#3 Cards author
Dustin Marks was a professional blackjack player and blackjack dealer in Las Vegas during the 1980's. After retiring he wrote the books: Cheating at Blackjack and Cheating at Blackjack Squared. He also directed and was the talent in the DVD: Cheating at Blackjack: The Real Work.
Dustin still lives in Las Vegas and is currently working on a show based on his life as a blackjack cheat.
website: www.Dustinmarks.com
The two black aces visually change places with the two red aces and then instantly change into two Blackjacks.
1st edition 2025, PDF 11 pages.
Effect: A written prediction that the spectator has their finger on changes places with the card the spectator saw in the deck. A vanish, transposition, and a prediction all in less than 60 seconds.
Imagine this: Your spectator places their finger on a card they believe contains a written prediction. They then select a card from the deck. When the dust settles, the card they selected has vanished from the deck, and the very card under their finger, the one they thought was the prediction, is revealed to be their selected card. Meanwhile, the prediction card appears in the deck, proving...
The magician repeatedly influences the spectator to correctly guess the color (red or black) of a hidden playing card.
Imagine carrying just two cards and engaging your spectator in an effect based on persuasion and influence. With just two cards, you can make the spectator believe you have the power to influence his decisions at will.
The effect provides an understanding of persuasion for the spectator and, at the same time, aims to create rapport with them. Once rapport is established, the spectator may be interested in seeing your additional effects.
If you are looking for something...
Imagine this: the spectator shuffles their deck, and without touching the deck, you have control over their freely selected card.
You can create powerful miracles for your spectators by simply knowing the bottom card. Learn simple, deceptive techniques to gain this crucial information that creates wonders. Learn key strategies for secretly obtaining the identity of the bottom card, techniques for controlling spectator-selected cards relative to the key card, methods for forcing the bottom card, and numerous reveals.
When the bottom card is known, it acts as a key card tracking the location...
Effect: The spectator chooses cards based on their vacation preferences (Hawaii or The Alps - Red or White Wine - Tour or Show) and eliminates other cards until only one card remains, becoming the spectator's chosen card, aka their travel companion. A hidden prediction correctly identifies the selected card, which is the only blank card in the deck and the spectator's three vacation choices. This effect is achieved without psychological forces.
This effect has an emotional appeal to the spectator, as they make choices about their fantasy vacation. Strong enough to be your closure.
Introducing my Second Chance Collection - a carefully selected set of six individual eBooks ready for rediscovery. While these gems didn't sell well when first appearing on Lybrary.com, I'm confident you will perform these effects if you give them a chance. I'm offering this complete collection at over 50% off the regular price.
And here's what makes this deal even better - I'm including my bestseller for Free: 103 Tips and Resources for Magicians. This eBook alone is worth the price. It will save you time and money.
The magician reveals thoughts that four spectators are only thinking of without anything being written down or asking any questions.
If you are not familiar with the General Card Principle, it will change the way you think about and perform magic. It is that strong. The General Card Principle is not an effect; it is a principle that, when fully understood, creates miracles that have no explanations. It is one of the most powerful principles in magic. Once you fully understand the General Card Principle, you will have an aha moment.
This eBook presents a mind-blowing effect utilizing the...
Effect: The spectator secretly writes the first names of a family member on one business card, a friend on another card, a foe on the third card, and finally a person he has never met on the final card. The cards are mixed by the spectator. The magician identifies the name that corresponds to the correct category (Family, Friend, Foe, Fake). He does this two more times. For the kicker, the magician reveals the name written on the final card without ever seeing the name.
Effect: The magician shows the spectator a unique deck of cards, each bearing a different word. The spectator riffle shuffles the deck. The magician turns away as the spectator takes the top five cards and creates a sentence using those words on the cards. Different sentences can be created by the spectator. Without asking any questions, the magician reveals the exact sentence created by the spectator.
Unlock the power of words with Gilbreath with Words - amaze your audience with your knowledge of the future!
Gilbreath with Words is a powerful and baffling effect that will leave your...
