Cell by David Stone

Effect

In Cell by David Stone, a spectator freely selects a playing card, which then impossibly appears inside the back of an old Nokia mobile phone. The phone is shown to be completely ordinary, with no hidden compartments or gimmicks, making the card's appearance seem like a genuine impossibility. The moment of revelation is visually striking and leaves audiences baffled.

Full Details

Cell is a card-to-impossible-location effect where the chosen card ends up inside a sealed compartment of a mobile phone. The routine is designed to be performed with minimal setup—just a deck of cards and the phone. The phone can be examined before and after the trick, adding to the impossibility. The method is cleverly disguised, ensuring a clean and convincing performance.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for magicians who perform close-up or parlor magic and want a strong, self-contained routine that plays big. It’s particularly effective for performers who enjoy interactive, visual magic with a modern twist (despite the retro Nokia phone). Since the method is straightforward, it’s accessible to intermediate magicians, but the presentation can be elevated by experienced performers for maximum impact.

Difficulty

The technical difficulty of Cell is moderate. The sleight-of-hand required is minimal, but the trick relies heavily on smooth handling and confident misdirection. The real challenge lies in the presentation—selling the impossibility of the card’s appearance inside the phone. Performers will need to practice the pacing and scripting to make the effect feel organic.

What Magicians Say

Tom Wright, a UK magician, praises 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 highlights the practicality of the routine, noting that the phone takes up minimal pocket space and can be justified in performance with simple, nostalgic patter about keeping an old mobile phone.

Another strength of Cell is its versatility—it can be adapted for different audiences, whether performing casually or in a more structured show. The use of an old Nokia phone adds a layer of curiosity and humor, making it a memorable piece in a magician’s repertoire.

For magicians looking for a visually impossible card location that’s easy to carry and consistently amazes, Cell by David Stone is a strong contender.