Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
You know Michael Breggar from his contributions to The Linking Ring and his wildly popular books like The Five Roads to Vegas, Back to the Launching Pad, Dancing with the Cards, and Influence-Enza. Now, he’s back with a delightfully amusing trick that will have your audience questioning their vision!
Very Marked Cards
Here’s the premise:
“Let me share a little secret,” you start. “People often ask me how magicians pull off certain tricks.” You reach into your card case and pull out a deck. “When we perform card tricks, we sometimes rely on marked cards.” You casually slide a few cards off the deck. “I’ll only need three or four cards. First up, the six of spades. Next, the jack of hearts.” You display these cards as you peel them off the small pack you’re holding. You place them face-up on the table. “Now, cover those two cards with your hand, will you?”
With a sly grin, you reveal the remaining cards in your hands: the two of diamonds and the five of clubs. Holding them up, you remark, “The markings on cards can be subtle. So subtle, in fact, that you might not even notice them! Unless you know exactly where to look and how to look, and, of course, have spent years honing your skills to see these markings.” You’ve got their attention now. The cards appear utterly unmarked in every way!
“Let’s make this easier,” you say, snapping your fingers and separating the two cards. Suddenly, five large red dots appear on the back of the 5C! “I realize that’s still a bit tricky since it’s red on red! Let’s amp it up a notch…” Another snap, and you flip the 2D over. Now it boasts two big black circles with a bold “D” for Diamonds right in the center.
“Now that’s visibility!” You point to the Jack still under the spectator's hand. “If you’re still having trouble, let’s try this…” A couple of snaps and hand claps, and voila! The back of the JH now boldly announces “JACK OF HEARTS” in thick black letters.
“And if you’re struggling with even THAT, you might want to visit an eye-doctor!” With a flourish, you turn over the 6S to reveal an eye chart on its back!
You don’t need a vision test to see that this effect is a blast. It works brilliantly as a stand-alone piece or as an opener for a card routine. Ideal for close-up, table-hopping, or walk-around gigs. And true to the “Auto-Magic” ethos, there’s no sleight of hand required!
Past reviews for Michael's books, tricks, and articles have made him blush:
"The clever and talented Michael Breggar, major-domo of the 'Auto-Magic' column in The Linking Ring, has done it again!"
- Marc DeSouza
"I don't think there is a higher recommendation I could give to a book."
- Marc DeSouza
"Michael provides recognizable forms for the simplicity and cleverness of the methods to secretly nourish the engaging and amusing themes he has chosen to anecdotally share—not as tricks per se but as congenial curiosities... which is a difference that truly makes a difference!"
- Jon Racherbaumer
"Michael Breggar's continuing contribution to magic is a revelation - commercial plots, devious methods and, most valuable, quirky and engaging presentations!"
- Liam Montier
"How he creates these effects is beside the point. But Michael's 'Auto-Magic' always leaves me and my spectators in awe."
- Rupesh Thakur (The Nepal Illusionist)
"Mike's thinking is solid. His goal is to hit the spectators hard with streamlined methods focusing on the effect rather than knuckle-busting moves, but never at the expense of the magic or entertainment. He understands that it is the effect, the whole effect, and nothing but the effect that matters in the end. That and entertainment."
- Anthony Vinson
VERY MARKED CARDS is available as an instant download (video instructions plus a PDF with the DIY instructions and artwork).
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