False Anchors by Ryan Schlutz

Created by: Ryan Schlutz

False Anchors is a card magic trick that focuses on performance theory and handling mistakes during a performance, specifically when a magician loses track of a selected card. It's a close-up magic trick that emphasizes the importance of rehearsal, confidence, and improvisation. The trick involves techniques to recover lost cards, such as using a marked deck as a safety net, employing Ryan Schlutz's Natural Dob technique, and embellishing the performance to cover mistakes. It's designed for magicians looking to enhance their performance skills and handle unexpected situations gracefully.

Where to buy

	Alakazam Magic	Limited Edition False Anchors 2 Playing Cards by Ryan Schlutz	£8.67	🇬🇧 Shop
	Alakazam Magic	False Anchors Set (Book and Gimmick) by Ryan Schlutz - Book	£65.36	🇬🇧 Shop

Key features

Utilizes a marked deck as a safety net for recovering lost cards
Incorporates Ryan Schlutz's Natural Dob technique for subtly revealing a card's position
Emphasizes the importance of rehearsal and confidence in performance
Offers strategies for improvisation and handling mistakes during a performance
Recommended for magicians interested in performance theory and enhancing their close-up magic skills

Pros

Provides practical solutions for common performance mistakes
Enhances a magician's ability to improvise and maintain confidence during performances
Includes innovative techniques like the Natural Dob for subtle card revelation
Encourages the use of marked decks as a versatile tool in magic performances

Cons

Some techniques may require practice to master, especially the Natural Dob technique
The effectiveness of certain methods, like the Natural Dob, may vary depending on the deck's condition

Effect

The False Anchors technique allows a magician to recover a lost card during a performance. The audience sees the magician confidently locate a spectator's chosen card, even after the spectator has shuffled it back into the deck. The effect appears as if the magician has an uncanny ability to track the card despite seemingly impossible conditions.

Full Details

False Anchors is a method for finding a lost card when a spectator has taken control of the deck, making traditional controls impossible. The technique involves subtle psychological and physical cues that help the magician identify the card without the spectator realizing it.

Key aspects include:

Using a marked deck as a backup to identify the card if needed.
Applying natural dobbing, where the spectator presses their card against their forehead, leaving a slight mark that helps the magician locate it later.
Incorporating misdirection and scripting to reinforce the illusion that the magician knew the card all along.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This technique is ideal for:

Working magicians who perform in unpredictable environments where spectators may interfere with the deck.
Close-up performers who need reliable outs when a trick goes off-script.
Mentalists who want to enhance their ability to "read" a spectator's mind under challenging conditions.

Difficulty

False Anchors is moderate in difficulty. While the core method is straightforward, executing it smoothly requires:

Confidence in handling marked decks (if used as a backup).
Subtlety in applying natural dobbing to avoid detection.
Strong scripting and misdirection to sell the effect convincingly.

What Magicians Say

Sean Devine highlights the technique’s reliability, stating: "Even if you don’t actively use the markings, having a marked deck as a safety net is invaluable." He also praises Ryan Schlutz’s natural dob method, noting that it works especially well with spectators who wear makeup.
Roberto Giobbi’s advice—"always force the card"—is referenced as a complementary strategy to ensure control.
The Digital Force Bag (DFB) app is recommended for reinforcing the illusion by predicting the card’s position numerically.

False Anchors is a practical solution for magicians who want to maintain control in unpredictable performances while keeping the method invisible to spectators.

What people are saying about False Anchors

SeanDevine says...

The main reason why you get nerves... is because you haven't rehearsed the trick enough. Rehearsing the trick as if the people are there greatly enhances your confidence.