Sleightful logoSleightful

Dead Reckoning by John Bannon

Created by: John Bannon

Dead Reckoning is an 'impossible' mental location of a chosen card, designed for close-up card magic. The trick involves a participant cutting and shuffling a portion of the deck, selecting a card, and then losing it back into the deck. Despite the thorough mixing, the magician is able to locate the chosen card by having the participant mentally spell out the name of their card, stopping at the exact moment the card appears in the deck. This trick is noted for its devious method and ease of execution, making it a fooler for both magicians and lay audiences alike.

Key features

  • Impossible mental location of a chosen card

  • Works with any deck

  • Minimal preparation required

  • Suitable for close-up and parlor settings

  • Devious method that's easy to execute

Pros

  • Highly fooling for both magicians and laypeople

  • Versatile for various performance settings

  • Easy to learn and perform

  • No special props needed

Cons

  • Requires a basic understanding of card handling

  • May not be suitable for very large audiences due to its close-up nature

Effect

Dead Reckoning by John Bannon is a card trick that creates an impossible moment for the audience. A participant cuts and shuffles a deck, selects a card, and loses it back into the pack. Despite the thorough mixing, the magician accurately locates the chosen card by having the participant mentally spell its name. The effect is clean, direct, and leaves no room for suspicion.

Full Details

The trick begins with a shuffled deck. The participant cuts a portion, shuffles it, looks at a card, and buries it back into the pack. The deck is reassembled, and the magician explains the concept of mentally spelling a card’s name. The participant thinks through the spelling of their card while the magician deals cards one by one. At the exact moment the participant mentally stops, the next card is revealed to be their selection. The method is deceptive and relies on a clever principle that makes the outcome seem impossible.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Dead Reckoning is ideal for magicians who enjoy strong, self-working card magic with minimal sleight of hand. It suits performers who want a reliable, repeatable effect that plays well in both casual and formal settings. The trick is particularly effective for those who appreciate mentalism-style presentations with cards.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The trick is described as "supremely easy to do" by EruditeMagic, requiring no advanced sleight of hand. The method is straightforward, making it accessible to beginners, while the deceptive principle ensures it remains baffling even to experienced magicians.

What Magicians Say

EruditeMagic praises Dead Reckoning as "an impossible mental location of a chosen card" and highlights its deceptive method, stating, "the deviousness of the principle is really what makes this shine." They also note its versatility, calling it "a great piece of card magic theater" that fools both magicians and lay audiences. The trick’s simplicity and impact make it a standout in any performer’s repertoire.

What people are saying about Dead Reckoning

EruditeMagic says...

Dead Reckoning is an 'impossible' mental location of a chosen card, relying on a devious principle that the creator believes has broader applications. [...] It's a great trick to fool everyone at the club or your next convention, but it will equally fool lay people as well and is just such a great piece of card magic theater.

Review videos