I worked with Calen Morelli years ago when he showed me a trick he sometimes performs for laypeople. It absolutely blew my mind. Calen sure does know when to play for magicians and when to play for laypeople. The trick did not fool me, not at all. But it knocked my socks off and left me totally delighted. There was undeniable skill involved, and he’d clearly spent months, if not years, practicing the little stunt, and I was quite in awe. I still think about it every now and then and remind myself of how incredibly creative you can be without filling that urge to fool magicians.

It was smart, funny, and unexpected. Here’s the trick…

1. The Set-Up

First, Calen borrowed my phone and did something to it that weirded everyone in the room out. Everyone in the room. Even the people at the back busy doing something else. It was weird enough for people who didn’t see or hear it to pay attention too.

2. The Force

Next up, Calen did a simple card force. Nothing special, but it didn’t need to be. Remember, the majority of laypeople believe the cross-cut force to be a Christmas miracle. Sure, I’m so incredibly proud of you for being able to classic force as well as Eric Leclerc, but at the end of the day, a one-way deck does wonders.