Invisible Deck and Brainwave

A named card and a single reversed card

The class begins with a telephone presentation: a spectator imagines a deck and reverses a card; later, that exact card appears reversed in a real deck. Borja Montón explains how to perform the effect for close-up groups or in a parlor setting, involving one or multiple spectators.

The explanation covers the preparation and handling of the Invisible Deck. Different types of roughing fluid are compared, and you'll learn how to assemble the deck, orient yourself with the card box, and control your pressure during the spread. Two ways of displaying the cards based on the audience's position are also taught, along with extracting the named card and the finer points for cleanly closing the sequence.

Maintenance is part of the learning process: checking the condition of the roughing treatment, inspecting how the cards separate, and recognizing when the deck needs attention before use. Alternative stack arrangements are discussed to adapt the system to the magician's memory and preferences.

The Brainwave variant

The lesson adds the preparation and handling of the Brainwave deck, where the named card not only appears reversed, but also has a back of a different color. You will learn how to locate it without having to thumb through all the faces and how to avoid breaking your rhythm during the search. The instructor contextualizes these tools with a review of the history and various versions of the Invisible Deck.

The final section examines the patter: the phone call, the imaginary deck passed among the spectators, and the collective choice of a card. It analyzes how to encourage audience participation without unnecessarily dragging out the instructions and how to reiterate the conditions right before the revelation.

Materials and practice

You can work with a pre-made Invisible Deck or construct one yourself using cards and the treatment explained. To assemble a Brainwave deck, you will need cards from two decks with different colored backs. A telephone is only required for that specific routine.

It is best to practice the spread, the separation, and the orientation before adding the patter. The class explains the handling starting from the preparation stage and does not require mastering advanced sleight of hand.