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Black Aces by SeanDevine

Created by: SeanDevine

The 'Black Aces' is a captivating sandwich card routine where a spectator's selected card magically appears between two face-up Black Aces. This close-up magic trick combines sleight of hand with engaging patter to create a visually stunning illusion. The routine is inspired by Percy Diaconus’ 'Collector’s' routine and utilizes techniques like the Flexible Switch, Pharaoh Shuffle, Dribble Shuffle, and Double Lift to achieve the magical effect. Perfect for magicians who enjoy card magic and want to add a visually appealing trick to their repertoire.

Key features

  • Inspired by Percy Diaconus’ 'Collector’s' routine

  • Utilizes key card magic techniques: Flexible Switch, Pharaoh Shuffle, Dribble Shuffle, and Double Lift

  • Requires precise positioning and misdirection for optimal effect

  • Encourages personalization and experimentation to make the routine unique

  • Suitable for magicians of varying skill levels

Pros

  • Visually striking and conceptually elegant

  • Clear explanations make it accessible to various skill levels

  • Encourages creativity and personal touches

  • Multiple approaches provided for setup

Cons

  • Requires practice to master the sleight of hand techniques

  • Precise positioning is crucial, which may be challenging for beginners

Effect

The Black Aces trick is a visually engaging sandwich routine where a spectator’s selected card appears between two face-up Black Aces. The magician first shows the two Aces, then a card is freely chosen and seemingly lost in the deck. After some shuffling and magical gestures, the chosen card is revealed cleanly between the two Aces. The effect is direct and easy to follow, making it strong for lay audiences.

Full Details

The routine is inspired by Percy Diaconis’ "Collector’s" routine from 21st Century Card Magic by James Swain. It uses key sleights such as:

  • Flexible Switch (popularized by Ed Marlo) to secretly exchange a card.
  • Pharaoh Shuffle to control the selected card between the Aces.
  • Dribble Shuffle combined with a "telescope" effect to create the illusion of the card rising between the Aces.
  • Double Lift to conceal the true position of the Aces.

The magician must ensure precise positioning of the Aces and the selected card for smooth execution. Misdirection and engaging patter enhance the illusion, making the trick feel organic rather than mechanical.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This routine is ideal for magicians who:

  • Enjoy sandwich plots in card magic.
  • Are comfortable with intermediate-level sleights like the Flexible Switch and Pharaoh Shuffle.
  • Want a visually deceptive trick that plays well for live audiences.
  • Like adapting and personalizing routines, as the creator encourages experimentation.

Difficulty

The Black Aces routine is intermediate in difficulty. Performers should be familiar with:

  • Double lifts and false shuffles.
  • The Flexible Switch (though alternatives are provided).
  • Controlling a card during a shuffle.

The creator, SeanDevine, offers multiple approaches to achieve the setup, making it adaptable for different skill levels. However, smooth execution requires practice, especially in maintaining natural handling during the shuffles and switches.

What Magicians Say

SeanDevine describes the routine as "brilliant" and emphasizes that it was born from a "happy accident" while experimenting with the Collector’s routine. He highlights the importance of keeping the dribble shuffle "sloppy" to enhance the magical appearance of the card rising between the Aces.

Performance tips include:

  • Using patter to sell the idea that the Ace of Spades is a "magic card."
  • Diverting attention with engaging spectator interaction.
  • Experimenting with different methods to reach the setup, catering to personal preferences.

The trick is praised for its visual impact and adaptability, making it a strong addition to a magician’s repertoire.

What people are saying about Black Aces

SeanDevine says...

I was playing around with a collector's routine out of 21st century card magic by James Swain um called Percy collectors by Percy diaconus and I was playing around with maybe way to do with just a single sandwich between two face up cards instead of the four races and something happened and I was like holy that's amazing and so sometimes the best things are born or created out of happy accidents.

Tutorial videos