When you are doing the Red Hot Mama card trick for tables, do you change your different colored card, or use the same one all night? I am planning on adding this to my set as it is a powerful trick, but I am concerned that other tables will see that the second card is always the same. I hate to carry other cards, as it will slow up the reset, but it might be the best option. What do you do in this situation?

I have done this trick numerous times with different people looking and no one has figured out why it is always the same card. Go figure.

I always keep 3 spare cards, as I did have it questioned once or twice about the card being the same.
Probably not really necessary, but I do it.

I do Red Hot Mama when table hopping and no one has ever noticed that the second card is the same every time. Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it.

If it bothers you at all, you should have a couple of sets of magic that you can perform. If you rotate through the sets as you go from table to table, there shouldn't be much chance of anyone seeing a repeat performance anyway.

I believe that Michael Close has a version of Red Hot Mama that utilizes a free choice. I saw it the other day when I was perusing through my "Magic...LIVE!" notes.

I definitely agree with the idea of having several different sets to perform. If you rotate your sets as you change tables, you will not have the problem of people noticing things like similar cards. It will also keep the spectators on their toes and keep them from knowing what to expect in any case.

Can someone explain to me the effect of "Red Hot Mama"? I am not familiar with the trick (or at least not by that name). Thanks!

Couldn't you do a Mexican Turnover with the card on the table and thus allow a totally free choice?

Just an idea. I like Gary Kurtz' variation on in this theme. You can find on the "Let's get flurious"-video.

Best, chris

I carry around the 8 card brain wave in a packet wallet and if I need to switch the card out I rotate it with the ones from that packet trick.You will have 5 different cards to use if you need to all night. But like most of the posts, I use the same card at every table and no one has ever said anything.

I personally do a version in which it is sensible to give the card away as a souvenir.

In fact, in Oct of 1999, I performed it at the request of a server at a restaurant I did a short stint at. The performance was with another server whom he wanted to get to.. well.... get to know a little better. The stranger was given out after as a souvenir.

I got a wedding invitation in the mail from the two of them about a year ago, all thanks to RHM and a stranger souvenir!

DanTheMagicMan,
The effect goes like this:

You let a spec pick a card. It is returned to the deck. You let him touch the deck or do some magic wamabama, and you fan through the deck to see that one card has changed color. It is the spec's card. You place that card onto the table or in his hand and you shuffle the deck, asking him to call stop. When he calls stop, you show him another card. That is lost in the deck. You let him touch the deck again or do some magic wamabama, and you fan through the deck for the next color changed card. You won't find one. But, wait a minute! The card on the table or in is hand has changed into that card.

Hope you understand it.
Niels

Thanks Niels,

Do you know if this is an effect from a book/video or is it a dealer item? Thanks.

Dan,

I learned this effect from Ammar's Easy To Master Card Miracles vol. 1 (video). I would imagine it's also in a book somewhere. There are no gaffs involved.

Regards,

Derek

Our own Scott Guinn has a version in his lecture notes "Great Scott It's Card Magic" called "Red Hot Momma's Lips." A great variation that you will use all the time.

Contact Scott here at the Café at: scottguinn@themagiccafe.com

I also have a version called "RHM Revisited"
which you can find in the Secret Sessions area.

Jeff

DanTheMagicMan

I also learned this trick from the Easy to Master Card Miracles DVD. I don't know if there is a book or something else.

Niels

Red Hot Mama is a great effect and you guys should check out Whit Hayden's routine called The Chicago Surprise. It uses the classic force face up, yes face up! If your face up force fails, there is an out that I think is as strong or stronger.

It's a good suggestion, but I don't think the Mexican turnover is strong enough as a switch. Just my humble opinion.

I like versions of Red Hot Mama / Chicago Opener / Etc. where there is a signed card that changes color. Just have a few dupes of the cards you use, or replacements for the selections from your deck.

In my opinion, having the card change color gives the impression of a card being forced (even though it is clearly not). I prefer to "invisibly" mark the card "through" the deck with a marker (tell the spectator that if they concentrate on their card this might just work, etc.). Then, to show the switch at the end, let them mark the card (invisibly) and tell them that they are not experienced enough to control it, etc. They display the card in any way you like. (This is similar to Ammar's version but with an "X" rather than pressing your thumb to change the color).

If the spectator believes that the card is forced, it almost makes the trick better because they get lulled into a false sense of security for the second phase of the trick

If the spectator believes that the card is forced, you'll have to practice a bit harder to get a convincing forcing procedure.

The impact of the second phase may be stronger, but it's more of a 'pie in the face' surprise then magic...

(Not that I have a problem with 'pie in te face' endings, it just seems a bit too... challenging)