My Favorite Card Tricks: Steve Faulkner

We asked some of magic's greatest minds to share with us their favorite card tricks. This week is the turn of Steve Faulkner. You may know him from his YouTube channel, Real Magic Review. Over to Steve:

Wow this is a difficult one, my favourite effects to perform change the more I learn. I'm constantly researching now (that’s one of the motivations for starting the channel, to keep me learning!). I’ve included those that have stayed in that are not the usual ambitious card routine/card to wallet/omni-deck that we all do, or will do when we need to get a quick and big response. Nothing wrong with that of course, but these are tricks that many think don’t work commercially, but they really do.

1. Spectator Cuts the Aces - Such a simple plot, which is why it works. And a great way to involve a whole (standing) group immediately. The deck is shuffled by one of the group beforehand, and there’s no shuffling or cutting between each cut. Super clean and very strong. Also, a great way into a travellers routine or any other four card routine such as...

2. Roger Smith’s Maxi Twist - I love this. Without doubt one of the nicest reactions to anything I do. Nicest not necessarily meaning biggest. It’s not a closer (though I have closed a close-up set with it), but there's just something more in the response. I think it’s a kind of delight. It’s basically a twisting the aces routine with a kicker finish. It’s the last moment that gets the response, when you split the card. The key is to take it slow, and provide space around every magical moment.

3. Kennedy Mind Power Deck - A new one for me, and I'm still not very good at it. But blimey it’s a stunner and really fun to perform. There’s a lot you can do with it, but just finishing with the card in the pocket is strong enough. It feels like real mind reading.