Blank Night
Trick and download by John Archer
Blank Night
Price: £24.00£24.00inc VAT
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An all-time bestselling Fool Us fooler routine is back and better than ever!
“Blank Night” by John Archer takes the bank night premise and makes it more entertaining, fooling, and easier to do than ever before.
Since Penn & Teller: Fool Us debuted in 2011, a select few magicians have earned the distinction of fooling Penn & Teller. However, only one of them can claim the title of being the first. That was John Archer, and he did it with his signature effect “Blank Night”.
Five envelopes are shown and you explain that one of them contains a prize of $100 (or whatever currency or amount you want). Audience members then freely choose four of the envelopes, and discover they’ve all only won a small consolation prize (such as a $0 bill, a slip of paper, or even nothing at all).
So far, this may seem pretty normal for a Bank Night. But here’s the part that left Penn & Teller speechless.
Standard “Bank Night” routines typically require a thumb tip or body load of some sort. This is why the final reveals usually have a singular bill that’s folded or crinkled. But not “Blank Night”. With a completely empty hand, you lift up the flap of the envelope, and cleanly pull out multiple, unfolded, crisp bills.
There’s no other Bank Night that is as fair and impossible as “Blank Night” by John Archer. The fact it’s also incredibly easy to do is just icing on the cake.
- No body loads
- No thumb tips
- No envelope switches
- Works with paper or polymer currency.
Like most Fool Us Foolers, “Blank Night” became an overnight success, selling out on numerous occasions. Now it’s back with stunning new envelopes available in two eye-popping colors (Orange and Blue) and brand-new video instructions that make learning the routine easier than ever. John also includes all the helpful hints and tricks he's learned in the years since this trick was first released.
You’ll be ready to go within minutes of opening your package. Each set comes with the specially-manufactured envelopes and the sneaky gimmick that takes care of all the hard work for you. Since the envelopes come blank, you can also choose if you want to follow John’s routine directly, or write your own words—allowing for maximum customization and potential wordplay.
NOTE: You will need to quickly apply a very small amount of restickable glue to the gimmick. This has not been done in advance because, as John explains in the video, there are different ways for it to be glued based on your preference. The recommended brand is Zig 2 Way glue, which is available at Vanishing Inc. and in most craft stores.
Free shipping. Dispatches from the UK.
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Customer reviews for Blank Night
Ben
FANTASTIC! This came today and I'm pleased beyond words. The method was very, very different than what I expected, but easy to do. Another satisfied customer!
Shaun
John Archer makes this trick fantastic, and the big question I had was whether or not I could make it great for me. The answer is yes. I've got my own presentation already in mind, and I'm very pleased with the method and the quality of the envelopes. Will you sell refills eventually?
Matthew
Just arrived. HIGH quality envelopes perfect for American currency. Great instructions with clear illustrations. Such a wonderful trick. I can't wait to start doing it.
Jeffrey
Brilliant effect! Well worth the price. Goes over excellent with the audience!
Gino
Ive seen John perform this a few times and I recently picked it up. It's so smart and so easy to perform! You'll love it!
Robert
I purchased this last year for a Christmas gig before Lockdown. I. have seen some reviewer say it does not work with US currency, but I found it fit just right so I don't know if the gimmick was modified to include US unfolded bills.
James
Excellent trick! I was a bit bummed out at first as I needed to get to the craft store to purchase a little something extra for the gimmick, but once I had it completed and was performing it, it felt absolutely worth it. The Magic is super strong and there’s so many options for routining to make it unique to the performer.
Einar Aron
John Archer did a fantastic job on this! The method is so clever and bulletproof with endless possibilities of the presentation. If the currency doesn't fit, the DIY is simple enough for most people. Very excited building a presentation around this!
Michael
Would be great if there a video for instructions on this one but besides that great effect!
