How to Promote a Pasteboard Puzzle

I've been into puzzles and magic ever since I can remember.


Typically when I see or come across a "new" (at least new to me) puzzle or magic effect
I will attempt to create try to come up with my own method of completing the challenge or otherwise accomplishing the same feat.

Be careful to note here, my goal is not to figure out how the trick was actually done (although very often all paths seem to lead there), but to figure out how I can do it.
This is important, for there have been quite a few times that I have come across an effect, figured out a method that works for me, and realize that my way of tackling the "problem" is either different, or contains things that work to accomplish the same thing in an easier (for me) way or may in some improve upon or enhance the original method (in my opinion).


I have several single or two card effects that I know and like to do, so any new (to me) business card effect that is for the most part impromptu without gimmicks or gaffs will usually get my interest.

Joshua Quinn is a new (to me) name to me in magic. He has several marketed commercial effects now and even has his own featured section on the Penguin site. I saw an ad for an instructional manual by Joshua Quinn which teaches a way to rip one business card into a pair of permanently linked rings. Joshua Quinn has made his technique available for sale in a 48 page manuscript. I read several reviews of it and interviews with Joshua about it. I didn't buy the manuscript so I don't know how he does it or the method he teaches. It did get my wheels turning though. So I came up with my own method of doing it which works great for me, and I can only guess that our methods are probably similar at least in principle. All respect to Joshua Quinn for the breakthrough in creating the linking rings from a business card (if someone knows of anything that predates it please PM me or leave a comment).


One thing, however, stuck in my mind about something Joshua Quinn said about his method. When asked specifically if he could do the same thing with a single playing card, he said you couldn't do it with a playing card.


Linking playing cards is not a new thing. I consider Paul Harris, one foremost proponents of linking card routines and effects. I even have some old video of Paul Harris' doing some very clever linking card routines, and the video is definitely old from disco times or something. Even with his linking card experience, Paul Harris has been quoted as saying that what Joshua Quinn accomplished with his linked business card is something he previously thought was impossible.



So I thought it would be cool to see for myself if I couldn't cut a pair of linked rings from a single card.


As it turns out I COULD and I DID.

Over the past couple days I have created technique to easily cut and tear one U.S. Air Cushion Finish Bicycle playing card (and other playing cards as well) into a pair permanently linked pieces of card, and then can be reassembled back into the original playing card configuration. I can produce them easily and consistently now.

My method makes creating this linking playing card not only possible but a reality. My specific technique overcomes obstacles that previously made the "experts" think it was impossible or at least an EXTREMELY IMPRACTICAL task.


I am not sure where exactly I want to go with this. It is definitely something that I believe is unique in its own right, and I do wish to share this with the magic and puzzling community.


Tell me what you think.