“Clip The Lady” is a puzzle that has become so popular that it is found in a beginner’s magic set.  Ton Onosaka has taken this puzzle, added several gimmicks to it, and turn it around 180 degrees, so that it has become a magic effect with a marvellous and unexpected ending.  It was marketed under the name “LUCKY LADY”.  In this 2013 version, Ton has come out with “LUCKY LADY PLUS” that contains an alternating ending that is equally mystifying.

In effect, a large plastic board depicting a spread of 5 playing cards with a red Queen in the middle of 4 black cards is shown.  The board is turned over and the other side depicts the same spread of cards with their backs showing.  A spectator is given a large clip and told to clip where she thinks the Queen should be.  When the board is turned around, the clip has the wrong card.  After a few more trials, she wises up and realises how the puzzle works.  Up to this stage, this is the “Clip The Lady” puzzle.

When she clips what she thinks is the Queen, the gimmick is activated and she gets the wrong card!  This confuses everybody because it defies logical understanding.

At this stage, the spectator is offered a simple proposition: to clip any of the black cards instead of the Queen.  She fails again because when the board is turned over, it shows a gigantic picture of the red Queen, and the 4 black cards have disappeared!

The new version offers an alternative ending.  When the board is turned over, it shows 5 black cards.  The Queen has vanished and is reproduced from an impossible location such the performer’s jacket pocket, inside an envelope, or under the close-up mat.

The entire effect consists of 3 phases, and is highly interactive.  The props are extremely well made in plastic.  They are colourful, professional and durable.  The instructions are contained in a well-produced DVD.

This product comes highly recommended!