Friday, September 12, 2008

Three Card Montes in spades

By that title, I mean that we carry a lot of Three Card Monte variations. Along with the Shell Game, the Monte (also known as Find the Lady, Chase the Ace, and many others) comes in all sorts of varieties for your magical pleasure. Of course, I don't need to tell you about performing these outside a theatrical context, right? After all, if you take to the streets to run the hustle for real, expect to be taking an ambulance ride shortly after you begin.

Royal Magic Three Card Monte: This is our staple. We've got versions that include a Blank Card or the Tree of Diamonds. These are our most popular custom item for trade shows and giveaways.

Sidewalk Shuffle: A Martin Lewis classic has been streamlined for an even greater impact, with three phases and an incredible surprise climax.

The magician displays three blank jumbo-sized (4.5" by 7") cards along with an Ace. One of the blank cards is placed aside and a "three card monte" is performed with the remaining two blank cards and the Ace. The spectators can never find the Ace, but no wonder...the magician reveals that all three of the cards in his hands are blank and it was the Ace that was placed aside!

Find the Ace: Since every finger-stretching card man is anxious to learn the secrets, Leo Behnke has put them down in this book. He played with the moves when he was a teenager learning the basics of card craft, but it wasn't until he saw Jay Ose work that he knew what it meant to be able to fool people with Three Card Monte.

Beat 'em, Cheat 'em, Leave 'em Bleedin': A compendium on the short con. Includes a section on the Monte, marked cards, loaded dice, and double-headed coins.

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