Tornado by Rick Lax and Justin Flom

Effect

The Tornado trick creates a stunning visual transposition of two torn card pieces. A spectator holds a corner of one card, while the magician holds the other. With a simple gesture, the pieces magically swap places, leaving the audience amazed. The effect is clean, direct, and highly visual, making it a strong addition to any close-up or walk-around performance.

Full details

Tornado uses two standard playing cards, typically a four of diamonds and a seven of spades. The cards are torn into pieces, and a corner of one card is placed in the spectator's hand. The magician holds the other torn piece. With minimal movement, the pieces appear to swap places, creating a seamless and impossible transposition. The trick requires no advanced sleight of hand or additional gimmicks, making it accessible to magicians of all skill levels. Refill packs are available, ensuring the trick can be performed repeatedly without significant cost.

Who should consider the trick

Tornado is ideal for magicians looking for a quick, visual, and easy-to-perform card trick. It’s perfect for close-up or walk-around settings, where its simplicity and strong impact can shine. Beginners will appreciate the lack of complex moves, while experienced performers can use it as a reliable, crowd-pleasing effect. If you enjoy tricks that are portable, examinable, and require minimal setup, Tornado is a great choice.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

Tornado is designed to be straightforward and easy to perform. It requires no advanced sleight of hand or complicated moves, making it accessible even for beginners. The trick relies on the design of the cards and a few simple gestures, so the focus can be on presentation and audience interaction. While it’s easy to learn, performers should practice handling the torn pieces smoothly to maintain the illusion.

What magicians say

Craig Petty describes Tornado as "visually striking" and "highly effective," praising its simplicity and strong audience reaction. He notes that the trick is "easy to perform" and "minimal setup," making it a practical choice for repeated performances. AlakazamMagicUK highlights the trick’s portability and affordability, calling it a "go-to trick" for its instant wow factor. They also mention that the refill packs make it cost-effective for regular use. Overall, magicians agree that Tornado is a reliable, engaging, and visually impressive trick that works well in a variety of performance settings.