The Best Way to End a Card Trick

When doing a card trick, the ending is the most important thing. Here’s three options that I’m playing with:

Each has something going for it.

Option 1: quick and direct

Option 2: BIG

Option 3: a gag, then a bonus trick

I posted this video on my social media and everyone liked number three the best. One thing I didn’t mention was the conditions; this was a stage piece for large groups.

After trying all three of them, the one that played the best for me was number 2!

giant card trick onstage

The size of the reveal, I think, made a huge difference. Also, when the folded card comes out, you have a little bit of build as it’s being unfolded.

I think the problem with option #3, which is the 52 on 1 card that turns into the selection, is that the gag is too small to be seen from the stage, and everyone has to take my word for what’s on the card. Also, you have a gag and a magic trick that are pretty close together. The changing of the card, I think, doesn’t hit as it should. I think to the audience it feels like the card just has the 52 on 1 on one side and the selection on the other, and I just turn the card over. Yes, I do show the back of the card twice; however, I don’t think the audience processes that or remembers that.

I’m glad I tried all three and was surprised at the result.

-Louie

The Moisture Festival Podcast – Bambi Karloff

On this episode of the Moisture Festival Podcast we chat with Bambi Karloff! We learn about writing and producing plays and how one learns to swallow a sword!

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Chattering Teeth by Doug Malloy and Terry Seabrooke

Last year, I picked up a Chattering Teeth by Doug Malloy (routine by Terry Seabrooke). This is Terry’s routine that I first saw in the mid 1990s on a VHS tape of his called The Vidiot and the basic routine is also in his lecture notes that are still available from Magic Inc for about $6.

I thought the fan in my unit was broken, it had two AA batteries in it, and I changed it to a 9v battery, and it started whirring…but was super loud! I changed out the fan and here’s a before and after video:

I thought the unit I had was unusually loud when I got it, but after posting that video, I have the impression that all of them were pretty loud! This isn’t a knock at the maker, it was made with 1990s technology, and it appears Doug fabricated the fan from scratch!

When I changed the fan, I also added a remote control to it. The remote is two channels, so my remote control chattering teeth and the fan can run off a single remote contol!

Here’s what it looks like:

I’m glad I finally got around to updating the Chattering Teeth prop! Working on this set is actually a stepping stone for a version of the trick that I want to build for myself.

-Louie

Vintage Magic Tricks for Sale

There is now a Vintage Magic Tricks for sale page on this website! These are tricks and books from my collection. Sometimes I gotta let things go to make space for new things!

website thumbnails of vintage magic tricks for sale

check out what’s currently available at:
https://www.magicshow.tips/product-category/shop/vintage-magic/

-Louie

Make Your Show Move Smoothly!

When I travel, my show is in a Pelican Air 1615 case. For me, it’s the best solution for traveling with my magic show. I’ve had this one for probably 8-10 years, and while I’ve replaced latches and wheels in the past, it works great.

Recently, I needed new wheels and bought some Landing Gear Wheels for the case. Here’s a video of the old wheels and install of the new ones:

I really should have changed the wheels a long time ago. With the bearing failure, which has been like that for a while, I’ve been working too hard moving the case around.

Maintenance on everything you use with your show is important!

-Louie

National Magic Vanishing Birdcage!

This vanishing birdcage that I just added to my collection is pretty cool!

metal birdcage for magic tricks
metal vanishing birdcage in it's original box

This is my first older cage that has come with the box! However, what makes it more interesting is the pull connector and the corner hinges. Here’s a close up of them:

metal hinge of a magicians vanishing birdcage

Let’s start with the pull connector, it’s teardrop shaped instead of the normal rectangle. This shape, in theory, will have fewer snag points than the rectangle. However, what I find really fascinating is the corner hinges. They go all the way around and aren’t “U” shaped. This should make a stronger hinge, as they are frequently broken on older cages, but this has to be a big pain to make!

I’m very curious about whether this cage was an early cage where they were made to last, but then they stopped doing them because they were easier to manufacture if they did things like make the corners “U” shapes. Or maybe this cage was a custom job to make it more reliable and durable?

I’m glad to have this added to the collection!

-Louie

Three Shell Game Ending

One of the endings that I’m doing with my three shell game routine is using a small cap that goes under the shell to replace the standard shot glass. I got the idea when I was on a flight and realized the tiny liquor bottle cap would fit under a shell. (you can read the post about it here)

Here’s a demo of what it looks like:

You could put a shot glass on top of the cap and shell for a triple cover! I really didn’t want to use the shot glass, as it’s bulky, heavy, and semi-fragile. This is a good solution for me!

-Louie

Summer Camp Magic Shows

The final summer camp magic show of the year is done. That means my busy season is starting to end! I still have a very full September; however, it’s not as crazy as it was since mid-May!

magician at outdoor summer camp show

I’ve been doing summer camp magic shows for a couple of decades. At one point, they were my main market in the summer; now they are mostly shows that fill in holes in my schedule between five (or longer) day contracts.

These shows are a ton of fun; it’s interesting how they’ve changed over the years. When I first started doing them, there were a lot more older, school-age kids; now they’re predominantly younger kids in the 3-6 year old range. That means the style of material has really shifted from what was more of a school assembly type of material, which was a bit more sophisticated, to a lot more silliness. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it can be a very different gear.

-Louie

Make Money Magic Work Onstage!

The Juggling Monte routine that I’m working on has taken another step closer to reality. One of the challenges that I identified early on was how to make a two dollar bill visibly different from a one dollar bill onstage. The solution was to write “lucky” on the back of it. Originally I thought writing it in pink, sparkly ink would be good, however I just made one with white ink with a black border and I think it looks great!

magic two dollar bill trick

There’s not much to making this prop. I took a white paint pen and wrote lucky on the bill. Once it dried, I used a black Sharpie to do the outline. Finally, I took some matte clear spray paint and gave it a light coat to seal it. Hopefully the sealant will protect it from dinging or chipping.

I still need to write some jokes and figure out the routine, but it’s off to a good start. We’ll see how it actually plays for an audience.

-Louie

How To End a Card Trick…

The ending to a card trick is one of the most important things. Does the ending have punctuation, or is it just “meh”? A card trick routine that I’m working on ends with a prediction of the selected card. I’m not going to get into the routine in this post, but just the ending. Here are the three options:

Option 1: direct and clean

Option 2: has a little bit of suspense

Option 3: has a gag, then a trick

I think each has merit, but ultimately I’ll have to go out there and try all three to see which plays best.

-Louie