To say that Max Maven
is one of the most influential figures in the history of mentalism is like saying that water is wet, the earth is round, or the sky is blue. This effect alone is a testament to his power. Pocket Nightmare was first performed at FISM Madrid in 1985. It has often been imitated but never duplicated. Now, for the first time, you can purchase the complete instructions and gimmicks.

Here’s what happens:

The magician tells the audience that he will perform this effect using only one hand so that the audience can be certain it is not a sleight of hand
. The magician places his other hand in his pocket. The spectator looks at a single card in the deck. The magician knows exactly which card the spectator has in mind. The spectator is then allowed to remove the card from the deck. The spectator will discover that their card has completely vanished. The magician then says he will perform this trick with one hand, but never specifies which hand. The magician now reveals the vanished card
with the hand that was in his pocket.

Explained in detail by Max Maven, including the complete history of the effect, Pocket Nightmare
will work right out of the box. This effect is devastating for the audience. The best part is that the gimmick does all the work for you! This is super-powerful magic from a legendary creator. Pocket Nightmare is nothing short of a terrifying masterpiece!

Winner P3 Product of the Year Penguin Magic Awards 2020 Nominee Trick of the Year Penguin Magic Awards 2020

Max Maven has created more usable magic than any other magician alive. His offerings are strong, direct, and leave the audience speechless. This effect is no different in that respect. Strong, direct, and the typical “WTF… how!!” Max Maven experience.—Banachek

“Pocket Nightmare is a dream effect with a typically beautiful Max Maven construction and a perfect presentation for a killer effect.”

—R. Paul Wilson

: “I have known Max for most of our professional careers, and I have never known anything he has done to be less than superb. As Max explains, Pocket Nightmare is actually about 40 years old. Both the presentation and secret of Pocket Nightmare made me smile at the typical Max cleverness and framework. This is a totally entertaining routine, incredibly clean, with a surprise ending that is astonishing beyond belief! There are no “moves” in this effect where a peeked-at card instantly vanishes from the deck and reappears in your pocket. Did I mention you perform the routine one-handed!

Not only do you get Max’s brilliant performance, but the gimmick is professionally produced and is such that no one could ever suspect the mechanism. Max’s explanation is exhaustive, covering the history of the effect, the detailed handling, and what to do in every situation. Nothing is left to chance. Best of all, you can perform this wonderful routine without any finger gymnastics or difficult sleights. If you can spread a deck, Pocket Nightmare is well within your skill set.

I’m not recommending this because Max is a friend, but rather because Max is—and always has been—a force of nature in the world of magic, and this effect is totally Maxian! Get this today!”

– Richard Osterlind

“I’ve been waiting since the mid 90’s for Max to release this gem! Extremely well thought out and will be going directly into my act!”

– Chris Korn