Twisted Sisters 2.0 by John Bannon

This was one of the first packet tricks I purchased after I moved to the USA in the early 1990s and it is still amazing today as it was then.

Effect: Two packets of face-down cards are shown, each four cards. One packet is red-backed and the other blue. A spectator selects the red packet or the blue packet. Whichever one he picks is used. The spectator is asked to imagine his packet consists of four face-down queens. He then thinks of any one of the four queens – a totally free choice. A second spectator now concentrates on the other four-card packet and is allowed to think of a different queen.

Without touching the cards, the performer claims he has caused the two selections to transpose (trade places). The first spectator names his card, the performer spreads the packet, and the queen he merely thought-of is reversed face up in the packet! This astounding feat is repeated with the second spectator’s queen! It’s an absolute miracle!

BUT IT’S NOT OVER YET! The performer points out that if each spectator’s queen really traveled across, then the backs (color) of the selected queens would have also traveled across. The face-up queen in the red packet is turned over – it has a blue back! Now the face-up queen in the blue packet is turned over – it has a red back! The effect is truly unbelievable!

BUT IT’S NOT OVER YET! The performer points out that it is interesting the two spectators selected the particular two queens they did… BECAUSE THE REST OF THE CARDS AREN’T QUEENS – THEY’RE JOKERS! And you turn them all face up to prove it! Let’s cut to the chase. How many ‘moves’ does the routine require? NOT EVEN ONE! No sleight-of-hand is necessary. The method is simple and elegant, the plot is clear and concise, and the effect is about as close to real magic as you can get!

Found something wrong? Help us improve things by clicking here!