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The Berglas Effect by David Berglas

Created by: David Berglas

The Berglas Effect is a legendary mentalism and card trick where a spectator names any card and any number from 1 to 52. After shuffling the deck themselves, the named card is found exactly at the chosen position when dealt face up. This trick pays homage to David Berglas, one of the greatest mentalists, and is known for its impossibility and the mystery surrounding its method. It's a perfect blend of mentalism and card magic, suitable for close-up or parlour settings.

Key features

  • Spectator shuffles the deck, ensuring fairness

  • Any card and any number can be named

  • No duplicates or gimmicks required in the perfect version

  • Combines mentalism with card magic for a powerful effect

Pros

  • Highly impossible effect that baffles spectators

  • No setup required if performed perfectly

  • Versatile for different performance settings

  • Strong emotional impact on the audience

Cons

  • The perfect method is elusive and debated among magicians

  • May require advanced skills or compromises for practical performance

  • Some versions rely on gimmicks or special decks

What people are saying about The Berglas Effect

PigCake says...

The Berglas Effect is mental masturbation for magicians obsessed with the perfect method, but at its core, it's about the effect on the audience, not the technique. [...] The best method is probably one that you already know, focusing on the presentation and the emotional impact rather than the impossibility of the method.

Performance videos

Review videos