Unliftable Deck is an innovative magic effect, which is a patented trick since 2018 that impresses with its simplicity and effectiveness.
Concept and Execution
The trick relies on the principle of creating a vacuum to make the deck seem impossibly heavy. To execute this trick successfully, a smooth surface is necessary, such as glass, marble, or a well-polished table.
Setting Up the Trick
A small tab inside the deck is crucial for the magician to perform the trick. This tab must rest on the side of the deck, external to the box, without being bent to avoid damage.
Performing the Trick
Once the deck is placed on the surface, it becomes "unliftable." The spectator will find it impossible to lift, but the magician, by knowing the tab's location and using it to break the vacuum, can easily lift the deck.
Precautions and Tips
The trick should be presented as entertainment, not as a challenge to prevent any potential damage.
It is vital to pull the tab with the thumb to prevent the vacuum effect.
The surface must be clean to ensure the trick's functionality; dust, sand, salt, or moisture can hinder performance.
The Deck
The deck used is a standard Bicycle deck, with a reinforcement to improve the base's performance, and it functions normally for any card game or trick.
Suitable Surfaces
For the "Unliftable Deck" trick to perform optimally, selecting a smooth, flat surface is crucial to create the necessary vacuum. Examples of suitable surfaces include:
Glass surfaces, particularly polished and seamless ones.
Melamine, usually found in any home or office desk.
Marble countertops, renowned for their smoothness and flatness.
Well-polished wooden tables with a smooth, even finish.
Stainless steel surfaces that are flat and texture-free.
Smooth plastic surfaces capable of forming a tight seal with the deck.
Acrylic surfaces, known for their flatness and clarity.
Laminated surfaces that are smooth and non-textured.
Any other non-porous, smooth, and flat surfaces that can maintain a vacuum seal with the deck.
Ensuring that these surfaces are clean and free of debris is vital to maintain the functionality of the trick.
To utilize the "Unliftable Deck," ensure the performance surface is appropriate, and enjoy showcasing this unique magic trick.
The Weight of Marriage:
Explain the weight of a bad marriage and place a ring on top of the deck. The spectator won't be able to lift it; you remove the ring and lift the deck. Repeat this several times.
The Weight of Parenthood:
Nothing weighs more than being a parent. Place a pacifier on top of the deck, and the spectator won't be able to lift it. The pacifier can also be drawn.
The Scale:
Describe the deck as a scale. Draw a weight on paper and place it on top of the deck. The spectator won't be able to lift it. Remove the weight and lift, as usual.
Thor's Hammer:
Tell the story of Thor. Draw a hammer and place it on the deck. The spectator can't lift it; you remove the hammer and lift. You can also turn the deck to hide the drawing and allow lifting.
Excalibur's Sword:
Explain the story of King Arthur. Draw a sword and place it on the deck. The spectator can't lift it; you remove the sword and lift. You can also turn the deck to hide the drawing and allow lifting.
The Weight of Mortgage:
Explain the weight of a mortgage today. Ask for a key and place it on top of the deck. The spectator can't lift it; you remove the key and lift. Repeat this twice more.
Viagra:
With a small "Viagra" bottle, explain that some things can only be lifted with the strength of medicine. Take a blue pill, and you can lift where the spectator couldn't.
Screwing In:
Explain that the deck is a screw that tightens and loosens. Pretend to screw to tighten (the spectator tries and can't lift). Then screw in the opposite direction to loosen, and you lift the deck.
Magnet:
Explain magnetism and pretend to introduce a magnet under the table. The spectator can't lift. Keep your hand under the table; if they can lift, remove your hand as if you removed the magnet.
Scanner:
Ask the spectator to turn on their scanner to weigh the deck. They do, you place the deck on their phone, and lifting the deck also lifts the phone.
Magnetism:
The old trick of pressing fingers together and separating them to show how they come back together is used to explain that they can't lift the deck with those fingers afterward. Let them try.
Glue:
Ask how to stick an object to another. The spectator will say to use glue. Write "GLUE" on the deck or paper. The spectator tries to lift and can't. Erase the word and lift the deck.
Do not present Unliftable® as a challenge: There will always be those who are brutish enough to lift or, more likely, break something. That is not your goal. Control what the spectator does and for how long they do it. Invite them to grip the long sides of the case. This will prevent them from lifting by the tab unknowingly.
Content and Handling of the Case
The case must contain as many cards as possible. It is important for them to provide maximum rigidity and weight to the box. You should be able to easily remove them to demonstrate the normality of the deck and to continue with other different games afterward.
Release Procedure
For the magician's release, the special film has a hidden acetate tab on its short side. If it's not visible, carefully remove it and let it rest on the short side of the box bottom (if in doubt, watch the video). When you want to lift the box, you should lift it by holding that tab with your thumb, thus avoiding the film from creating a vacuum. Like "rifling" with your thumb on that tab. To store the deck, you can keep the tab to prevent damage.
Environment Preparation
The surface on which we place the box must be smooth, non-porous, and clean (glass, polished stones, formica, lacquered woods, polished woods, even marble floors, clean it a little beforehand with some pretext). Test with a simple support and slide; you'll quickly see if it's suitable.
Special Film Maintenance
The special transparent film on the box must be clean and undamaged. You can clean it with cotton and a drop of alcohol.
Additional Tips for Better Performance
Since this effect operates by vacuum, you can give the box a little squeeze against the surface before the spectator tries to lift it. That will help it function much better. Friction also helps.
You can also fold it outward into a U shape, gently and carefully, to generate better grip.
Exploring the Possibilities of Unliftable®
Play with it, let it fall from its edge, lift, release, squeeze, rotate, throw it, and try to lift it again.