Games of chance have a delightful and chaotic history, but the one that takes the cake (or the dodgy pound) is undoubtedly the three-in-one trickery known by many names: Find the Lady, Tossing the Broads, and, most famously, Three-Card Monte. While inked accounts of its early shenanigans date back to the 16th century, the streets of our biggest cities are still home to crafty hustlers drawing in the gullible and parting them from their hard-earned dosh. It’s a testament to the allure of this cheeky game. Of course, magicians couldn’t resist having a go at it, and Professor Hoffman was just the first to put his spin on this captivating con for a bit of audience amusement.
In Volume 1, you’ll be treated to a smorgasbord of artists showcasing their own quirky takes on Three Card Monte. Dai Vernon kicks things off with a routine that’s as traditional as a cuppa. Armed with just three ungimmicked cards, he’ll leave the audience scratching their heads before he chats through the finer points with the likes of Michael Ammar, Gary Ouellet, and Steve Freeman. Next up, Fernando Keops brings his own flavour and a heap of extra tips to Vernon’s classic. Then there’s Chicago’s card whiz Steve Draun, who manages to keep the audience in the dark about the money card—even with a paper clip on it! David Regal, on the other hand, flips the script and turns it into a nifty bit of card conjuring, making the money card vanish before popping up somewhere else. Scotty York channels the spirit of old-school card hustlers with his version of Martin Lewis’ routine, while John Guastaferro sets the stage for a jaw-dropping transposition between two chosen cards. Gregory Wilson hits the streets in true Monte fashion, winning personal items from unsuspecting passers-by along the way. To round it all off, Henry Evans gives us a dazzling take on Two-Card Monte where, spoiler alert, the spectators still don’t win.
Sold out
