A deck of cards is set down on a table. A spectator is asked simply to think of any playing card, and the magician says he will name it.

After a moment of thought, the performer declares, "The name of your card is Phil! You know, short for Phillip!" The audience is understandably a bit surprised. The pack is removed and then shown to have different names printed boldly on the back of every card. When the deck is turned face up and the card named by the spectator is found, it is the one and only card named Phil!
(Not Rough and Smooth!)

Only One Deck Is Used!
Instantly Reset!
No Force of Any Kind!
No Sleight of Hand!
Any Card Can Be Named!

Historical Note: The basic plot of this routine goes back to Fred Lowe's "Christened Reverse." Over the past few decades, many methods have been devised. It turns out that Trevor Duffy reinvented a version that was created by Phil Goldstein in the early 1980s, entitled "Final Fred." That routine had its debut in a lecture at the 1985 FISM convention in Madrid. The issue of this prior invention has now been discussed by Duffy and Goldstein, along with the ironic coincidence of its title, and we are pleased that an equitable arrangement has been made, and this item is being marketed with Phil Goldstein's approval.

Here is an overview of the Phil trick family.

The Phil Trick (The original)

A spectator thinks of a card and the magician 'names' it! A pack of cards is supplied with numerous different names printed on the backs. The spectator's card and the name given by the magician, match each other.

Blank Phil Deck

Works the same as the Phil trick. However, this deck has no names printed on the backs and comes with a booklet with many ideas on how to customise the deck for special functions and events.

Blank Phil Deck Refill

This is simply a refill deck for the Blank Phil Deck (NO booklet is supplied).

Phil Plus / Phil Plus 2 / Phil Plus Outdone

This is an advanced version of the Phil Trick. The bonus / secondary effect is that the trick can be immediately repeated - the spectator names the card that the magician is thinking of.

This new presentation has an awesome twist to the conclusion. You place 2 business cards on the table at the start, with a prediction written on the back of each. A spectator is then asked to name a playing card - free choice.

The playing cards are then shown to have different 4-lettered lady's names printed on the back of each one. Someone else is asked to call out a thought-of lady's name comprised of 4 letters (e.g., Rose).

The predictions are turned over... shown to be INCORRECT matches. However, when the business cards are switched places with one another, the playing cards are then turned over to reveal they match perfectly with the business cards now next to each one!

Blank Phil Plus2

Works the same as Phil Plus2. However, this deck has no names printed on the backs and comes with an instruction leaflet on how to customise the deck for special functions and events.