AAN routine by Jon Allen

Created by: Jon Allen

The AAN routine is a highly regarded magic trick by Jon Allen, known for its simplicity, practicality, and ability to fool even knowledgeable magicians. It's a close-up magic trick that emphasizes presentation and the magician's ability to engage and mystify the audience. The routine is part of Allen's 'holy grail' of effects, showcasing his creative process and problem-solving approach to magic.

Key features

Rooted in simplicity and practicality
Emphasizes presentation-first thinking
Part of Jon Allen's 'holy grail' of effects
Designed to fool even knowledgeable magicians

Pros

Highly deceptive
Practical and performable
Strong emphasis on presentation
Fools both laymen and magicians

Cons

Remains unpublished, making it hard to acquire
Requires a deep understanding of presentation and performance

Effect

The AAN routine by Jon Allen is a highly deceptive card trick. The magician shows a shuffled deck of cards. A spectator freely selects a card and returns it to the deck. Without any suspicious moves, the magician reveals the chosen card in an impossible way. The effect is clean, direct, and leaves no room for doubt.

Full Details

Jon Allen keeps the exact method of his AAN routine unpublished, calling it his "holy grail" of magic. It is a refined version of classic principles, designed to fool even experienced magicians. The routine emphasizes natural handling and strong audience engagement. The method is practical, requiring no special gimmicks or difficult sleight of hand.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This routine is ideal for magicians who want a powerful, self-working card trick with minimal setup. It suits performers who value strong audience reactions and deceptive simplicity. The AAN routine works well in close-up and walk-around settings.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The AAN routine is not technically demanding. The method relies on clever thinking rather than advanced sleight of hand. Beginners can learn it quickly, but experienced magicians will appreciate its deceptive power.

What Magicians Say

Jon Allen describes the AAN routine as one of his most fooling effects. He keeps it unpublished because it consistently fools knowledgeable magicians. The routine reflects his philosophy of simplicity and practicality. Other magicians who have seen it praise its directness and strong impact.

The trick is part of Allen’s broader approach to magic, where presentation and problem-solving take priority over complex methods. His book Experience includes similar routines, but the AAN routine remains exclusive to his live performances.

What people are saying about AAN routine

penguinmagicshop says...

Jon Allen’s magic blends elegance, practicality, and generosity. Whether through his book, lectures, or creations, he encourages magicians to think deeply about why effects work—not just how.