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Square and Cut Palm

The Square and Cut Palm is an expert-level card magic technique where a selected card is secretly palmed from the deck while appearing to simply square and cut the cards. This method is perfect for close-up magic, allowing the magician to make a card vanish or reappear in an impossible location. It’s a subtle and elegant move that, when mastered, can be seamlessly integrated into routines like card vanishes, card-to-pocket, or ambitious card sequences. This technique requires practice but is highly effective for creating moments of astonishment.

Key features

  • Expert-level card palm technique

  • Subtle and elegant method for vanishing a card

  • Works well in close-up and stand-up magic

  • Can be integrated into various card routines

  • Requires practice but is highly effective

Pros

  • Creates a clean and impossible vanish

  • Versatile for multiple card tricks

  • Subtle and hard to detect

  • Adds sophistication to your magic repertoire

Cons

  • Requires significant practice to master

  • Not suitable for beginners

  • May be challenging for those with smaller hands

Effect

The Square and Cut Palm is a card vanish technique where a selected card appears to vanish from the deck. The magician squares the deck and performs a cut, all while secretly palming the card. To the audience, it looks like the card has disappeared from the deck entirely, creating a moment of astonishment.

Full details

The Square and Cut Palm is a sleight-of-hand technique that allows a magician to secretly palm a card while appearing to simply square and cut the deck. The method involves creating a subtle break above the selected card, then using the motion of squaring and cutting the deck to conceal the palming action. The card is then held in the magician's hand, hidden from view, while the rest of the deck is handled normally. This technique is particularly effective because it blends seamlessly into the natural actions of handling a deck of cards, making the vanish appear effortless and impossible to detect.

Who should consider the trick

The Square and Cut Palm is ideal for intermediate to advanced magicians who are comfortable with sleight-of-hand techniques. It’s a great addition to routines that involve card vanishes, especially for performers who want to add a layer of subtlety and naturalness to their card magic. If you’re looking to expand your repertoire of palms and want a technique that’s both effective and relatively simple to execute, this is a strong choice.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Square and Cut Palm is considered an expert-level technique, but it’s one of the simpler palms to master compared to others like the One-Hand Top Palm or the Side Steal. It requires a good understanding of card handling and the ability to create and maintain a break in the deck. The motion of squaring and cutting the deck must look natural, so practice is essential to ensure the palming action remains undetected. While it may take some time to perfect, the payoff is a highly deceptive and versatile move.

What magicians say

Jay Sankey describes the Square and Cut Palm as a "little-known beautiful palm" that is "really quite simple." He emphasizes its effectiveness and how it can be seamlessly integrated into card routines. Sankey also highlights its versatility, noting that it’s a technique that can be used by magicians of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced performers. The simplicity of the move, combined with its deceptive nature, makes it a valuable addition to any magician’s toolkit.

What people are saying about Square and Cut Palm

SankeyMagic says...

The Square and Cut Palm is a little-known, beautiful palm that’s really quite simple and incredibly effective for making a card vanish in the most impossible way.

Tutorial videos