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Deeper Foundations by Chris Rawlins

Created by: Chris Rawlins

Deeper Foundations is a mentalism trick utilizing a marked deck of cards disguised as Scrabble tiles. The deck features subtle markings undetectable by laymen, with each card displaying a Phoenician alphabet letter and its Scrabble point value. The trick involves the spectator creating a word, which the magician then duplicates as a drawing. This is a close-up magic trick that blends card magic with mentalism, offering a unique and engaging experience for both the performer and the audience.

Key features

  • Marked deck disguised as Scrabble tiles

  • Subtle and undetectable markings by laymen

  • Includes four diverse routines

  • Compatible with Magic Dream Paris effects

  • Pocket-friendly and easy to carry

  • Ideal for mentalists and card magicians

Pros

  • Realistic appearance and quality construction

  • Versatile with included routines

  • Subtle markings ensure fooling laymen

  • Compact size for easy carry

  • Highly recommended by reviewers

Cons

  • May require practice to master the markings and routines

  • Higher price point at $37.50

Effect

The Deeper Foundations routine is part of the Word Games marked deck by Chris Rawlins. The effect presents as a word creation and drawing duplication. A spectator freely creates a word using the deck, which appears to be a set of Scrabble tiles. The magician then accurately duplicates the word as a drawing, seemingly reading the spectator's mind. The deck's design ensures the process looks fair, with no visible markings or gimmicks.

Full Details

The Deeper Foundations routine uses the Word Games deck, which resembles a standard Scrabble tile set. The deck is fully marked, allowing the magician to identify each letter secretly. The routine involves:

  • A spectator selecting or arranging letters to form a word.
  • The magician revealing the word through a drawing, matching the spectator's creation.
  • No suspicious handling, as the deck can be shuffled freely.

The deck itself is pocket-friendly, with a bridge-style feel and subtle markings undetectable by spectators.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This routine is ideal for:

  • Mentalists who want a convincing word-based prediction effect.
  • Close-up performers needing a compact, versatile prop.
  • Magicians who prefer marked decks but want a non-playing-card alternative.

Difficulty

The Deeper Foundations routine is moderate in difficulty. It requires:

  • Familiarity with reading marked cards discreetly.
  • Comfort with casual handling to avoid suspicion.
  • Basic drawing skills for the duplication phase.

David from Magic Orthodoxy notes that the markings are easy to learn but emphasizes natural handling to maintain deception.

What Magicians Say

David of Magic Orthodoxy praises the routine, calling it a "strong, diverse" addition to the Word Games deck. He highlights its realism, stating:

"The deck looks exactly like it should... they will never suspect that they are marked."

He also appreciates the practicality, mentioning:

"You can have the spectator shuffle these to their heart's content and then walk right into a trick."

The routine is part of a broader set of effects, making it a valuable tool for mentalism performances.

What people are saying about Deeper Foundations

magicorthodoxy says...

This is the alphabet deck you have been wanting and waiting for your entire Mentalist career. [...] Highly recommended, it's well made, well executed, and looks exactly like it should.

Review videos