Timing Force Method: Fully Explained

Magic effects and techniques follow trends, just like any other art form. In recent years, timing forces have gained significant popularity, especially in an era where magicians often create content designed to fool one another. These forces have become a go-to technique for anyone exploring fresh and deceptive methods.

If you’re unfamiliar with timing forces, don’t worry—they’re more straightforward than they sound. A timing force is any forcing technique that relies, wholly or partially, on the precise timing of its execution.

In card magic, a force occurs whenever the magician ensures the spectator unknowingly selects a predetermined card. By incorporating timing into the process, you will not only discover innovative methods but also enhance almost any force you already know.

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Timing forces have been a part of magic for decades but have gained fresh attention in recent years thanks to magicians like the Spanish Dani DaOrtiz.

Known for his relaxed and seemingly chaotic style, DaOrtiz can force almost anything, making the process appear entirely natural.

While timing forces are often associated with their fairest and purest forms, there’s much to learn from their broader applications.

What is the purest form of a timing force? Imagine this: the magician deals cards into a pile, asking the spectator to say “stop” whenever they like. The card they stop on is the one the magician intended to force, thanks to its position in the deck. The method relies entirely on timing, creating a highly deceptive effect.

Despite their strength, these forces are rarely used. It’s easy to see why: they feel open to chance and lack a fixed, structured method. Most magicians see them as inaccessible, and the only way to do them successfully is to do them consistently.

Whether timing forces have always intimidated you or you’re already experimenting with them, we recommend the following three exercises. These will not only build your confidence with the techniques but also improve your overall awareness and presence in magic performances.

Exercise One: Invite Timing In. Consider a card force you wouldn’t typically think of as a “timing force," like the Riffle Force. In this technique, the magician riffles the side of the deck, prompting the spectator to say, “Stop.” When they do, the magician lifts the deck at a predetermined break to force the desired card.

The Riffle Force is traditionally taught as relying on the break, which serves as the core method. However, the break isn’t the only factor contributing to its effectiveness. Timing plays a crucial role as well.

It’s helpful to think of magic methods not as isolated tricks but as part of a continuous flow. When you understand how methods interact and overlap, you’ll find it easier—and more enjoyable—to improve and perform your magic.

This first exercise is about expanding how you think of timing forces. If timing forces are viewed only as techniques that rely entirely on timing, they can feel intimidating or impractical due to their apparent lack of structure. However, by recognizing how timing enhances forces you already use, such as the Riffle Force, you can start to see timing as a natural and manageable element of your magic.

Here’s how to put this into practice: the next time you perform a Riffle Force, focus on perfecting the timing so that the break becomes almost unnecessary. In the dream scenario, the spectator will naturally say “stop” exactly where you want them to, even without relying on the break. Of course, the break will still be there, so there’s no need to fear failure. This allows you to experiment with the timing in a low-pressure way and observe how it influences the effect.

After some practice, you’ll start to notice a deeper awareness of timing in your force. Even though the break remains part of the method, you’ll develop a stronger understanding of how timing affects the outcome. You will then be ready to move on to the second exercise.

Exercise Two: New Deck Order. Now that you’ve started to understand and feel timing, it’s time to explore your own natural tendencies. Grab a deck in new deck order and enlist a friend with some free time. Deal the cards one by one from the top, asking them to say “stop” at any point. Repeat this process several times on different occasions, always starting from a new deck order and keeping a record of the selected cards.

Try this with a few different people, one at a time. Once you’ve gathered enough results, review the list of selected cards. You’ll notice that some positions are chosen more frequently than others. These are your natural timing force positions—spots where you can confidently guide a spectator to stop most of the time. While this won’t guarantee success every time, it gives you a reliable range to work with.

This process should narrow your timing sweet spots down to four or five card positions. Once you’ve identified these positions, you’re ready to move on to the third and final exercise.

Exercise Three: Force Any Value. Using the positions you identified in the second exercise, place four cards of the same value in those spots. This setup will allow you to reliably force a specific value, which you can then reveal verbally or through one of the multiple outs you’ve prepared.

As you further practice this, pay attention to how your attitude and cues affect the timing. Subtle elements like maintaining eye contact, shifting your body position, or alternating between silence and speech can all influence whether the spectator stops earlier or later. Since you have four cards that they can stop you at, you can focus on experimenting with these subtle dynamics without worrying about landing on a single forced card.