Push-Off Double Lift

Effect

The Push-Off Double Lift is a fundamental card sleight that allows a magician to cleanly turn over two cards as one, making it appear as if only a single card is being revealed. To the audience, it looks like the magician simply lifts and shows one card from the deck, maintaining the illusion that no extra cards are involved. This technique is essential for many card tricks, enabling deceptive reveals, transformations, and controls.

Full Details

The Push-Off Double Lift is a method for cleanly turning over two cards as one. Unlike some other double lifts that rely on a "strike" or "get-ready" action, the push-off method involves using the thumb to push two cards slightly off the deck before lifting them together. This creates a more natural handling, reducing suspicion.

Andrew Frost emphasizes the importance of making the move look like how a normal person would handle cards. He advises against the traditional "Vernon-style" bookend turn, which can appear unnatural to spectators. Instead, he suggests a more casual approach, such as dropping the card from above, to make the action seem less deliberate.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This sleight is essential for any magician working with card magic, from beginners to advanced performers. It is particularly useful for those who want to improve their natural handling and reduce the "magician-like" appearance of their moves. If you perform card tricks that involve reveals, controls, or transformations, mastering the Push-Off Double Lift will significantly enhance your deception.

Difficulty

The Push-Off Double Lift is considered an intermediate-level sleight. While the basic mechanics can be learned relatively quickly, achieving a truly deceptive execution requires practice. Frost notes that consistency is key—being able to perform the move smoothly under different conditions (such as with different decks or under spectator scrutiny) is what separates a good double lift from a great one.

What Magicians Say

Andrew Frost highlights the importance of making the double lift look natural:

"If you're not going to put the time into learning a push-off double lift, look at how people actually handle cards and turn cards over. We have been indoctrinated into the idea of the Vernon double lift and this kind of bookend turn, and the reality is that nobody handles cards like that outside of magicians."

He also stresses the value of practicing in a realistic context:

"I don’t really sit and work on moves in isolation. I try to figure out how they would work in a trick, or at least pretend there’s a spectator in front of me."

This approach ensures that the move blends seamlessly into performance rather than standing out as a suspicious action.

For magicians looking to refine their card handling, the Push-Off Double Lift is a foundational skill worth mastering. Its deceptive potential makes it a staple in many card routines, and with proper practice, it can elevate the naturalness of a performer’s magic.