Portal by Peter Eggink and Eric Jones

Effect

Portal is a visual card trick where a black circle on a card appears to transform into a real hole, creating the illusion of a portal. Some versions involve aces vanishing and reappearing under another card in a face-up assembly. The effect is striking and easy for audiences to follow, making it suitable for both close-up and stage performances.

Full details

Portal comes in different versions. One version by Peter Eggink uses a gimmicked card where a black circle turns into a hole. Another version by Eric Jones is a visual ace assembly where aces vanish and reappear under the ace of spades without sleight of hand.

The trick often requires setup, including pre-arranged cards and gimmicks. Some versions include stands for table performances. The gimmicks are durable, and repair tips are provided. The deck remains examinable except for the gimmicked cards in use. Reset time is around 10 to 15 seconds.

Who should consider the trick

Portal is ideal for magicians who perform in parlor or stage settings. It works well for family shows due to its visual appeal. Those who prefer gimmick-based magic will find it useful, while sleight-heavy performers may prefer other versions of ace assemblies.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The difficulty varies by version. Peter Eggink’s version requires angle management and specific clothing for the illusion to work. Eric Jones’ version is designed to be performed without sleight of hand, making it accessible to intermediate magicians. Setup and reset require some preparation, so it is not fully impromptu.

What magicians say

Sebastian Toca notes that Portal is highly visual and well-suited for progressive escalation in performances. He rates it 8/10 but mentions setup constraints as a drawback.

Craig from Magic TV describes the trick as visually striking but points out angle sensitivity, making it better for social media than live gigs.

Eric Jones’ version is praised for its clean vanishes and reappearances, with no sleight of hand needed. It was developed for FISM, emphasizing strong visual impact.

Matt from Magic TV finds the method somewhat obvious but appreciates the visual effect, suggesting it is better for online performances.

Overall, Portal is recommended for magicians who want a visually impressive trick with minimal sleight of hand, though some versions have performance limitations.