This eBook offers practical tips for magicians to enhance their performances. It emphasizes the importance of clear communication and engaging presentation to make magic effects more impactful and deceptive. The eBook offers specific suggestions on what to say and do, covering topics like misdirection, audience interaction, and handling potential issues. It stresses the value of showing rather than telling, using casual language for important actions, and minimizing dead time. Furthermore, it touches upon psychological principles to influence spectator choices and create stronger magical experiences. ...
Effect: One spectator merely thinks of a card. A second spectator deals cards face down, stopping absolutely anywhere they choose. The card they stop at is the first spectator's exact thought of card. Easy to do, no complicated procedures, instant reset.
Here's why "The Jokers Are In On It" is a must-have for your repertoire:
Spectator Shuffles the Deck: The spectator shuffles before and after thinking of their card, making any suspicion of magician manipulation impossible. This reinforces the feeling of fairness.
Minimal Magician Handling: You seemingly only touch the deck to remove...
Effect: A prediction is placed face down on the table. The cards are shuffled, and the spectator cuts the deck. The spectator makes all the choices, yet the prediction clearly names four specific cards and their final positions: who is holding which card, the identity of the card on the table, and the top card of the deck.
Are you looking for a powerful card and easy effect that will leave your audience stunned and questioning the very nature of their choices? Look no further! The Journey to Destiny is a mind-blowing prediction effect that appears to give the spectator complete control,...
A version of the Cut Deeper Force that provides reason and logic as to why the cards are turned over.
The Ultimate Hands-Off Force.
Imagine this: Your spectator shuffles their own deck. You never touch the deck, yet you manage to have them freely select a card you already know. Then, for an even more astonishing finish, you can reveal the exact position of their chosen card within the deck.
This isn't a dream – it's the reality of The Force, a revolutionary technique that puts the power of card control unknowingly into your spectator's hands.
Utterly Deceptive: The spectator shuffles...
This eBook covers the topic of corner short cards in depth, including what they are, how to create them, their impressive capabilities, and 14 very ingenious effects using them. If you're new to the concept of a corner short card, you will discover a powerful tool that will soon become a part of your arsenal. Corner short cards are the secret weapon of many of the top card experts. These weapons help magicians control cards in an invisible way to create miracles.
If you don't have a corner short card in your deck, you are missing out. The versatility of the corner short card is only limited...
Featuring an unexpected and impossible prediction. A spectator selects a card and shuffles it back into the deck while the magician's back is turned. The magician then identifies the spectator's card and reveals a duplicate of that card already present in the deck before the effect began.
Note: You will need to buy a corner rounder ($12).
1st edition 2025, PDF 10 pages.
Effect: The magician, demonstrating remarkable foresight and confidence in his abilities, cuts to the exact poker hand revealed by a secret prediction after the spectator shuffles the deck.
For those seeking a more realistic version of the classic 10-card poker demonstration, this presentation offers enhanced credibility and realism. The spectator thoroughly shuffles the deck both before and during the demonstration. The spectator cuts the deck taking the card he cuts to. Magician does the same. This is repeated until both have 5 cards that form a poker hand.
The demonstration concludes...
The most deceptive false cut is when the spectator cuts the deck. This false cut is one of the most convincing false cuts of all the false cuts. It looks so innocent and fair.
This technique utilizes a simple triple cut sequence that maintains the order of the deck as the spectator cuts. It does this without the complexity often associated with other false cuts. There is no shift, pass, or similar involved. The magician simply cuts the deck one handed at the end of the cutting sequence and the spectator carries the cut.
Learn step by step how to perform this amazingly deceptive false...
Effect: A prediction identifies both the freely selected card (Wild Card) and its precise location in the deck, despite the deck (52 cards) being thoroughly shuffled by the spectator after the prediction was made. The routine is framed within the context of a card game. The spectator chooses the specific card game, number of players, the Wild Card, and they deal the game. The magician never touches the cards.
Are you looking for a killer prediction effect that'll knock their socks off and is easy to do? Well, you're in luck - this is exactly what you need. This effect represents the pinnacle...
