Two Card Monte (performed by David Blaine)

Two Card Monte (performed by David Blaine)

The Effect

This card trick was performed by David Blaine on some TV special that I can't remember. The magician places the two red aces in the spectator's fingers, switches the position of the aces and switches them back, the spectator turns over the cards to reveal that the red aces have turned to black queens.

How It's Done

Before the trick, prepare the deck so that the top three cards are QS, AH, AD, and the bottom card is the queen of clubs. Perform the Double Lift to show the spectator the Ace of Hearts, Place the cards back onto the deck and place the queen of spades face down between the spectators fingers. Grab the Ace of Diamonds from the deck (it will be second to top), and show it to the spectator. Slide the Ace of Diamonds on top of the Queen of Spades in the spectator's hands (which the spectator thinks is an Ace). Next ask the spectator to keep track of which ace is on top (hearts or diamonds) as you take turns reversing the cards in the spectators fingers (remove card from top, put at bottom, ect). At some point take out the Ace of Diamonds and ask the spectator the suit of the card in their hand. As the spectator replies, make eye contact, and quickly switch the Ace of Diamonds in your hand with the Queen of Spades on the bottom of the deck. Try to make this look like you are just using regular hand movements while asking the question. Put the Queen of Clubs into the spectator's fingers, at this point the work is done, switch the cards one more time and ask the spectator which suit is on top, tell the spectator to look at the cards to see if they got it right.

http://www.magictricker.com/cardtricks/sleightofhand/doublelift.aspx