The Big Deal

I have been performing this effect for about 3 months now, and I absolutely adore it. I have gotten the best reactions I have ever received. Take the time to learn this effect and you will not be disappointed. This is a tremendous opening effect and spectators really appreciate the "skill" you demonstrate. I highly recommend this trick to anyone who loves gambling or having a strong opener to their show. I have even created my own effect based off of this routine!

THE BIG DEAL by Josh Jay. *****
Here’s what I like about this trick: at the start you force a card on the spectator and you begin this long patter about odds. The spectator figures – same old trick: after all his gab, he’s going to reveal what my selection was - seen it a dozen times – big deal! So you eventually reveal his card and he gives you a condescending grin – then you produce a black jack and his eyebrows twitch; then you show him a Royal Flush in spades and his mouth falls open; then you turn over a full suit of thirteen hearts and he goes: “Say wha’?” – Now that’s a BIG DEAL! This isn’t one of Josh’s greatest tricks, but it’s a darn good one for it pleases the punters and even a beginner can do it. But if you want to do it well, practise your patter till you have it just right. Great trick – right price.
Charles Levy

Found this trick in the PRISM deck DVD, and it's just a really great way to demonstrate "skill". :)

Such a great trick! Performed this at my last show and when I found the spectator's card the audience audibly gasped, then they freaked out on the kicker endings. Great addition to anyone's arsenal and a great opener.

Fantastic! You will sort of feel like you are cheating because you are handed such a wonderful script and presentation! Learning the patter will take longer than learning the routine, which works well because you can still talk while trying to hit your marks. Beginning with false shuffles and cuts, this is definitely a jaw dropper! Easily control the pack from a smaller trick to this great closer!

Excellent !
I just found my new close !

WOW- WHAT A ROUTINE!!! I can't believe this is almost self-working!!! This could easily close a close-up/parlour show!!! I remember seeing the performance of this years ago when I purchased prism deck and something made me recall it!!! I will be using this a heck of a lot without a shadow of a doubt!!!! Excellent trick!!! Well done Mr Jay!!!

Great trick with three phases to increase the dynamics of the ending for the audience.

This is an excellent "self-working" card trick. It combines a card selection, a short discussion on the odds of perfect hands for Black Jack, Poker, and Bridge. It then involves a very simple, yet disguised, looking casual deal ending in the reveal of the unforced selected card. Typically the trick would end here. However, you're not done yet. After the card reveal you then go to show your spectators the perfect hands of the card games you talked about at the beginning of the trick. Big Deal incorporates 3 or 4 great individual items and incorporates them all into one great trick. Guaranteed your spectators get 4 wow moments in just one performance. It simple, easy to do, and well worth the short amount of time to set up and perform.

This is simple elegant and motivated, which is missing in so many effects these days. You should pick this up. You will not be disappointed!

A really great trick just not for me. Without revealing too much of the method I don't do any stack work or anything that takes long to reset. If you like the trick then you should definitely get it because it is really cool

As a mathematician, I was upset. It is one thing to mislead your audience in a magic trick. It is another to teach incorrect mathematics (and even suggest that the performer memorize it). The chances of drawing a Royal Flush 1 in 649,740, not 649,580. That of drawing a Black Jack from a single shuffled deck are closer to 1 in 21 (32/663=1/20.71875). Thus, it is more probable than drawing the selected card. As for 13 cards of the same suit, the chances are 1 in 158,753,389,900. The latter number, I admit, is more than 5 million. The trick itself is pretty good.

Joshua is a amazing magician! I try to get everything he puts out! Inferno, Talk About Tricks, and whatever I can find! Being the youngest person to review magic in Magic magazine is an amazing accomplishment! And this video is an example of his creativity! I'm so happy I jumped on the deal for only a buck! Thanks for your generosity Vanishing! I always try to order all my magic from you!!!

The trick Big Deal is great with four astounding punches at the reveal. The deck set up is explained perfectly. The statistics needed for the patter were provided. The actual precise dealing of the cards was clearly explained. I was so excited to learn how to perform this fantastic trick. I have only one huge problem with being able to perform Big Deal: I am a novice and do not know how to control the selected card to the top of the deck without disturbing the pre-arranged set of cards at the top. The explanation of the trick assumed prior knowledge of how to control the card to the top of the deck and did not even clearly show or explain exactly how to control the card. It simply assumed prior knowledge of the technique. I admit most experienced card handlers may already know this technique, but I am a beginner. So, although I have learned all of the other aspects of this awesome trick, I am still unable to perform it without knowing how to control the selected card to the top of the deck. Please help! Where can I learn how to control the card to the top without disturbing the set at the top? I love this trick very much. However, I feel the explanation needed a clear demonstration of how to control the card to the top of the deck since it was vital to being able to successfully perform the trick.

Great trick! This idea has been done before (and credit is given) but this version is easy to set up and perform so you can focus on the presentation, which is fun and engaging. Instruction is thorough and easy to follow. I will definitely use this.

Great effect - thank you Josh

Great effect, easy to learn, almost no sleights. Josh shows you everything. A great and sensitive teacher.

Very interesting routine that combines a card selection with card games statistics. There are some discrepancies that might not call the audience's attention. I like that although it requires a setup, you can perform something before it. It is almost self-working.

Truly beautiful piece of magic and great explanation from Joshua.