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Willis Kenny Deceptive Control by Willis Kenny

Created by: Willis Kenny

The Willis Kenny Deceptive Control is a sophisticated card control technique used in close-up magic, particularly in card tricks where the magician needs to secretly control a spectator's selection while maintaining the appearance of a fair shuffle. The method involves subtle crimps and deceptive cuts that allow the magician to locate and control a chosen card without the audience suspecting any manipulation. This technique is ideal for magicians who perform interactive card magic and want to enhance their repertoire with a highly deceptive and reliable control method.

Key features

  • Requires mastery of subtle crimps and deceptive cuts.

  • Ideal for close-up card magic performances.

  • Enhances the fairness and deception of card controls.

  • Works well with other card techniques like the breather crimp.

Pros

  • Highly deceptive and visually fair.

  • Versatile for various card routines.

  • Adds a professional touch to card magic performances.

Cons

  • Requires practice to master the subtlety of the technique.

  • May not be suitable for beginners due to its advanced nature.

Effect

The Willis Kenny Deceptive Control is a card control technique that allows a magician to secretly control a selected card while maintaining the appearance of a fair shuffle. To the audience, it looks like the deck is being freely mixed, with no suspicious handling. Yet, the magician retains complete control over the chosen card, positioning it exactly where needed for the trick.

Full Details

This control is named after Willis Kenny, a Canadian gambler and magician known for his expert card handling. The method involves subtle shuffling techniques that disguise the control as an ordinary cut or mix. Unlike more obvious controls, this method keeps the deck in a seemingly fair state, making it highly deceptive.

Mike Powers, in his "Triple Whammy" routine, uses this control alongside a breather crimp to create a hands-off, multi-phase card trick. The deceptive control ensures that even when the deck is shuffled by a spectator, the magician can still locate and manipulate the selected cards without detection.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This technique is ideal for:

  • Magicians who perform card tricks requiring hidden control.
  • Performers who want a deceptive alternative to traditional controls.
  • Those familiar with intermediate card handling looking to refine their shuffling techniques.

Difficulty

The Willis Kenny Deceptive Control requires practice to execute smoothly. It is not a beginner-level move, as it involves precise shuffling and misdirection. However, with proper rehearsal, it becomes a reliable tool in a magician’s arsenal. Mike Powers emphasizes the importance of confident execution—hesitation can make the control appear suspicious.

What Magicians Say

Mike Powers praises the technique, calling it "unbelievably deceptive" and a key influence in his "Triple Whammy" routine. He notes that Willis Kenny’s method allows for "totally impossible-looking control" while keeping the deck seemingly fair.

MurphysMagicSupplies highlights the control’s effectiveness in their tutorial, stating that it "looks completely out of control" to spectators, making it a powerful tool for magicians who want to maintain a clean, hands-off presentation.

For those looking to enhance their card magic with a deceptive and reliable control, the Willis Kenny Deceptive Control is a strong option.

What people are saying about Willis Kenny Deceptive Control

MurphysMagicSupplies says...

The Willis Kenny deceptive control is a key influence in this routine, offering a method for secretly controlling cards while maintaining the appearance of a free shuffle.

Tutorial videos