Switchboard (Unreleased)

Effect

Switchboard (Unreleased) is an electronic gimmick that allows a magician to make a line appear or disappear on a playing card. The effect is visually striking—spectators see a card with a line that vanishes or changes shape with a simple flick. The magician can also incorporate this into a routine where a chosen card is revealed with the line mysteriously appearing on its back.

Full Details

Switchboard consists of two gimmicks: one for straight lines and another for wavy lines. The magician can make a line vanish, appear, or transform between straight and wavy. The gimmicks are self-working, meaning no sleight of hand is required. The trick is designed for red-backed cards, where the black line is most visible, but it can also work with blue-backed decks.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for:

• Magicians who enjoy visual, self-working effects.
• Performers looking for a quick, impactful addition to their card routines.
• Those who appreciate electronic or gimmicked props that require minimal handling.

Difficulty

Switchboard is easy to perform. No advanced card handling is needed, making it accessible to beginners. However, proper audience management is required since the gimmicked card cannot be examined immediately after the effect.

What Magicians Say

Mark T from Saturn Magic describes Switchboard as a "nice little gimmick" but notes that the presentation could be stronger if integrated into a more structured routine. He suggests:

• "If you’re doing a card reveal, it’s better to have the line vanish from one card and reappear on a chosen card in the deck."
• The gimmick is durable and can be remade with basic crafting skills if damaged.

While the effect is simple, it offers flexibility for creative presentations. Some magicians may prefer more interactive or examinable tricks, but Switchboard provides a quick, visual moment of magic with minimal setup.