A Brief History of Three Card Monte as a Magic Trick
By Damian Jennings - Thursday, April 24, 2025
Three Card Monte, originally a street con game dating back to at least the 15th century, involves a spectator attempting to follow a "money card" among three face-down cards, only to be repeatedly fooled by sleight of hand. While the classic scam relies on deception and shills, magicians have adapted the plot into a legitimate magic trick, using both skill and specially-designed cards to create an engaging—and fooling— effect for audiences. To celebrate the relauch of our very first magic trick, let's dive into the history of the plot.
The Perfect Monte Routine - Learn Now
The Shoulders Of Giants - Best Three Card Monte Magicians
Theodore DeLand
In 1908, Theodore L. DeLand revolutionized the magic version of Three Card Monte with his trick "Pickitout." DeLand's method used gaffed cards: an ace, a 2, and a 3 (all black), with the ace and 3 specially printed to show different indices depending on how they were fanned. This allowed the magician to always show the ace in a position where it should not be, making the effect baffling for spectators. DeLand's innovation laid the groundwork for many future packet tricks and gaffed card routines. Obviously, there's no footage from 1908, but here is Doug Conn sharing his version of the DeLand routine.
Eddie Taytelbaum
Taytelbaum built upon DeLand's method, using the same gaffed cards (Ace, 2, and 3 of clubs) but developed a more structured, three-phase routine that more closely mimicked the feel of the real street con. His handling included phases where the ace magically jumped positions, and a final phase where the ace vanished and was found elsewhere, adding layers of magical surprise and improving upon DeLand's original, which was limited in scope and repetition.
Michael Skinner
Michael Skinner's "Ultimate 3 Card Monte", first marketed in 1990, became one of the most popular gaffed packet tricks in magic. Skinner refined Taytelbaum's routine, removing awkward handling and improving the clarity and flow of the effect. He also introduced a red ace, making the target card visually distinct from the others (which remained black), enhancing the spectator's ability to follow the action. Skinner's version is celebrated for being nearly self-working, highly deceptive, and suitable for both beginners and professionals. He famously performed it for years at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, fooling countless audiences. Here's a video of Bill Malone performing Skinner's routine.
Harry Anderson
Harry Anderson, a magician and entertainer known for his comedic and theatrical style, developed "Three Card Monarch" (later produced in a smaller version as "Three Card Prince"). Anderson's routine was designed for stage and parlor performances, using oversized cards and a fast-paced, clever script that emphasized entertainment as much as deception. His approach brought Three Card Monte from the streets and close-up settings to larger venues, showcasing its versatility as a magical performance piece.
Wolfgang Moser
Wolfgang Moser's "Moser's Miracle Monte" represents a modern evolution of the effect, explicitly building on the work of DeLand, Skinner, Taytelbaum, and Anderson. Moser's routine is praised for its logical construction, clean handling, and a stunning, examinable ending inspired by Harry Anderson. The routine is designed to be angle-proof, easy to perform, and highly magical, making it a favorite among contemporary magicians.
Get “Moser’s Miracle Monte”
Legacy
Three Card Monte as a magic trick has evolved from a simple con to a sophisticated magical routine, thanks to the innovations of DeLand, Taytelbaum, Skinner, Anderson, and Wolfgang Moser.
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