Hong Kong Paddle Deluxe (1 of 4) by Willi Wessel

This is a wonderful find from the great German craftsman Willi Wessel. He made this deluxe set originally for himself and then just three other sets for close friends.  He did not offer this to his normal customers and I only obtained this because Willi sold me his one earlier this year 🙂

The presentation case has been upgraded (complete with a real inlaid Chinese design on the top of the box) and includes an extra paddle that has the Chinese writing on both sides.  There is a special recess in the box to allow the easy switch for the second paddle on the off-beat as you show the color change of the chips.  In my routine I chose to load the paddle with a $100 final impact but you could just switch it out so that the paddle can be examined. I’m sure other variations will spring to mind.

What I like about Willi’s routines is that he extracts every inch of magic from his props.  This set comes with the routine by Howard Schwarzman and Willi’s original instructions in German.  I will also include a link to a special video from Willi explaining the switch.  He talks about a switch based on an idea by Larry Jennings. I ended up using a slightly different switch in my video, but you can use either approach.  Because the heat is off the switch it really is quite straight forward.

The other thing I like about this particular routine is that you sometimes use the paddle move and sometimes don’t and so it reinforces the legitimacy of the moves. If you look at the routine:

• You start with three tokens and then double them  (do move).
• You pull off the tokens from either side of the paddle and really have doubled them (no move).
• You start with one bill and double it (no move).
• Show the blank paddle on both sides (do move).
• Transform into the Chinese letters (turn over, no move).
• Transform the red tokens into colored tokens (no move).
• Switch the paddle under cover of the colored tokens transforming.
• Show the paddle with Chinese letters on both sides (do move).
• Transform into the $100 bill (turn over, no move).
• Remove bill and now the Chinese letters are on both sides (no move).
• Hand the paddle for examination.
• You are golden 🙂

Includes:

• Beautiful presentation case with recess.
• Two Hong Kong Paddles.
• Six colored tokens.
• Plenty of spare rubber bands.
• Printed Instructions from Howard Schwarzman for the standard routine.
• Brief video instructions for the switch by Willi Wessel.
• Use your own bills.

Effect: The routine involves:

• A blank paddle is shown.
• Red Chinese tokens are doubled on the paddle.
• A one dollar bill doubles on the paddle.
• Some Chinese writing appears on the paddle.
• The tokens change from all red to multiple colors.
• A $100 appears on the paddle.
• Both sides of the paddle now have Chinese writing on and can be examined by the spectator.

Willi packs a lot in to the routine!  Comes with everything needed (use your own dollar bills) and fits neatly in the presentation case.

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