Greek Deal by Daniel Madison

Effect

The Greek Deal is a deceptive card technique where the magician appears to deal cards fairly from the top of the deck while secretly dealing from behind the bottom card. To the audience, it looks like a normal deal, but the magician retains hidden stock (such as Aces or key cards) without disturbing the visible bottom card. This creates the illusion of fairness while maintaining control over the deck.

Full Details

The Greek Deal is one of three advanced false deals discussed by Daniel Madison, alongside the Stoic Second Deal and the Bottom Deal. Unlike the Bottom Deal, which takes from the literal bottom of the deck, the Greek Deal involves dealing the second-from-bottom card, leaving the actual bottom card undisturbed. This subtlety makes it particularly deceptive.

Reid Ferry also references the Greek Deal in his Oil & Water routine, using it to secretly sort cards after a spectator mixes them. His method relies on the Greek Deal to maintain fairness while achieving a clean separation of red and black cards.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Greek Deal is best suited for intermediate to advanced card magicians who already have experience with false deals like the Second Deal or Bottom Deal. It is particularly useful for:

• Magicians who perform gambling demonstrations.
• Those who want to enhance routines where hidden card control is necessary.
• Performers looking for deceptive ways to maintain stock without obvious moves.

Difficulty

The Greek Deal requires precise finger positioning and consistent handling to avoid detection. Daniel Madison emphasizes the importance of a uniform grip across all false deals, suggesting that mastering fair dealing mechanics first is crucial. Reid Ferry notes that angle management is key, as slight wrist tilts help conceal the move.

While not the hardest false deal, the Greek Deal demands practice to execute smoothly. Those new to false deals may find it challenging at first but can integrate it effectively with disciplined training.

What Magicians Say

Daniel Madison describes the Greek Deal as a lesser-known technique that allows a cheat to retain hidden stock without disturbing the visible bottom card. He stresses the importance of subtlety and consistency in execution.

Reid Ferry praises its deceptive cleanliness in his Oil & Water routine, stating: "They see the cards mixed, then you just deal... and they’re separated." He considers it a strong method when combined with spectator handling for maximum fairness.

Both magicians highlight the Greek Deal as a valuable tool for deceptive card work, particularly in routines where maintaining hidden control is essential.