Flight of Fancy by David Regal

Created by: David Regal

Flight of Fancy is a visually stunning close-up card trick where a spectator's freely chosen card vanishes from one deck and mysteriously appears in another. Using two decks—one red and one blue—the magician never sees the selected card, yet it vanishes from the red deck and is revealed as the only red card in the blue deck. This self-working trick requires no sleight of hand, making it accessible to magicians of all skill levels. Perfect for TV, live performances, or casual settings, Flight of Fancy offers a clean, baffling, and highly visual experience with an instant reset for repeated use.

Key features

  • Self-working trick with no sleight of hand required

  • Uses two decks (one red, one blue) for a visually striking effect

  • Clean vanish and reappearance of a freely chosen card

  • Instant reset for repeated performances

  • Perfect for TV, live shows, or close-up magic

Pros

  • Highly visual and baffling effect

  • Accessible to magicians of all skill levels

  • Clean and impossible method

  • Instant reset for practicality

  • Great for storytelling and audience engagement

Cons

  • Requires two decks, which may not suit all performers

  • Precise handling needed to avoid exposure

Effect

Flight of Fancy is a visually striking card trick where a spectator freely selects a card from one deck. The magician never sees the card, yet it mysteriously vanishes from the first deck and appears in a second deck of a different color. The effect is clean, impossible, and leaves the audience baffled.

Full details

The trick uses two decks of cards, typically one red and one blue. A spectator chooses a card from the red deck, and the magician does not see the selection. When the blue deck is opened, it contains only one red card—the spectator's chosen card. Upon checking the red deck, the spectator discovers their card is missing. The method is self-working, requiring no sleight of hand, and the trick resets instantly, making it practical for repeated performances.

Who should consider the trick

Flight of Fancy is ideal for magicians who want a clean, visual, and baffling card trick that requires no advanced sleight of hand. It’s suitable for both beginners and experienced performers, especially those who perform in live or TV settings where clean vanishes and strong visual effects are essential.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The trick is beginner-friendly, as it requires no sleight of hand or complex moves. The method is straightforward, and the instant reset makes it easy to perform multiple times. However, precise handling is necessary to maintain the illusion and avoid exposure.

What magicians say

Craig and Ryland from Magic TV praised Flight of Fancy for its clever method and ease of use, giving it a score of 90/100. Craig and Matt also reviewed the trick, with Matt, who has some magic knowledge, being completely baffled by the method. They highlighted its cleanliness, visual impact, and suitability for TV or live performances. Craig Petty, in another review, emphasized the trick’s strong visual impact and surprise element, though he noted the need for careful handling to avoid exposure. Overall, magicians agree that Flight of Fancy is a highly effective and practical trick for a wide range of performers.

What people are saying about Flight of Fancy

magic-tv (Craig and Matt) says...

Matt, with some magic knowledge, was completely baffled by the method. [...] Perfect for TV or live performances due to its clean and visual nature.

magic-tv (Craig and Ryland) says...

Flight Of Fancy impresses with its clever method and ease of use, scoring 90/100.

magic-tv (Craig Petty) says...

The trick is visually striking and relies on clever deck manipulation, offering a strong visual impact and surprise element.

Performance videos

Review videos