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Spellow by Carl Fulis

Created by: Carl Fulis

Spellow is a captivating self-working card trick that combines elements of mentalism and card magic. The magician begins by having a spectator think of any word and write it down on a billet. After mixing the billet into the deck, the magician appears to predict both the spectator's chosen card and the word they were thinking of. The trick culminates in a mind-reading moment where the magician reveals the exact word and card, leaving the audience stunned. This is a close-up or parlour trick that requires minimal setup—just a borrowed deck, a billet, and a pen—making it accessible for beginners but also adaptable for advanced performers with sleight-of-hand variations.

Key features

  • No advanced sleight-of-hand required, making it beginner-friendly.

  • Combines card magic with mentalism for a powerful effect.

  • Uses a borrowed deck, so no gimmicks or pre-set stacks needed.

  • Includes a sleight-of-hand variation for experienced magicians.

  • The billet serves as a key card, ensuring consistency in performance.

Pros

  • Easy to learn and perform, even for beginners.

  • Highly engaging with a strong mentalism angle.

  • Versatile—can be performed in close-up or parlour settings.

  • Minimal setup and no special props required.

  • Includes a sleight-of-hand variation for added depth.

Cons

  • The basic version relies on a billet peek, which may feel less organic to some performers.

  • The mentalism reveal requires confidence and presentation skills to sell effectively.

  • The sleight-of-hand variation adds complexity, which may not suit all performers.

Effect

The Spellow trick creates the illusion of mind reading. A spectator thinks of any word and writes it down. The magician mixes the written word into the deck, then has the spectator shuffle and select a card. The magician reveals the exact card the spectator chose, then goes further by correctly naming the word they were thinking of—all without any apparent clues or sleight of hand.

Full Details

Spellow is a self-working card trick that combines mentalism and card magic. The magician starts by having a spectator think of any word and write it down. The written word is secretly controlled to the bottom of the deck. The spectator then shuffles and cuts the deck, selecting a card. Using the written word as a key card, the magician locates the spectator’s chosen card. Finally, the magician reveals the word the spectator was thinking of, making it seem like a true mind-reading feat.

The trick requires minimal setup—just a borrowed deck, a billet (small piece of paper), and a pen. The method relies on a simple peek and a controlled shuffle, making it accessible even for beginners.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Spellow is ideal for:

  • Beginners looking for a strong, self-working trick.
  • Mentalism performers who want a card-based mind-reading effect.
  • Magicians who prefer minimal setups and borrowed decks.
  • Performers who enjoy combining card magic with psychological elements.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The basic version of Spellow is easy to perform, requiring no advanced sleight of hand. The only move needed is a simple shuffle to control the billet to the bottom of the deck.

For those who want to elevate the trick, Reid Ferry suggests adding a double-lift switch for a cleaner performance. This variation requires slightly more skill but remains manageable for intermediate magicians.

What Magicians Say

Reid Ferry describes Spellow as "a really nice little routine" that blends card magic and mentalism. He praises its simplicity, saying, "The trick is perfect for beginners since it requires no advanced moves." He also highlights the mentalism angle, calling it "a real crowd-pleaser."

Ferry adds his own touches to the routine, including a moment where the spectator mentally spells their word while the magician deals cards. He says, "It's very powerful when you're dealing through the deck and they just think 'stop' at some moment—you stop right there and reveal their card."

Overall, Spellow is a versatile trick that can be performed as a self-working effect or enhanced with sleight of hand for a more polished presentation.

What people are saying about Spellow

ReidFerry says...

This trick basically requires no setup—the deck of cards is a borrowed, shuffled deck. [...] I think this is super strong as it is and I hope you guys enjoy my touches on Spellow.

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