Three Blank Monte

A very well-explained tutorial for a great spin on the street hustle classic. A great multi-phase routine with strong kicker. I'm excited to incorporate it into other billet / blank routines. One note, however, you will need to c-to-wallet to present the trick as shown in the performance.

Amazing, kept repeating till I finally got it. Well taught.

Amazing. I'll be adding this to my set immediately. I've used the Stand Up Monte, Color Monte, Ultimate 3 Card Monte, and studied the Monte con itself, but this one combines both the Monte and the magical elements. Presenting the Monte as a magical effect is challenging because the Monte premise is based on a con. The moves of the operator aren't as important as the operation itself. When the Monte is presented as a magic trick, the trick is to make each flip (or guess) as easy to follow but still leading to the transposition of the Monte card. No actual Monte operator would perform how magicians demonstrate the Monte. In an actual Monte, the cards are tossed the same time every time (or that's what it looks like). The double blank cards are a brilliant idea because it leads to multiple presentations, ease of handling, and makes it look more original and impressive. Instead of using blank cards, I use billets. Oh, BTW a CTW prop is used for this routine but it's not absolutely needed for a finish (watch the trailer).

I will be using this in conjunction with Micheal Skinner's Ultimate 3 Card Monte in my own unique opener. The U3 Monte is a classic and straightforward magic presentation and this blank monte includes more elements of how an actual monte game would look like (except with blank cards). Overall, one of the cleanest, most direct, and original Monte ideals I've seen in a long time. Also with some great subtle tips. A well deserved 5 out of 5.

Absolutely brilliant! I was looking for something to perform that isn’t cards or coins so thought I’d give this a try, even better than I was expecting! The teaching is excellent, a lot of valuable subtleties taught as well. Highly recommend!

Excellent routine and instruction. Highly recommended.

I am a huge fan of Jon Armstrong. This is for a variety of reasons: one, his explanations are full of small but important things that one gains only from lots of experience; two, his effects are not pipe dreams, they are things that Jon has done thousands of times; three, he is a genuinely nice guy. I once was having a problem with a move he had taught in a lecture. I wrote him about it and he called me to help me work through it! Would Criss Angel to that?

As to this effect, it is fantastic. Monte routines can be tricky, particularly when the magician is always the winner. Jon has thought this through carefully and deals with it both in the performance and the explanation.

One of the problems with some Monte routines is that if a Bicycle deck is in play, the cards cannot come from that deck (because of the border). It is always a small issue as to why the cards need to be changed for this trick. Jon solves this in a magnificent way. These are not just cards from another deck, they are not “playing cards” at all.

As to the routine, there are things that can be done with the double blanks that make the trick look like real magic. Even if you never do this routine, the instruction is still worth it.

That is a great routine. Not only a great version of Three Card Monte, but also a routine where the card to wallet makes total sense. The moment I saw it I felt it would be something I would like to perform. Jon explains everything in detail, even the reason why it makes perfect sense to use blank cards for this routine.

Brilliant trick and very well explained.
Just sorry we don't seem to get a deck of blank cards with it to practice and perform.
Otherwise, 10 thumbs up :-)

A great idea. It uses some moves from authentic tcm as it is used in the streets but also has a twist in the way that it uses blank cards (intriguing objects). You always use cards that has no borders. From a logistic stand point it is a winner too because you can buy and use your cards from a double blank cards deck - ideal for the worker.

The monte often comes across as a "gotcha" kind of effect. Jon Armstrong has completely taken the sting out of the effect. Three Blank Monte is fun, entertaining, and best of all, commercial!

Very Good

This is best of best monte~!!

Much detail

Great stuff! Easy to follow, funny, interesting trick. Love it!

Excellent presentation and very clear explanation.

Excellent!

Excellent Routine full of many surprises, including a kicker ending. The teaching is well presented and includes many subtleties. The sleights are not difficult. An excellent example of a terrific presentation

Great effect! Love everything about it. Well constructed and takes practically no pocket space.

This Blanc 3 card monte by John Armstrong is a fantastic and wonderfull routine that will also be forever in my magical repertoire. The video is very good and the moves are very well explained. With a lot of magical greetings. Magician entertainer Mister "M" from Belgium.

Excellent routine, great teaching. I learnt the moves and structure of the routine in a few hours and am ready to take it out there. It's quite different and not something most people will have seen before. The added bonus of the card being signed by them and can be given away at the end is the cherry on the cake.

Three Blank Monte by Jon Armstrong is a clever and highly engaging take on the classic Monte plot that feels fresh modern and genuinely magical. Using blank cards and a signed selection removes the usual gambling premise and shifts the focus entirely onto impossibility and audience connection. The routine builds in clear phases each one stronger than the last and the final kicker is both surprising and extremely practical for real world performance. Jon’s teaching is clear structured and experience driven with valuable insights on timing pacing and spectator management. This is a routine that plays big for lay audiences while remaining enjoyable and satisfying for the performer making it a strong addition to any working card magician’s repertoire.

Great rutine! is pure genius! It’s a clean, visual powerhouse that leaves people speechless. The routine is easy to follow but impossible to figure out. A modern classic for any magician. 5 stars!

This is an excellent take on the Three Card Monte. Jon has clearly performed the original a lot and knew the flaws to tackle, which he does expertly. From eliminating the chance of the spectator genuinely accidentally guessing right to removing the feeling of "ha ha, you lose!" Having the spectator's signature being the thing to follow also makes everything much nicer than the typical follow-the-ace, win-a-dollar routine. Teaches everything really well. Well worth the price.