Breather Crimp by Mike Powers

Effect

The Breather Crimp is a subtle technique used to control a specific card in a deck. To the audience, it appears as if the deck is being handled normally, with no visible signs of manipulation. The magician can cut the deck at will, yet the crimped card always returns to a desired position, making it seem like the deck is being shuffled fairly while secretly maintaining control over key cards.

Full Details

The Breather Crimp involves lightly bending a card in a way that creates a natural break point in the deck. This allows the magician to cut to the crimped card effortlessly, even after shuffles or spectator cuts. In Mike Powers' "Triple Whammy" routine, the crimp is used to control a double-backed card, which becomes a key element in the trick. The crimp is created with minimal movement, making it deceptive and easy to execute in front of an audience.

The technique is often paired with other moves, such as the Willis Kenny Deceptive Control, to enhance the illusion of fairness. The crimp can be adjusted to be a "top-cutting" or "bottom-cutting" breather, depending on the desired effect.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Breather Crimp is ideal for magicians who perform card magic and want a reliable, invisible method for controlling cards. It is especially useful for routines that require multiple selections or a convincingly shuffled deck. Those who enjoy self-working or semi-automatic techniques will appreciate how the crimp does much of the work for them.

Difficulty

The Breather Crimp is not overly difficult to learn but requires practice to execute smoothly. The key is applying just enough pressure to create the crimp without making it obvious. Mike Powers emphasizes using a light touch, comparing it to "caressing the cards rather than gripping them." Once mastered, the technique becomes an effortless part of a magician’s arsenal.

What Magicians Say

Mike Powers describes the Breather Crimp as a "killer little thing" that makes card control nearly automatic. He notes that even spectators can unknowingly cut to the crimped card, reinforcing its deceptive power.

Beau from Saturday Sorcery highlights the crimp’s role in making the "Triple Whammy" routine appear "super fair" while secretly controlling the outcome. He praises its simplicity, stating that it can be done "in front of people" without raising suspicion.

Willis Kenny, a gambler and magician who inspired some of the moves in the routine, used similar techniques to maintain control over cards in deceptive ways. His influence adds a layer of real-world credibility to the method.

Overall, the Breather Crimp is a versatile and powerful tool for card magicians, offering a nearly invisible way to control the deck while maintaining the illusion of fairness.