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The Turnover Pass by Tommy Wonder

Created by: Tommy Wonder

The Turnover Pass is a sophisticated card magic technique that creates the illusion of a selected card rising to the top of the deck through a precise and deceptive hand movement. This close-up magic trick is part of Tommy Wonder's 'Ambitious Card Plus Ring Box' routine, which combines psychological subtleties, timing, and misdirection to enhance the magical effect. The routine culminates with the signed card appearing in an impossible location, such as a small box that has been in view the entire time, adding a surprising climax to the performance.

Key features

  • Based on a D'Veran routine from *Stars of Magic*, significantly modified by Tommy Wonder over 30 years of performance.

  • Emphasizes the importance of timing, pauses, and misdirection to maximize the impact of the effect.

  • Includes unique handling techniques such as the Turnover Pass, psychological subtleties, and a specific card fold.

  • The routine is designed to play with the audience's expectations and perceptions, making the magic seem more believable.

Pros

  • Combines technical skill with psychological manipulation for a powerful magical effect.

  • The routine has evolved over decades, refining its impact and performance.

  • Includes a surprising climax with the card appearing in an impossible location.

  • Teaches valuable performance tips such as freeze moments and controlling the audience's focus.

Cons

  • Requires significant practice to master the precise handling and timing.

  • The specific card fold technique may require purchasing multiple decks for practice.

Effect

The Turnover Pass is a card sleight that creates the illusion of a selected card rising to the top of the deck. The magician places the card in the middle of the deck, covers it briefly, and reveals it has instantly moved to the top. The move is designed to look effortless, with no visible manipulation, making the card's journey seem impossible.

Full Details

The Turnover Pass is a refined technique used in ambitious card routines. It involves a precise turnover motion that conceals the card's movement while maintaining the illusion of fairness. Tommy Wonder's handling emphasizes covering both sides of the deck during the pass to prevent spectators from detecting the method. The move is often combined with psychological subtleties, such as timing and misdirection, to enhance its deceptive power.

A key aspect of Wonder's approach is the "freeze moment," where the magician pauses after the pass to let the audience fully process the effect. This maximizes the impact and prevents the move from appearing rushed. The Turnover Pass can also be integrated with other techniques, such as a card fold or a box switch, to create a more layered routine.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Turnover Pass is ideal for intermediate to advanced card magicians who want to strengthen their ambitious card routines. It requires practice to execute smoothly, but the payoff is a highly deceptive and visually clean effect. Magicians who appreciate psychological subtleties and precise handling will find this technique valuable.

Difficulty

The Turnover Pass is not a beginner-friendly move. It demands practice to master the timing, angles, and cover necessary to make it invisible. Tommy Wonder recommends practicing extensively—even suggesting using 200 decks of cards to perfect the fold and pass. The move relies on muscle memory, so consistent repetition is essential.

What Magicians Say

Tommy Wonder emphasized the importance of the Turnover Pass in his ambitious card routine, stating, "The whole thing is like this—at first, the theme is set because the people don't know what the effect is to be. Then they know, but it goes too quick, and they're caught by surprise." He also highlighted the need for misdirection, saying, "I sort of clown around a little bit, teasing them into thinking they caught me, but it's almost logical that they think, 'Now wait a minute, he's doing it so clean, this cannot be the catch.'"

Beau Creamer, in his tutorial breakdown, noted that Wonder's handling makes the move "psychologically invisible," blending seamlessly into the routine. The Turnover Pass, when performed well, leaves spectators with no logical explanation for how the card travels to the top.

For magicians willing to invest the time, the Turnover Pass is a powerful addition to any card magic repertoire.

What people are saying about The Turnover Pass

Beau Creamer says...

Tommy Wonder's approach to the ambitious card routine, as presented by Beau Creamer, is a masterclass in combining technical skill with psychological manipulation.

Tommy Wonder says...

The whole thing is like this at first the theme is set because the people don't know what the effect is to be [...] and from that point on they can start watching.

Tutorial videos