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Going, Going, Gone by Jay Sankey

Created by: Jay Sankey

Going, Going, Gone is a mentalism trick where every card vanishes except the spectator's selection. This close-up magic effect is simple yet highly effective, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced magicians. The trick involves a deck of cards and relies on clever misdirection and natural movement to create a powerful illusion. It’s versatile enough to be performed seated or standing, and its straightforward method ensures a quick reset for repeated performances.

Key features

  • Simple yet powerful mentalism effect

  • Works with a standard deck of cards

  • Versatile for seated or standing performances

  • Quick reset for repeated use

  • Relies on natural movement and misdirection

Pros

  • Easy to learn and perform

  • Strong visual impact

  • Versatile for different performance settings

  • Quick reset time

  • Suitable for beginners and pros

Cons

  • May be too straightforward for advanced magicians

  • Relies heavily on audience interaction

Effect

The 'Going, Going, Gone' trick is a mentalism effect where every card in a deck appears to vanish except for the spectator's selected card. This creates a strong and memorable moment for the audience, as it seems impossible for all the cards to disappear while leaving only one behind.

Full details

The trick involves a deck of cards and a method that allows the magician to make all the cards vanish except for the spectator's chosen card. The method is straightforward and relies on a combination of sleight of hand and a simple gimmick. The trick can be performed both seated and standing, making it versatile for different performance settings. The magician must focus on natural movement and misdirection to ensure the effect is convincing.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is ideal for magicians who enjoy mentalism effects and want to add a strong, visual card trick to their repertoire. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced performers, as the method is simple but can be enhanced with practice and performance skills. Those who perform in close-up or parlor settings will find this trick particularly effective.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The 'Going, Going, Gone' trick is relatively easy to perform, making it accessible to magicians of all skill levels. The method involves basic sleight of hand and a simple gimmick, which means it can be learned quickly. However, like all magic tricks, the effectiveness of the performance depends on the magician's ability to use natural movement and misdirection. With practice, even beginners can master this trick and create a strong impact on their audience.

What magicians say

Craig Petty from magic-tv describes 'Going, Going, Gone' as "simple yet effective," noting that it creates a strong effect with minimal complexity. Jay Sankey, the creator of the trick, emphasizes the importance of organic movement and misdirection to make the performance convincing. He also highlights the versatility of the trick, as it can be performed both seated and standing. Overall, magicians appreciate the trick for its simplicity and the strong reaction it elicits from audiences.

What people are saying about Going, Going, Gone

magic-tv says...

Going, Going, Gone is noted for its simplicity and strong effect, though some may find it too straightforward.

SankeyMagic says...

Jay covers both seated and standing performances, stressing natural movement and misdirection. [...] Alongside the tutorial, he promotes his 'Going Going Gone' trick, a mentalism effect where every card vanishes except the spectator's selection.

Review videos

Tutorial videos