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Good Pals Force by CardMechanic

Created by: CardMechanic

The 'Good Pals Force' is a close-up card magic trick that utilizes a variation of the classic thumb force technique to seemingly allow a spectator to freely choose a card, which is always the King of Spades. The trick is performed with the 'Good Pals' Halloween Tales V2 playing cards, adding a thematic and visual appeal. It's designed as a strong opener to immediately captivate an audience, with smooth, natural movements crucial for a convincing display.

Key features

  • Uses the 'Good Pals' Halloween Tales V2 playing cards for thematic appeal

  • Variation of the classic thumb force technique

  • Forces the King of Spades with deceptive simplicity

  • Designed as a strong opener for magic performances

  • Requires smooth, natural movements for maximum effect

Pros

  • Simple yet effective method

  • Strong visual and thematic appeal

  • Can immediately captivate an audience

  • Adaptable to other decks if desired

Cons

  • Requires practice to master the smooth, natural movements

  • Dependent on the specific 'Good Pals' deck for thematic effect

Effect

The Good Pals Force makes it appear as though a spectator freely chooses a card, but the magician has secretly controlled the outcome. The forced card—in this case, the King of Spades—is revealed as if by chance. The Halloween-themed Good Pals deck adds a playful visual element, making the trick more engaging for audiences.

Full Details

The Good Pals Force is a variation of the classic thumb force. The magician places the forced card (King of Spades) at the bottom of the deck. The thumb rests on the bottom edge while the fingers grip the top. As the spectator calls "stop" while the magician pulls cards back one at a time, the thumb subtly controls the movement to ensure the forced card is revealed. Smooth handling and natural movements are key to making the force undetectable.

The trick is designed to work best with the Good Pals Halloween Tales V2 deck, though the method can be adapted to other decks. The Halloween theme enhances the presentation, making it a strong opener for performances.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This force is ideal for magicians who want a reliable, easy-to-execute method for forcing a card. It works well for beginners due to its simplicity but is also effective for experienced performers looking for a clean, deceptive force. Those who enjoy themed decks or perform around Halloween may find the Good Pals deck particularly appealing.

Difficulty

The Good Pals Force is not technically difficult. The main challenge lies in making the movements look natural. CardMechanic emphasizes that smooth handling is crucial for deception. With minimal practice, most magicians can perform it convincingly.

What Magicians Say

CardMechanic describes the force as "deceptively simple yet powerful," noting that it was the "first trick to ever fool" him. He highlights the importance of natural movements and recommends using the Halloween-themed Good Pals deck for added visual impact. His demonstration shows the force as a strong opener, capable of immediately engaging an audience.

The trick’s simplicity and effectiveness make it a useful addition to any magician’s repertoire, especially for those who enjoy themed presentations.

What people are saying about Good Pals Force

CardMechanic says...

so I'm going to go through the cards like this and before you even call out stop I'm going to tell you your card is going to be the King of Spades let's just say we stop right over here take this card and of course that card is going to be the King of Spades [...] these are the good pals Halloween Tales V2 playing cards which are now live on Kickstarter definitely check them out

Tutorial videos