Magic Video - Ouroboros by Mark Elsdon
Description & Effect
Discover Ouroboros: A New Paradigm in Card Magic
Mark Elsdon's Ouroboros isn't just another card trick; it's a profound, paradigm-shifting concept that redefines what's possible in close-up magic. Described by experts as 'conceptually brilliant and a total worker,' this ingenious digital download introduces a completely novel plot. Imagine presenting a deck where every single card holds a written instruction for its own revelation—a truly unique prop unlike anything your audience has ever encountered. The Ace of Hearts might say 'Inside the box,' while the Three of Diamonds declares 'In his pocket.' Each of the 52 cards has a distinct, impossible reveal waiting to happen.
The Impossible Effect: Clean, Hands-Off, and Baffling
The procedure is deceptively simple and incredibly fair. A participant freely selects a card, reads its unique revelation instruction, and then shuffles it back into the deck. Crucially, the performer never sees the card, never touches the deck again, and there's absolutely no palming involved. The deck is placed on the table, seemingly out of play. When the participant names their card and its intended reveal, a twist occurs. The card isn't where it's supposed to be; instead, after a moment of delightful confusion and misdirection (expertly guided by Elsdon), the participant finds their *own selected card* in *their own pocket*. This direct, impossible location is a moment of pure magic that leaves audiences speechless.
A Complete System for Endless Wonders
Ouroboros is more than a single trick; it's a robust, repeatable system. This means you can perform the effect multiple times with different cards and varying impossible outcomes, making it exceptionally versatile. While Mark favors 'card to impossible location' effects for their profound impact, the system's adaptability allows you to customize it to your personal performing style and needs. It can even serve as an unforgettable climax for any existing multiple selection routine. This trick is so potent that it must be saved for your show's finale – nothing else could possibly follow its impact. Learn to customize your own Bicycle deck (explained in detail) allowing Ouroboros to be performed in any language, anywhere in the world.
Original Specs
"I absolutely LOVE Ouroboros! No one else is releasing material on this level. Conceptually brilliant AND a total worker. My favorite thing Mark has put out alongside Limelight." - James Went
Ouroboros
noun:
1. a circular symbol depicting a snake swallowing its tail, as an emblem of wholeness, infinity or self-reference.
2. a very, VERY unusual card trick.
3. an absolute miracle!
I think this might well be a brand new plot in card magic!
You show a deck of cards which is completely unlike ANY your audience has ever seen: every single card in the deck has something written on the face of it - exactly how it should be revealed! E.g. the Ace of Hearts has "Inside the box" written on it, meaning that should a participant pick the Ace of Hearts, it will appear inside the card box.
And all 52 cards have a different message: "Face-up in the deck", "Rise out of the deck", "Folded up in a box", "In a wallet (and an envelope!)", "Under your watch", "At a named number", etc, etc.
The deck is shuffled and the participant selects a card and reads the message, so that he knows how it will be revealed. The performer turns his head away so that he sees neither. The card is very cleanly shuffled back into the deck which is placed on the table. The performer never touches it again (oh, and nothing is palmed out of the deck at any time!)
The performer now asks how the card should be revealed and the participant responds: in the performer's pocket. The performer is dubious and shows his pocket empty. He then asks what card the participant chose and the participant says the "Three of Diamonds". The participant counts through the deck to find that there are only 51 cards and that the Three of Diamonds is missing.
The performer reaches inside his pocket again... and it is still empty. He asks the participant to tell him the EXACT words that were on the card. The participant replies that it said "In his pocket." The performer is incredulous as he explains that no one has ever picked the Three of Diamonds before and that the has always wondered how it would work!
He says that since HE owns the deck, it means that the message is referring to the participant's pocket! Unbelievably, when the participant reaches into his own pocket he finds his own selected card!!
The good news is that Ouroboros is not just the killer trick described above, but a complete system, which means that the effect can be repeated with a different card and a different outcome.
All of my preferred outcomes are 'card to impossible location' effects for reasons I explain in the instructions, but once you know the system you can adapt it to your own needs. It can also be very easily incorporated as the climax of any multiple selection routine that you might already perform.
Ouroboros is so strong that it has to be used as a closer. In fact it might be the ONLY card trick you include in that particular set. Certainly nothing can follow it.
And one of my beta testers has been astonishing with it at weddings, with the bride finding her selection inside the groom's pocket whilst you are stood on the opposite side of the table!
Comes will full instructions and all the required secret stuff. Supply your own Bicycle deck. I decided to let you write your own deck (which is fully explained in the instructions) so that Ourboros can be performed in any language.
