The Ritual by Dani DaOrtiz

Effect

The Ritual is a hands-off card routine where a spectator freely selects a card and a number. Without ever touching the deck, the magician reveals that the chosen card appears exactly at the spectator's named position. The effect is clean, direct, and appears impossible, as the magician maintains complete distance from the cards throughout the performance.

Full Details

The Ritual is part of Dani DaOrtiz's ACAAN Project, focusing on psychological influence and hands-off card magic. It teaches the Ireland Shuffle, a method for controlling cards without direct handling. The routine relies on subtle psychological techniques to guide spectator choices while maintaining the illusion of complete fairness. The tutorial includes uncut performances and detailed explanations, making it suitable for magicians who want to refine their presentation and method.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This routine is best for intermediate to advanced card magicians. It requires a solid understanding of card control and psychological misdirection. Performers who enjoy interactive, hands-off magic will find The Ritual particularly engaging. Those looking for a self-working trick may find the psychological aspects challenging.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The Ritual is not a beginner-friendly trick. It demands practice in card handling, audience management, and psychological subtleties. The Ireland Shuffle, while versatile, requires precision to execute convincingly. Fiddlin' Johnny notes that the routine is well-structured but best suited for those with prior card magic experience.

What Magicians Say

Fiddlin' Johnny praises The Ritual as "incredibly valuable" for intermediate to advanced magicians, calling it a "hands-off miracle." He highlights the psychological strategies and the Ireland Shuffle as key strengths, though he mentions minor sound quality issues in the tutorial.

Looch, a mentalism expert, includes The Ritual in his list of foundational effects, describing it as "deeply impactful" and underutilized. He emphasizes that routines like this rely on psychology and human connection rather than gimmicks, aligning with his philosophy that mastery comes from practice, not shortcuts.

Both reviewers agree that The Ritual is a strong, psychologically driven routine for magicians willing to invest time in learning its nuances.