The Ultimate Guide to Three Card Monte: World’s Greatest Magic

Don’t miss out on our limited-time introductory offer, available until mid-August 2010!

Games of chance boast a vibrant history, with Three-Card Monte standing out as one of the most infamous. Known by various names like Find the Lady and Tossing the Broads, this classic con has captivated audiences since at least the 16th century. Today, street hustlers continue to entice unsuspecting individuals into betting their money, showcasing the game’s enduring allure. Magicians have also embraced this simple yet powerful premise, with Professor Hoffman being among the first to adapt it for entertainment.

Volume 1 features a diverse array of performers, each offering their unique take on Three Card Monte. Dai Vernon kicks off the collection with a routine rooted in tradition, using three unaltered cards to mystify the audience before sharing expert handling tips with Michael Ammar, Gary Ouellet, and Steve Freeman. Fernando Keops presents his interpretation, adding valuable insights to Vernon’s routine. Chicago card expert Steve Draun cleverly conceals the money card, even with a paper clip attached, while David Regal transforms the game into a captivating card conjuring act where the money card mysteriously vanishes and reappears. Scotty York evokes the spirit of historical card hustlers with his rendition of Martin Lewis’ routine, and John Guastaferro sets up an exciting transposition between two chosen cards. Gregory Wilson takes to the streets, winning personal items from bystanders, while Henry Evans showcases a stunning Two-Card Monte variation that leaves spectators unable to win.

Volume 2 introduces more talented performers, each with their spin on this classic swindle. Bill Malone opens with a hilarious take on Michael Skinner’s clever monte trick, while Boris Wild employs a money card with a contrasting back, leaving the audience baffled. Alexander de Cova merges Monte with Wild Card for a spectacular effect, and Harry Lorayne presents three entertaining monte-style routines. Garrett Thomas offers a fresh twist on a packet trick classic using standard playing cards, while John Luka showcases a jumbo card monte designed for stage performances. Michael Ammar concludes the volume with Louis Falanga’s Virginia City Shuffle, a four-card routine that astounds as the audience struggles to track an Ace among three blank cards, only to discover three Aces at the end!

Volume 3 presents five exceptional magicians, each sharing their unique insights into Three Card Monte as a form of entertainment. Jon Armstrong starts with a commercial routine where spectators attempt to find their signed card among blank cards. John Mendoza transports his audience to a carnival encounter with a swindler, while Darwin Ortiz demonstrates the expertise that has established him as a leading gambling consultant. Doc Eason reveals the essential elements that make Three Card Monte a remarkable piece of card magic, complete with practice tips for mastery. Dan Harlan adapts the swindle to real-world scenarios, and as a special bonus, Patrick Page unveils the secrets behind the legendary Three Card Trick. Known by various names, including the Dutch Looper and the Kitson Miracle, this effect is a hallmark of Page’s performances. In this in-the-hands routine, a Queen and two indifferent cards are displayed, but no matter how fairly the cards are shown, the spectator cannot locate the Queen. The card mysteriously vanishes and reappears at will, culminating in a breathtaking finale where the cards are laid out to reveal the Queen’s permanent disappearance. No extra cards are involved—just one ingenious secret.