A collection of miniature stage illusions using playing cards.
Still more miniature stage illusions from the critically acclaimed "I Hate Card Tricks" series. Volume 3 features effects based on both classic and contemporary stage illusions.
This hard-to-find e-book is once again available for purchase. Contains instructions for constructing and performing 12 illusions, plus a tutorial on printing custom cards.
The Aztec Queen
This effect is based on the "Aztec Lady" illusion. A Queen is placed into a playing card cabinet. She can be clearly seen through windows in the front of the cabinet. The top pieces are rotated outward. The bottom half of the Queen can be separated as well. The Queen has been split into four pieces. The cabinet is returned to its original configuration and the Queen is removed completely intact.
Double Trouble
This effect is not based on a specific stage illusion but is, instead, a concept for a variation on "The Mismade Girl" using, not one, but two assistants. In this version, the two assistants are placed halfway into each end of the cabinet. Both assistants are cut in half. The remaining halves miraculously join to form a single, solid "mismade" card.
The Palan-Queen
This effect was inspired but Servais Le Roy's classic Palanquin illusion. A box resembling an ancient litter is shown to be empty. A playing card curtain is pulled across the front. The curtain is quickly pulled away to reveal a woman (playing card Queen) now inside the box.
Madame Butterfly
This effect is based on David Devant's masterpiece illusion, "The Mascot Moth." A Queen is displayed. The Queen vanishes, leaving a moth in her place. The moth, which was printed on the card, then flies off the card leaving it blank.
The Prestige
Inspired by the movie of the same name and the climactic illusion in which Angier vanishes from the Tesla Coil and reappears at the rear of the theater balcony. The magician (playing card King) is placed inside the apparatus. The card is signed to prove that "twins" aren't used. A "curtain" is placed in front. When the curtain is removed, the magician has vanished. He reappears inside a wallet, sealed envelope, or other "impossible location."
Make My Day
This effect is based on the famous "bullet catch" plot. A signed card representing the magician is shown. A "blindfold" is tied over the "magician's" eyes. A toy gun is fired at the card. When the blindfold is removed, the picture on the card shows that he has caught the bullet. Optional second phase: the effect is repeated (same card can be signed by a second spectator). This time, when the blindfold is removed, the magician was tragically unsuccessful. Both signatures are on the final card! Bonus Effect: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet - this version features comic book super-heroes.
Orange Blossom Special
Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin's "Marvelous Orange Tree" illusion serves as the inspiration for this effect. A card with a flowerpot on both sides is displayed. A sapling sprouts out of the empty flowerpot. The sapling is printed on both sides of the card. The sapling changes into a full grown tree. The tree then bears fruit... oranges appear on the branches. Both sides of the card are again shown. The trees with oranges are printed on the card and can be fully examined. Bonus Effect: Freshly Squeezed. This packet trick also draws its inspiration from the "Marvelous Orange Tree" illusion without the requirement of complex gaffed cards. The effect is accomplished using only basic sleights
Buzzed
Based on the Buzzsaw illusion. A solid card passes through a circular saw, magically being sawed in half.
Don't Lose Your Head
This effect is inspired by the "Dagger Head Chest" or "Arrowhead" illusion. A card is placed inside a "cabinet." "Arrows" are inserted into the cabinet. When the door is opened, the card's head has vanished into thin air! The arrows can clearly be seen passing through the otherwise empty cabinet. The door is closed and the arrows removed. The card is taken out of the cabinet and shown to be complete again.
Queens That Go Bump
Inspired by Doug Henning's version of the "Million Dollar Mystery." An empty card box is covered with a silk. A card takes form and emerges from under the silk. A Queen has appeared out of thin air. The effect is repeated until all four queens are produced (any cards can be substituted). After the cards have been produced, you can use them to perform the packet trick of your choice.
Updated 2026, PDF 200 pages.
word count: 28300 which is equivalent to 113 standard pages of text
