Two Card Monte

 

This trick has been performed by David Blaine on his television specials

 

Effect

The magician takes off the Ace of Diamonds from the top of the deck, and places it between the volunteers thumb and index finger. The magician then takes the Ace of Hearts from the top of the deck and performs and quick switch of the two cards. He tells the volunteer how he does the switch, and places the two cards back between the volunteers thumb and index finger. He then asks the volunteer whether he thinks the Ace of Diamonds is on the top or the bottom, and when the volunteer turns over the cards, they have changed into the Queen of Spades and the Queen of Clubs

 

Props

A normal deck of playing cards is needed

 

Instructions

First, you will have to arrange the deck as follows: an Ace of Diamonds on the top, followed by the Queen of Spades, then the Ace of Hearts, then the Queen of Clubs.

First, turn over the top card to shows the Ace of Diamonds, and say 'Remember Diamonds'. Place this card, face down, between the thumb and index finger of the volunteer, so the card is at parallel to the ground.

Next, ask him what card he has, and tell him he can look at the card to make sure you haven't switched it with another card. As he's doing this, double lift the top two cards with the Queen of Spades on top and the Ace of Hearts on bottom, and show the Ace of Hearts. Say to the volunteer 'Remember Hearts'.

Place the two cards back onto the deck and take of the top one, the Queen of Spades, without anyone seeing it, leaving the Ace of Diamonds on top of the deck. Hold it face down between your index finger and thumb, and quickly slide it over the top of the volunteers card, until it just touches their finger, then slide it back again. This should be done very quickly to give the impression that the cards are being switched. Do this twice.

 Then pretend to show the volunteer how you did the switch. Do it slowly, and this time do switch your card, the Queen of Spades, with his card, the Ace of Diamonds.

Then, using misdirection by talking to the volunteer, swap the card you now have which should be the Ace of Diamonds, with the Queen of Clubs, which will be second card from the top of the deck, under the Ace of Hearts.

Hold the Queen of Clubs as you did with the other cards, making sure no one sees what card it is, and place it on top of the card the volunteer is holding.

Say to the volunteer 'Do you think the Ace of Diamonds is on the top or the bottom?' When the volunteer replies, tell them to turn the cards over, revealing the Queen of Spades and the Queen of Clubs.

This trick can be done with any cards, and after a bit of practice, it can be extremely impressive