The effect centers around the illusion of manipulating time by making a prediction about a spectator's card selection. The prediction is revealed to be blank even though the spectator thought he saw the magician write the prediction. This subtly suggests that we have moved backward through time to a point before the prediction was written down. Next, the spectator's freely chosen card turns out to be blank as well. The prediction was correct! This happens with a normal deck of cards. The effect creates a sense that the past, present, and future have been merged through mysterious forces. ...
Effect: In this demonstration of mind reading, a spectator simply thinks of one shape from a selection of seven distinct shapes. The spectator keeps their chosen shape private. Through the process where the spectator secretly spells out their chosen shape, the magician reveals the shape they had only moments ago held in their mind.
Here's what makes this effect so special: by using geometric shapes instead of regular playing cards, and adapting a clever principle from the gambling world into mind reading, we've created something truly different. It's not only astonishing to your audience,...
This is a combination of Shufflebored and Joshua Jay's Total Recall effect. Think Shufflebored with no setup and the spectators shuffle the cards. There is only one minor sleight, if you can call it a sleight, and no setup. There is some easy memory work. The reset is instant, and the deck is clean. The prediction AH card has three other predictions.
New: A timeline of the events is included making it quicker and easier to learn the effect.
Two .jpgs of the prediction AH card are included, front and back. You can print it on a blank playing card, index card etc.
Q1: What is the effect...
This is without a doubt the most powerful effect in my repertoire. The reactions it consistently generates from audiences are nothing short of astounding, and what makes it even more remarkable is it's easy to do. The psychological principles throughout this effect are truly fascinating - from the way it plays with expectations to how it builds and releases tension. Each of these psychological elements has been carefully crafted to create maximum impact, and these same principles can be effectively applied to enhance numerous other effects in your performances.
Effect: In this compelling...
Are you looking for a fun effect to perform that leaves the spectator in awe? This is an effect for you. You are in complete control all the time, yet it appears the spectator makes all the choices. You relax and focus on your presentation rather than worrying about the method. This approach incorporates multiple outs into a card trick without relying on suspicious props or your pockets as an out. This method provides multiple options to easily handle different outcomes based on what your spectator chooses.
Why create and print your cardbox? Several reasons:
If you are like me, you have many decks set up for different effects and I needed a way to keep them organized. This is the best method. I simply code the decks and print it on the side or bottom of the cardbox. With step-by-step directions and photos, creating your custom cardboxes is easy. A customizable PSD file (Adobe Photoshop) and SVG file (Scalable Vector Graphics) are included with this download.
Note: You need to have a basic knowledge...
Among the hundreds of ACAAN effects, this one stands out. It offers a unique experience for the spectator that's far from boring. The spectator takes center stage, performing most actions, which makes the effect seem totally impossible. From the outset, the spectator isn't sure what to expect. The Number deck, different and intriguing, invites curiosity. It can be examined until rapture - it's not gimmicked.
This effect is simple to perform, involving only one minor sleight - if you can even call it that and you can skip it if you want. For those considering learning a stack deck, this...
If you have been thinking about including a rope or handkerchief effect in your routine, this is the one. Here is why: This classic magic trick is popular for several reasons. It's easy for spectators to understand, easy to perform, and captivating. The effect works well in noisy or dimly lit environments. If you're only doing the first two phases, the reset is instant. Involving the spectator in tying the knots adds an interactive element. It's an excellent choice for table-hopping, and the handkerchiefs take up little pocket space.
The new approach focuses on the relationship between...
Estimation is a secret weapon that enables you to create seemingly impossible effects. While it may appear challenging at first, mastering this skill is more possible than you might expect. When executed correctly, the results can be truly amazing.
This comprehensive eBook covers all aspects of estimation, including prerequisites, fundamental principles, and the distinctions between "in the hands" and "on the table" estimation techniques. It also provides practical advice and describes various effects that can be achieved through estimation. With over 35 high-quality photos, you will gain...
