Location Supreme by Harry Loraine

Effect

The Location Supreme trick creates the illusion of instantly finding multiple spectator-selected cards in a shuffled deck. The magician invites three spectators to each pick a card from different parts of the deck. The cards are lost in the deck through cuts and shuffles, yet the magician quickly locates them. The effect escalates when two more cards are selected and lost, only to be found again with apparent impossibility. The routine appears completely fair, with no suspicious moves, making the final revelation seem like pure magic.

Full Details

The trick is based on Harry Loraine’s methodology, using a controlled setup of Aces and court cards placed on top of the deck. A controlled overhand shuffle maintains the packet’s position while making the deck appear fairly mixed. The magician guides spectators to select cards in a way that ensures one of them is from the prepared stack, allowing for an intuitive location method.

Key moments include:

• Spectator cuts that keep the setup intact.
• A "sandwich" principle, where a court card is found between two random selections.
• Stack management to reset the trick for a second phase.

The routine can be adjusted for two or three spectators, making it flexible for different performance settings.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick suits intermediate-level magicians comfortable with packet control and overhand shuffles. It’s ideal for performers who enjoy:

• Multi-phase routines with escalating impact.
• Audience interaction, as it involves multiple spectators.
• Self-working principles with strong magical outcomes.

Beginners may need extra practice with the shuffling and stack control, but the method is learnable with dedication.

Difficulty

The trick is rated intermediate due to:

• Setup requirements (preparing the stack before performance).
• Controlled shuffling to maintain the packet’s position.
• Intuitive location—recognizing the "sandwich" of a court card between two random cards.

The CardMechanic notes that while the handling takes practice, the method is "ingenious" and worth mastering for its deceptive power.

What Magicians Say

The CardMechanic praises Location Supreme as a "supreme" effect with multiple applications. He highlights:

• "The beauty of this method is its deceptive simplicity."
• "The more you practice, the more natural the packet control becomes."
• "It’s not just a pick-a-card trick—it’s a layered, impossible-seeming routine."

He also emphasizes the importance of spectator interaction and misdirection to enhance the illusion, calling it a "valuable addition to any magician’s repertoire."