Knotted

Whenever a FISM winner releases a trick from their professional repertoire, it's worth paying attention. Ruben Vilagrand has already earned praise for his stage routines like Hooked, Salted 2.0, and Unplugged. Knotted is an effect perfect for working professionals because it's easy to do, packs small, and plays huge.

A card is selected and shuffled back into the deck, which is then placed in a paper bag, top hat, bucket, or any other receptacle. A knot is then tied in the middle of a rope, and the end of the rope is dipped into the hat. The knot is in full view. Then, with no sleight of hand and without touching the knot, the rope shaked and the knot visibly falls down the rope into the hat. The rope is removed and the selected card is found in the middle of the knot in the rope!

What sets this routine apart from others is the internal logic - rather than the knot magically appearing while out of sight, which is normally a hint towards the method, Ruben forms the knot in the rope out in front of the audience before going into the bag. The gimmicks you receive are top quality and will last you forever; no refills required. This is a great attention getter for anyone who wants a routine that can play to a huge audience.

As a bonus, Ruben explains his version of the Acrobatic Knot, where the magician simply shakes the rope and a knot appears towards the end of the rope. While this move isn't necessary for the routine, Ruben explains this knacky move in detail with slow-motion views. If you've ever wanted to learn this flourish, Ruben's version is probably the best.