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Phone a Friend 2.0 by The Other Brothers

Created by: The Other Brothers

Phone a Friend 2.0 is a modern magic routine that leverages a live phone call to create a baffling experience for the spectator. The magician asks a spectator to think of a name, pick an object, and select a card, all of which are then seemingly known by a remote participant (a friend on the phone) without any apparent means of communication. This trick combines elements of mentalism and close-up magic, utilizing techniques like the Center Tear and Double Undercut to secretly convey information to the remote participant. The effect is highly adaptable, allowing any friend with a phone to serve as the remote participant, making it practical for real-world performances.

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Key features

  • Utilizes a live phone call for a modern twist on magic

  • Incorporates the Center Tear technique for secretly retaining written information

  • Employs the Double Undercut for card control

  • Highly adaptable with any friend able to serve as the remote participant

  • No coding or pre-show work required, making it practical for impromptu performances

Pros

  • Creates a strong psychological impact on both spectators and magicians

  • Adaptable to various performance settings

  • Clear and accessible teaching by The Other Brothers

  • No special apps or technology beyond a smartphone required

Cons

  • Requires a willing participant on the other end of the phone call

  • May need practice to smoothly execute the Center Tear and card control techniques

Effect

The trick Phone a Friend 2.0 creates the illusion that a remote participant, contacted via a live phone call, knows a spectator’s freely chosen selections—a name, an object, and a playing card. The magician guides the spectator through writing a name, selecting an object from the magician’s pocket, and picking a card from a shuffled deck. The climax occurs when the remote participant, seemingly unaware of the choices, reveals all three correctly over the phone. The effect is baffling because the remote participant appears to have no possible way of knowing the selections.

Full Details

The routine relies on a combination of techniques:

  • Center Tear: The spectator writes a name on a piece of paper, which is folded and torn into pieces. The magician secretly retains the portion with the name using a finger palm.
  • Live Phone Call: The magician calls a friend (e.g., Max) who is on FaceTime or a similar video call. The friend remains muted but can see and hear everything.
  • Object Selection: The magician pulls items from their pocket (e.g., wallet, keys, inhaler) and lets the spectator choose one. The remote participant hears the selection.
  • Card Control: A freely selected card is controlled to the bottom of the deck using a double undercut, allowing the remote participant to see it when the magician casually displays the deck.

The routine is adaptable—any friend with a phone can serve as the remote participant.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for magicians who:

  • Want a modern, tech-friendly routine.
  • Enjoy interactive performances involving live calls.
  • Prefer effects with strong psychological impact.
  • Perform in casual or walk-around settings.

It requires a cooperative friend for the remote reveal but does not rely on complex coding or prearranged signals.

Difficulty

The trick involves intermediate-level sleight of hand, including:

  • Center Tear: Requires practice to retain the written information discreetly.
  • Double Undercut: A standard card control but must be executed smoothly.
  • Natural Patter: The performance relies on casual conversation to avoid suspicion.

The Other Brothers emphasize making the routine feel organic, so rehearsing the timing and scripting is key.

What Magicians Say

MurphysMagicSupplies highlights the routine’s psychological impact, noting that even magicians find the method deceptive because the remote participant doesn’t appear actively involved until the reveal. The Other Brothers stress the importance of natural patter and muting the call to avoid background noise.

One reviewer mentions, "The card part fools magicians the most because there’s no obvious way the remote participant could know the selection."

The routine is praised for its adaptability—any friend with a phone can serve as the remote participant, making it practical for real-world performances.

For those interested in learning more, the At the Table Lecture by the Other Brothers provides deeper insights into this and other routines.

What people are saying about Phone a Friend 2.0

MurphysMagicSupplies says...

This is a standout routine for magicians who enjoy collaborative magic or want to add a modern, tech-friendly twist to their sets. The Other Brothers’ enthusiasm for the trick is infectious, and their clear teaching makes it accessible for performers of all levels.

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