Next Meeting: 15 November 2024 | Theme: Avi Yap / Patrick Kun Lecture | Location: NLB Drama Center

MO MONTE

Another 3-card monte effect?  There are already dozens of 3-card monte tricks available in the market.  But this one is conceived by Max Maven.  So, why is this so special?  Here is the effect:

Using 3 cards, the performer warns the audience why they should be wary of playing 3-card monte in the streets.

3 blue back blank cards are shown.  A spectator selects one of 4 different colour small round stickers.  The performer sticks this sticker onto one of the blank cards so that this card becomes the target or money card that the spectator is supposed to follow.

The performer demonstrates that it is impossible for the spectator to pick this card as it jumps from the bottom to the top, and then to the middle of the packet. 

Suddenly, the target card’s back changes from blue to red colour.  Then a message “PICK THIS ONE!” magically appers on the red back!  And that is the reason why people should not get involved in street 3-card monte bet.

You receive the special set of 3 cards, a sheet of a collection of 4 different coloured round stickers, and a link to a 27 minutes video tutorial by Erik Tait.

The plus points of Mo Monte are:

  • The fact that a spectator gets to make her own target card with her selected colour sticker makes this monte effect unique.
  • There are lots of magical moments from just 3 cards.
  • Eric Tait’s presentation.

The down side, if any, of Mo Monte is that since there are so much magical happenings with just 3 cards, you need to be able to execute several moves with playing cards.  These are quite standard moves with packet cards tricks.  They are not difficult to execute and they are taught very well by Erik Tait.  Some of the moves involved are the diminishing lift sequence, the glide, the slide quick 3-way, the KM move and the twirl/shake change.

This effect is a clever adaptation of Jim Temple’s famous Colour Monte.  Erik Tait’s presentation makes it plot driven, which means the spectator does not need to make choices as to where the target card is each time.  (Rated 5/5 stars)