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Mahatma Control by Ed Marlo

Created by: Ed Marlo

Mahatma Control is a versatile close-up card magic technique that allows magicians to secretly control a spectator's selected card to a desired position in the deck, such as the top, using subtle shuffling and peeking methods. It can be integrated into various routines, including predictions, switches, and reveals, where the chosen card appears impossibly between two predicted cards or is transformed through misdirection. This trick requires no setup and can be performed with any borrowed, shuffled deck, making it ideal for impromptu performances. Buyers should note that it relies on foundational sleight-of-hand skills like the Mahatma Control, double lift, and top change, and emphasizes audience engagement through comedy and showmanship for maximum impact.

Key features

  • No setup required; can be performed with any borrowed, shuffled deck

  • Uses the Mahatma Control for secretly maneuvering a selected card

  • Incorporates techniques like double lift and top change for seamless execution

  • Emphasizes misdirection, banter, and comedy to enhance the magical effect

  • Suitable for beginners but effective enough to fool experienced magicians

  • Allows for high-impact reveals, such as double predictions or card transformations

Pros

  • Highly practical and impromptu, requiring no special preparation

  • Accessible for magicians of all skill levels, especially beginners

  • Provides a devastating double climax with strong audience impact

  • Encourages development of showmanship and audience engagement skills

  • Versatile; can be adapted into various card magic routines

Cons

  • Relies on sleight-of-hand that requires practice to execute cleanly

  • May not be suitable for performers uncomfortable with misdirection techniques

  • Effectiveness depends heavily on the magician's ability to engage and distract the audience

Effect

The Mahatma Control makes a chosen card appear in a specific location in the deck. A spectator selects a card and returns it. The magician then reveals the card in a surprising way. It can make the card appear between two predicted cards. It can also make the card appear on top of the deck after a fair shuffle. The audience sees a clean and impossible card location.

Full details

The Mahatma Control is a card control technique. It moves a selected card to a desired position secretly. It often uses an overhand shuffle. The magician appears to mix the cards fairly. During the shuffle, the selected card is controlled to the top. This allows the magician to know where the card is for the reveal. The method is direct and relies on natural actions. It can be combined with other techniques like a double lift or a top change. This creates different effects, such as a double prediction or a color revelation. The control works with any deck and requires no setup.

Who should consider the trick

Beginners should consider the Mahatma Control. It uses fundamental moves that are good for learning card magic. MattMcGurk states it is "designed for beginners but effective enough to fool professional magicians." Magicians who perform with borrowed decks will find it useful. It is impromptu and requires no preparation. Performers who enjoy comedy and audience interaction can use it. PigCake notes that Tom Mullica used it within a comedic act to manage audience focus. It suits magicians who want a strong, impactful trick with simple methods.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The difficulty of the Mahatma Control is low to moderate. The basic control is a simple overhand shuffle action. MattMcGurk confirms it is suitable for beginners. However, performing it well requires practice. The moves must look natural and match the magician's banter. PigCake emphasizes the importance of misdirection and showmanship. He says using "humor and engaging the audience" helps mask the method. Combining it with other sleights, like a double lift, increases the difficulty slightly. Overall, it is an accessible technique that becomes more powerful with performance skills.

What magicians say

PigCake discusses using the Mahatma Control for peeking and switching cards. He says it leverages the cards themselves to create the magic, noting "the trick relies on a peek and a switch." He also highlights its use in Tom Mullica's act for controlling a card during comedy, proving that "laughter can mask even the boldest moves."

MattMcGurk praises the control for its power and practicality. He describes a routine using it that provides a "devastating double climax with high impact." He states the trick "requires no setup and can be performed with any borrowed, shuffled deck," making it a strong choice for performers.

Both magicians agree the Mahatma Control is a foundational technique that delivers strong magic when performed with confidence and misdirection.

What people are saying about Mahatma Control

MattMcGurk says...

Designed for beginners but effective enough to fool professional magicians, it provides a devastating double climax with high impact.

PigCake says...

The trick relies on a peek and a switch, making it accessible even for those relatively new to card magic. [...] He emphasizes the importance of misdirection and banter, drawing inspiration from David Williamson.

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