A magician fooler I’ve kept locked away…

I’m fortunate to travel globally with Ellusionist, witnessing more magic than most.

Every magician I meet craves the top-shelf experience; they want to be amazed.

They expect something fresh, something that will truly astonish them. An exclusive revelation.

This is a trick I’ve used to astound magicians at conventions and lectures worldwide for years.

BUT FIRST, YOU NEED TO READ THIS

Imagine I asked you to buy a strawberry ice cream, right after claiming it’s the worst flavor. That’s the premise for today’s card trick.

I’m not here to ‘sell’ you something. Instead, I aim to share something that will leave you wanting more.

True magic occurs when a spectator’s expectations clash with the reality of the performance. If they anticipate an outcome and it happens, you might receive a polite clap.

However, if they expect a decent trick and you deliver an extraordinary one, the impact is far greater.

SO WHAT’S THE WORST PLOT IN MAGIC?

By that measure, the worst plots are ACAAN and Oil & Water. In ACAAN, a spectator names a card and a number, and as they count down, their expectations align with the outcome. It’s not a compelling trick.

“BLASPHEMY. BURN HIM”

Consider this: what if the deck was blank, and the only card present is the one they named, positioned exactly where they said? Now that’s a great trick. Their expectation is met with a stunning reality, leaving them in awe.

BUT THIS IS ABOUT OIL & WATER – PERHAPS THE MOST DREADFUL PLOT IN MAGIC

The cards mix, separate, and repeat the process. By the end of the first phase, the audience expects the same outcome, leading to a predictable experience.

“HOW DO YOU FIX IT?”

My approach to reinventing this plot was straightforward.

1. It must be impromptu.
2. No extra cards should be needed.
3. I should be able to borrow a deck if necessary.
4. There should be two methods for each phase, allowing for repetition without detection.
5. At least one method must be very easy to perform, suitable for younger audiences or lecture attendees.
6. Each phase should increase in impressiveness.
7. The final phase must deliver an unexpected punch.
8. The presentation should be coherent.
9. The magic must unfold in the spectator’s hands.

Thus, “The one where they mix and unmix, the same happens again but then they vanish” by Geraint Clarke was born.

In the first phase, they mix the cards face-down and unmix them themselves.

In the second phase, the magic occurs face-up in the spectator’s hands, appearing completely fair (achieved through a unique sleight you’ve never encountered).

In the third phase, the ‘water’ cards vanish from the intense heat of a lighter (or a pretend one – we are magicians, after all).

The trick escalates in impressiveness, leading to a finale they could never foresee.

Taste is subjective, but for me, this has revitalized the oil & water plot.

Those familiar with my work know that I never release magic unless it has been thoroughly developed over years.

I don’t create Instagram magic or overly gimmicked effects. I focus on magic that can be performed anytime, anywhere, delivering the same impact regardless of the audience’s familiarity with magic.

You can trust my judgment; I’ve seen enough mediocre tricks to recognize what makes a good one. My reputation for best-sellers at Ellusionist is more valuable to me than a quick profit.

I only publish magic when I believe it adds genuine value to the community (or when the incredible magicians I meet inspire me to share an original effect).

This trick may not be the ultimate performance, but it’s the best strawberry ice cream I can offer you — the finest rendition of a challenging plot.

Available for FREE with a magicstream.com membership, or download the secret at Ellusionist for $9.

– Geraint Clarke @ellusionist