Quick Deck Switch by Steve Pellegrino

For over twenty years, Steve Pellegrino has relied on the Quick Switch gimmick as his secret weapon. This innovative tool allows performers to seamlessly switch decks at any point during their act. Whether transitioning from a regular deck to a stacked one or enhancing an Ambitious Card routine with a Solid Deception or Omni Deck climax, this gimmick is invaluable in both mentalism and magic performances.

Constructing the gimmick takes less than 15 minutes using common household items. If you need to purchase anything, a quick trip to the hardware store will cost you under $10. No special tools or expertise are necessary for assembly.

The Quick Switch can be discreetly added to any suit coat or sports jacket without alterations. There’s no need for velcro, and it can be easily moved between coats. Special pockets or Topits are not required.

Two different gimmicks are detailed, each suitable for various deck switches. The second gimmick was specifically designed for Steve’s stand-up routine, The Razor’s Edge, which is included as a bonus.

The Razor’s Edge is Steve’s refined version of Richard Himber’s classic effect, The Surprise Stab, famously performed by Fred Kaps and Scotty York. Here’s how it works: a spectator selects and remembers a card, which is then returned to the deck. The deck is placed back in its box, and a double-edged razor blade is introduced. The blade is inserted into the box, and as you shake it, the sound suggests the razor is shredding the cards. When you open the box and pour out the contents over a wine glass, you reveal shredded cards—except for one, which is the selected card, perfectly intact.

This commercial stand-up card effect is sure to captivate your audience. The quality of this effect alone makes the gimmick worth every penny.

The manuscript also delves into the timing and psychology behind the deck switch, addressing common concerns like “magician’s guilt” during execution. If you’ve always wanted to master a deck switch but felt intimidated, this guide will show you that it’s more achievable than you think.

1st edition 2014, 21 pages.Word count: 4017, equivalent to 16 standard pages of text.