Four-Card Monte by BestMagic and Paul Gordon

Effect

The Four-Card Monte trick presents a simple challenge to the spectator. The magician shows four cards. One card is different, often called the money card. The other three cards are identical. The magician places the cards face down. They mix the cards slowly. The spectator is asked to point to the money card. The spectator chooses a card. The magician turns over the chosen card. It is not the money card. The money card is found in a different, impossible location. Sometimes the money card vanishes completely and reappears elsewhere.

Full details

Four-Card Monte is a variation of the classic Three-Card Monte gambling scam. It uses a small packet of cards. The standard method uses four cards. One card is the target, such as a red queen. The other three cards are black aces or similar. The method relies on misdirection. The magician uses simple sleight of hand or a special gaff card. A gaff card is a modified card, like a double-faced card. This allows for visual transformations and vanishes. The routine involves false displays and strategic turns. The moves create the illusion that the money card moves. In reality, the card stays in place or changes identity secretly. The trick ends clean. All cards can be examined by the spectator.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is good for beginners. The methods are often simple. It requires minimal sleight-of-hand skill. It is also suitable for experienced magicians. More advanced versions offer complex routines. Paul Gordon's Triple Kick Monte is an example. It adds multiple magical moments. Performers who like impromptu magic will appreciate this trick. It uses ordinary playing cards. It is quick to set up. Magicians who perform walk-around magic will find it useful. The trick is visual and plays well for small groups.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The difficulty of Four-Card Monte depends on the version. Basic versions are easy to learn. BestMagic states the trick relies on "simple sleight of hand, making it accessible for beginners." The moves are not complex. The key is smooth performance and pacing. More advanced versions may require handling a gaff card. This needs careful practice to avoid flashing the secret. The performance is more important than the moves. The magician must control the spectator's attention. Misdirection is the main skill to develop. With practice, the trick becomes very deceptive.

What magicians say

Reviewers praise Four-Card Monte for its impact and simplicity. BestMagic calls it a "quick, visual card trick that plays big with minimal effort." They note its "instant impact" and recommend it for impromptu performances. They suggest framing the trick as a gambling challenge. This adds engagement for the spectator.

Another reviewer discusses a version using a gaff card. They describe it as a "fresh take on a classic." They highlight that it is ideal for "self-working tricks with a punchy payoff."

AlakazamMagicUK promotes a modern version called Triple Kick Monte by Paul Gordon. They describe it as a "highly visual take" that includes "multiple magical moments." The routine features vanishes, reappearances, and a color-changing card. They emphasize that it "ends clean, with all cards being examinable." This version is presented as a significant evolution of the classic plot.