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Self-Working Miracle by John Bannon

Created by: John Bannon

The 'Self-Working Miracle' is a captivating card trick that appears as real magic, disguising its mathematical foundations to create a baffling experience for the audience. It's a close-up magic trick that requires no sleight of hand, making it accessible to magicians of all skill levels. The trick involves spectator choices and spelling to culminate in a surprising coincidence where the final card matches an initial selection, enhancing the mystery and engagement. It's designed for real-world performance with minimal setup and maximum impact, making it a practical addition to any magician's repertoire.

Key features

  • Self-working with no sleight of hand required

  • Disguises mathematical principles as real magic

  • Spectator makes all key choices, enhancing mystery

  • Minimal setup with maximum impact

  • Natural handling to keep focus on the magic

Pros

  • Easy to perform

  • Strong magical effect

  • Spectator-driven

  • Foolproof for all audiences

  • Real-world performance ready

Cons

  • Requires clear spelling and counting

  • May need practice for smooth execution

Effect

The Self-Working Miracle is a card trick where the spectator makes all key choices, leading to an impossible coincidence. A card is freely selected, and through a series of simple spelling and counting actions, the deck is reduced until only one card remains. This final card matches the spectator’s initial selection, creating a moment of surprise and wonder.

Full Details

The trick requires no sleight of hand and is entirely self-working. The spectator cuts the deck, picks a random number, and spells through the cards to eliminate them one by one. Despite the seemingly random process, the final card always matches their original choice. The method is mathematically based but disguised so the audience perceives it as pure magic.

John Bannon describes it as a prediction effect where the outcome feels impossible, even to those familiar with card principles. Craig Petty notes that the trick references historical sources like A Futile Lesson in Open Spelling and The Spelling Bee, but its presentation remains fresh and engaging.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for:

  • Beginners who want a strong effect without complex sleight of hand.
  • Performers who prefer interactive, spectator-driven magic.
  • Professionals looking for a quick, reliable routine with minimal setup.

Difficulty

The Self-Working Miracle is easy to perform but requires clear instructions and smooth execution. Craig Petty mentions that while no sleights are needed, the performer must ensure the spectator spells and counts correctly. A few practice runs will help make the presentation seamless.

What Magicians Say

John Bannon praises the trick for its deceptive simplicity, stating that it "fools spectators unless they know the method." He emphasizes how natural handling makes the mathematical principles invisible, keeping the focus on the magic.

Craig Petty calls it a "strong magical effect" that is easy to perform but benefits from rehearsal to ensure clarity. He highlights its spectator-driven nature as a major strength, making it engaging for audiences.

Both reviewers agree that the Self-Working Miracle is a practical, baffling addition to any magician’s repertoire.

What people are saying about Self-Working Miracle

magic-tv says...

The trick is entirely self-working, requiring no sleight of hand. [...] Spectator makes all key choices, enhancing the mystery.

penguinmagictricks5930 says...

Bannon confidently states that every trick in the book will fool spectators—unless they already know the method. [...] The routines are designed to be performed, not just puzzled over, making them valuable additions to any magician’s repertoire.

Performance videos

Tutorial videos