New Trick for My Strolling: "Crazy 8"

I've been presenting a new effect in my restaurants that's been getting great responses. And it's the first "torn and restored" routine that I have continuously presented in my close-up sets.

The effect is "Crazy 8" - a card trick that's combined with a torn and restored ending. You show spectators a small abstract picture and ask one to sign it. A spectator selects a playing card and loses it in the deck. After failing to find the card you tear up the abstract picture and rearrange the pieces to form a pattern that indicates the spectator's card. After some byplay, you completely restore the pieces into the new pattern and give the new picture to spectators. The original initials are still on the paper.

When I first looked learned of "Crazy 8," I recognized the power of the effect and noted that I may want to eventually perform it. But like a lot of tricks that I take note of, it got placed on my "back burner." "Crazy 8" is by Dan Harlan and he teaches it on his "Harlan Live" title.

Fast forward to the recent IBM Magic Convention in San Diego where I listened to an excellent lecture by Shaun Farquhar. The trick that caught my eye was his amazing "Torn 2 Pieces," which is based on the same principle (independently conceived) as Harlan's "Crazy 8." Farquahar's version is stunning and commercial and uses a photograph. He performed the effect on his recent appearance on the "Ellen" TV show.

This planted a seed in my head. As a result, I worked on "Crazy 8" the following week and have been performing it since. In my restaurants, I've been presenting the effect mainly to my regulars and occasionally new clients when the moment feels right.

Because "Crazy 8" features the same revelation, I will retire it after most of my regulars have experienced it. But it's great to have this one in my arsenal to call on when I want a stunning closer.

More Reading:
Tales From the Tables: Magic of Love
Live at the Jailhouse: a Guide to Restaurant Magic
Restaurant Magic Reader by Jim Sisti