Two-Card Monty by Eddie Fetcher and David Blaine

Created by: Eddie Fetcher, David Blaine

Two-Card Monty is a classic close-up card trick that puts a magical twist on the gambling game 'Three-Card Monte.' The spectator is asked to follow the Ace of Spades as it's placed between two other cards (often Kings). Despite their best efforts, the Ace mysteriously transforms into two Kings, leaving the spectator baffled. This trick is perfect for walk-around or table-hopping performances, requiring minimal setup (just a deck of cards) and delivering maximum impact. It's ideal for magicians who want a quick, engaging, and visually stunning effect that plays well with audiences of all ages.

Key features

Uses standard playing cards (no gimmicks required).
Relies on sleight of hand (triple lift and top change).
Can be performed impromptu with a borrowed deck.
Strong audience interaction and engagement.
Quick reset for repeated performances.

Pros

Highly visual and easy to understand.
Works in any performance environment (close-up, street, parlour).
Versatile—can be combined with other card tricks for a longer routine.
Spectators often react with disbelief and excitement.
No need for duplicates or special cards.

Cons

Requires practice to master the sleights (triple lift, top change).
Angles can be tricky; best performed for small groups.
Some spectators may try to 'catch' the method if not presented convincingly.

Effect

Two-Card Monty is a fast-paced, engaging card trick that plays on the classic "three-card monte" gambling scam. The magician shows two cards—typically an Ace and another card—and challenges the spectator to follow the Ace as the cards are mixed. Despite the spectator's best efforts, the Ace vanishes and is replaced by two completely different cards, leaving them baffled.

Full Details

The trick begins with the magician displaying two cards, often an Ace of Spades and an Ace of Clubs. The spectator is instructed to keep their eye on the Ace of Spades as the magician performs a series of quick switches. The magician then reveals that the Ace has mysteriously transformed into two Kings (or another unexpected pair), defying logic.

The method relies on a combination of sleight of hand, misdirection, and psychological scripting. Key moves include a triple lift and a top change, but the real strength lies in the presentation—framing it as a gambling challenge to prevent premature card flipping.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Two-Card Monty is ideal for:

Close-up performers who want a quick, high-impact routine.
Street magicians looking for an interactive, game-like effect.
Beginners and intermediates—while it uses sleights like the triple lift, the handling is straightforward with practice.

Difficulty

The trick is moderate in difficulty, requiring confidence in a few key sleights:

Triple lift (to show a single card as three).
Top change (to secretly swap cards).
Misdirection and scripting to sell the gambling premise.

Reid Ferry notes that the trick is "super simple" once the moves are mastered, but emphasizes the importance of pacing and audience management to maximize impact.

What Magicians Say

Reid Ferry calls it a "real worker" and highlights its reset speed, making it perfect for walk-around magic. He praises its versatility: "It’s perfect for those situations where you’re a little nervous or trying to make a great first impression."
Sebastian Tocamagic includes it in his professional repertoire, noting its reliability in street magic: "The David Blaine updated Two-Card Monty got some of the best reactions all night."
Ellusionist’s podcast discusses its roots in Eddie Fetcher’s original handling, with Yanik emphasizing its adaptability: "It’s a classic that you can make your own with presentation tweaks."

The trick’s strength lies in its simplicity and the strong reactions it generates, making it a favorite for performers who want a quick, foolproof closer.

What people are saying about Two-Card Monty

ellusionist says...

The reveal is just so exciting when they type the number and the name pops up—it’s why the effect hits so strong.

ReidFerry says...

Two-Card Monty is a beautiful centerpiece to any routine. The slow, deliberate third phase makes the magic feel more impossible.

sebastiantoca9208 says...

The updated version from David Blaine’s Studio Master Class, where the spectator names the value and it changes, is a major hit. It got some of the best reactions all night.