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Missing Piece by PigCake

Created by: PigCake

The 'Missing Piece' is a close-up card trick that involves a spectator selecting a card, which is then seemingly lost within a thoroughly shuffled deck. The magician, using a combination of subtle techniques and misdirection, appears to intuitively locate the spectator's card, culminating in a surprising reveal. This trick is an improved version of a card trick popularized by Chris Pratt, avoiding outdated moves like the 'Glide' and focusing on more deceptive techniques such as the pinky break, thumb break, and double lift. It's designed to be performed anytime, anywhere, with a standard deck of playing cards, making it versatile for various performance settings.

Key features

  • Improved version of Chris Pratt's card trick, avoiding the need for a 'Glide'.

  • Relies on pinky break and thumb break techniques for card control.

  • Uses a double lift to deceive the audience, enhancing the trick's deceptive nature.

  • Optional use of the Elmsley count for further concealment of the selected card.

  • Emphasizes misdirection and the illusion of failure to enhance the surprise element.

  • Can be performed with any deck of playing cards, making it highly versatile.

Pros

  • Streamlined and more deceptive than the original version.

  • Does not require outdated techniques like the 'Glide'.

  • Versatile and can be performed in various settings.

  • Strong emphasis on misdirection and audience engagement.

  • Includes optional advanced techniques for those looking to enhance the trick.

Cons

  • Requires practice to master the pinky break, thumb break, and double lift techniques.

  • The optional Elmsley count may be challenging for beginners.

Effect

The Missing Piece is a card trick where a spectator selects a card, which is then lost in a thoroughly shuffled deck. The magician appears to struggle, making the audience believe the trick has failed. Suddenly, the magician reveals the correct card in a surprising and deceptive way. The trick plays on misdirection, making the audience think the magician has lost control before the final reveal.

Full Details

The Missing Piece uses a combination of card controls and sleight of hand to create the illusion of a lost card. Key techniques include:

  • Pinky Break & Thumb Break – Used to secretly track the spectator’s card while shuffling.
  • Double Lift – Disguises the card’s true position by showing two cards as one.
  • Elmsley Count (Optional) – Helps conceal the selected card when pretending the trick is failing.

The trick can be performed with any deck, though PigCake uses his custom Missing Piece deck. It does not require a "Glide" move, making it more deceptive than older versions of similar tricks.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for:

  • Intermediate magicians familiar with basic card controls like double lifts and breaks.
  • Performers who enjoy interactive magic with strong audience reactions.
  • Those looking for a quick, impromptu trick that can be done anytime with a borrowed deck.

Difficulty

The Missing Piece is moderate in difficulty. It requires:

  • Confidence in double lifts and card controls.
  • Skill in misdirection to sell the illusion of failure.
  • Optional use of the Elmsley count for added deception.

PigCake notes that while the sleights are not overly complex, the presentation is key to making the trick convincing.

What Magicians Say

PigCake describes the Missing Piece as an improved version of a classic trick, calling it a "sucker trick"—where the audience thinks it fails before the surprise reveal. He emphasizes:

"This is a vast improvement over the original card trick. It just involves a simple slight and a control and a double lift, and you're good to go."

He also highlights the importance of misdirection, suggesting performers act as if the trick is going wrong before the final reveal.

For those wanting to learn the necessary techniques, PigCake recommends his PigCake Magic Academy, which includes tutorials on double lifts, controls, and the Elmsley count.

The Missing Piece is a strong choice for magicians who want a deceptive, audience-tested trick with a clear moment of surprise.

What people are saying about Missing Piece

PigCake says...

This I think is a vast improvement over that card trick it just involves a simple slight and a control and a double lift and you're to go the original required a Glide who's doing a Glide in 2024 come on be better be better be better be better be better [...] This right here is known as a sucker trick meaning they think everything went wrong really everything went right.

Tutorial videos