THE WINNERZ OF THE 2007 WORLD XCM TOURNAMENT

1rst place - MAX
2nd Place - LOOM
3rd Place - DIGITAL ARTIST


Please extend your congratulations to these amazing XCM artists! These three artists are among the world's best! They have battled for over 8 months
through 9 difficult XCM categories against 41 competitors from around the globe! They have proven that they are the most versatile, well versed and skilled
card manipulators in the world. Handlordz World XCM Tournament is no ordinary tournament! This tournament is designed to push your limits, and is the
world's most respected and well known tournament of its kind. The focus of the tournament in on the artistic expression of manipulation, creativity, and
overall skill. The categories in XCM go much further than card player's shuffles or magicians "flourishes". Here is another look at the rounds
the competitors had to go through, also keep in mind that each routine had to be COMPLETELY UNCUT!!! No fancy video editing allowed. Just pure uncut skill.

Round #1 - No Cuts
This round they all had to perform an uncut routine without using a single card cutting technique. This round immediately eliminated many
of the magic flourishers, as they do mostly cuts and are not well versed in all aspects of XCM.

(see all videos here)


Round #2 - Perching
Competitors had to make an uncut routine using the very difficult "Perching" concept from Ulmen. Another round that
separated the real XCMers from the rest of the card manipulators out there.

(see all videos here)


Round #3 - Variety Bucket
This round made each of the competitors weave the following into one uncut routine:
- a Opener (normal case opener or clip/XCM box etc...)
- a one handed cut
- a 2 handed cut
- a fan
- a spring/waterfall/ribbon spread/lepaul etc..
- a arm spread
- a display
- an aerial
- a closer

(see all videos here)


Round #4 - Table Work
This uncut routine was all about doing XCM on a table and incorporating it within the routine.

(see all videos here)


Round #5 - Choreographed Music Video
This routine taught performers how to choreograph their moves to music.

(see all videos here)


Round #6 - Rare Variety Bucket
This round challenged competitors to come up with a routine using a variety of difficult XCM categories and weave them into a
smooth routine. This was a very difficult round with very impressive results from the competitors. They had to use one of each of the following in this
routine:
Card Case/box opener
Card case/box display
1 move/moves that incorporates your foot (can be a kick or a display, or anything other move that uses your foot)
1 move/moves that uses only 2 cards
1 move/moves that uses another object with the cards
1 elemental - no fire please, only wind/water/variable surface
1 move/moves that uses a pocket of your choice (shirt or pants or whatever)
1 card throw of your choice

(see all videos here)


Round #7 - Siick Moves
Contestants were challenged to put out their hardest and craziest moves.

(see all videos here)


Round #8 - Elementals
This very difficult round focused on the creative side of XCM - Elementals. Each competitor had to pick 2 elementals and weave them
into one smooth routine.

(see all videos here)


Round #9 - Live Performance
Each competitor had to perform an uncut routine live for real people.

(see all videos here)



So what is the reward for their efforts?? Check out the prizes below. This is what they won... however in addition to this, I decided to publish a pet move
from ALL three of them for my XCM section in the upcoming issue of Street Magic Magazine! There will certainly be other things coming for them in the near
future as well... but for now, over $1000.00 prizes I'm sure will do. And let's not forget Max's Supersized Silver XCM Trophy which will be
in the mail next week, and the framable certificates.


So once again, please post up your congrats to each of them in the
Tournament Forum! They sincerely deserve everything they get! Great job to all of you!

You all have my respect as manipulators and artists, it was a pleasure watching each of your videos. Enjoy your prizes!

All my best,

De'vo vom Schattenreich