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Cell by David Stone

Created by: David Stone

Cell by David Stone is an impossible location card trick where a selected card is found inside an old Nokia phone. This close-up magic trick astonishes audiences by making a card appear in a place they least expect, combining nostalgia with modern magic. The trick is compact, easy to carry, and requires minimal setup, making it perfect for magicians who perform on the go.

Where to buy

Cell by David Stone - Trick from Magicbox
MagicboxCell by David Stone - Trick£44.36
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Key features

  • Impossible location of a card within a mobile phone

  • Uses an old Nokia phone for a nostalgic touch

  • Compact and easy to carry

  • Minimal setup required

  • Strong audience reaction and engagement

Pros

  • Produces a strong, memorable reaction

  • Compact and easy to transport

  • Minimal setup and reset

  • Uses a nostalgic prop that adds to the effect

Cons

  • Requires an old Nokia phone, which might be hard to find

  • May need creative patter to explain the use of an old phone

Effect

The trick "Cell" by David Stone is an impossible card location effect where a selected card mysteriously appears inside an old Nokia phone. The magician never touches the phone until the final reveal, making the location seem completely unexplainable. The audience sees a freely chosen card vanish from the deck only to reappear inside the phone, sealed behind the battery compartment.

Full Details

"Cell" is a self-contained trick that requires minimal setup. The magician borrows a deck of cards, has a card selected and signed for added impossibility, and then makes it vanish. The climax comes when the phone—often an old Nokia model for nostalgic appeal—is revealed to contain the signed card inside its battery compartment. The method is cleverly designed to eliminate any suspicion, as the phone can be examined before and after the trick.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for:

  • Close-up and parlor magicians who want a strong, self-contained card-to-impossible-location effect.
  • Performers who enjoy interactive, audience-focused routines with a tangible, surprising reveal.
  • Those who appreciate tricks with built-in nostalgia, as the use of an old Nokia phone adds a layer of charm and curiosity.

Difficulty

"Cell" is moderately easy to perform, with no complex sleight of hand required. The method relies more on presentation and timing than technical skill, making it accessible to intermediate magicians. However, selling the impossibility of the effect depends on strong scripting and audience management.

What Magicians Say

Tom Wright, a UK magician, praised "Cell" for its shock value, stating:
"The reactions are insane still to this day... it's one of the best card-to-any-location tricks."
He also highlighted the practicality of the trick, noting that the phone takes up minimal pocket space and can be introduced naturally with patter about nostalgia.

Another strength mentioned is the versatility—performers can adapt the presentation to fit their style, whether comedic or mysterious. The trick’s method allows for a completely clean finish, with no reset needed between performances.

For magicians looking for a reliable, high-impact card location effect, "Cell" remains a standout choice.

What people are saying about Cell

Tom Wright says...

I love it it's still brilliant the reactions are insane still to this day... it's such a simple easy way around it I mean it's just all you got to do is think of of what can I say what patter can I use to bring out this Nokia phone and it's so simple.

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