Craig's Aces by Craig Petty

Effect

Craig's Aces is a visually stunning card trick that starts with a four-card production, showing both the fronts and backs of the cards. The real magic happens when the cards begin to vanish in increasingly impressive ways, with the final two vanishes occurring directly in the spectators' hands. The trick is designed to be hands-off for the magician, making it highly engaging for the audience.

Full details

Craig's Aces is a variation of the classic McDonald's Aces routine. It begins with a clean and natural display of four cards, ensuring the audience sees both the fronts and backs. The lay-down of the cards appears fair, but the vanish sequence is where the trick shines. The cards disappear one by one, with the final two vanishes happening in the spectators' hands. This hands-off approach adds a layer of interaction and astonishment, making it a strong commercial piece for live performances.

Who should consider the trick

Craig's Aces is ideal for magicians who perform live shows and want a trick with high visual impact and spectator involvement. It is particularly suitable for those who enjoy card magic and are looking for a commercial routine that can be performed with minimal setup and instant reset. Magicians familiar with the original McDonald's Aces routine will find it easier to adapt to this version.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The trick is designed to be easy to perform, making it accessible to a wide range of magicians. However, smooth execution requires practice, especially for the vanish sequence and the hands-off elements. Familiarity with the original McDonald's Aces routine can be beneficial, but it is not strictly necessary. The tutorial on The Netrix provides clear and engaging instructions to help magicians master the trick.

What magicians say

Magic-tv highlights the commercial appeal and ease of performance of Craig's Aces, calling it a great choice for live shows. They emphasize the strong visual impact and the engaging spectator involvement, particularly the final vanishes in the spectators' hands. Craig Petty himself describes it as his favorite version of the routine, praising its clear teaching style and the natural appearance of the card displays. While the trick is easy to perform, it does require practice for smooth execution, and familiarity with the original routine can be helpful.