Derek
This is just SUPERB. I love bank night routines, and to date, this is by FAR my absolute favorite. I was recently a volunteer onstage for Jon's performance of this in a Gala show, and I was blown away by the fact that I could fully inspect the envelope I chose. The big problem I have with so many bank night routines is the use of gimmicked envelopes, which. no matter how well they are made, may not withstand close scrutiny by the spectator. Here, each spectator can inspect his/her envelope, or even just keep their envelope following their selection (you can buy refill envelopes, or just make your own). Also, there is no force -- spectator selects are free. So in short, each spectator has a free choice of envelope, and can inspect or keep the envelope, as they are ungimmicked! I don't think you can get better than this! (And at $25, it may just be the best value in magic!)
Richard
I've just finished a month of "community shows" around the village halls in my area and each time I performed this effect. It absolutely stormed it! I put "funny" messages in the envelopes which said things like "You have won a ticket for last night's show" and "You have won a free drink - valid during the interval only" (this was in the second half of course!). This meant nobody felt like a "loser" and added another level to the comedy. Well recommended and easy to perform even surrounded as everyone was watching the person opening the envelope and not me. Get it!
Mark
You’ve all seen this performed by John Archer (one of the nicest guys in magic, by the way) and you know how it plays out.
It’s a wonderful effect and the envelopes come blank so that you can create your own presentation. It can be played straight or for laughs - it’s really down to your own style and imagination.
This is very easy to perform, leaving you to focus on your presentation. And it’s priced very reasonably.
If you want a great bank night effect, that packs small and play massive, then look no further.
It’s a wonderful effect and the envelopes come blank so that you can create your own presentation. It can be played straight or for laughs - it’s really down to your own style and imagination.
This is very easy to perform, leaving you to focus on your presentation. And it’s priced very reasonably.
If you want a great bank night effect, that packs small and play massive, then look no further.
John
Would like all videos (such as the one that shows the Blank Night presentation) to be downloadable so that we could review it in the future to remember how the trick can be presented. It is frustrating this is not possible.
Similarly, for all products, a video showing how to present the product in detail is highly desireable.
Similarly, for all products, a video showing how to present the product in detail is highly desireable.
Stephanie
This is so much fun. And so inexpensive!
A brilliant piece of entertainment that can
be adapted to your audience.
Believe it or not, I'll be
purchasing another set so I can have a
'kid' version and an 'adult' version.
A brilliant piece of entertainment that can
be adapted to your audience.
Believe it or not, I'll be
purchasing another set so I can have a
'kid' version and an 'adult' version.
Larry
Outstanding routine with an elegant method. He teaches it very well, too.
Christopher
I really enjoyed Blank Night by John Archer. It is such a strong trick, especially for the price. I purchased the blue envelopes, and I highly recommend this! It's a no brainer and very simple to do. Great effect! My only wish is that the envelopes were made from tyvek as I imagine over time they will wear out. However, at the current price, I'm willing to purchase again for a new set.
Mark
What looked like a great routine on Fool Us turns out to be a great routine to do. Nothing difficult to learn, but practice required to keep everything where it needs to be. Biggest challenge may be coming up with different labels for the envelopes if you don't want to use Archer's script.
Mark
A great implementation of this plot. A tiny bit of arts and crafts needed, but not much. No difficult moves. Biggest challenge will be coming up with a different presentation -- once one's seen Archer's own brilliant presentation, it's tough to get it out of one's mind, or at least move it sufficiently to the side of one's mind to make room for a different approach. But I'm working on it.
Fred Paul
Love the product. Good quality. The video instructions are complete and understandable. I'm only nervouse about printning the words on the envelopes as I am not computer/tech savy. I've never used to computer/printer to print envelopes. I'm going to use letter size envelopes to figure out how to print the words and make sure I have a full ink cartridge because there is only one shot to get it right! I might just write the words with a Sharpie. I do family show as well as corporate/adult shows so I'm not going to use SEX on one of the envelopes - I'm going to use the word HUG. WIth the mixed age family shows I'll delete the MINE is bigger then YOURS gag. I already have fake bills with my face and PR info so that's a plus. I'm looking forward to adding this to my act. Definatly a keeper!
