Rough and Smooth Index by Eddie Raymond

Created by: Eddie Raymond

The Rough and Smooth Index by Eddie Raymond is a revolutionary card index tool that allows magicians to quickly retrieve any chosen card from a deck with minimal practice. Utilizing a unique rough-and-smooth principle, this tool enables the retrieval of any card or even four of a kind in seconds. It's designed for close-up magic, fitting neatly in a pocket, and is handmade for durability. The index is not visually appealing, made of electrical tape and acetate, but its functionality and ease of use make it a standout product for card magic enthusiasts.

Where to buy

The Rough and Smooth Index by Eddie Raymond from Monster Magic
Monster MagicThe Rough and Smooth Index by Eddie Raymond£49.99
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Key features

  • Allows retrieval of any card or four of a kind quickly

  • Minimal learning curve, usable within 10 minutes of practice

  • Compact and durable design fits well in pockets

  • Handmade by Eddie Raymond, offering good value

  • Uses a unique rough-and-smooth principle for intuitive use

Pros

  • Fast and intuitive to use

  • Durable and pocket-friendly

  • Minimal learning curve

  • Allows for quick retrieval of any card or four of a kind

  • Good value for money

Cons

  • Not visually appealing

  • No included routines, leaving performers to devise their own

  • Limited to close-up magic performances

Effect

The Rough and Smooth Index by Eddie Raymond allows a magician to instantly retrieve any named card from a concealed index. A spectator freely names any card, and within seconds, the magician reaches into their pocket and produces the exact card. The effect is clean, direct, and highly deceptive, making it ideal for mentalism or card magic routines.

Full Details

The Rough and Smooth Index is a handmade tool consisting of 52 playing cards arranged in a compact, pocket-friendly holder. The key innovation is the rough-and-smooth principle—cards are paired (red suits together, black suits together) and treated so they can be quickly separated by touch. A tab system allows the magician to locate any card value instantly.

The index is durable, made with electrical tape and acetate, and fits comfortably in a pocket. It includes a short tutorial video (available on YouTube) that teaches the essential handling. While the tutorial is straightforward, it provides enough information to start performing within minutes.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This index is ideal for:

  • Magicians who want a fast, reliable method for card revelations.
  • Performers who prefer minimal sleight-of-hand but still want strong effects.
  • Mentalists looking for a convincing way to reveal thought-of cards.
  • Anyone who has struggled with other indexes (like Cheetah or Dex) due to complexity.

Difficulty

The Rough and Smooth Index is easy to learn. Most reviewers reported mastering it within 10-15 minutes of practice. The rough-and-smooth system makes locating cards intuitive, reducing the risk of errors. While speed improves with practice, even beginners can perform convincingly right away.

What Magicians Say

  • FiddlinJonny praised its simplicity, saying, "Within 10 minutes, I had high confidence I was pulling the right card every time. It’s smaller than Dex and fits better in my pocket."
  • Magic-TV called it "the fastest and most intuitive index I’ve tried," noting that it outperformed other indexes in speed and ease of use.
  • MonsterMagicShop highlighted its practicality, stating, "The rough-and-smooth principle makes retrieval effortless. It’s not pretty, but it works flawlessly."

The Rough and Smooth Index is a standout tool for magicians who value efficiency and reliability in their performances.

What people are saying about Rough and Smooth Index

fiddlinjonny says...

Within 10 minutes of practice, I had very high level of confidence that I was always pulling out the right card. [...] It's very easy to learn and I within 10 to 15 minutes had very high level of confidence that I was always pulling out the right card.

magic-tv says...

This is the world's fastest, most intuitive and versatile card index. [...] It's so intuitive it really really is and you can pull out a four of a kind you pull out a pair.

monstermagicshop says...

It is really practical and it's really really durable. [...] I think this is the best one pocket card index I've ever tried out.

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