SPOTS Routine, Script & DVD by Bill Abbott

“At 14, I witnessed Michael Ross perform at a local magic shop’s anniversary in Toronto. His unique handling of the spot card left me completely baffled. Despite having a similar prop at home, Michael’s ability to make the spots appear as if by magic, even with an audience surrounding him, was astonishing! I’m thrilled to present this complete package featuring Michael’s unmatched routine. I’ve incorporated it into my own performances, and now you can too.”

– Bill Abbott

The Effect The magician invites the audience into a light hypnotic state to unveil an optical illusion involving a card with multiple sides. He showcases a large, domino-like card adorned with white spots—one on one side, four on another, three on the next, and six on the last! This sequence is repeated, revealing the psychological and manual techniques that create the illusion of a four-sided card. The magician skillfully manipulates the card, allowing the audience’s minds to perceive the illusion. As the performance progresses, spots begin to appear magically with each turn of the card, culminating in a breathtaking finale where the card is suddenly filled with white dots, concluding the routine and the hypnotic experience!

An Introduction The spot card has long been a hidden gem in the arsenal of many professional magicians, including the legendary David Copperfield. Michael Ross, performing as Merlin, has crafted a seamless blend of sophisticated technique and captivating performance, setting his spot card routine apart. With Michael’s approach, you can perform this effect up close and surrounded, just as he has for over three decades. Whether on the streets, at private parties, or on stage before 2,500 people, SPOTS is a compact, versatile routine that fits any setting.

A 60-Minute DVD Featuring:

A Live Performance Experience Michael performing the routine for an adult audience at an intimate gathering, showcasing how SPOTS resonates with modern audiences in a private party atmosphere.

A Personal History Michael shares the inspiration behind his optical illusion presentation, stemming from a Pavel effect, and his dissatisfaction with traditional spot card techniques that led to the creation of SPOTS.

Routines, Audiences & Venues Michael has successfully performed this routine for diverse audiences in various environments, including children, families, corporate events, comedy clubs, and even silently to music. He discusses how SPOTS serves as an excellent segue into effects like the Invisible Deck or the Torn & Restored Newspaper. The premise and narrative set the stage for the tricks he performs during his show, highlighting guaranteed laugh points and the comedic timing of the optical illusion sequence.

An Audience-Proven Routine This is not just a trick Michael has performed occasionally; it is a staple in his repertoire, showcased in thousands of performances over 30 years. He explains how SPOTS has evolved into an audience-tested and proven effect through extensive experience.

The SPOTS Method & Handling Michael reveals how he redefined the standard handling and method for the spot card to achieve the desired impact. He demonstrates how to hold the card to ensure the audience can see your face and witness the transformations from any angle, even from behind. The surrounded handling technique is explained to make all secret movements invisible, regardless of the audience’s position. Even if you don’t plan to perform surrounded, mastering this technique enhances rehearsal and overall performance skills. Michael clarifies the vertical and horizontal positioning of the card for psychological impact, ensuring maximum engagement from the audience. Detailed demonstrations on precise spot movement and on-the-fly adjustments are also included.