Obie O’Brien’s Signature Trick

This captivating creation by Obie O’Brien was a staple in his performances at magic conventions and paid shows. It’s a fast-paced, in-the-hands packet trick featuring large cards and an unexpected twist.

The routine kicks off with an observation challenge using four Queens of Clubs. After revealing one Queen, you ask how many are face down. When the spectator responds with one, you perform a magical gesture to reveal that all cards are face down. After flipping one card face up, you pose the question again, and this time, all cards are face up.

Here’s where the surprises unfold: You inquire about the color of the card backs, and they say blue. You confirm their answer but then reveal a completely different blue back adorned with spirals! Next, you showcase the other cards, revealing red, green, and yellow spiral backs.

Resetting the cards for the next performance is a breeze. The only sleight required is the Elmsley Count. The accompanying video tutorial features expert guidance from Meir Yedid and showcases Obie O’Brien’s original routine.