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Reverse Logic by Joshua Jay

Created by: Joshua Jay

Reverse Logic by Joshua Jay is a captivating stage and parlor card trick that plays with the concept of time travel. The magician starts by removing a watch and placing it in a handkerchief inside a glass, then shows a deck in new deck order. A spectator shuffles the deck and selects a card, only to find it has vanished—revealed to be the card the magician placed on the table earlier. The watch magically reappears on the magician's wrist, and the shuffled deck visually restores itself to new deck order. This trick combines visual and cerebral magic, offering six moments of magic in a 3-minute routine. It's designed for larger audiences but can adapt to smaller groups, requiring some rehearsal and a one-time arts and crafts setup.

Where to buy

Reverse Logic by Joshua Jay from Monster Magic
Monster MagicReverse Logic by Joshua Jay£85.99
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Reverse Logic by Joshua Jay from Alakazam Magic
Alakazam MagicReverse Logic by Joshua Jay£87.11
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Reverse Logic by Joshua Jay from Magicbox
MagicboxReverse Logic by Joshua Jay£88.76
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Key features

  • Combines visual and cerebral magic with six moments of magic

  • Designed for stage but adaptable to smaller audiences

  • Includes detailed performance tips from Joshua Jay

  • Requires rehearsal and a one-time setup

  • Comes with high-quality materials including Bicycle cards

Pros

  • Strong audience interaction and clear storytelling

  • Multiple climaxes for a powerful performance

  • High-quality materials ensure durability and professionalism

  • Detailed tutorial with performance tips

  • Versatile for different performance settings

Cons

  • Requires a one-time setup and some arts and crafts

  • Not suitable for walk-around performances

  • The black watch against a black handkerchief might be a minor visual issue

Effect

Reverse Logic by Joshua Jay is a stage and parlor card trick with a time-travel premise. The magician removes a watch and places it in a glass under a handkerchief. A deck of cards is shown in new deck order, and one card is removed and placed on the table. A spectator shuffles the deck and selects a card, only to find it has vanished—revealed to be the card already on the table. The watch then reappears on the magician’s wrist, and the shuffled deck visually restores itself to its original order. The routine delivers multiple magical moments, blending visual and cerebral elements.

Full Details

Reverse Logic is designed for stage or parlor settings but can adapt to smaller audiences. The trick includes:

  • A deck of cards that resets to new deck order after being shuffled.
  • A watch that vanishes and reappears on the performer’s wrist.
  • A silk handkerchief for the watch vanish.
  • Multiple climaxes, including a visual deck restoration.

The routine requires minor setup, including some arts and crafts to prepare gimmicked cards. The included tutorial provides detailed performance tips from Joshua Jay, who has refined the trick over years of live performances.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Reverse Logic is ideal for:

  • Stage and parlor performers looking for a structured, multi-phase routine.
  • Magicians who enjoy strong audience interaction and storytelling.
  • Those who appreciate time-themed magic with clear, engaging premises.

It is not suited for walk-around or impromptu performances due to its setup and reset requirements.

Difficulty

The trick is easy to perform with practice. While it requires rehearsal, the method relies on gimmicks and streamlined handling rather than complex sleight of hand. Steve Faulkner notes, "There’s nothing very difficult in this because it’s something that he wants to do in front of big audiences—it’s just going to hit every time."

What Magicians Say

  • Steve Faulkner (RealMagicReview): "There are six moments of magic in this routine... it’s got all these elements in it and will go down really well."
  • Alexis (AlexisReviews): "Joshua Jay is a genius... the premise to take a card trick and do it in reverse is genius. You have so many moments of magic."
  • Craig (Magic-TV): "It’s a beautiful piece of theater... if you want a solid 5-7 minutes to insert into your show, this is perfect."
  • Alex Kirk (MonsterMagicShop): "Strong audience participation, smooth handling... a great piece of theater from a card trick."

Reverse Logic is praised for its impact, clear premise, and practicality, making it a strong addition to a performer’s repertoire.

What people are saying about Reverse Logic

AlexisReviews says...

Joshua took the principle of a card trick and just reversed it. First the deck is in new deck order, the cards are shuffled, then spectator select a card, the card is lost in the deck, the magician finds the card, and at the end you get the applause. It's the same trick but backwards.

magic-tv says...

Reverse Logic is a very interesting trick that's based around one specific premise: what if you could actually travel back in time and do a card trick in reverse. It's a complete multiphased routine where the audience are never quite sure exactly where it's going to go.

monstermagicshop says...

Reverse Logic by Joshua Jay is a standout card trick where the deck starts in new deck order, gets shuffled, and then the spectator picks a card. The magician reveals the card before it's chosen, and the deck restores itself to its original state.

RealMagicReview says...

Reverse Logic plays big on a stage for 50 or 100 or 300 people. It's a short routine about 3 minutes long but there are six moments of magic, there's visual magic and there's cerebral magic in it.

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