Magic trick! Behind the scenes!
- Thread starter Caleb the Magician
- Start date
Interesting. I hope you don't mind if I dive into the structure of this for a bit. Despite being a very good trick, I might change the sequence of events a bit.
Here's the flow of your routine:
1. Show all sevens.
Usually this is the kicker ending in tricks like this that is reserved for after the final match is displayed, but I don't mind it that you showed the 7's first. I like that it makes it a "sucker" trick of sorts. The question is, throughout the whole procedure, why should we care what you're doing, since we know* that the cards will match.
2. Show the top card to be a 7, setting it aside.
Definitely needs to be emphasized and clear that the top card set aside is in fact a 7.
3. State that you will cut to a random card.
I wouldn't say what I was going to do until after the shuffle, in this instance.
4. Shuffle.
5. Cut to a random card, and show the two cards the performer selected match.
Surprise! Queens!
Here's how I would re-work it (not to make it "better", just different):
1. Show the deck face-down in a ribbon spread. State that you'll explain how magicians do card tricks.
Don't show the sevens just yet.
2. Turn the cards over, and have the spectator select any seven they like from the centre of the face up deck as you look away. Switch it as needed and set it aside.
Look away and spread the cards out face up. They realize the deck is all sevens, and they understand the futility of their 'free choice'. Whichever they choose, Change it with the Top card (see the code there?). They pick the card, so it MUST be a seven, and then you turn the cards over and place it face down on the table. Now there's a reason to be invested in the effect, as they have become a part of the proceedings.
3. Shuffle. Say that you'll find the card that matches theirs in the deck. Play dumb, essentially.
I would emphasize as a joke that the cards are all mixed, and that you couldn't possibly know where any one card is. It's ridiculous and is one last reminder that all of the cards are the same.
4. State that you will cut to a matching card. Cut to a queen and show it to the audience.
Revealing this first builds tension as the audience isn't sure if you made a mistake, or what you'll do next to correct it.
5. Reveal that their selection is also a queen.
They can turn over their own card to show it has also turned into a matching queen.
6. Ribbon spread the 7s face-up to show the coincidence.
Proof. Walk away.
Again, not to say one is better than the other, but I think giving the audience a little agency in the trick might help them to feel invested in it. It also takes it away from a "surprise" at the end, and makes it more of a magical impossibility.
Scott.
Here's the flow of your routine:
1. Show all sevens.
Usually this is the kicker ending in tricks like this that is reserved for after the final match is displayed, but I don't mind it that you showed the 7's first. I like that it makes it a "sucker" trick of sorts. The question is, throughout the whole procedure, why should we care what you're doing, since we know* that the cards will match.
2. Show the top card to be a 7, setting it aside.
Definitely needs to be emphasized and clear that the top card set aside is in fact a 7.
3. State that you will cut to a random card.
I wouldn't say what I was going to do until after the shuffle, in this instance.
4. Shuffle.
5. Cut to a random card, and show the two cards the performer selected match.
Surprise! Queens!
Here's how I would re-work it (not to make it "better", just different):
1. Show the deck face-down in a ribbon spread. State that you'll explain how magicians do card tricks.
Don't show the sevens just yet.
2. Turn the cards over, and have the spectator select any seven they like from the centre of the face up deck as you look away. Switch it as needed and set it aside.
Look away and spread the cards out face up. They realize the deck is all sevens, and they understand the futility of their 'free choice'. Whichever they choose, Change it with the Top card (see the code there?). They pick the card, so it MUST be a seven, and then you turn the cards over and place it face down on the table. Now there's a reason to be invested in the effect, as they have become a part of the proceedings.
3. Shuffle. Say that you'll find the card that matches theirs in the deck. Play dumb, essentially.
I would emphasize as a joke that the cards are all mixed, and that you couldn't possibly know where any one card is. It's ridiculous and is one last reminder that all of the cards are the same.
4. State that you will cut to a matching card. Cut to a queen and show it to the audience.
Revealing this first builds tension as the audience isn't sure if you made a mistake, or what you'll do next to correct it.
5. Reveal that their selection is also a queen.
They can turn over their own card to show it has also turned into a matching queen.
6. Ribbon spread the 7s face-up to show the coincidence.
Proof. Walk away.
Again, not to say one is better than the other, but I think giving the audience a little agency in the trick might help them to feel invested in it. It also takes it away from a "surprise" at the end, and makes it more of a magical impossibility.
Scott.
This is why magic has the best community ever! This helps so much not just with this performance but with my performances in general. Thank you so much for the taking to time to help a noobie like me, lol. I really appreciate the help!