Pikolinus by Tony Lackner, Eckhard Boettcher

This is the original version of Pikolinus created by Tony Lackner and marketed by Eckhard Boettcher.  Although the later version, Pikolinus II created by Thomas Pohle, looks similar the method for the original is quite different.

The original is probably a little easier to perform, but it is not as flexible as II.  The original can be handed out for brief examination, which you could never do with II. However, you can’t so cleanly show the covers at the end as you can with II.  Though for most performing conditions you can certainly flash the covers and everything will appear fair.

I think the original probably looks cleaner to the spectator because you are not turning the blocks over as much, which might seem a little strange – but it is required for the method to work.

I think it is fair to say Pikolinus II looks prettier, though both are made very well and will last if handled correctly.  Saying which is better overall is quite difficult and I would leave this to the collector to make their own decision.  I do know when I first received Pikolinus II it took a while to get the knack of the moves. Whereas with this version it was a quicker study.  That reason alone might be why some would prefer the original.  However, if you follow my routine for Pikolinus II it pretty much works itself, so the learning curve is diminished.

Effect: The performer introduces four small, nicely decorated dice that show the suit of a card on opposite sides, with the other sides are black. Two tubes that fit over a stack of two dice at a time are also introduced. The dice can be cleanly shown from all angles and the tubes too.  In fact, if desired everything can be briefly examined though I would not hand them out for long.

The performer talks about birds of a feather flocking together and separates the heart and club die from their partners and covers the two stacks of different colored dice with the covers.  A snap of the fingers and the two reds are back and the two blacks are back together.

The performer offers to repeat the process by using the diamond and spade as markers on the top of the tubes and covers the heart with the diamond cover, and the club with the spade cover.  He then switches the markers and snaps his fingers and the heart and club have swapped places again – indeed Birds of a feather do flock together 🙂

Found something wrong? Help us improve things by clicking here!