Memorized Deck Routine by Think and Darwin Ortiz

Created by: Think, Darwin Ortiz

The Memorized Deck Routine is a sophisticated card magic trick that showcases the magician's ability to memorize and locate cards with astonishing accuracy. This trick falls under the close-up magic category and is perfect for magicians looking to demonstrate their skill and mental acuity. It involves the magician memorizing the order of a deck of cards and then performing various feats, such as locating specific cards or predicting outcomes, based on that memorization. Ideal for both beginners and experienced magicians, this routine can be adapted to fit various performance styles, including comedy and mentalism.

Key features

Demonstrates advanced memory skills
Versatile for various performance styles
Can be reset quickly for repeated performances
Suitable for both close-up and stage settings

Pros

Highly impressive to audiences
Flexible in presentation
Encourages skill development in memory and card handling

Cons

Requires significant practice to master
May not suit performers looking for quick, easy tricks

Effect

The Memorized Deck Routine is a card magic effect where the magician demonstrates an extraordinary ability to recall the exact order of a shuffled deck. The performer may name cards at specific positions, locate chosen cards instantly, or perform seemingly impossible predictions and controls. To the audience, it appears as if the magician has a perfect memory or supernatural control over the cards.

Full Details

A memorized deck routine involves using a deck of cards arranged in a specific order that the magician has committed to memory. This setup allows for a wide range of effects, including:

Naming a card at any position in the deck.
Cutting directly to a named card.
Predicting a freely selected card without any apparent sleight of hand.
Performing complex sequences where multiple cards are revealed in impossible ways.

The routine can be adapted for different performance styles, from serious mentalism to comedic presentations, as seen in Nick Mohammed's work.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This routine is ideal for magicians who:

Want to add a strong mentalism effect to their card magic.
Enjoy working with structured systems that allow for creative variations.
Perform in settings where a clean, method-free presentation is valuable.
Are comfortable with memory work and practice.

It is especially useful for performers who blend magic with comedy, as Nick Mohammed does, because the straightforward nature of the effect leaves room for character-driven humor.

Difficulty

The difficulty of a memorized deck routine depends on the method used. Some systems require significant memory work, while others use subtle techniques to reduce the mental load.

Memory Challenge: Learning a full stack can take time, but some systems simplify the process with mnemonic techniques.
Handling: The physical handling is often minimal, making it accessible to beginners, but advanced performers can integrate sleight of hand for stronger effects.
Presentation: The real skill lies in making the memory feat engaging and entertaining, rather than just a technical demonstration.

What Magicians Say

Think (featured in Alakazam's broadcast) impressed audiences with his memorized deck routine, showing how it can be combined with other effects like a rock-paper-scissors card trick.
Craig Petty highlighted a memorized deck routine by Darwin Ortiz, praising its practicality and strong impact in gambling-themed performances.
Nick Mohammed prefers simple magic like memorized deck routines because they allow for comedic timing and character interaction without complex methods getting in the way.

The Memorized Deck Routine is a versatile and powerful tool in card magic, suitable for performers of different skill levels and styles.

What people are saying about Memorized Deck Routine

AlakazamMagicUK says...

Think wows the crowd with his 'Parallels' DVD set, showcasing a memorized deck routine and a playful rock-paper-scissors card trick.

magic-tv says...

He starts with a routine by Darwin Ortiz using a memorized deck, where he demonstrates the ability to quickly memorize and locate cards, ending with a center deal.

VanishingIncMagic says...

Nick prefers straightforward magic plots (e.g., memorized deck routines) that leave room for comedic timing and character-driven antics.