Logo
Search
Home
Archive
Editions
Editions

Close-Up

Card, coins, and more

Mentalism

Mind reading effects

Industry

Products and community

Performance

Staging, scripts, and more

Methods

Principles and secrets

Media

TV, film, radio, podcasts

Online

Social media and virtual

Parlour

Small stage magic tricks

Career

Business advice for pros

Stage

Illusions and stage effects

book

Pocketbooks

Coming Soon: Collect the new series of paperbacks from our expert authors.

video-conference

Mentoring

Coming Soon: book video call sessions with our expert authors for 1:1 guidance.

Directory
Login
Get Access
Oliver Buchannon
Rory Adams

Creative consultant and writer for performers like Justin Willman, Dynamo, and Neil Patrick Harris.

Methods

Make a "Forced" Spectator Selection Seem Random

Feb 19, 2026

•

13 min read

Make a "Forced" Spectator Selection Seem Random

An overview of existing methods for selecting a desired spectator seemingly at random. Plus, a new "Diverted Choice" concept.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Stage

The 20/60/90 Magic Show Rule

Jan 22, 2026

•

11 min read

The 20/60/90 Magic Show Rule

Rory explains the simple yet effective overlay template you'll want to apply to every magic set and show.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Methods

The Case for Using Stooges in Magic

Dec 25, 2025

•

25 min read

The Case for Using Stooges in Magic

In this special excerpt from "Magic for the Rest of Us," the arguments for and against using stooges and confederates in your magic.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Industry

One Ahead Gift Guide [2025]

Nov 27, 2025

•

8 min read

One Ahead Gift Guide [2025]

Discover which tricks, books, games and more gifts our writers recommend. Our most-read edition every year.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Methods

Pre-Show Subtleties for Magicians

Oct 30, 2025

•

9 min read

Pre-Show Subtleties for Magicians

Learn tried-and-tested techniques and scripting decisions that take this deceptive method to new levels.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Career

How's the Future for Professional Magicians

Oct 23, 2025

•

15 min read

How's the Future for Professional Magicians

A follow-up to the predictions on the future of the magic marketplace given the premise of growing wealth inequality.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Methods

The "Tell All" Magic Method, Explained

Oct 21, 2025

•

14 min read

The "Tell All" Magic Method, Explained

This truly is often one of the most direct and simple ways to gather necessary information from an audience.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Mentalism

A "Lie Detector" Magic Trick Method

Oct 14, 2025

•

10 min read

A "Lie Detector" Magic Trick Method

Why Odd Ball is such a brilliant and devious method, and how magicians might perform a close-up version of the effect.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Stage

Learn a "Hands-Off" Stage Magic Trick

Oct 2, 2025

•

5 min read

Learn a "Hands-Off" Stage Magic Trick

Learn an almost self-working magic routine to perform on stage with a selection of audience members and one hero spectator.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Mentalism

You're Doing SvenPads Wrong

Sep 18, 2025

•

6 min read

You're Doing SvenPads Wrong

Advice for magicians when using SvenPads as a method based on ten years working with famous magicians.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Mentalism

The Path Peek Method, Explained

Aug 28, 2025

•

9 min read

The Path Peek Method, Explained

Know exactly what a spectator has drawn without any force or peek - this is a hands-off solution.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Industry

The Future of the Magic Marketplace

Aug 21, 2025

•

17 min read

The Future of the Magic Marketplace

Why Craig Petty could be the only frequent magic creator left. Looking at the future of the magic marketplace through the lens of growing wealth inequality.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Methods

Debating the Mishear Convincer
LockSimple

Jul 29, 2025

•

13 min read

Debating the Mishear Convincer

This magic principle seems to be beloved by magicians who use it, but what are its benefits, how does it work, and when should you use it.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Methods

The Double Writing Method, Explained
LockSimple

Jul 24, 2025

•

5 min read

The Double Writing Method, Explained

Learn a prediction trick with a floppy disc and dive into exactly what makes its double writing method so effective. Too many magicians do this wrong.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Parlour

We Found the Perfect Magic Trick Opener
LockSimple

Apr 17, 2025

•

15 min read

We Found the Perfect Magic Trick Opener

A TV magic writer spent a year coming up with this solution to the perfect opening trick for magicians. Learn the method.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Methods

Learn Three Magic Tricks Using Dual Reality

Jan 2, 2025

•

7 min read

Learn Three Magic Tricks Using Dual Reality

Learn three practical uses for a fooling technique used by successful magicians — and start performing it today.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Media

Steven Frayne's "Miracles" TV Special

Dec 26, 2024

•

6 min read

Steven Frayne's "Miracles" TV Special

The magician, formally known as Dynamo, is back on our screens with a new special that strikes a new tone.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Close-Up

Learn a Christmas-Themed Card Trick

Dec 24, 2024

•

7 min read

Learn a Christmas-Themed Card Trick

Learn an easy hands-off mind-reading card trick — and, if you like, perform it with an Elf on the Shelf.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Media

Piff The Magic Dragon on Queer Eye

Dec 19, 2024

•

7 min read

Piff The Magic Dragon on Queer Eye

The cast of Netflix's Queer Eye just worked their magic on John van der Put - the guy in the dragon suit!

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Industry

One Ahead's Gift Guide [2024]

Dec 10, 2024

•

8 min read

One Ahead's Gift Guide [2024]

It's that time of year when we awkwardly ask our family to buy us props they don't fully understand.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Online

The Max Major Kai Cenat Controversy

Dec 3, 2024

•

8 min read

The Max Major Kai Cenat Controversy

Trying to make sense of one magician's insane magic "prank" that caused major internet backlash. Spoiler: it makes no sense.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Media

Why "Got Talent" Loves Magicians

Oct 29, 2024

•

7 min read

Why "Got Talent" Loves Magicians

Data from talent shows and social media suggests magic performs unusually well — so we set out to find out why.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Media

Methods TV Magicians Use to Switch Objects

Oct 24, 2024

•

7 min read

Methods TV Magicians Use to Switch Objects

Learn the secret magic methods used on television shows to change predictions during or before a performance.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Mentalism

The Transition From Magic to Mentalism

Oct 22, 2024

•

8 min read

The Transition From Magic to Mentalism

Examining the common transition many magicians find themselves in as their career and hobby progresses.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams

Career

Be the Famous Magician in Your Community

Oct 8, 2024

•

9 min read

Be the Famous Magician in Your Community

Hobbyist magicians are uniquely positioned to create unforgettable magic. Here’s how anyone can become the local magic hero.

Rory Adams
Rory Adams
Load more

I consent to receive newsletters via email. Terms of use and Privacy policy.

One Ahead is a UK magic publication a tight-knit European team, serving worldwide. Subscribe if you want to be kept one ahead.

Account

Support

Invoices

Editions

Products

Directory

Advertise

One Ahead King Logo Full
© 2026 One Ahead.
Report abusePrivacy policyTerms of use
beehiivPowered by beehiiv