Dean
John is a terrific teacher. I’m already writing a custom script for it and its ease of portability is undeniable. Can’t wait to put this routine to work!
Henry
A good product. Unfortunately no tutorial to watch. Unfortunately the product does not last long. But for the price you really can't complain.
Lucas
The legendary Blank Night! What a great routine, built in comedy from John's routine. You can also easily script something with this. Always loved this since it was first released, happy that it's back and available to purchase again.
Masterclassmember
Joe
This is not only a great trick but it’s so much fun to perform. I picked this up to do at a show where I’m doing a game night theme at the end of the month (Sept 2025) and it fits in perfect. There is so much room to be able to make the trick whatever you want. Serious or funny, done quick or drawn out. It’s a great trick that is the definition of packs small and plays big. It fooled Penn & Teller so that’s more then good enough for me.
Laurence
Great job with the explanation and thought behind the props.
Giuseppe
Wanted this forever, got it on sale for 19.99. To all my fellow Canadian magicians, take advantage of this Black Friday sale, with tax still came to 30 bucks.
But!
Incredible method, and this is a performance based effect, his fool us performance is the blueprint but you can make this your own. No force, all comedy and crowd work. Genius method, super happy with purchase. Can easily be 4 minutes of your show. Love it love it love it. Cheers
But!
Incredible method, and this is a performance based effect, his fool us performance is the blueprint but you can make this your own. No force, all comedy and crowd work. Genius method, super happy with purchase. Can easily be 4 minutes of your show. Love it love it love it. Cheers
Christopher
Such a funny and entertaining routine. Simple gimmicks and well thought out handling. Lots of room for customization.
Mike
it’s very good. The explanation is amazing but you’re not getting this for $19.95 or whatever it is when you buy it when it’s not on sale, you’re gonna buy an additional glue pen and if you do as John suggests in his routine, you’re gonna have to buy some sticker letters at your local craft store which you’re gonna cost you another five dollars. I understand that they couldn’t include these things to keep the price low but just know that you’re gonna have to spend about $15-$20 extra to do this properly.
Trent
Brilliant!
Gilbert
GREAT INSTRUCTION VIDEO.
John Archer takes you step-by-step through the process.
The secret is creative and not difficult to master. Mr. Archer's personality is what enhances the performance.
If you don't take yourself too seriously you will be able to put the audience at ease and perhaps be able to fool someone other than Penn & Teller.
John Archer takes you step-by-step through the process.
The secret is creative and not difficult to master. Mr. Archer's personality is what enhances the performance.
If you don't take yourself too seriously you will be able to put the audience at ease and perhaps be able to fool someone other than Penn & Teller.
Steven
I absolutely love the whole routine!
It’s super funny and really easy to do. I’m sure both you and your audience will have a great time with it.
For me, it’s hands down the best Bank Night method out there. Because it’s so simple, you can put all your focus on the presentation and that’s what makes it shine.
It’s super funny and really easy to do. I’m sure both you and your audience will have a great time with it.
For me, it’s hands down the best Bank Night method out there. Because it’s so simple, you can put all your focus on the presentation and that’s what makes it shine.
Robert
My most recent VI purchase included John Archer's Blank Night which I put to use at a family gathering. Spring boarding off John's great routine, I made a few tweaks and wrote some new jokes for the envelope contents to suit the occasion. Everyone loved it and were laughing all the way to the final revelation.
The laughter and audience participation is disarming and provides oodles of misdirection to do what you need to do.
It was a highlight of an already great evening. Thanks to John, his collaborators, and Vanishing Inc for releasing another great product.
The laughter and audience participation is disarming and provides oodles of misdirection to do what you need to do.
It was a highlight of an already great evening. Thanks to John, his collaborators, and Vanishing Inc for releasing another great product.
Mike
Simple to do and effective. John’s routine (if you want to cop it, which I suggest you do) is perfect. Well made and in my opinion will look better as the envelopes get worn! Highly recommended
Alan
Such a fun and well thought out routine by one of the top comedy magicians working today. Packs small, plays really big.
