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King of Hearts by Victor Sanz and Ultrabello

Created by: Victor Sanz, Ultrabello

Little Thief is a visually striking, self-working card trick that involves a surprising card transposition. A spectator selects a card, remembers it, and places the King of Hearts into a separate envelope. The chosen card is then pushed into the deck, and when the King of Hearts is revealed, it has mysteriously swapped places with the spectator's card. This trick is perfect for close-up magic and is accessible to magicians of all skill levels, requiring no sleight of hand. The use of an envelope and the playful narrative of a 'little thief' add to the charm and mystery of the effect.

Key features

  • Self-working trick requiring no sleight of hand

  • Involves a surprising card transposition

  • Can be repeated with different cards

  • Includes a gaffed mechanical card, Himber envelope, custom-printed card, and corner ripper

  • Uses magnets for functionality, not elastics

Pros

  • Accessible to magicians of all skill levels

  • Visually striking and surprising effect

  • High-quality, handmade gimmick by Ultrabello

  • Versatile, can be performed with different cards

  • Engaging presentation with a playful narrative

Cons

  • Requires careful handling and presentation to maximize impact

  • May not appeal to magicians who prefer complex sleight of hand

Effect

The King of Hearts trick creates a baffling transposition effect. A spectator selects a card from a shuffled deck and remembers it. The King of Hearts is placed in an envelope for safekeeping. When the spectator pushes their chosen card into the deck, the King of Hearts appears to have stolen it—either swapping places or taking a piece of the selected card. The reveal is visual and surprising, making it seem like the King of Hearts has magically interacted with the spectator’s card.

Full Details

The trick uses a specially gimmicked King of Hearts card, handmade by Ultrabello, which employs magnets rather than elastic mechanisms. The package includes the gaffed card, a Himber envelope, a custom-printed card, and a corner ripper tool. The effect is self-working, meaning no sleight of hand is required, but presentation and misdirection play a key role in enhancing the illusion. The trick can be repeated with different cards, adding to its versatility.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for magicians who want a visually striking effect without complex sleight of hand. It suits performers of all skill levels, especially those who enjoy storytelling and engaging presentations. The playful "thief" theme makes it a good fit for casual or family-friendly performances.

Difficulty

The King of Hearts is rated as easy to perform since it relies on the gimmick rather than advanced technique. However, proper handling and presentation are important to maximize the effect. The trick requires smooth execution of the envelope and card interactions, but no prior card magic expertise is necessary.

What Magicians Say

SaturnMagicShop highlights the trick’s self-working nature, calling it "accessible to magicians of all skill levels." They emphasize the importance of presentation, suggesting a lighthearted approach to enhance the surprise.

MurphysMagicSupplies praises the craftsmanship, noting that the gimmick is "meticulously handmade by Ultrabello" and uses magnets for reliability. They describe the effect as "visually striking" and appreciate that the creators focus on performance over explanation.

Both reviewers agree that the King of Hearts is a strong addition to a magician’s repertoire, particularly for those who value visual magic with minimal technical demands.

What people are saying about King of Hearts

MurphysMagicSupplies says...

The creators state that they believe few people read descriptions, so they prioritized showcasing the effect itself. [...] The performance in the video is characterized by a theatrical and engaging presentation.

SaturnMagicShop says...

The creator emphasizes the importance of presentation and misdirection. The playful persona and the narrative of a 'little thief' add to the charm of the trick.

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