Official Reviewer
Jul 21, 2023
Overview
Three Card Monte, also known as Find the Lady, is an age old con game similar to The Shell Game but using playing cards. The “game” which is designed to take money from the gullible is based on “the mark” having to find the odd card which typically was the Queen of Hearts. Of course, the operator always wins. The game required quite a bit of manual dexterity, quick talking and fast hands. Versions have been developed which allows the performer to replicate the con game, work at a slower pace and not have to develop the needs sleight. One of the best ones out there is Michael Skinner’s U3CM, Ultimate Three Card Monte. It is a sleight free, multi-phase, Three Card Monte routine that is an easy to do, packs flat and entertaining routine that can easily be an opener or as a single trick just for a quickie. Effect
Three cards are shown to the spectators, 2 black cards and one red card. They are mixed up and thrown ace down on the table. The idea is for the spectators to find the red card after they are mixed up. Regardless as to how fair and slow the performer mixes and shows the cards, the red card cannot be found. Method
When there is no sleight of hand involved, there is always something to make the magic happen. In the case of U3CM, the magic happens because there are gimmicked cards. These type cards are not unusual and have been utilized in other types of tricks and decks before. With the gimmicked cards and carefully crafted sequence of moves, in all intents and purposes this routine looks and feels like the original con. What you cannot do is show the cards fully for display.Product Quality
The cards a Bicycle playing cards so there are no quality issues there. The downloadable video instructions are 35 minutes long and presented by Murphy’s Magic Javier Fuenmayer, who always does a spectacular job. The video has multiple sections from an initial performance, A review for those who had already learned and practiced the trick and a full blown step by step instructional. The video is very well made and covers all the handling and subtleties.Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is as accurate as it can get. Michael Skinner’s version is one of the classic of this genre and I highly recommend it.
