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Quarterback by Air1

Created by: Air1

Quarterback is a close-up card trick where a spectator selects a card, which is then lost in the deck after shuffling. The magician fans the deck and uses another card to locate the chosen card within the fanned deck. This trick is part of the 'French Air In Card Magic Vol One' by Air1, a FISM-winning French magician, and is designed for intermediate to advanced card magicians seeking unique and challenging material.

Key features

  • Requires intermediate to advanced card handling skills

  • Part of a larger collection of 12 meticulously taught tricks

  • Includes a performance of Air1's FISM act

  • English dub available for non-French speakers

Pros

  • Unique and original material

  • High-quality instruction

  • Suitable for serious card magicians

  • Includes a FISM-winning performance

Cons

  • Lengthy tutorial (nearly 3 hours)

  • English dub may be distracting for some

  • Not suitable for beginners

Effect

In Quarterback, a spectator freely selects a card and loses it in the deck. The magician shuffles the deck thoroughly, then fans the cards face down. Using another card as a guide, the magician dramatically locates the spectator's chosen card within the fanned deck. The effect is clean, visual, and leaves no room for suspicion, as the selection appears fairly lost before being revealed in an unexpected way.

Full Details

Quarterback is part of French Air in Card Magic Vol. One by Air1, a FISM-winning French magician. The trick is taught in a nearly three-hour-long instructional video, which includes detailed explanations of 12 routines. The download is priced at $42 and features an English dub over the original French performance.

The method relies on clever card handling rather than gimmicks, making it practical for impromptu performances. The routine is structured to build suspense before the final revelation, ensuring a strong magical moment.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is best suited for intermediate to advanced card magicians who enjoy technical card work. It is not recommended for beginners due to the precision required in the handling. If you perform for audiences who appreciate clean, visual card magic, Quarterback will fit well into your repertoire.

Difficulty

The trick requires moderate to advanced skill in card handling. The fanning and control techniques demand practice to execute smoothly. Reviewer David from Magic Orthodoxy notes that the material in French Air in Card Magic Vol. One is "knuckle-busting" and "not for the faint of heart," indicating that Quarterback is best approached by those comfortable with sleight-heavy card magic.

What Magicians Say

David describes Quarterback as a strong effect where the magician "fans the deck and then uses another card to go into the deck to find the chosen card." He emphasizes that the routines in Air1's download are "hard-hitting" and unlike anything most audiences have seen.

The overall consensus is that Quarterback—and the entire volume—is a worthwhile investment for magicians seeking original, challenging material. However, the lengthy tutorial and advanced techniques mean it’s best suited for dedicated performers willing to put in the practice.

What people are saying about Quarterback

David (Magic Orthodoxy) says...

Quarterback is a solid, advanced-level offering of card magic, suitable for magicians looking to elevate their skills. [...] This is for people who really want to take their card magic level from here to here.

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