This is my go-to effect. Once you have done this effect, the spectator will believe you can read their facial expressions and more.
If you are looking to: build rapport with spectator(s), learn a memorized deck, and perform jazz-type magic this effect is your incentive.
I have gotten more incredible responses from this effect than any other. The method looks extremely fair. The only sleight, if you call this a sleight, is riffling cards off of your index finger. Learning this effect will make your magic better.
Note: You will need to know any memorized deck perfectly.
1st edition...
I have learned a dozen false shuffles and the Rosetta shuffle was the clear winner. The Rosetta shuffle is one of the most convincing false shuffles of all the false shuffles. It looks so innocent and impossible to manipulate.
Key points:
Let's get real. We all have too many tricks and not enough time to learn all of them. Instead of acquiring more tricks, how about learning simple methods to make our tricks better? You know that trick you like, but it is just not getting the reaction you want. The tips in this ebook can help you make your tricks better and get the reactions you want.
You will learn:
Are you looking for an effect that will make spectators exclaim, "That's impossible!"? Look no further. This is the perfect closer for your show or to impress a client.
Here's how it works: The magician cuts the deck and gives spectators cards to shuffle. After that, he never touches the cards again. Three spectators each choose any card from their shuffled packet. After viewing their cards, they replace and reshuffle them. Once the deck is reassembled, all three spectators select another card, each using a different method: cutting, dealing to any card, or picking from a spread. Amazingly,...
What is the most deceptive false shuffle: Zarrow, Faro, Push-Through, Shank, in the hands shuffle? The answer to this intriguing question is that the most deceptive false shuffle is when the spectator shuffles the deck themselves! This eBook explains this ingenious principle, how to use it, and its numerous variations. One variation uses the spectator's deck. Mastering this technique will elevate your card magic to new heights, leaving your audience in complete awe and amazement.
1st edition 2024, PDF 30 pages.
An enhancement to Aronson's Shuffle Bored.
A streamlined version of the greatest self-working card trick of all time. More spectator involvement, more predictions, and a story that makes the prediction even more amazing. The prediction appears to happen in real-time, and it can be personalized for the spectator. Give it to the spectator to take home. This is a great marketing tool. Word-Doc files are included to make your prediction personalized with the spectator's name and date, along with your name and contract information. This is strong enough to close your close-up shows.
1st edition...
Be more confident when using Equivoque.
This eBook provides you with a comprehensive understanding of Equivoque, enabling you to use it effectively and confidently in your routines. It is filled with a variety of graphics, illustrations, and examples to make the process of learning how to use " Equivoque" as easy and enjoyable as possible for you.
You will learn:
The spectator shuffles their own deck, cuts it twice (similar to the cut deeper force only done by the spectator), and looks at the first face-down card. The magician knows the spectator's card without ever touching the deck. The cards are normal, and the magician can be out of the room when the spectator views their card.
The method works 100% of the time and is simple to perform.
Key Points:
1st edition 2024, PDF 6 pages.
Using the spectator's deck, you predict two cards that the spectator will stop at and cut to without touching the deck. And the exciting twist: You make your predictions, and then the spectator shuffles the deck! Any deck, no setup, no reset, and easy to perform. When asked to do a card trick, this is the one you will showcase.
1st edition 2024, PDF 12 pages.
This is similar to Jay Ose's False Cut, with one key difference: the spectator completes the final cut. Because they complete the cut, the spectator believes it is genuine. This cut is straightforward and doesn't draw unnecessary attention. It appears to be a triple cut of the cards and it is easy to do.
1st edition 2024, PDF 8 pages.
This video may not be magic, but it showcases some of the most astonishing blackjack cheating moves ever captured. You won't be disappointed. It demonstrates exactly how each move is executed, featuring cheating moves from both the outside and inside. Filmed from surveillance and floorman's perspectives, it offers a comprehensive view of the action in the blackjack pit. Watch the video and see if you can spot the move before it is explained. These are all sleight of hand moves, no electronics.
