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Four Jacks Bank Robber by Harry Lorraine

Created by: Harry Lorraine

The 'Four Jacks Bank Robber' is a captivating close-up card trick where the magician presents four Jacks (or Aces in some variations) to the spectator. After a seemingly free selection, the spectator's chosen card is isolated, and the remaining three cards magically transform into the other three Jacks (or Aces), creating a stunning visual revelation. This trick is perfect for beginner to intermediate magicians and relies on clever sleight-of-hand techniques like the Pinky Count, Packet Break, and Double Undercut. The performance is highly interactive, allowing spectators to shuffle and handle the deck, enhancing the illusion of fairness.

Key features

  • Ideal for high-beginner to low-intermediate magicians

  • Uses foundational sleights like the Pinky Count and Packet Break

  • Highly interactive with spectator involvement

  • Two possible outcomes ensure versatility in performance

  • No pre-setup required; can be performed impromptu

Pros

  • Strong visual impact with a clear magical moment

  • Engages spectators directly, making it feel fair

  • Versatile with two possible outcomes

  • No gimmicks or special props needed

Cons

  • Requires practice to master sleights like the Pinky Count

  • May feel daunting for absolute beginners

Effect

The Four Jacks Bank Robber trick presents a deceptive and engaging card effect. The magician shows four Aces (or Jacks, depending on the version) and allows a spectator to shuffle the deck. The Aces are placed face down, mixed, and the spectator freely selects one. The magician deals three "random" cards onto the chosen Ace, then loses the remaining Aces into the deck. After some shuffling, the three "random" cards magically transform into the other three Aces, completing the set.

Full Details

This trick is a variation of Harry Lorraine's "To the Point" effect. It requires no pre-set deck and can be performed with any shuffled pack. The magician uses sleight of hand to control the Aces while maintaining the illusion of fairness. Key techniques include:

  • Pinky Count (to secretly isolate cards)
  • Packet Break (for card control)
  • Ble Grip (for discreet card manipulation)
  • Double Undercut (optional, for shuffling)
  • Riffle Shuffle (to position cards)

The trick has two possible outcomes based on the spectator's selection, ensuring it works regardless of their choice.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for high-beginner to low-intermediate magicians. It is suitable for those comfortable with basic card handling but looking to expand their skills with controlled misdirection and packet work.

Difficulty

The Four Jacks Bank Robber is rated as moderate in difficulty due to the sleights involved. The Pinky Count and Ble Grip may require practice, but the effect is worth the effort. CardMechanic notes that while the handling may seem challenging at first, the trick becomes smooth with repetition.

What Magicians Say

CardMechanic describes it as "one of the first technical card tricks I ever learned" and praises its deceptive simplicity. He emphasizes the importance of misdirection and casual handling to sell the effect.

"The one aspect that makes this trick tricky is that the spectator selects where the cards are dealt... but the effect is well worth the effort."

Performance tips include:

  • Letting the spectator examine the Aces for added fairness.
  • Using natural gestures to conceal sleights.
  • Engaging the spectator by asking them to think about their selection before the reveal.

This trick is a strong addition to any card magician's repertoire, offering a visual and interactive experience for audiences.

What people are saying about Four Jacks Bank Robber

The CardMechanic says...

This trick is rated as a high-beginner or low-level intermediate effect, but the deceptive nature and strong visual payoff make it well worth the effort. [...] The key is to practice the sleights and develop your own presentation style to truly captivate audiences.

Tutorial videos