Screened Leipzig Pass by Nate Leipzig

Effect

The Screened Leipzig Pass is a deceptive card control that moves a selected card from the middle of the deck to the top without the audience noticing. The magician dribbles or cuts the deck, asks the participant to remember a card, and appears to turn it face down. In reality, the card is secretly controlled to the top while the top card acts as a visual screen. The effect is clean and subtle, making it ideal for ambitious card routines where a card repeatedly rises to the top.

Full Details

The Screened Leipzig Pass is a variation of the classic Leipzig Pass, attributed to Nate Leipzig. It uses the top card as cover while executing the control. Key elements include:

• Clip Break Setup: The magician clips the upper right corner of the top card between the pinky and ring finger, creating a gap.
• Card Insertion: As the selected card is supposedly turned face down, it is secretly fed into the gap, positioning it second from the top.
• Misdirection: A well-timed question or comment (e.g., "Are you capable of remembering this card?") diverts attention during the move.
• Face-Up Screen: In ambitious card routines, the top card can remain face-up, hiding the control beneath it.

The move works best when the magician knows the selected card, as it is typically face-up before the control.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Screened Leipzig Pass is ideal for:

• Intermediate to advanced card magicians who enjoy subtle controls.
• Performers who use ambitious card routines and want a deceptive alternative to standard passes.
• Magicians comfortable with misdirection and precise finger positioning.

Difficulty

The move requires practice to master. Key challenges include:

• Maintaining a natural motion while executing the clip break and insertion.
• Timing the misdirection effectively.
• Ensuring the clip break is large enough for smooth execution.

PigCake notes that while the move is not overly complex, it demands precision and repetition to perform convincingly.

What Magicians Say

PigCake describes the Screened Leipzig Pass as "extraordinarily satisfying to practice" and praises its subtlety. He highlights its usefulness in ambitious card routines, especially when paired with visual reveals like a snap change. The move’s built-in misdirection makes it practical for live performances.

The tutorial emphasizes that a larger-than-usual clip break improves execution, and natural handling reinforces the illusion. PigCake recommends the move for magicians who appreciate deceptive, well-covered controls.

This variation of the Leipzig Pass offers a strong alternative to more common passes, making it a valuable addition to a magician’s toolkit.