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Magic in Your Own Hands by John Scarne

Created by: John Scarne

In 'Magic in Your Own Hands,' a spectator freely chooses a number between 5 and 10, and the magician correctly identifies their chosen card—all while seemingly not touching the deck. This close-up card trick, originally conceived by John Scarne, relies on a clever setup involving a seven, eight, and nine strategically placed in the deck. The spectator believes they have complete freedom, but their choice is subtly guided to ensure the trick's success. The magician hands the deck to the spectator, reinforcing the illusion of no control, and the magic unfolds entirely in their hands. Perfect for high beginners, this trick combines psychological subtlety with classic card magic techniques.

Key features

  • Requires a setup with three specific cards (seven, eight, nine) placed strategically in the deck.

  • Uses false shuffles and cuts to maintain the setup.

  • Spectator's choice is subtly narrowed to ensure the trick works.

  • Emphasizes the illusion of a free choice and no magician interference.

  • Performance involves handing the deck to the spectator, making the magic happen in their hands.

Pros

  • Highly deceptive—spectators believe they have complete freedom.

  • Relatively easy to learn and perform, suitable for high beginners.

  • Creates a strong illusion of mind-reading.

  • Can be performed with minimal handling of the deck by the magician.

Cons

  • Requires initial setup, which may not be ideal for impromptu performances.

  • Some handling (e.g., the eight scenario) may feel less smooth to performers.

  • Spectators may occasionally pick numbers outside the intended range, requiring gentle redirection.

Effect

The trick "Magic in Your Own Hands" creates the illusion of mind-reading with a deck of cards. A spectator freely picks a number between 5 and 10, and the magician correctly identifies their chosen card—all while the deck remains untouched in the spectator's hands. The effect is clean and deceptive, making it seem like the spectator had complete freedom in their choice.

Full Details

The trick was originally created by John Scarne (sometimes spelled Scarn). It relies on a specific setup involving three key cards: a seven, an eight, and a nine. These cards are strategically placed in the deck—the seven on top, the nine face-up second from the bottom, and the eight on the bottom.

The magician subtly narrows the spectator's choice to numbers between 6 and 9, ensuring the trick works smoothly. False shuffles and cuts help maintain the setup, and maintaining a break in the deck allows the magician to track the chosen card. The presentation emphasizes that the magic happens entirely in the spectator's hands, reinforcing the illusion of impossibility.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for magicians who want a strong, self-working effect with minimal sleight of hand. It works well for beginners who are comfortable with basic card handling, such as false cuts and maintaining breaks. Performers who enjoy interactive, audience-driven magic will appreciate the spectator's involvement in the routine.

Difficulty

The CardMechanic describes "Magic in Your Own Hands" as a "high beginner" effect. While it requires some setup and basic card control techniques, the method is straightforward once learned. The trick does not rely on advanced sleights, making it accessible to those still developing their card magic skills.

What Magicians Say

The CardMechanic praises the trick for its deceptive simplicity, stating:

"The spectator thinks they had a completely free choice, which they did, but their choice never actually mattered."

He also highlights the importance of presentation, recommending Scarne's original approach to maximize the effect. While the trick involves some setup, he considers it easy to perform and highly effective for casual and professional performances alike.

For those looking for a reliable, audience-tested card trick with minimal sleight of hand, "Magic in Your Own Hands" is a strong choice.

What people are saying about Magic in Your Own Hands

CardMechanic says...

This trick is amazing because the spectator thinks they had a completely free choice, which they did, but their choice never actually mattered. [...] The setup is simple, and the effect is mind-blowing—perfect for high beginners.

Tutorial videos