🃏🌴 Packet Trick Paradise #9: The Devil is Dyslexic

A three-card monte routine involving a magical mix-up between the Dark Lord and Saint Nick!

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Intermediate)
Duration: ⏱️⏱️ (3-5 minutes)
Setup Time: 🎯 (Minimal)

Welcome back to Packet Trick Paradise, where we celebrate card magic miracles with just a handful of playing cards. In this edition, I’m excited to share another original packet trick creation from my warped imagination—proof that you don’t need to be in possession of a “full deck” to create wonder!

When I was a young boy, I struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia. Learning to read and spell felt like trying to decipher an alien language. 👽 I remember feeling frustrated as I got stuck on the “Shorty the Wonder Dog” books while my classmates effortlessly read the more advanced “Tim and the Hidden People” series (you can watch a video of someone reading the first book in the scheme). Incidentally, these books have a connection to magic because they’re about a boy named Tim who discovers a mystic key that allows him to see magical beings called the “hidden people”. Even though the books were written in the 1970s as a reading scheme for young children between the ages of 4 and 7, those fantastical stories still inspire my magical performances.

An illustration from Tim and the Hidden People. Image Credit: Ray Mutimer via A Note on a Rainy Night.

This trick, as the name suggests, draws inspiration from both my journey with dyslexia and an obscure Ben Folds Five song called “Satan is My Master” (from their b-sides album “Naked Baby Photos”). The method builds on Max Maven’s classic “Mo’ Monte” packet trick, recently rereleased by Penguin Magic.

The effect? It’s a playful twist on the classic three-card monte. A spectator signs what they think is an ordinary playing card, only to witness a series of mysterious transformations. The kicker? They discover they’ve accidentally signed a contract with Santa Claus instead of Satan because of a misspelt message—a mix-up that never fails to get a laugh. 🎅

“The Devil is Dyslexic” has been designed to take audiences on an emotional journey from mild concern to relieved laughter. The trick starts by tapping into people’s natural wariness about gambling scams, using the three-card monte premise to create a sense of tension. When the spectator signs the card, it personalises the effect and raises the stakes—they become invested in the fate of “their” card. The transformation of the cards from red to blue creates genuine moments of amazement while fostering a sense of unease about supernatural forces at play.

As the audience begins to feel uneasy about the “satanic pact” theme, the unexpected SANTA/SATAN revelation breaks the tension. This comedic twist not only entertains but also creates a memorable moment of relief. The final transformation back to red, accompanied by the appearance of a message, serves as a satisfying magical exclamation point to the routine.

This trick works particularly well in close-up settings, providing the audience with a unique and intimate experience. They can see the signed card throughout the performance, making the colour changes feel impossible. The intimate nature of the performance allows the magician to gauge the audience’s comfort level with the “darker” elements of the presentation and adjust the intensity accordingly. Additionally, the spectator walks away with a uniquely altered souvenir from their encounter with Satan—or rather, Santa—making the experience personal and lasting.