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The Card That Matters by Rick Lax

Created by: Rick Lax

In 'The Card That Matters' by Rick Lax, the magician presents an envelope containing a poker hand of five cards, with only one card face up—the 'card that matters.' The spectator is asked to name any card (excluding aces), and when the envelope is opened, their chosen card is revealed as the only face-up card in the hand. The trick includes a kicker: the magician shows they predicted the choice by producing the same card from a different deck with an opposite-colored back. This is a close-up card trick that packs a powerful punch with minimal setup and no angle issues, making it ideal for walk-around or bar magic.

Where to buy

The Card That Matters by Rick Lax from Monster Magic
Monster MagicThe Card That Matters by Rick Lax£16.99
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Key features

  • Spectator can choose any card (except aces)

  • No angle issues—can be performed surrounded

  • Easy to learn and perform, suitable for beginners

  • Packs small and plays big—only requires an envelope and eight cards

  • Combines multiple principles into one inventive trick

Pros

  • Strong, straightforward effect with high impact

  • No sleight of hand required

  • Beginner-friendly yet effective for professionals

  • Portable and easy to carry

Cons

  • Aces cannot be chosen

  • Spectators cannot handle the gimmicked cards after the trick

  • Some may find the 'off by one' principle less satisfying

Effect

The Card That Matters by Rick Lax is a powerful card trick where the magician presents an envelope containing a poker hand. The performer explains that only one card in the hand "matters" and is turned face up. A spectator freely names any card (excluding aces), and when the magician removes the cards from the envelope, the spectator’s chosen card is the only one face up. The trick includes a kicker: the magician reveals they predicted the choice by producing the same card from a different deck with an opposite-colored back.

Full details

The trick includes:

  • A 30-minute tutorial video explaining the method and performance.
  • Three standard, ungimmicked envelopes (one for performance, two backups).
  • Eight gimmicked Bicycle cards (four red-backed, four blue-backed).

The method combines multiple principles into a compact packet trick, eliminating the need for an Invisible Deck. It has no angle issues and can be performed surrounded.

Who should consider the trick

The Card That Matters is ideal for:

  • Close-up and walk-around magicians.
  • Bar or table-hopping performers.
  • Beginners (no sleight of hand required).
  • Professionals looking for a quick, high-impact effect.

It is not suited for stage magic due to its small-scale nature.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The trick is beginner-friendly. The method requires no advanced sleight of hand, and most performers can learn and start using it within 15 minutes. The handling is straightforward, but proper scripting and spectator management are key to maximizing the effect.

What magicians say

Fiddlin’ Jonny praises the trick, calling it "a real worker" with a strong impact. He highlights its ease of use and inventive combination of principles, stating:

"It takes the Invisible Deck and puts it on steroids... packs super small because it's a packet trick."

He notes minor limitations:

  • Aces cannot be selected (though spectators don’t notice this restriction).
  • Spectators cannot handle the gimmicked cards after the performance.

Despite these, he considers the $19.95 price reasonable for the quality and effect, ranking it among his top magic releases of 2020.

What people are saying about The Card That Matters

fiddlinjonny says...

The effect is a super strong effect... it packs a strong punch if you've ever done an invisible deck, you know how powerful that can be when it's performed really well.

Review videos