Review of Ransom by Christopher Ballinger

Reviewed by J C Sum.

Since 1992, I’ve done a version of Michael Ammar’s handling of the $100 bill switch. My original refinement allows for a seamless and moveless clean-up that is lacking in many handlings. The tell-tale clean-up at the end is present in a majority of magicians’ handlings.

In 1993, Shermon Tjiong showed me his impromptu bill switch which uses no T****T**. He used Singapore currency that are different in colour and size from each other.

His handling looks a lot like what Christopher is sharing in this DVD. Sherman’s handling also predates Christopher’s version who said he came up with it 15 years ago. I have no doubt Christopher came up with an independent version as I’m sure many others have.

Christopher’s handing is  decent and fairly smooth. IMHO, it does not have the same flow as a good $100 bill switch but it will work. I have an issue with the turnover move as it is not natural but that can be easily replaced with an alternative move. He does show versions that can be done with bills with different colours so that covers most international currency.

Besides his bill switch, Christopher performs and teaches a coin bending routine with applications for his switching technique.

I did not think the “Chris Cross” coin routine was good and it is not a good example of how a solid coins across routine should look like. His technique was rough and not deceptive IMO.

For the price, you do get the DVD, props and a fair number of routines so I feel it is decent value for money.

Recommended for new street and close-up magicians. 4 out of 5 stars