Free Choice by Miracle Labs

Effect

The Free Choice trick presents a Bank Night-style routine where a participant freely selects a card from four options, each representing a suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades). The chosen card determines which of four envelopes contains a surprise—while the other three hold money, the participant’s envelope reveals a business card or another unexpected item. The effect plays on the classic "near-miss" tension, making the audience wonder what they could have won.

Full Details

• Method: The participant selects a card from four, each linked to an envelope. The selection is genuinely free, and the envelopes can be handled by the spectator from the start.
• Props: Includes four custom-printed Bicycle playing cards (one for each suit). Envelopes are not provided—performers must prepare their own.
• Versatility: The routine can adapt to other objects (nails, bottles, etc.) beyond envelopes.
• Tutorial: A brief 5-minute video explains the handling but leaves presentation ideas to the performer.

Who Should Consider the Trick

• Performers who enjoy interactive routines with a clear, engaging premise.
• Those familiar with Bank Night plots and want a modern, clean handling.
• Magicians seeking a versatile method that works with different props (not just envelopes).

Difficulty

• Low difficulty: The method is straightforward, with no complex sleight of hand.
• Presentation-heavy: The trick’s success hinges on justifying the card-to-envelope connection to avoid feeling contrived (as noted by Alex Kirk).

What Magicians Say

Alex Kirk of Monster Magic Shop highlights the trick’s strengths and weaknesses:

• Pros: "The method is clean, with a genuinely free selection. The cards are well-printed on Bicycle stock, and the routine is versatile."
• Cons: "The extra step of using cards to indicate the envelope feels contrived compared to simpler methods like dice rolls." He suggests adding a small reward (e.g., £1) to the "losing" envelopes to soften the letdown.

Kirk concludes: "A solid but not groundbreaking take on the classic Bank Night plot." The trick’s simplicity and adaptability make it a practical choice, though its impact depends heavily on presentation.