Bullseye

Brent Braun hits the target with this sharp card trick.

Reviewed by John Lovick

The effect of Bullseye is pleasingly straightforward. A card is selected and signed. It is shuffled into the deck – by the spectator! The deck is tossed into the air in front of a dartboard while the performer throws a dart at the mass of falling cards. One card is pinned to the board. The card proves to be the signed selection.

Bullseye was inspired by Chad Long’s card effect using a toy gun with suction-cup darts. Brent Braun worked out a method in conversations with Ken Troklus in 2001, and they featured it as a two-person trick in a stage show. Braun later worked out a solo version, and both handlings are taught on this DVD.

It’s an effect that has been explored by others since – and likely before, considering how many card stabbing type effects there are. For example, David Blaine featured a dart card stab in Dive of Death last year (2008), and apparently Cyril has done something similar.

Not only is it a solid effect, but the method is good and thoroughly explained. The way in which a crimp in a card serves three different functions over the course of the routine is particularly pleasing. Both the stage and solo versions of Bullseye are viable options. The stage version allows for a lot of comic byplay between you and your assistant, and the handling is particularly clean. The solo version can be done onstage as well, and would also work well impromptu in a pub, garage, or rec room.

Braun thoroughly explains everything you need to know to perform Bullseye, tips on staging, what to do if you miss, different kinds of darts, safety issues, etc. I’d say more, but I feel the urge to go create and epic version using jumbo cards and Jarts.