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Madison Shift by Daniel Madison

Created by: Daniel Madison

The Madison Shift is a sophisticated close-up card magic routine that centers around a powerful gambling demonstration. A spectator shuffles a deck of UNGAR Playing Cards and deals five random cards. The magician then tells the story of poker legend Stu Ungar's 1997 World Series of Poker win, showing a 'POKER LESSON' gaff card that depicts his exact winning hand. The five cards dealt by the spectator are revealed to match this historic hand, creating a moment of astonishment. This trick is built into every UNGAR deck and requires the included gaff card, with detailed instruction available via Daniel Madison's Patreon. It emphasizes psychological control and nuanced sleight-of-hand, making it ideal for magicians interested in advanced card manipulation and deception techniques.

Key features

  • Built into UNGAR Playing Cards with a special 'POKER LESSON' gaff card featuring Stu Ungar's 1997 WSOP winning hand

  • Focuses on 'Nuance Card Switches'—subtle, multi-moment switches executed during card dealing for enhanced deception

  • Teaches various card switching techniques including Cohort Switch, Mad Switch, Perfect Deal, Heritage, Madison Shift, Pickup Switch, GC Switch, and Slap Switch

  • Utilizes the MAD HOLDOUT DEVICE for secretly holding out and switching cards, adding to the routine's versatility

  • Combines a compelling narrative with advanced sleight-of-hand, ideal for deepening understanding of psychological control in magic

Pros

  • High-impact effect with a strong storytelling element tied to poker history

  • Comprehensive tutorial covering multiple advanced switching techniques

  • Integrated into a custom deck, making it accessible and self-contained

Cons

  • Requires purchase of specific UNGAR Playing Cards and potentially additional equipment like the MAD HOLDOUT DEVICE

  • Involves complex sleight-of-hand that may be challenging for beginners

Effect

The Madison Shift creates a moment of impossible coincidence. A spectator shuffles a deck of cards and deals five cards at random. The magician then tells a story about a famous poker hand. The five cards the spectator just dealt are revealed to be that exact, historic poker hand. The effect is a direct match between a story from the past and the cards dealt in the present.

Full details

The Madison Shift is a card switching technique. It is one method taught for performing the routine called The WINNING Hand. This routine uses a special gaff card included with UNGAR Playing Cards. The gaff card shows Stu Ungar's 1997 World Series of Poker winning hand. The method involves secretly exchanging the five cards the spectator deals for a pre-arranged set of five cards. This exchange happens while the spectator is actively dealing. The technique is designed to be subtle and spread across multiple actions. The MAD HOLDOUT DEVICE is a tool used in the routine to secretly hold and conceal cards during the switch.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is for magicians interested in advanced card magic. It is suitable for performers who want to learn nuanced card switches. It appeals to those who enjoy gambling demonstrations and psychological control. The routine requires a commitment to practice and a study of deception. It is not for beginners.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Madison Shift is a difficult technique to perform well. It requires precise hand movements and timing. The switch must be executed while the spectator is dealing cards. This adds a layer of difficulty. Mastery involves learning to break the move into several small, subtle actions. Daniel Madison states the method lacks a rigid, single-moment structure. Performing it convincingly requires significant practice.

What magicians say

Daniel Madison discusses the Madison Shift as part of a larger study on card switches. He calls these 'Nuance Card Switches'. He explains they are subtle and executed over multiple moments. He says the deception happens "while the participant is still dealing the cards". This makes the switch very hard to detect. The project is described as a "masterclass in the philosophy and technical execution of the card switch". It is positioned as an essay on deception for magicians looking to deepen their understanding.

What people are saying about Madison Shift

DANIELmadison says...

The method for this routine is built into every deck of the UNGAR Playing Cards. A special, updated 'POKER LESSON' gaff card is included, which now features Stu Ungar's actual 1997 WSOP winning hand. [...] This project is less about a single trick and more about a masterclass in the philosophy and technical execution of the card switch.

Tutorial videos