Cop Move by S.W. Erdnase

Effect

The Cop Move is a card sleight that allows a magician to secretly steal a card from the deck and palm it without detection. To the audience, it appears as if the card is cleanly inserted into the middle of the deck, only to vanish or reappear elsewhere in the routine. The move is designed to be smooth and natural, with no suspicious finger movements or sounds that might give away the method.

Full Details

The Cop Move is a refined version of the Diagonal Palm Shift (DPS), a classic card sleight first introduced in The Expert at the Card Table (1902) by S.W. Erdnase. The key difference is that the Cop Move simplifies the mechanics, making it more practical for performance.

Key elements of the Cop Move include:

• Hinge Technique: Instead of forcing the card in at an angle, the deck is rotated around the card, making the insertion smoother.
• Lower Card Placement: Positioning the card near the bottom of the deck makes palming easier.
• Natural Deck Squaring: The move is disguised as a simple deck adjustment, eliminating suspicion.
• Sound Reduction: A sharp upward motion combined with a squeeze of the deck prevents any telltale clicking noises.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Cop Move is ideal for:

• Intermediate to advanced card magicians who are comfortable with palming techniques.
• Performers looking for a reliable way to secretly control or steal a card without relying on complex sleights.
• Those who want a more practical alternative to the traditional DPS, as it reduces finger flash and noise.

Difficulty

The Cop Move is moderate in difficulty. While it simplifies some aspects of the DPS, it still requires:

• Precise finger positioning to avoid flashing the card.
• Timing and misdirection to make the move appear natural.
• Practice to eliminate sound and smooth out the motion.

Beginners may find it challenging at first, but with consistent practice, it becomes a reliable tool in a magician’s repertoire.

What Magicians Say

SeanDevine, a seasoned magician, shares his insights on refining the Cop Move:

• "The best way to avoid finger flash is to move the deck around the card, not the card itself."
• "Positioning the card lower in the deck makes the palm much easier."
• "A sharp upward movement and deck squeeze eliminate the clicking sound."

He also notes that while the DPS is a useful move, he prefers the Cop Move for its practicality in performance.

The Cop Move is a strong choice for magicians who want a deceptive, silent, and natural-looking way to control a card. With practice, it can become an essential part of card magic routines.