READER COMMENTS

Princess Card Trick

Hi!

I'm Dennis Blanchard, a semi-professional working magician. For the past five years, when I haven't been working at my full-time job as a programmer analyst, I have enjoyed performing close-up within the various venues. My favorite work is table hopping. I am currently working in two local restaurants.

I'm somewhat new at surfing the Web. Your magic site is one of the best I've seen so far.

I use the Princess Cards, and I agree with your comments. However, I have resolved most of the problems with this effect -- at least for myself. The subtle changes turn this into a real killer... The problems are:

1) You can only perform this for one person at a time;
2) Not showing the thought-of card by itself is suspicious;
3) A savvy spectator could notice that all of the cards change.

1) I hold the cards spread face down; and before I show them, I strongly emphasize that the spectator must not say the name of their card out loud -- so that I will have 'no way of knowing' the selection. Even though I am 'reading' only one person's mind, I can still do this in front of a group. The others in the group trust that I guessed the card based on the reaction of the 'subject', so they react strongly as well. What's really interesting is that almost like a post-hypnotic suggestion, the spectators never tell anyone their cards -- even after the effect! (It's OK if others think of a card at the same time.)

2) I treat the face of the un-gaffed card with a little Post-it Note glue. A duplicate, normal, card is kept in my pocket. As soon as the spectator has made her selection, I lower the 'fan' to a face-down position and count the cards from left to right hand -- emphasizing there are 5. After squaring the packet, I exclaim that I will make the thought-of card vanish. I count again, and only 4 cards can be seen. While they are still in an astonished state, I proclaim that the card has jumped into my pocket -- while I retrieve it. The distraction of the card 'jumping' to my pocket, doesn't give the spectator a chance to notice that I didn't show them the card until it was back in the packet.

3) The additional effect of the disappearing card adds just enough time lapse and distraction to prevent remembering the suits of the cards first seen. I feel these changes improve an otherwise so-so trick. Give it a try........... and best of luck in all your magical endeavors!

Dennis

[Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for the kind words about our site.-MM]

M&M Magic Review © 1996