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Ambitious Card Story by Dai Vernon

Created by: Dai Vernon

Ambitious Card Story is a narrative-driven version of the classic ambitious card trick, where a signed card repeatedly rises to the top of the deck despite being placed in the middle. This close-up card magic trick, taught by Beau as part of the Saturday Sorcery series, emphasizes storytelling, misdirection, and pacing to engage the audience. It's based on Dai Vernon’s legendary approach, blending technical skill with a compelling story structure.

Key features

  • Teaches Dai Vernon’s Ambitious Card Story, a narrative-driven version of the classic trick

  • Covers techniques like controls, double lifts, and false shuffles

  • Emphasizes storytelling, misdirection, and pacing for audience engagement

  • Part of the Saturday Sorcery series offering free weekly magic lessons

Pros

  • Elevates the standard ambitious card plot into a more engaging narrative

  • Masterclass in elegance and audience engagement

  • Free resource for learning timeless piece of magic

Cons

  • Full details require watching the tutorial video

Effect

The Ambitious Card Story is a narrative-driven version of the classic ambitious card routine. A spectator signs a card, which is then placed in the middle of the deck. Despite repeated attempts to bury it, the card keeps rising to the top in increasingly impossible ways. Dai Vernon’s version adds storytelling elements, making the effect more engaging by framing the card’s movements as part of a tale rather than just a series of revelations.

Full details

This routine teaches techniques essential for card magic, including:

  • Controls – Methods to secretly move the signed card back to the top.
  • Double lifts – A fundamental sleight used to conceal the card’s true position.
  • False shuffles – Ways to maintain the illusion of a shuffled deck while keeping the card in place.
  • Misdirection and pacing – Vernon’s approach emphasizes timing and audience engagement to enhance the magical moments.

The routine is structured in multiple phases, each escalating the impossibility of the card’s return. The story element helps justify repetitions, making the effect feel more organic.

Who should consider the trick

This routine is ideal for:

  • Intermediate card magicians familiar with basic sleights like double lifts and controls.
  • Performers looking to refine their storytelling in magic.
  • Fans of Dai Vernon’s work who want to learn a classic routine from a legendary magician.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Ambitious Card Story requires proficiency in fundamental card techniques. While the sleights themselves are not overly complex, the routine demands smooth execution and strong audience management. The storytelling aspect adds an extra layer of performance skill, making it more challenging than a standard ambitious card routine.

What magicians say

MurphysMagicSupplies describes the routine as a "masterclass in elegance and audience engagement." The tutorial emphasizes Vernon’s signature approach, blending technical skill with narrative to create a more compelling effect. Performance tips include pacing the phases for suspense and using natural handling to maintain deception.

For magicians wanting to elevate their ambitious card routine, this version offers a classic, well-structured method with proven audience appeal.

What people are saying about Ambitious Card Story

MurphysMagicSupplies says...

Beau teaches Dai Vernon’s Ambitious Card Story, a classic routine that elevates the standard ambitious card plot into a more engaging narrative. [...] Vernon’s version adds depth by structuring it as a story rather than just a sequence of revelations.

Tutorial videos