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The Stop Card Trick by Jay Sankey

Created by: Jay Sankey

The Stop Card Trick is a captivating close-up card trick that involves the spectator in a highly interactive way. The magician deals through a deck of cards, asking the spectator to call 'stop' four times at random moments. Each time the spectator says 'stop,' the magician places a card face down on the table. After the fourth stop, the magician reveals that the four selected cards are the four Aces. This trick is perfect for both live performances and Zoom shows, as it engages the audience directly and builds suspense. The method involves a combination of false shuffles, second deals, and strategic card placement, making it a versatile and impressive routine for any magician's repertoire.

Key features

  • Interactive and engaging for the audience

  • Works with any deck of cards, even borrowed ones

  • Combines false shuffles, second deals, and card control

  • Perfect for both live and virtual performances

  • Builds suspense and delivers a strong magical climax

Pros

  • Highly interactive and engaging

  • No special gimmicks required

  • Versatile for different performance settings

  • Strong magical impact with the revelation of the four Aces

  • Clear and detailed instructions provided by Jay Sankey

Cons

  • Requires practice to master the second deal technique

  • May be challenging for beginners due to the sleight of hand involved

  • Setup time needed to arrange the Aces in the deck

Effect

The Stop Card Trick is an interactive card trick where a participant calls "stop" four times as the magician deals through a deck of cards. Each time the participant says "stop," the magician places a card face down. At the end, the four cards are revealed to be the four aces. The trick builds suspense and surprise, making it a strong performance piece.

Full details

The trick begins with the magician setting up the deck by placing two aces on top and two aces on the bottom. The deck is then shuffled, but the aces remain in their positions through a false shuffle and a false cut. As the magician deals the cards, the participant is asked to call "stop" four times. The magician uses a second deal technique to control which cards are placed down, ensuring that the four aces are revealed at the end. The trick is designed to look fair and organic, with the participant feeling in control of the outcome.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is ideal for magicians who enjoy interactive card magic and want to add a strong, audience-participation routine to their repertoire. It works well for both live performances and virtual shows, such as Zoom performances. Magicians who are comfortable with sleight of hand, particularly the second deal, will find this trick rewarding.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Stop Card Trick requires intermediate to advanced sleight of hand skills. The key techniques include a false shuffle, a false cut, and the second deal. These moves need to be practiced to ensure they look natural and undetectable. While the trick is not overly complex, it does demand precision and confidence in handling the cards. Beginners may find it challenging, but with practice, it becomes a powerful addition to any magician's routine.

What magicians say

Jay Sankey describes the trick as "essentially a stop trick on steroids" because it involves the participant calling "stop" four times, leading to the revelation of the four aces. He emphasizes the importance of making the shuffle and deal look fair, even though the aces are controlled throughout the process. Sankey also highlights the interactive nature of the trick, which makes it engaging for the audience. He notes that the trick builds suspense and surprise, making it a strong performance piece.

What people are saying about The Stop Card Trick

Jay Sankey says...

This is a stop trick essentially on steroids because they do it four times, you arrive at the four aces, and it is so magical and so directed.

Tutorial videos