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Snake Thief by Larry Becker

Created by: Larry Becker

**Snake Thief** is a classic mentalism and close-up magic trick where the magician seemingly reads a spectator's mind by revealing a drawing they've made on a card. The effect is a modern twist on psychological principles, blending sleight of hand with clever misdirection. The magician guides the spectator to draw something simple on a blank-faced card or business card, then uses subtle techniques to peek at the drawing without detection. The routine culminates in the magician reproducing the drawing with uncanny accuracy, leaving the audience baffled. This trick is perfect for close-up or social settings, requiring no gimmicks—just a deck of cards and a pen.

Key features

  • No gimmicks required—uses psychological constraints and sleight of hand.

  • Versatile for blank-faced cards or business cards (though blank cards are preferred for a cleaner presentation).

  • Relies on bold, justified moves that feel organic to spectators.

  • Includes handling for reluctant spectators, ensuring smooth performance.

  • Masterclass in misdirection and attitude to sell the effect.

Pros

  • Highly interactive and engaging for audiences.

  • Uses classic principles repurposed for modern performances.

  • Teaches valuable psychological and sleight-of-hand techniques.

  • Versatile for close-up or social settings.

Cons

  • Requires confidence and practice to execute the peek naturally.

  • May not suit performers uncomfortable with bold moves.

Effect

The Snake Thief is a psychological card trick where a spectator draws a simple image on a blank-faced card or business card. The magician, without directly looking at the drawing, accurately reproduces it. The effect feels organic, with the magician appearing to rely on intuition or telepathy rather than secret peeks or moves.

Full Details

The trick is based on principles from Larry Becker’s Snake Thief and Max Maven’s Desire, adapted for a modern, interactive performance. The method involves:

  • Psychological constraints – The magician limits the spectator’s drawing options (e.g., no flowers, happy faces, or complex art) to simplify the duplication process.
  • Invisible peek – The magician glances at the drawing in a natural, justified way, often disguised as a casual gesture or joke.
  • Control techniques – A double lift followed by a double undercut positions the spectator’s card for later revelation.
  • Handling reluctance – If the spectator refuses to place the card on the deck, the magician shifts to a "trust me" moment, peeking while tearing the card.

The routine emphasizes attitude as misdirection, making bold techniques appear fair and organic.

Who Should Consider the Trick

  • Close-up performers – Works well in social or casual settings.
  • Mentalism enthusiasts – Blends psychological principles with card magic.
  • Magicians who prefer minimal props – Uses blank cards or business cards, no gimmicks required.

Difficulty

The trick is moderate in difficulty. It requires:

  • Confidence in peeking – The peek must look natural, not suspicious.
  • Smooth card handling – Double lifts and undercuts should appear fair.
  • Performance skills – The magician must sell the effect through humor and relaxed demeanor.

What Magicians Say

  • Patrick Kuffs (creator of Bold Business, a variation of Snake Thief) says: "Bold techniques work because they’re outside laypeople’s 'repertoire of suspicion.'"
  • Reviewers note that the peek is "practically invisible" when performed casually.
  • The "Photo Ending" (holding the drawing near the face) is praised for creating a memorable visual moment.

The trick is ideal for performers who enjoy interactive, psychologically driven magic.

What people are saying about Snake Thief

MurphysMagicSupplies says...

Kuffs’ approach is a masterclass in **justification**—every move feels organic, from the peek to the control. His humor and casual demeanor further sell the effect.

Tutorial videos