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Touch Force by Gary Ouellet

Created by: Gary Ouellet

Touch Force is a highly deceptive card force technique that allows a magician to make a spectator believe they've freely chosen a specific card, in this case, the Ace of Spades. This method is particularly clever as it utilizes a pencil-dotted force card as a key card, enabling the magician to easily identify and force the desired card without the need for sustained breaks. The trick is versatile, suitable for close-up magic, and emphasizes psychological impact and spectator conviction, ensuring the spectator is completely convinced of their free choice.

Key features

  • Uses a pencil-dotted force card as a key card for easy identification

  • No need for sustained breaks, making it cleaner and more deceptive

  • Emphasizes psychological impact to ensure spectator conviction

  • Versatile and suitable for close-up magic performances

  • Includes detailed performance tips for optimal execution

Pros

  • Highly deceptive and clean execution

  • No complex sleights required, making it accessible to magicians of varying skill levels

  • Strong psychological impact ensures spectator conviction

  • Versatile and suitable for various performance contexts

Cons

  • Requires preparation with a pencil-dotted card

  • May need practice to perfect the timing and execution for maximum deception

Effect

The Touch Force by Gary Ouellet is a deceptive card force that gives the spectator the illusion of a completely free choice. The magician spreads the deck and asks the spectator to touch any card. No matter which card they touch, the magician reveals the force card (e.g., the Ace of Spades) as if it were the one selected. The method ensures the spectator believes they had full control over their choice.

Full Details

The Touch Force relies on a subtle marking system (such as a pencil dot on the force card) and a quick break adjustment. The force card is positioned in the middle of the deck. When the spectator touches a card, the magician locates the marked force card, secures a break below it, and cleanly reveals it as the chosen card.

Key features:

  • No sustained break is needed before execution.
  • Uses a marked key card for easy identification.
  • Works well in casual performances where direct handling is minimal.
  • Can be combined with other forces for layered deception.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This force is ideal for:

  • Magicians who prefer psychological forces over complex sleights.
  • Performers who want a hands-off approach to card forces.
  • Those who appreciate subtle gimmicks (like marked cards) for clean execution.
  • Card workers looking for a reliable method that doesn’t require advanced finger mechanics.

Difficulty

The Touch Force is moderately easy to perform. It requires:

  • Basic card handling skills (spreading, securing breaks).
  • Confidence in misdirection and timing.
  • Practice to smoothly transition from the spectator’s touch to the force card reveal.

SeanDevine notes that while the method is straightforward, the real challenge lies in making the reveal feel organic. He emphasizes that "a good force is one in which the volunteer 100% believes they had a free choice," and the Touch Force achieves this with minimal sleight-of-hand.

What Magicians Say

SeanDevine praises the Touch Force for its clever use of a marked key card, calling it "so easy and it looks very deceptive." He highlights its practicality, especially when combined with other forces like the Handout Force or Lazy Seconds Force.

The method’s strength lies in its adaptability—whether performed casually or as part of a structured routine, the Touch Force maintains the illusion of fairness. As SeanDevine puts it, "The emphasis on spectator psychology ensures each force feels organic—a hallmark of strong magical design."

For magicians seeking a reliable, low-sleight force, the Touch Force offers a strong balance of simplicity and impact.

What people are saying about Touch Force

SeanDevine says...

A good force is one in which the volunteer 100% believes they had a free choice.

Tutorial videos