Find the Lady Trick

Find the Lady Trick. The “Find the Lady” trick, also known as “Three-Card Monte,” is a classic con-style effect where you repeatedly identify the Queen of the three cards, even under impossible conditions. This effect creates suspense and amazement for the audience, especially when you “blindly” find the Queen with help from a subtle signal.

Find the Lady Trick

Effect Summary

1. Initial Game: You start with three cards: a Queen and two numbered cards. The spectator tries to follow the Queen as you shuffle the cards face down.
2. Winning Consistently: You let the spectator shuffle the cards, but you always locate the Queen accurately.
3. Blind Prediction: Finally, with your back turned, you still manage to identify the Queen’s location, making the outcome seem impossible.

Setup and Secret Method

Part 1: Marking the Queen

To ensure you can always spot the Queen, subtly mark the back of the Queen card. Here’s how:

1. Marking the Card: Look for a small, inconspicuous detail on the card’s back design, like a tiny figure or logo. Alter this subtly (e.g., slightly darken a specific area) so you can recognize it at a glance without drawing attention.
   • Example: On a Bicycle card, you might color in one of the white birds or a small part of the pattern.
2. Purchasing Marked Decks: Alternatively, you can buy pre-marked decks, but ensure the markings are subtle to avoid detection.

Performance with Marked Cards

1. Shuffling the Cards: Begin by shuffling the cards face down. You know where the Queen is due to the mark, but act as if you’re guessing.
2. Spectator Participation: Allow the spectator to try and guess the Queen’s position. You can let them guess correctly or incorrectly based on your pacing.
3. Your Turn: Let the spectator shuffle, but as you pick up the cards, use the marking to locate the Queen. Each time, confidently reveal its position to amaze the audience.

Part 2: The Blind Prediction

For this phase, you need a confederate (an assistant in the audience who signals the Queen’s position).

1. Positioning the Confederate: Place the confederate in a spot where you can see them without being obvious.
2. Signaling System: The confederate subtly signals the Queen’s position:
   • Signal Example: The confederate could rest their chin on their hand, using their forefinger to point subtly:
     • Finger pointing left for left position.
     • Pointing middle for middle position.
     • Pointing right for right position.
3. Execution: Turn your back, allowing the spectator to shuffle and place the Queen face down. Then, using a casual glance, note your confederate’s signal and confidently reveal the Queen’s location, creating the illusion of mind-reading or extraordinary intuition.

Performance Tips

1. Patter and Misdirection: Engage the audience with playful patter to keep them guessing. Here are some examples:
   • First Round: “Most people stick with their first choice, but I think you’re someone who likes to switch things up. The Queen must be on the right.”
   • Following Rounds: “I think you’ll try to trick me by placing it somewhere unexpected, but I can sense it’s in the middle.”
2. Building Suspense: During the “blind” part, hesitate slightly before revealing the Queen, adding to the suspense.
3. Final Reminder: While this effect resembles gambling tricks, ensure it’s always for entertainment, not for real bets or money.

By combining clever marking with subtle confederate signaling, “Find the Lady” becomes a versatile and mind-boggling routine for your act.