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Triple Lift

The Triple Lift is a classic sleight of hand technique used in close-up card magic. It involves lifting three cards as one to create the illusion that a single card is being displayed, often leading to a surprising revelation of a spectator's chosen card. This technique is versatile and can be incorporated into various card tricks to enhance their deceptive quality. It's ideal for magicians who appreciate the elegance of simple, well-executed effects.

Key features

  • Classic sleight of hand technique

  • Versatile for various card tricks

  • Enhances deceptive quality of performances

  • Ideal for close-up magic

Pros

  • Simple yet highly effective

  • Can be incorporated into many routines

  • Enhances the magician's repertoire of deceptive techniques

Cons

  • Requires practice to master the sleight

  • May not be suitable for beginners without prior sleight of hand experience

Effect

The Triple Lift is a classic card sleight where the magician appears to show a single card but actually displays three cards as one. The audience sees a seamless reveal, often used in tricks where a chosen card mysteriously appears or transforms. The effect is clean and direct, making it a staple in card magic.

Full Details

The Triple Lift involves lifting three cards from the deck while making them look like one. The top card is usually the one the audience believes they are seeing. The move is often used in routines where a card changes, vanishes, or is revealed unexpectedly. It requires precise finger placement and timing to avoid flashing the extra cards.

Some variations include using the Triple Lift to show a "wrong" card before revealing the correct one, or combining it with other sleights like the Classic Pass or Top Change for more complex routines.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Triple Lift is ideal for magicians who perform card magic regularly. It suits beginners who are comfortable with basic card handling and intermediate performers looking to refine their technique. It is especially useful for those who perform close-up or walk-around magic, as it works well in intimate settings.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The Triple Lift is considered an intermediate-level sleight. It requires practice to execute smoothly without flashing the extra cards. The difficulty lies in making the three cards look like one while maintaining natural hand movements. Reviewers note that misdirection and confidence in handling are key to making the move deceptive.

What Magicians Say

BigBlindMedia describes the Triple Lift as a "clean and direct" method for card revelations, emphasizing efficiency in magic. They highlight that a well-executed Triple Lift can make a simple trick highly impactful.

MagicOrthodoxy mentions the Triple Lift in multiple reviews, noting its use in effects like Flux 2.0 and Stranger's Gallery. They stress that familiarity with the move is essential for certain routines, calling it a "fundamental technique" for card magic.

Ellusionist’s Yannick includes the Triple Lift in an impromptu card trick, praising its versatility. He advises performers to focus on pacing and misdirection to sell the effect convincingly.

BestMagic discusses the Triple Lift in the context of Dai Vernon’s Twisting the Aces, calling it a foundational sleight that enhances visual transformations. They recommend practicing the move until it feels natural.

Overall, magicians agree that the Triple Lift is a valuable skill for card workers, offering deceptive possibilities in a wide range of routines.

What people are saying about Triple Lift

BestMagic says...

Mastering it rewards performers with a timeless, self-working effect that fools even seasoned magicians.

BigBlindMedia says...

The simplicity of the method is its strength, and that over-complicating the presentation would detract from the magic.

ellusionist says...

Go slow, focus on the spectator’s experience, and let them ‘do’ the magic.

magicorthodoxy says...

The analog nature of the effect—its reliance on simple, classic techniques—is a major strength.

Review videos

Tutorial videos