Chicago Surprise by Whit Haydn

Overview: In this captivating routine, a spectator freely selects a red-backed card from a deck. Miraculously, the back of their chosen card transforms to blue, making it easy to identify. This blue-backed card is then placed under a saltshaker, the spectator’s finger, or even their foot. Next, another red-backed card is chosen from the deck. With just a snap of the magician’s fingers, the face of the blue-backed card changes to match the face of the second selected card!

This comprehensive 34-page booklet delves into the intricacies, psychology, and theory behind Whit Haydn’s powerful adaptation of the Chicago Opener, also known as the Red Hot Mama card trick. This version is favored by many top close-up performers.

“The Chicago Surprise meets all my criteria for what a superior magic product should be: 1) an audience-tested, professional-caliber routine, 2) well written, 3) includes both handling and theoretical information (the how and the why). Many professionals use Whit’s routine, and I’m confident you’ll want to as well.” – Michael Close, MAGIC Magazine