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Impossible Pickup by Temple Patton

Created by: Temple Patton

The 'Impossible Pickup' is a captivating close-up card trick where a spectator shuffles a deck, deals it into four piles, and mentally selects a card from each pile. The magician then seemingly reads their minds, revealing all four chosen cards with uncanny accuracy. The trick relies on memorizing the top four cards of the deck (either impromptu or pre-arranged) and clever audience management to create the illusion of randomness. Perfect for group settings, this trick blends mentalism with card magic, offering a strong impact with minimal sleight of hand.

Key features

  • Two methods: impromptu (memorization-heavy) and setup (pre-arranged top cards).

  • Best performed with multiple spectators for maximum engagement.

  • No complex sleight of hand required, making it beginner-friendly.

  • Relies heavily on performance and audience interaction for impact.

  • Flexible presentation options (quick or drawn-out for dramatic effect).

Pros

  • Strong visual and mental impact for spectators.

  • Adaptable to different performance styles and skill levels.

  • Encourages audience participation, enhancing the illusion.

  • No gimmicks or special props needed—just a standard deck.

Cons

  • Memorizing four cards quickly can be challenging for beginners.

  • Less effective with a single spectator (requires adaptation).

  • Setup method limits spectator shuffling freedom.

Effect

The Impossible Pickup is a card trick where a spectator shuffles a deck and deals it into four piles. Each spectator mentally selects a card from one of the piles. The magician then reveals all four chosen cards as if reading the spectators' minds. The trick creates the illusion of complete randomness and mentalism.

Full details

The Impossible Pickup has two main methods: impromptu and setup.

In the impromptu method, the magician memorizes the top four cards after the spectator shuffles the deck. The CardMechanic suggests techniques like briefly exposing the top four cards or using a memory palace to aid recall.

The setup method involves pre-arranging the top four cards (such as the Four Aces) before performance. This allows for more interactive shuffling but limits how much the spectator can shuffle the deck.

The trick works best with four spectators, each selecting one card. For smaller groups, spectators can write down their selections. The magician locates the chosen cards by finding the memorized cards and revealing the cards directly in front of them.

Who should consider the trick

This trick suits beginners because it requires minimal sleight of hand. It works well for performers who enjoy mentalism effects and audience interaction. The CardMechanic notes it's ideal for group settings where multiple spectators can participate.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The main challenge is memorizing the top four cards. The CardMechanic states this is the most difficult part, especially for beginners. Performance skills are crucial for selling the effect. The trick relies more on presentation than technical skill, making it accessible to new magicians.

What magicians say

The CardMechanic praises the trick's versatility: "You can either make this a very quick effect or you can really emphasize a lot of what's being done to make it a lot more fun and a lot more engaging." He highlights the importance of spectator involvement: "The key is you should know what the top four cards are...this gives them complete Free Will."

Regarding difficulty, he notes: "I'd probably rank this at a beginner level just because there's not a whole lot of technical stuff to do really all of it's going to be in the performance." The memorization aspect is emphasized: "Doing the top four could be a bit difficult...you need to take a look and memorize the top four cards."

The CardMechanic concludes by stating the trick can be adapted for different performance styles, from quick and deceptive to elaborate and engaging.

What people are saying about Impossible Pickup

The CardMechanic says...

The 'Impossible Pickup' is beginner-friendly because there's not a lot of technical stuff—it's all in the performance and how you sell the effect. [...] You can make it quick or really emphasize the mind-reading aspect for bigger reactions.

Tutorial videos