Jon Armstrong has spent most of his life charming audiences with a deck of cards and a cheeky grin. His latest DVD is packed with material straight from his working repertoire, so get ready to turn those dull card tricks into something that’ll actually make people laugh (and maybe even gasp).
Having performed for some of the most prestigious crowds in over 30 countries, Jon's journey began in Orlando, Florida, where the magic of the theme parks sparked his passion. Fast forward to age 20, and he was the resident magician at Walt Disney World, living the dream whilst making kids believe in magic (and probably also making them cry when he vanished their favourite toy). Las Vegas beckoned next, with Jon headlining at Caesar's Magical Empire and touring the globe as a performer and lecturer.
Now based in Los Angeles, he’s a regular at the legendary Magic Castle. His television credits include A&E's Magic Castle After Dark and USA's Ready For The Weekend. He’s even lent his expertise to shows like CSI: NY, Las Vegas, and Wizards of Waverly Place, and is currently working as a magic consultant on CBS's hit series The Mentalist. Within the magic scene, he’s made quite the splash, being featured in MAGIC, The Linking Ring, and M-U-M, and gracing the cover of Genii’s December 2004 issue. In April 2007, after two years of relentless nominations, he was crowned Close-Up Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts.
Volume 3
3 Blank Monte - A cheeky take on the classic Monte routine with three blank cards and a spectator's signature, flipping the "magician always knows best" trope on its head and finishing with a truly magical punch.
Numbering - Watch as a spectator’s card is found through seemingly random numerical coincidences. Turn maths into magic (and maybe even make them doubt their own counting skills).
Royal Open Relationships - The court cards magically pair themselves by colour in this clever twist on Trost's Royal Marriages. It's a puzzler that’ll have both magicians and laypeople scratching their heads.
Goal Triumph - This stand-up version of Vernon's Triumph sees a deck shuffled face up into face down, only for the spectator's chosen card to be the lone survivor. With fresh handling moves and a presentational twist, it's more than just a card trick; it's a showstopper.
Out Of This Blah - A nifty packet version of Paul Curry's classic that packs the same punch. Watch as a spectator intuitively separates twenty face-down cards into red and black. Simple, yet effective.
The Biddle Trick - A chosen card disappears right before a spectator's eyes, only to reappear in a reversed position within another spectator's deck. Jon’s take on this classic makes a simple card trick feel like a grand illusion.
Triple T - Witness the four Kings as one of them keeps flipping under impossible circumstances, ultimately changing into a spectator's selected card right in their hands. A fresh handling of the Marlo/Vernon Think Touch Turn concept that finishes with a jaw-dropper.
Second Deal - Jon breaks down his well-regarded Push-Off Second Deal with meticulous detail and shares how to incorporate it into your repertoire. With a bit of practice, you’ll be dealing seconds like a seasoned pro in no time!
