Chop Shop by John Bannon

Created by: John Bannon

Chop Shop by John Bannon is a visually stunning close-up magic trick using seven bicycle-backed playing cards. The routine involves a sequence of magical transformations leading to four examinable aces, with one ace having a mismatched back, allowing for a seamless transition into other ace routines. The trick is designed for minimal sleight of hand but delivers maximum impact, making it perfect for table hopping or walk-around performances. The cards are standard Bicycle quality, with no gimmicks except for a yellow card marked 'look' to misdirect the audience.

Where to buy

Chop Shop by John Bannon from Monster Magic
Monster MagicChop Shop by John Bannon£16.99
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Chop Shop by John Bannon from Alakazam Magic
Alakazam MagicChop Shop by John Bannon£17.99
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Key features

  • Uses seven standard Bicycle-backed playing cards

  • Minimal sleight of hand required

  • Resets in seconds

  • Four aces at the end are 100% examinable

  • Perfect for close-up, table hopping, or walk-around performances

  • Can transition into other ace routines

Pros

  • Easy to perform with practice

  • Gets strong reactions from audiences

  • Packs flat and plays big

  • Minimal pocket space required

  • Versatile for various performance settings

Cons

  • Requires mastery of the Elmsley count with varying numbers of cards

  • Potential thickness issue when starting with seven cards

  • Audience may question what's in the performer's pocket after the trick

What people are saying about Chop Shop

ChampionMagic says...

I really enjoy performing this effect it has yet failed to get me a great reaction it's easy to do it packs flat but plays big takes up minimal pocket space.

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