5WITCH is my deep dive into the art of natural card switches using folded cards.
Over five years ago, I embarked on this obsession with switching folded cards. As a long-time admirer of Jay Sankey's Paperclipped—an effect I’ve performed more times than I can count—I was itching to ditch the paperclip. I craved a method that felt organic, free from gimmicks, and utterly convincing.
So, what did I do? I studied the mechanics of folding and unfolding a playing card, focusing on how it looks and feels. I scrutinized hand positions, placements, and motions to replicate that natural vibe while seamlessly executing a switch.
This project is all about those natural card switches, perfect for when you want to pull off mind-bending routines like the Mystery Card and watch even the most scrutinizing spectators lose their minds!
"So Good!" - Christian Grace (Switch One, Enigma, Level One)
Here’s what you’ll get in 5WITCH:
SWITCHES
Switch A - My go-to switch. It’s simple, ridiculously easy, and looks totally natural. You’ll open a folded card and switch it without a hitch.
Switch B - The first switch I honed to replace Paperclipped. It’s got some lovely nuances that create a satisfying empty-hand feel during the switch.
Switch C - The switchless switch! You’ll swap a card without it ever leaving your hand. And no, it's not some tricky one-handed sleight; it’s a whole different beast!
Switch D - Designed for isolating a card, this switch helps you get ‘one ahead’ of your audience.
Switch T - A super sneaky table switch that’s almost self-working—just slide a card toward your spectator and BAM!
"Anytime Ben puts out a new project, I sit up and listen. The beauty of 5witch is in its comprehensiveness of the instruction and simplicity of the moves. If I was a betting man, I'd wager that you'll end up using at LEAST one sleight off of this project. Highly recommended!" - Kyle Purnell
ROUTINES
The Mystery Card - Of course, this gem is included! Perform a Mystery Card effect without any of those weird boxes or props. I’ve got standard and different colored back handlings, plus a great presentational hook.
The Impossible Location - Discover how to use these switches for an impossible location effect. Want a straightforward card through window or card in an impossible spot? This is your jam.
Which Hand - A playful take on the un-gimmicked Which Hand effect. At the end, no matter how good or bad they think you are, you’ll show you’ve predicted their every move.
Coin Toss - Predict the outcome of a coin toss three times in a row—no gimmicked coins or sleight-of-hand tomfoolery. Yes, the spectator can flip or spin their own coin!
Imagination Game - Entice your spectator into imagining they are the magician while you hold one card. They make decisions that lead to one card out of 52, which just happens to be the one in your hand. This is my story-driven equivoque, and it’s simple enough for anyone to follow.
Billet Look - A full routine where your spectator writes something down secretly, places it folded into a glass, and you then write your thoughts on a business card. The kicker? You both end up with the same prediction. This isn’t a quick peek; it’s an in-depth look at their info, done in a completely innocent manner.
Forcing - Dive into using switch techniques as a force. Perfect for a mental epic routine where their choice feels free, but you still get to the desired outcome.
50/50 - One of my personal favorites! I’ll share my foolproof way to give your spectator a 50/50 choice while always getting the result you want. Picture this: you place £50 on the table and have them choose between two cards—one says WINNER, the other says LOSER. Spoiler alert: they NEVER choose the WINNER! (More ideas come with this too.)
Parlour Box - Parlour magicians have been using switching boxes for ages. In this routine, spectators write items on business cards that go into a CLEAR un-gimmicked box. They pick a folded card, and it’s always the one you need. Perfect as a standalone or a backup if your switching box goes AWOL.
And that’s not all!
Fixing your Mercury Card Fold - Ever wonder why your Mercury Card Fold goes sideways? I’ll break down the common pitfalls and how to easily fix them. Don’t sweat it; you won’t need to Mercury Card Fold for 75% of these routines. I’ve spent nearly two decades analyzing this and found one key mistake that makes a world of difference.
Plus, I’ll show you how to whip up a simple gimmick that fits in your pocket, making several of these routines work like a charm—and trust me, you’ll find uses for this in other effects too.
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