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Glimpse by Manoj Kaushal

Created by: Manoj Kaushal

Glimpse is a powerful mentalism and close-up card trick where a spectator freely thinks of any card from a standard deck. Without any fishing questions, pre-show work, or suspicious moves, the magician reveals the exact thought-of card in a clean, impossible manner. The effect typically begins with the spectator selecting a card while the magician's head is turned, followed by the card being lost in the deck. Through subtle techniques like a glimpse during a shuffle and card control, the magician secretly learns the card's identity. A dramatic false reveal using a double lift adds tension before the final, astonishing revelation—sometimes enhanced with a surprise color change for maximum impact. This trick requires no setup, works with any borrowed deck, and is designed for impromptu performances in casual or professional settings, making it ideal for mentalists and card magicians seeking a strong, versatile effect.

Key features

  • No setup required—can be performed anytime, anywhere with a borrowed deck

  • Combines mentalism with card magic for a clean, impossible revelation

  • Relies on fundamental sleights like double lift, pinky break, and card control

  • Includes a false reveal and optional color change for dramatic impact

  • Designed for beginners but effective for experienced performers

  • Emphasizes fairness through spectator shuffling and misdirection

Pros

  • Highly versatile for impromptu settings

  • Strong psychological tension and visual transformation

  • Self-working with minimal sleight of hand required

  • Leaves spectators with genuine astonishment

  • Room for personal flair and presentation

Cons

  • Requires practice of core moves like the double lift

  • May not suit performers uncomfortable with mentalism premises

  • Relies on subtle techniques that need smooth execution

Effect

The Glimpse trick is a mentalism effect with cards. A spectator thinks of any card from a standard deck. The magician reveals the exact card without asking questions or using pre-show work. The performance ends with a visual color change of the card for a strong finish.

Full details

Glimpse is a card trick by Manoj Kaushal. It is designed for impromptu performance with any borrowed deck. The routine uses fundamental card sleights. The magician controls a spectator's freely selected card to the top of the deck during a shuffle. A key part is secretly glimpsing the card's identity during this action. The trick includes a false reveal using a double lift before the final, correct revelation. The routine ends with a color change of the card.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is good for beginners learning card magic. It is also suitable for performers who want a strong mentalism effect. Magicians who perform in casual or impromptu settings will find it useful. It requires no setup and uses a normal deck.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The trick uses standard sleight of hand. The required moves are a double lift, a pinky break, and a method for card control. The creator, AMillionCardTricks, states the double lift is the only prerequisite. The difficulty is low to moderate. Practice is needed to perform the sleights smoothly and to maintain convincing misdirection.

What magicians say

Reviewers highlight the trick's practicality and impact. AMillionCardTricks calls it "versatile" and "ideal for impromptu settings." They note it "combines sleight of hand, psychological tension, and a visual transformation for maximum impact." They recommend it for beginners, stating it relies on fundamental techniques. SaturnMagicShop promotes it as a "powerful and direct mentalism effect." They describe the performance as "clean, impossible, and highly impactful." Both reviewers agree the trick works well with a borrowed deck and requires no pre-show work.

What people are saying about Glimpse

AMillionCardTricks says...

This routine is ideal for impromptu settings, as it requires no setup and plays big with minimal sleights. The creator loves its versatility, combining sleight of hand, psychological tension, and a visual transformation for maximum impact.

SaturnMagicShop says...

Glimpse is presented as a powerful and direct mentalism effect. A spectator freely thinks of any card from a standard deck, and without any fishing or pre-show work, the magician reveals it in a clean, impossible manner.

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