Red Herring

Ben Earl caused a SENSATION last year when we released his Less is More hardbacked book, as well as his deck-switching treatise. People know him for beautiful and intricate sleight-of-hand. Today we present a new side of Benjamin Earl, with this wonderful method to locate a freely selected card from a completely shuffled deck.
In a completely free manner a pack of cards is shuffled and a card is remembered. The pack is then given any number of shuffles and cuts, and yet the performer is able to instantly find the selected card.
Customer reviews for Red Herring
It's a really clever and interesting variation of an old principle, much better and much nicer than the one I first learned.
It's super simple, can be done by beginners and starters. The 'setup' takes two seconds, no sleight involved. Can be done with any deck, even borrowed. The ending can be changed to suit your imagination.
And I know from performing it that it really gets awesome reactions.
Video is super clear, short, straight to the points.
If you like what you see, you're looking for something easy but impressive you can do anytime with any deck, then just grab it!
member
Stefan
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Reminds me a bit of CCC.
It's easy to understand why Mr. Earl's helper (and I SWEAR I've seen him somewhere else, besides these two tricks...) stomps out of the room at the end, saying "I hate you!" in a loud, clear voice. There is simply no way to reconstruct what has happened.
I think if you were to do this trick at the start of a set, your spectators would get the message pretty clearly--you know what you're doing, you're not using a "trick deck," and they might as well just sit back and enjoy it, because there's no way they can keep up with you.
All in all this a self-working card location of the highest caliber with some good tips on giving direction to a volunteer sprinkled on top. Highly recommended!
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Benjamin actually gave it out for free in the past.
In short, this fools layman and magician. It’s a self working fooler.
Enjoy!
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Because it requires no effort. You don't need a full deck, no sleights, doesn't matter if the cards are busted and borrowed. You get in and out super clean and no one has any clue how it was done. Like a lot of tricks, once you learn this method you can apply it to other areas of your card work. It just seems super fair to the spectator and it 100% isn't.
member
"Red Herring" provides a subterfuge that borders on "witchcraft" (not really -- just a tip of the hat to Reginald Scot) and offers a totally hands off force of a card. I am using this TODAY. Thanks.
Just love it!
member
I will say, it's very hard to reverse engineer or backtrack through Red Herring, which given the name should be expected.
I've used it as a force combined with DFB app where I force the card using Red Herring, they name a number, and we open the notes on my phone to show the card they selected is at that number on the list. It's been really strong for me combining the methods. The card selection part feels so free, that they normal explanation they try to come up with is the app somehow senses the card, or hears the card said out loud, and corrects it. So I started performing it without the card ever being said out loud before the reveal and it hits way harder.
So it's 100% worth getting to use a utility move. Anything from Ben Earl is wonderful!
The instructions are easy to follow and even though it is just one method, the reveal of the selected card is really limited to your imagination.
It is so fooling and easy and really how you choose to reveal the card is only limited to your imagination.
the quality of the video is crisp and clear and concise, which is appreciated. I love this trick and I know you will too!
What is particularly captivating is how it builds suspense, making it appear impossible for a magician to discern a spectator’s card, especially when the deck is hands-off and subjected to shuffling and cutting. Transitioning into another routine helps maintain the momentum, culminating in an outcome that seems utterly improbable.
True to its name, this routine has earned me multiple standing ovations during my close-up shows. It’s not just about watering a trick; it leaves the audience talking about the impossible and giving a good reputation for the magician.
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Community questions about Red Herring
Have a question about this product? It's possible others do too. Ask here and other Vanishing Inc. Magic customers will be able to respond with assistance! Alternatively, email us and we can help too.
James asks: Are you forcing a card in this trick or is it freely chosen? I need one that is forced as have a great card revelation.
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:Please email us at Wizards@vanishingincmagic.com and we can discuss this with you
Joseph asks: is this really self working???
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:It is.
Tomo asks: I got the PDF from Ben with the trick, but I'm really interested in that last thing he does with cutting to the selected card. Does he explain how to do it on the download? Or where else could i find it? Thanks
- 1. Jim responds:It is not taught. Regarding the cutting: it is likely that he simply out-jogged or side-jogged the card when he cut the deck in his hands. Then, when he cuts the tabled deck, he is simply cutting to the jogged card. If you don't like using a jog, a crimp will be a more secure substitute. I hope that helps!
3 questions


