Moving The Cards by Sean Taylor

Experience the Magic of Card Manipulation

A deck of cards is shuffled and laid face-up on the table. The magician takes a brief glance, then turns the deck face-down and looks away. While his back is turned, a spectator freely selects a card, memorizes it, and places it back into the deck at a different position. Upon returning to the table, the magician glances at the spread once more and confidently removes a single card — it’s the chosen one. This timeless effect, originally crafted over 80 years ago by Moe, the pioneer of underground magic, has mystified magicians globally.

For the first time in print, this meticulously designed 56-page book unveils a wealth of innovative techniques aimed at maximizing the impact of one of card magic’s most straightforward and fair effects. It begins with the foundational concept as Sean first encountered it in the late 1980s, then evolves through various interpretations and methods, providing a diverse array of ideas tailored for different performance contexts. This gradual evolution showcases the creative process behind the effect, which has captivated early readers of the manuscript.

Moving The Cards requires no special decks, additional props, sleight of hand, stooges, or pre-show setups. You can perform it with any standard deck of cards, even borrowed ones.

“Australia’s Sean Taylor has immersed himself in this trick for over 25 years (and has fooled me with it multiple times!). He finally shares his insights, developments, and techniques on this simple yet impactful plot. In true ‘Marlo’ style, he presents not just one but numerous methods and variations (I counted at least 10). Some are perfect for casual settings, while others are fully fleshed-out professional pieces. Some require no memory work, while others benefit from a bit of simple memorization. Some can be performed in minutes, while others may need more practice.”

“Whether you are a professional magician or an enthusiastic amateur, there’s something valuable for you here. The plot may be 80 years old, but the ideas are fresh, innovative, and original. In an era dominated by overhyped one-trick DVDs, this manuscript stands out as a testament to quality written works. I’m thrilled to see this material published, though I’m a bit sad that our secret is now revealed.” – Bobby Dexter