Star Trek Fan Force by Aussie Wind

Created by: Aussie Wind

Star Trek Fan Force is a close-up card magic trick that utilizes a subtle fan technique to influence a spectator's choice of a card. The magician fans the deck in a specific manner, making one card more exposed than the others, which the spectator is more likely to choose. This trick is perfect for magicians looking to add a psychological force to their repertoire, offering a seemingly free choice while maintaining control over the outcome.

Key features

Utilizes a psychological force technique
Works well in close-up settings
Requires minimal setup and can be performed with any deck of cards
Great for magicians who enjoy subtlety and psychological influence in their performances

Pros

Subtle and effective force technique
Can be performed with any deck of cards
Adds a psychological element to performances
Great for close-up magic

Cons

Requires practice to perform convincingly
May not work on every spectator
Angles can be tricky, requiring careful performance

Effect

The Star Trek Fan Force is a visual card force technique where the magician fans the deck and subtly influences the spectator to choose a specific card. The spectator believes they have a free choice, but the magician controls the outcome without them realizing it. The force is named after the iconic "Star Trek" hand gesture, as the magician separates the cards in a similar way to expose one card more prominently.

Full Details

This force relies on psychology and subtlety rather than complex sleight of hand. The magician fans the deck and uses finger placement to make one card slightly more visible than the others. When the spectator is asked to "see a card," they naturally gravitate toward the more exposed card. The method is quick and can be performed in a casual, relaxed manner, making it deceptive in real-world performances.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Magicians who perform impromptu card magic – No setup is required, making it ideal for spontaneous performances.
Those who prefer psychological forces – If you enjoy techniques that rely on spectator psychology rather than mechanical sleights, this is a strong option.
Performers looking for a bold yet subtle force – The method is direct but appears completely fair to the spectator.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The Star Trek Fan Force is moderate in difficulty. While it doesn’t require advanced sleight of hand, it does depend on:

Natural handling – The fan must look casual, not forced.
Confidence in presentation – The magician must sell the illusion of a free choice.
Angle sensitivity – The exposed card must be visible enough to influence the spectator but not so obvious that it raises suspicion.

With practice, this force becomes a reliable tool in a magician’s arsenal.

What Magicians Say

Sean Devine mentions that while the Star Trek Fan Force is "risky," it can be highly effective when executed well. He notes that "sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t," but when it does, it creates a strong illusion of a free choice.
The technique is praised for its simplicity and psychological impact, making it a favorite among performers who prefer subtle forces over mechanical ones.

This force is best used in combination with other outs (such as marked decks or alternative forces) to ensure a smooth performance even if the spectator doesn’t pick the intended card.

What people are saying about Star Trek Fan Force

SeanDevine says...

There's a great one by Aussie Wind... you do that real quick and say try to see a card you got one and most of the time they go for that more exposed card right there so that's a nice Aussie wind fan Force to use.