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Bob Hummer's Principle by Bob Hummer

Created by: Bob Hummer

Bob Hummer's Principle is a classic close-up card magic effect that leverages mathematical principles to create baffling and self-working routines. In performances, spectators witness a series of impossible coincidences or predictions with cards, such as cards separating by color or following a leader without any apparent manipulation. This trick is ideal for beginners and intermediate magicians as it requires no setup, advanced sleight-of-hand, or prior preparation, making it perfect for impromptu situations. It often combines multiple effects like color separation, oil and water sequences, and revelations into a cohesive routine that builds to a strong climax, engaging audiences through its visual and logical appeal.

Key features

  • Self-working with no setup required

  • Uses mathematical principles for foolproof execution

  • Combines multiple card effects into one routine

  • Ideal for beginners due to minimal sleight-of-hand

  • Impromptu and can be performed anywhere with a standard deck

Pros

  • Highly visual and baffling for audiences

  • Easy to learn and perform with practice

  • No need for gimmicks or advanced skills

  • Encourages strong presentation and pacing

  • Versatile for various performance settings

Cons

  • May rely heavily on mathematical patterns, which could feel repetitive

  • Requires practice to handle cards naturally and maintain audience engagement

  • Not suitable for those seeking complex sleight-of-hand challenges

Effect

The Bob Hummer's Principle trick creates a series of surprising and impossible looking card effects. The audience sees a deck of cards being mixed fairly. Despite this mixing, the cards separate themselves by color or value in a clear and visual way. The performer does not use complex moves or sleight of hand, making the outcome seem like pure magic.

Full details

This trick is a self-working card routine. It uses a specific mathematical principle attributed to Bob Hummer. The method requires no setup. You can use any borrowed and shuffled deck. The routine often combines multiple effects into one performance. These effects can include a color separation and an oil and water sequence. The method relies on a simple shuffle, like the Charlier shuffle, and a specific counting procedure. The result is a clean and visual separation of the cards that appears to defy logic.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is ideal for beginner and intermediate magicians. It is perfect for performers who want strong effects without difficult sleight of hand. It is also good for magicians who perform impromptu or with borrowed decks. If you want a routine that builds to a strong climax, this is a good choice.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The trick is not difficult to perform. It is classified as self-working. The required shuffles and counts are simple to learn. You do not need advanced card handling skills. The challenge lies in the presentation and pacing. You must practice the handling until it feels natural. This allows you to focus on engaging the audience. Matt McGurk states the routine is "accessible while still producing a highly visual and baffling result."

What magicians say

Matt McGurk discusses this principle in a tutorial video. He combines it with other self-working tricks to create a professional routine. He says the routine is "entirely impromptu and requiring no advanced sleights." He emphasizes that the method provides "mathematical certainty" for the effect. McGurk also notes the importance of presentation, recommending that performers practice until the handling is natural to maximize audience impact.

What people are saying about Bob Hummer's Principle

MattMcGurk says...

This routine is praised for being entirely impromptu and requiring no advanced sleights, making it ideal for magicians looking to elevate their performance with minimal practice. [...] He recommends practicing the handling until it feels natural, allowing the performer to focus on engaging the audience rather than the mechanics.

Tutorial videos