🃏🌴 Packet Trick Paradise #4: Laughing Boy and Lumberjack
An extended handling of Dr. Daley's Last Trick using four wild cards. It includes three phases and multiple magical moments.
Here’s another variation of Dr. Daley’s Last Trick. It is similar in theme to “The Jaybird Jump” (see Packet Trick Paradise #3) but is more complex and includes many more moments of magic. For this reason, it is also a little more challenging to perform. However, I think it is worth the effort.
I’ve had the method rattling around in my head for a few years, but until recently, I struggled to find a good way to present the effect. A clever method doesn’t automatically make for a good magic trick; you need to pair it with a compelling presentation that piques people’s curiosity.
The trick’s presentation draws inspiration from three things: the fascinating history of the Joker 🃏, the trick-taking card game of Euchre (pronounced yew-ker), and the old American folk song “Jack of Diamonds”, also known as “Rye Whiskey”. 🥃
Here’s what happens:
You begin by showing the audience four identical Jokers. However, you claim the cards are the Jack of Clubs, Hearts, Spades, and Diamonds. You explain the Joker was once called the “Best Bower” and was the highest trump card in Euchre. So, in a way, the Joker is a “glorified Jack.” Your audience look unconvinced!
You deal a Joker to the table, rub it against the tabletop, and recite a verse from an old American folk song:
“Jack o’ Diamonds, Jack o’ Diamonds, I’ve known you of old. You’ve robbed my poor pockets of silver and gold.”
When you turn the card over, it is the Jack of Diamonds! You flick another Joker, and it visibly morphs into the Jack of Hearts!
You explain that the two cards are “jumping Jacks” and offer to demonstrate what you mean. You place the Jack of Diamonds underneath the two remaining Jokers. You tap the packet, and the Jack of Diamonds magically jumps to the top. You deal the card to the table and repeat the same action with the Jack of Hearts, which also rises to the top.
Next, you simplify things by removing the two Jokers from proceedings. You deal the Jack of Hearts on top of the Jack of Diamonds. You tap the two cards, then turn the top one over to reveal that the Jack of Diamonds has once again risen to the top.
You offer to repeat the feat. You return the Jack of Diamonds to the table and put the Jack of Hearts on top of it again. This time, you instruct a spectator to put her finger on top of the two cards (to prevent you from using sleight of hand).
You hold the two Jokers in your hand. You tap the top of your packet. Amazingly, the top card is turned face up to reveal the Jack of Diamonds. Flipping over the bottom card reveals it to be the Jack of Hearts. An impossible transposition has taken place!
Finally, the cards under the spectator’s finger are turned over to reveal two black Jacks! All four Jokers have transformed into Jacks, bringing the trick full circle.
The routine gets its strange title from the nicknames of the two red Jacks. Some unknown reason has led to gamblers calling the Jack of Diamonds “Laughing Boy”. Apparently, you’re supposed to laugh when you receive it in your hand. And the Jack of Hearts is also known as the “Lumberjack” because he’s the only Jack brandishing an axe. 🪓 That last fact sounds convincing, right? Well, I made it up! While the Jack of Hearts is the only Jack holding an axe (technically, it’s a halberd), I have no idea if gamblers nicknamed the card the Lumberjack. But it sounds plausible, right?
These two names are important to the routine because they’re memorable. They make it easier for people watching the magic to recall the relative location of each card. The greatest risk with any transposition, especially one with several phases, is confusion. If your audience mixes up the position of the cards, it will seem like nothing has happened. In other words, no magical effect has occurred.
Incorporating the lyrics of “Jack of Diamonds” into the trick also helps to emphasise the magical moment when the Joker transforms into the Jack of Diamonds. You can watch an authentic rendition of the song below by old-time musician Jake Book:
You can use more of the lyrics in your performance. You can even sing the entire song yourself if you’re brave enough!
You might be familiar with the song if you’ve played Red Dead Redemption 2. My two-year-old daughter, Adelaide (named after the Queen of Magic) loves the song. It is now a firm favourite of hers. There’s something very amusing about a toddler singing, “Oh whiskey, you villain, you’ve been my downfall. You’ve kicked me, you’ve cuffed me and caused me to brawl.” I’m expecting a phone call from social services any day now!
“Laughing Boy and Lumberjack” uses four ordinary Jacks and a single Joker, making the trick incredibly practical. You can perform the routine as long as the deck you’re using has a Joker.
I hope you take the time to learn the trick. It’s an impressive piece of close-up card magic.
If you have difficulties learning the routine, please comment below or on the tutorial page itself. You can also email me using the contact form on my blog.