Moves shown and explained:
The Red Black Divination plot is simple and perplexing, and it is one of the few effects that the more you do it, the more amazing it becomes. My method uses no peeks, shiners, or smartphones, and can be done with a borrowed deck. I created a three-part phase, each phase seeming more impossible. I also created an optional kicker that requires a setup. Once I tip the secret, you will smile. This is an effect you will do.
1st edition 2024, PDF 12 pages.
This is a mind-blowing, two-part effect. The spectator cuts the deck, looks at the card (no force) and then cuts the card back into the deck. With one cut, the magician controls the spectator's card to the 2nd card from the top of the deck.
The magician performs the effect again but under impossible conditions. After the magician cuts the deck, he never touches the deck again. The spectator is in control, cutting and shuffling the deck multiple times. Yet magically the spectator's card is again the 2nd card from the top of the deck!
No duplicate cards, no false deals, no forces, no rough...
The Automatic Placement Principle, named and popularized by Ed Marlo, is a mathematical marvel that places the spectator's card into a known position in the deck, without sleights. I've created two amazing enhancements: First, the spectator shuffles the majority of the deck after looking at his card. Unbelievably, you still know the card's position without touching the deck! Second, you're now privy to the card's identity as well as its location. Both methods are presented as a glimpse into gambling strategies. These enhancements have many potentials for your card magic.
1st edition 2024, PDF 19...
This effect has sparked strong reactions. Ideal for magicians who enjoy improvisational magic, with the spectator at the core, this act hinges on your acting skills. It's a perfect tool to enhance your performance abilities. There is no setup, easy to do, and it can be repeated immediately with different results.
Two versions: One with a marked deck and one with a very sneaky force you probably do not know.
1st edition 2024, PDF 7 pages.
An in-depth look at the corner short card.
This eBook will delve into the secret world of corner short cards, thoroughly explaining what they are, how to make them, their remarkable capabilities, and six astounding effects using them. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of a corner short card, prepare to uncover a potent tool ready to revolutionize your skill set. Corner short cards, the weapon of countless leading card experts, provide magicians with an undetectable method of controlling cards, enabling the creation of miracles.
1st edition 2024, PDF 28 pages.
This effect has an innovative twist on the traditional Free Will plot, where the spectator makes all the choices. Yet, your prediction aligns perfectly with their selections, a feat achieved using only one prediction. This new approach utilizes a combination of psychological techniques and physical methods, all designed to maximize the chances of achieving the most deceptive and cleanest outcome possible. This effect serves as a fantastic opener, making it a suitable addition to your Everyday Carry (EDC), and best of all, it resets automatically. There are no complex flowcharts to memorize,...
The dark side of gambling.
"Loaded with rare, inside information." - Darwin Ortiz
"Absolutely fascinating and enlightening! Ingenious methods that boggle the mind." - Daryl
"Inside techniques exposed for the first time in print." - George Joseph / Director of Surveillance, Bally Entertainment Co.
It may be shocking and it's certainly dangerous. Nevertheless, this unique ebook represents the definitive resource on how professional con men cheat at Blackjack and other card games. The author, a former high-stakes cheater, explains an amazing array of specific moves with clear, understandable text and...
"Must reading for all card magicians!" - Allan Ackerman
"Outstanding!" - Darwin Ortiz
"This book should be on your shelf alongside The Expert at the Card Table, The Man Who Was Erdnase, The Annotated Erdnase, and Loaded Dice." - William P. Miesel
His name is not "Marks," but when you buy this ebook you will learn why he had to write under an alias. The ebook covers advantage play, cheating, and the moves that get the money.
"Exceptional. Controversial. Highly recommended." - Michael Dalton / Blackjack Review
"WOW! The real world of cheating and the plays that get the money." - Bob Snyder / Gaming Consultants
This ebook will save you time and money. It is a quick read and has tips you have not seen. Good resources for professionals and lots of information for beginners. Learn how to use Siri or Alexa for practice. Use Notion to keep a database of your tricks. Learn magic principles, magic utilities, memory tips, links to everyday props on Amazon and more. It's a great reference book to all things magic.