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Seven of Hearts by Craig Petty and Vinny Sagoo

Created by: Craig Petty, Vinny Sagoo

The 'Seven of Hearts' trick is a captivating card magic performance that involves predicting the suit of a freely chosen card by the spectator. The magician uses poker chips marked with hearts to prove the prediction was known all along, even before the card was selected. This trick is suitable for close-up and street performances, engaging the audience with a mix of humor, theatrical flair, and the illusion of a genuine prediction.

Key features

  • Involves a prediction of a freely chosen card's suit

  • Uses marked poker chips as a final proof of the prediction

  • Engaging and conversational presentation style

  • Suitable for both close-up and street performances

  • Comes with video tutorials for learning the trick

Pros

  • Strong visual impact and surprise element

  • Engaging presentation style that builds rapport with the audience

  • Versatile for various performance settings

  • Includes instructional material for easy learning

Cons

  • Limited to revealing only the seven of Hearts in some versions

  • Some gimmicks may be visible under certain lighting conditions

  • Not designed for portability in all versions

Effect

The Seven of Hearts trick involves a magician correctly predicting or revealing a spectator's freely chosen card, which is always the seven of hearts. The effect varies slightly depending on the method used. In one version, the magician predicts the suit and value of the card after multiple attempts, culminating in a surprising reveal where poker chips are shown to have hearts on them, proving the prediction was known all along. Another version uses a gimmicked card to visually transform a three of clubs into the seven of hearts. A third method involves a coaster that, when tilted, reveals the seven of hearts as the spectator's chosen card.

Full Details

The trick can be performed in different ways:

  • Prediction with Poker Chips – The magician offers a bet, claiming they can predict the suit of a freely named card. After a few incorrect guesses on the value, they correctly reveal the seven of hearts and show that poker chips held by the spectator were marked with hearts, proving the prediction was set up beforehand.

  • Gimmicked Card Transformation – A sliding gimmick allows a three of clubs to visually change into the seven of hearts. The gimmick is hidden between two Jacks, and with a slight adjustment, the seven of hearts appears. The gimmick can be adapted for different cards, but the seven of hearts is the primary focus in this routine.

  • Coaster Reveal – A stone coaster, when tilted, displays text revealing the seven of hearts as the spectator's chosen card. The magician must force the seven of hearts beforehand, making the coaster a clever but limited reveal device.

    • Who Should Consider the Trick

    • Close-up and street performers will appreciate the prediction and gimmicked card versions for their interactive and visual appeal.
    • Home performers may prefer the coaster reveal for its novelty and simplicity.
    • Magicians who enjoy versatile gimmicks will find the sliding card method useful for multiple effects beyond just the seven of hearts.

    Difficulty

    • Prediction with Poker Chips – Moderate difficulty, requiring smooth presentation and audience management to sell the prediction convincingly.
    • Gimmicked Card Transformation – Intermediate level, needing practice to handle the sliding mechanism naturally.
    • Coaster Reveal – Easy to perform, but relies heavily on forcing the seven of hearts effectively.

    What Magicians Say

    • Craig Petty's performance (MurphysMagicSupplies) highlights the trick's strong audience engagement, with reviewers noting his "engaging and conversational style" that sells the illusion of a genuine prediction.
    • Lloyd B (lloydb) praises the gimmick's versatility, stating it can be used for "changing card faces, changing card backs, and even making cards vanish."
    • David from Magic Orthodoxy (magicorthodoxy) calls the coaster reveal a "fun novelty" but notes its limitations, saying it's best suited for home use rather than professional performances.

    Each version of the Seven of Hearts trick offers a different experience, making it adaptable to various performance styles and skill levels.

    What people are saying about Seven of Hearts

    lloydb says...

    The gimmick's versatility is its strength, allowing for a wide range of effects like changing card faces, creating appearances, and restorations. [...] Using the ring finger to stabilize the seven of hearts prevents it from sliding during the reveal.

    magicorthodoxy says...

    It's a fun, albeit simple, novelty reveal. Worthwhile for those seeking a unique and visually appealing effect for home performances, provided they understand its limitations.

    MurphysMagicSupplies says...

    Petty's performance is characterized by his engaging and conversational style. He builds rapport with the audience, using humor and playful banter to create a relaxed atmosphere.

    Performance videos

    Review videos

    Tutorial videos