Shuffle Board by Simon Arenson and Lenard Green

Created by: Simon Arenson, Lenard Green

Shuffle Board is a modern, self-working card trick that combines classic magic with a social media twist. The magician sets up a deck with 14 black cards, 8 even red cards, and the 3 of diamonds. Spectators shuffle the cards face-up and face-down, creating a seemingly random mix. The magician then reveals an Instagram post made earlier, which accurately predicts the final arrangement—down to the number of face-up cards, black cards, and even red cards, with the 3 of diamonds as the only exception. This trick is perfect for close-up or parlour magic, requires no sleight of hand, and is ideal for beginners. It’s a great way to engage audiences with a modern, shareable reveal.

Key features

  • Completely self-working—no sleight of hand required

  • Uses Instagram for a modern, shareable prediction

  • Spectators do all the shuffling, making it feel fair and impossible

  • Beginner-friendly and ideal for close-up or parlour magic

  • Strong audience reactions and commercial potential

Pros

  • No advanced skills needed

  • Highly interactive and spectator-driven

  • Creative use of social media for a modern twist

  • Strong, visual impact with multiple predictions

Cons

  • Requires some setup and a phone to display the prediction

  • May be challenging for beginners to handle precisely

Effect

Shuffle Board is a card trick that leaves audiences amazed by its accuracy and simplicity. The spectator shuffles a deck of cards face-up and face-down, creating a seemingly random mix. The magician then reveals an Instagram post made earlier, which perfectly predicts the final arrangement of the cards. The prediction includes the number of face-up cards, black cards, and even red cards, with the 3 of diamonds as the only exception. The trick feels fair and impossible, as the spectator does all the shuffling.

Full details

Shuffle Board uses a standard deck of cards with a specific setup: 14 black cards, 8 even red cards, and the 3 of diamonds. The spectator shuffles the cards face-up and face-down, creating a chaotic mix. The magician then shows an Instagram post made earlier, which accurately predicts the final arrangement of the cards. The trick is self-working, meaning it requires no advanced sleight of hand. It leverages social media for a modern and shareable reveal, making it ideal for today's audiences.

Who should consider the trick

Shuffle Board is perfect for beginners due to its self-working nature. It is also great for magicians who want to incorporate social media into their performances. The trick is highly interactive, making it suitable for commercial performances and close-up magic. If you are looking for a trick that is easy to learn but still delivers strong reactions, Shuffle Board is a great choice.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

Shuffle Board is beginner-friendly and requires no advanced skills. The trick is completely self-working, meaning the magician does not need to perform any sleight of hand. However, it does require some setup and a phone to display the Instagram prediction. While the trick is easy to perform, it is important to handle the cards carefully and practice the presentation to ensure a smooth performance.

What magicians say

Matt McGurk describes Shuffle Board as a "clever self-working card trick that stuns audiences with its simplicity and social media twist." He highlights the trick's strong audience reactions and creative use of Instagram. Craig Petty notes that the trick is "highly interactive and commercial," with a strong emphasis on spectator involvement. He mentions that the trick requires precise handling but is visually impressive and engaging. Both magicians agree that Shuffle Board is a great choice for beginners and commercial performers alike.

What people are saying about Shuffle Board

Craig Petty says...

Spectator makes all choices, enhancing engagement. [...] Multiple predictions are always accurate.

MattMcGurk says...

The trick is completely self-working, making it ideal for beginners. [...] Uses Instagram for the prediction, adding a modern twist.

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