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Zan – Card at Any Number Method by Josh Zandman

Created by: Josh Zandman

Zan – Card at Any Number Method is a versatile mentalism trick that allows the performer to reveal both a spectator's thought-of card and its exact position in a deck, all through the use of a specially designed book. This method is integrated into a book test, enabling a seamless blend of card magic and mentalism. The trick is suitable for close-up or parlour performances and requires no gimmicked deck, making it highly practical for magicians. The book also includes additional methods for mentalism effects, offering a comprehensive toolkit for performers.

Key features

  • Allows for revealing both the card and its position in the deck

  • No gimmicked deck required; works with any ordinary deck of cards

  • Includes multiple methods for mentalism effects within the same book

  • Suitable for holiday performances and can be combined with other methods for a layered routine

  • The book is lightly examinable, adding to the effect's credibility

Pros

  • Versatile and can be combined with other methods for a comprehensive routine

  • No need for a gimmicked deck, enhancing practicality

  • Lightly examinable book adds to the effect's believability

  • Includes a tutorial with multiple performance methods

Cons

  • Requires memorization of certain elements for some methods

  • The book's examinability is limited to a glance, not in-depth reading

Effect

The Zan – Card at Any Number Method is a mentalism effect where a spectator freely selects a page in a book, and the performer reveals both the card they are thinking of and its exact position in a shuffled deck. The spectator deals down to the chosen position, and the predicted card appears exactly where the book indicated.

Full Details

This method is part of Josh Zandman's book test, A Christmas Carol, which includes multiple mentalism techniques. The Zan method specifically allows the performer to:

  • Reveal a spectator’s thought-of card and its position in the deck.
  • Perform a double prediction, where both a word and a card are predicted before the spectator makes any choices.
  • Use any ordinary deck of cards—no gimmicks or duplicates are required.

The book provides the necessary information to determine the card and its position, making the effect self-working once the method is understood.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This method is ideal for:

  • Mentalists who want a clean, examinable card revelation.
  • Performers who enjoy combining book tests with card magic.
  • Those looking for a self-working or semi-automatic effect with minimal sleight of hand.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The Zan method is designed to be straightforward. According to Michael O'Brien, the book does most of the work, requiring only basic handling and presentation skills. The performer must:

  • Understand how to read the book’s cues for the card and position.
  • Guide the spectator through dealing to the correct number.
  • Maintain natural presentation to enhance the effect.

No advanced sleight of hand is needed, making it accessible to beginners while still strong for experienced performers.

What Magicians Say

Michael O'Brien highlights the versatility of the Zan method, stating:

"The book is going to tell me what card the spectator is thinking of and what position in the deck that card is... It works every single time, and the book does all the work for you."

He also praises the double prediction application, where the performer can predict both a word and a card before the spectator makes any choices. The method integrates seamlessly with other book test techniques, allowing for layered routines.

O'Brien emphasizes that the deck remains completely ordinary, eliminating concerns about marked cards or duplicates. This makes the effect highly deceptive and suitable for close-up or stage performances.

The Zan – Card at Any Number Method is a practical addition to any mentalism or card magic repertoire, offering a reliable and engaging way to combine book tests with card revelations.

What people are saying about Zan – Card at Any Number Method

Michael O'Brien says...

The Zan – Card at Any Number Method is the unique selling point of 'A Christmas Carol.' The book reveals both the card a spectator is thinking of and its position in the deck, allowing for a 'card at any number' effect. [...] It's well-suited for holiday performances, and combining multiple methods can create a layered and impressive routine.

Review videos