Gimmick not included

Presenting a parlor or stage illusion in close proximity can be challenging. Some stage effects are so convincing that magicians wish to showcase them just inches away from their audience. But is it truly impossible? Imagine pulling a deck of cards from your pocket. Display all 52 cards, ensuring everyone sees they are unique. Explain that each person has a natural affinity for a specific card. While some may favor hearts for their romantic connotations, others might lean towards clubs for their association with luck. For you, the card of choice is undoubtedly the king of spades.

Show the king of spades, inviting your audience to examine it closely — it appears to be just a regular card. Place this special card face up on the table and ask a spectator to select a card from the remaining deck. Let’s say they choose the 10 of hearts. This card is then lost in the deck, which you shuffle and set aside. Grasp the king of spades between your thumb and index finger, displaying both sides. With your other hand, lift half the deck a few inches above the remaining cards on the table.

Swiftly insert the king into the gap between the two packets and remove it just as quickly. To everyone’s astonishment, one of the king’s arms has transformed! While he still holds his sword, the sword now extends outside the card, as if the image has come to life in an instant! Surprisingly, a tiny card is now impaled on the sword! Yes, you read that right — a miniature face-down card is stuck on the king of spades’ sword!

No one has ever witnessed such a phenomenon. Flip over the tiny card to reveal it is the 10 of hearts, the very card chosen by your spectator! This is a close-up rendition of the classic Card Sword effect, reimagined for intimate performances.