Color-Changing Deck by Craig Petty, PigCake, and Jay Sankey

Created by: Craig Petty, PigCake, Jay Sankey

The Color Changing Deck is a visually stunning card magic trick where the entire deck appears to change color in the spectator's hands. This close-up magic effect is perfect for both beginners and experienced magicians, offering a range of routines and variations. The trick typically involves a gimmicked card or deck, and the performance can include elements of mentalism, prediction, and sleight of hand. The Color Changing Deck is highly versatile, suitable for table performances, and can be adapted for different audiences, including children and adults. The effect is both magical and surprising, making it a great addition to any magician's repertoire.

Key features

Uses gimmicked cards or decks for a seamless color change
Multiple routines and variations taught, including The Ambitious Card and Triumph
High-quality cards with refills available
Detailed tutorials for beginners and advanced techniques for pros
Combines visual impact with psychological play
Versatile for close-up, table, and banquet performances

Pros

Visually stunning and highly effective
Great for beginners with detailed tutorials
Versatile with multiple routines and variations
High-quality materials and refills available
Combines visual and psychological elements for a strong impact

Cons

Some techniques may be challenging for beginners
Requires practice to perfect the sleight of hand and maintain the illusion
May be too basic for experienced magicians unless refreshing repertoire

Effect

The Color Changing Deck trick creates a stunning visual transformation where an entire deck of cards changes color in front of the audience's eyes. This effect often includes a unique twist, such as one card remaining a different color, adding an extra layer of surprise. The trick is designed to be visually impactful, making it a strong choice for both close-up and stage performances.

Full details

The Color Changing Deck trick typically involves a specially prepared deck and a gimmick card. The setup is straightforward, requiring only one off-color card and a matching deck. The magician performs a series of shuffles and cuts, often using techniques like the overhand shuffle or the Tenkai reversal, to maintain the illusion. The climax of the trick is a dramatic color change of the entire deck, often combined with other effects like card selections or predictions to enhance the overall impact.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is ideal for magicians who want to add a visually stunning effect to their repertoire. It is particularly well-suited for beginners due to its simple setup and minimal sleight of hand requirements. However, experienced magicians can also benefit from the trick by incorporating advanced techniques and variations to create a more complex routine.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Color Changing Deck trick is relatively easy to perform, making it accessible for beginners. The basic version requires minimal sleight of hand and can be mastered with a few hours of practice. However, more advanced versions of the trick, which include additional techniques like the Escanio Spread and Wrist Kill, may require more practice to perfect. The key to a successful performance lies in smooth shuffling and maintaining the illusion throughout the routine.

What magicians say

Fiddlinjonny highlights the Magic Button kit, which includes a 3-hour tutorial and 56 gaffed cards, making it a great option for beginners. He notes that the tutorial starts with detailed sleight instructions and includes multiple routines like The Ambitious Card and Triumph. PigCake emphasizes the simplicity of the trick, stating that it requires minimal props and can be set up quickly. He also mentions the importance of practice to perfect the shuffles and maintain the illusion. MattMcGurk offers a pro-level version of the trick, combining it with Twisting the Aces and using advanced sleight of hand techniques for a smoother performance. Craig Petty from magic-tv presents three unique color-changing deck routines, including a bonus sandwich routine, and offers a free trick to viewers. Jay Sankey from SankeyMagic breaks down the 'Flip/Toss' sleight, which can be used to create a color-changing deck effect, and adds a prediction element for a mentalism twist. Overall, magicians agree that the Color Changing Deck trick is a visually impactful and versatile addition to any magician's repertoire.

What people are saying about Color-Changing Deck

fiddlinjonny says...

The tutorial starts with detailed sleight instructions, great for beginners. [...] Multiple routines are taught, including The Ambitious Card and Triumph.

magic-tv says...

Craig highlights the importance of angle-proof magic for banquet settings and suggests interactive tricks.

MattMcGurk says...

The creator breaks it down into two versions: a simpler one for newcomers and a pro version featuring techniques like the Escanio Spread and Wrist Kill for a smoother performance.

PigCake says...

The trick begins by mixing face-up and face-down cards to create confusion, then magically aligning all but the selected card.

SankeyMagic says...

The first trick transforms an entire deck's color, leaving one selected card standing out visually. [...] The tricks pack a strong visual punch and offer versatile applications.