box they all devide the money equally. But first they must all promise that if I fail that they will accept their prize money, before we begin. If they don’t each promise to take the money then I will not proceed with the effect. It never comes to that. I explain that without a real risk I can’t perfect my skills. So once they all agree they choose a key. I make many offers to them through out the routine. Switch for mine that remains in glass, keep the one they have. Switch with someone else. But it’s far more psychological, them knowing that I marked the correct key. Am I bluffing with my offers. Am I double bluffing to protect my key. I actually tell them I will use every strategy to keep my key in the glass and out of their hands. It’s a real head game. You see putting your cell phone or drivers license in the box doesn’t do it. Nobody wants your cell phone. And after you succeed you just take back your phone,it’s a bit flat. And to fo it as a tradition mental trick is in my opinion not strong enough. To admit to them that you know because you marked the key is a complete turn around. It amplifies the idea that you can talk them in or out of a decision. They examine and pay attention to every word I’m saying. Even if I’m offering a choice to others. They think that they might have it and that someone else’s choice is going to psych them out. Like when they put their key in the glass for the one that’s there and I say “ I’m so glad you did that. Next person thinks. Is he glad or nervous? Of course in the end my money stays with me. But it’s a very powerful way to use the BDM box. I shared this because I always want every magician that spent their hard earned money to wring every drop of entertainment value out of the effect. Unfortunately it’s hard to give the important nuances in a written review. BDM is a fabulous piece of equipment. It won’t let you down. You can build real psychological drama with this little box. And depending how much you are supposedly putting at risk will have them going home asking a lot of what if’s! Steve R

This effect is so well done and so well crafted that it deserves some consideration in how it is presented. The demo is very accurate and shows an honest depiction of a safe box and that it would not raise an iota of suspicion. No one would know the difference between the BDM and a ungimmicked box, myself included. The method is not new as many pad locks work in a similar fashion, but the locks needed to be held in a particular way and be in the magicians hands more or less. You never have to lay a finger on this box at any point. It is completely self working. There are no electronics involved. So self working you don’t even need to be there.
I’ve performed it a couple of dozen times over the past two months. I’ve also been in Magic for 58 years. That is not meant to impress you. There was a time when I only had 12 months of experience. My point is I know when I bring down the house and I know when I stink up the joint. But I’ve learned over many years how to get the reaction I’m after. If I take a comedic approach, then I want them turning red with hysteria. If I take the spooky erie direction, then I want hairs on their neck standing up. For BDM I want real Drama and suspense. And this is where I respectfully part ways with the presentation in the demo. I don’t perform this as a mind reading or a prediction. I tell my audience after they each select a key from a glass and all fail to unlock the box with their key, that my key in my pocket will. And one of them tries it and it does open the box. But here is where it begins to take an unorthodox turn for this effect. I explain that, “I have been studying for many years on how to influence another person. I wish to truly hone my skills in this area and perfect this ability. That is why I call this effect Paying the Price.” First I explain that I do know which key in the glass with four other keys that appear to be identical will open the lock. I tell them because I marked the key that is undetectable to a non- magician. You can look through all of the keys, but I assure you, that you will not find it. I even let them examine closely the key that did open the box. While the box is open I take out an envelope of money and I tell them that if I fail to keep them from opening the box they all devide the money equally. But first they must all promise that if I fail that they will accept their prize money, before we begin. If they don’t each promise to take the money then I will not proceed with the effect. It never comes to that. I explain that without a real risk I can’t perfect my skills. So once they all agree they choose a key. I make many offers to them through out the routine. Switch for mine that remains in glass, keep the one they have. Switch with someone else. But it’s far more psychological, them knowing that I marked the correct key. Am I bluffing with my offers. Am I double bluffing to protect my key. I actually tell them I will use every strategy to keep my key in the glass and out of their hands. It’s a real head game. You see putting your cell phone or drivers license in the box doesn’t do it. Nobody wants your cell phone. And after you succeed you just take back your phone,it’s a bit flat. And to fo it as a tradition mental trick is in my opinion not strong enough. To admit to them that you know because you marked the key is a complete turn around. It amplifies the idea that you can talk them in or out of a decision. They examine and pay attention to every word I’m saying. Even if I’m offering a choice to others. They think that they might have it and that someone else’s choice is going to psych them out. Like when they put their key in the glass for the one that’s there and I say “ I’m so glad you did that. Next person thinks. Is he glad or nervous? Of course in the end my money stays with me. But it’s a very powerful way to use the BDM box. I shared this because I always want every magician that spent their hard earned money to wring every drop of entertainment value out of the effect. Unfortunately it’s hard to give the important nuances in a written review. BDM is a fabulous piece of equipment. It won’t let you down. You can build real psychological drama with this little box. And depending how much you are supposedly putting at risk will have them going home asking a lot of what if’s! Steve R