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Tea Bags by Nick Diffatte

Created by: Nick Diffatte

The 'Tea Bags' trick is a stunning close-up magic routine where a spectator's thought-of card vanishes from the deck and mysteriously appears inside a tea bag. The magician begins by showing a cup of tea and a tea bag, placing the tea bag into the cup. After a magical gesture, the tea bag is removed, revealing no tea inside—instead, the folded selected card is found attached to the tea bag. This trick combines elements of mentalism and sleight of hand, creating a visually surprising and impossible moment. Buyers should note that this requires some setup and props (tea bags, a cup, and a deck of cards).

Key features

  • Combines mentalism and sleight of hand for a surprising reveal

  • Requires minimal props (tea bags, cup, deck of cards)

  • Ideal for close-up or parlour settings

  • Strong visual impact with a clear 'impossible' moment

Pros

  • Highly visual and surprising

  • Engaging for audiences

  • Versatile for close-up or parlour performances

  • Creative use of everyday objects

Cons

  • Requires setup and specific props

  • May need practice to perfect the reveal

Effect

The Tea Bags trick is a visually striking piece of magic where a spectator's thought-of card vanishes from the deck and impossibly appears inside a prepared cup of tea. The magician introduces a tea bag, places it into the cup, and covers it. When the cover is removed, the tea bag is gone—instead, a folded playing card matching the spectator's selection is found inside the cup. The transformation is clean and surprising, making it a strong closer or highlight in a close-up or parlor set.

Full details

The routine involves a standard deck of cards, a cup, and a tea bag (or similar prop). The method is practical, relying on clever timing and natural actions rather than complex sleight of hand. The trick includes a convincing vanish of the tea bag and a logical sequence that justifies the card's appearance. Nick Diffatte's handling emphasizes performance flow, ensuring the magic feels organic rather than procedural.

Who should consider the trick

This trick suits magicians who perform in settings where they can incorporate everyday objects like cups and tea bags. It works well for close-up or table-hopping magicians who want a memorable, self-contained routine. Because it doesn’t rely on difficult sleights, it’s accessible to intermediate performers, but the presentation requires confidence and timing to maximize impact.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The technical demands are moderate, focusing more on presentation than intricate moves. The method is learnable with practice, but the real challenge lies in selling the effect convincingly. The routine includes subtle misdirection and audience management, making it ideal for performers comfortable with pacing and interaction.

What magicians say

Steve Faulkner of RealMagicReview praised the routine, calling it a "stunning piece of work" and immediately bought the necessary props to perform it. He highlighted its practicality and potential as a showpiece, noting that the method is straightforward but the effect is powerful. The trick’s cleanliness and surprise factor make it stand out, with Faulkner even considering adding it to his own performances.

The Tea Bags trick is a strong example of Nick Diffatte’s ability to take simple concepts and elevate them into engaging, performance-ready magic. Its blend of visual appeal and practical method makes it a worthwhile addition to many magicians' repertoires.

What people are saying about Tea Bags

RealMagicReview says...

This is a wonderful routine... a thought-of card from a deck vanishes from the deck and ends up in a cup of tea. It's a stunning piece of work, and straight away I got all the stuff to do it.

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