Froot Loops by David Blaine

Created by: David Blaine

Froot Loops is a close-up card trick famously performed by David Blaine in his *Street Magic Special*. The trick is a variation of the Ambitious Card routine, where a signed card repeatedly rises to the top of the deck despite being placed in the middle. The performance includes key techniques like the Tilt/Depth Illusion and push-off double lift, culminating in a visually striking pop-up move. The trick is celebrated for its simplicity, audience engagement, and the powerful reactions it elicits.

Key features

Variation of the Ambitious Card routine
Incorporates Tilt/Depth Illusion and push-off double lift
Concludes with a visually striking pop-up move
Emphasizes simplicity and audience engagement
Can be integrated into other effects like card revelations in wallets or paperclips

Pros

Highly deceptive and visually impressive
Simple yet powerful routine
Focuses on audience reactions, enhancing the performance
Versatile and can be combined with other effects

Cons

Requires mastery of advanced card techniques like the push-off double lift
May be challenging for beginners due to the precision needed

Effect

The Froot Loops trick is a version of the Ambitious Card routine made famous by David Blaine. The magician asks a spectator to choose and sign a card. The card is placed in the middle of the deck, yet it repeatedly jumps to the top with a snap of the fingers. The routine ends with a dramatic visual moment where the signed card visibly rises from the middle to the top, often with a bent corner for added impact.

Full Details

The trick relies on key sleight-of-hand techniques, including the Tilt (or Depth Illusion) and the push-off double lift. Blaine’s performance shifts focus from the mechanics to the spectator’s reactions, making the trick feel organic and engaging. The routine is structured in three phases: establishing the effect, reinforcing it, and concluding with a strong visual moment like the pop-up move.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick suits magicians who enjoy direct, visual card magic with strong audience interaction. It works well for street performers, close-up magicians, and those who appreciate classic routines with a modern presentation. Beginners may find some moves challenging, but intermediate to advanced performers will appreciate the deceptive simplicity.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The Froot Loops trick requires proficiency in sleights like the push-off double lift and the Tilt, which demand practice to execute smoothly under pressure. The performance aspect—controlling audience interaction and timing—is equally important. PigCake notes that Blaine’s ability to perform these moves flawlessly, even with disruptive spectators, sets a high standard.

What Magicians Say

PigCake praises the trick’s deceptive power, calling it "one of the tricks that started it all." They highlight Blaine’s use of the Tilt and push-off double lift, noting how his focus on spectator reactions revolutionized street magic. The review also emphasizes the value of simplicity: "Less is more... it's only three phases, but they’re incredibly powerful." PigCake humorously critiques magicians who overuse finger-snapping gimmicks, a trend inspired by Blaine’s performance.

The Froot Loops trick remains a standout example of how strong fundamentals and audience engagement can create unforgettable magic.

What people are saying about Froot Loops

PigCake says...

This was one of the more popular tricks that come out of the street magic Special by David Blaine and it's one that really entranced the magic population [...] David Blaine's genius lay not just in the moves themselves, but in shifting the focus from the magician to the audience's reactions – a revolutionary approach at the time.