Penn & Teller : Fool Us! CARD STAB!! // FIRST IRANIAN FOOLER?

Thank you all for the support! My mom doesn't know how this trick is done, so please, no spoilers.
Booking: Mirztour.com
Instagram: @Zakmirz
Facebook : @ Zak Mirz
Zak Mirz has toured for nearly a decade entertaining audiences all over the world. Zak’s recent projects include being a magic advisor for David Blaine’s latest special “The Magic Way”, an appearance on Travel Channel’s “Magic Caught On Camera”, and creating a deck of cards that helped raise awareness and money to end human trafficking.
From Fool Us - Jan 21st, 2022 from the CW Channel. (Uploaded with permission)

[@Kay-zee]

This guys first magic trick was surviving Texas as a half Iranian, half Afghan! Good act.

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

He most prob hangout in the Kalifate of Deerbourne Park!

[@andrewbrown7166]

Spoken like a typical racist non Texan

[@HiddenAgendas]

@@Sulucion6Tone funny since the blue state are the one keeping the red states afloat.

[@kjohn5224]

@@Sulucion6Tone ahaha 90% of red states are on welfare from the blue states that make all the money.

[@Sulucion6Tone]

@@kjohn5224 did your communist news network tell you that? Thats why california is now leading in government programs and hasnt contributed to other states in the past 3 years. Highest handouts in the country hence the highest taxes. The BS you leftist sheep think is facts makes me laugh.

[@hoofhearted4]

Penn never outright says how the trick is done, so when he does that, you know it's because he was fooled. He keeps it in code when he knows how it's done.

[@RavenGlenn]

Yeah. This is super obvious that he was getting that trophy. They would never air Penn giving the trick away completely.

[@Matthew-mz4pt]

My pea brain that knows nothing about magic was thinking that's how the trick was done. So before Penn said anything I was coming up with a code to say it. Then Penn said it some bluntly I was taken back.

[@final1037]

In earlier seasons, he just gave it away. But i think it got too many complaints and they change it and thats good...

[@deboraabh]

Yeah useless magic anyways

[@batrongordeg]

He does do that very rarely. He did it 2 more times, he does it when he respects the trick a lot.

[@bxbank]

This is a good act. Love the extremes. When Penn says how it actually happens, he knows he is wrong. He would never let on if they actually knew how.

[@hkpew]

Yeah, I'd thought of that solution on my own, but when Penn just came out and said it openly I thought, no way Penn really thinks that's the answer and this guy just won.

[@hieronymusnervig8712]

Great move by Penn. This was the obvious answer and by saying it straightforward he made sure that we know that we have no idea how the trick actually worked.

[@wiadp1]

Yeah, one rule of this show, if Penn says so directly how the trick is done we can be sure that he doesn't know the answer or doesn't want to reveal the secret. I think that sometimes, when the trick is really good and original or they like the whole performance they pretend that they don't know how it is done to reward the magician with the prize.

[@olivier2553]

@@wiadp1 Of course, irt is all for show!

[@mercedeswilkins5566]

@@wiadp1 that when the magician fool them, in my opinion

[@jetnut89]

People say the act is good which it is but for me I like the magician even more. So humble and seems like a very nice guy. Better than those other guys with the big egos and over the top personas.

[@sailaab]

Yup!

[@MIRZ365]

Aw! Thank you for the kind words. Means a lot.

[@bijolicideris1293]

I agree with you man. He's really a natural

[@michaelphillips9530]

Zack performed to a small crowd in Marshall, TX last night (June 1, 2024). His act was great, but he was also inspirational. He handled a situation with some disruptive kids very well, even though it should have been the parents disciplining them. He seems like a truly nice guy. I was just embarrassed at the small turnout for such a great act.

[@grayskindablue]

Alyson making you “huggable” for the guys was so adorable lol

[@awsome14619]

You can hear him say take it off take it off! Lol he was so happy.

[@RonPiggott]

@@awsome14619 That 'take it off' must have been required of him before coming on stage.

[@TekWar98]

Alyson is definitely "huggable"!

[@reineh3477]

I jumped a bit when I read this. The trick had knifes in it and "hugg" is the Swedish word for stab.

[@sulze77]

Lily and Ted, back on the stage for a good HYMYM reunion 😎

[@MIRZ365]

😊

[@TewdPlays]

Thought the same thing^^ You really look like him Zak :P

[@OorieLynch]

Ah yes "How you met your mother" my favourite show.

[@quiggaxx]

Isn't it how I met your mother ?

[@TheDezembro]

We have found another doppleganger. Stabby magic guy. 😂😂

[@ShawnFarquhar]

Congratulations, such a wonderful honest personality on stage. The back story and choice of effects was such a nice touch. Now that all the pressure is over I hope you can take breather...

[@MIRZ365]

Thanks, Mr. Farquhar! 😂

[@GuilhermeCarvalhoComposer]

@@MIRZ365 Oh damn, one fooler commenting on another! Time to stab a blank book to the exact page where my card is, or something. :)

[@fep_ptcp883]

@@MIRZ365 loved this trick, man! Great stuff

[@aditsu]

Haha, I see what you did there 😉

[@davel9514]

Hey, Shawn is here! 😂

[@benjaminhager9839]

So blessed to have Zak perform this trick 10 months ago at our kids camp! I had the honor to get to perform this trick with Zak and have the card in my office! Phenomenal work Zak!

[@J5Dev]

Absolutely love the simplicity of this trick... Far too often with a card stab, which is just simple by nature, a lot of magicians feel the need to bloat it with so much 'story' or scenario to lead up to the trick because of its simplicity and their belief it isn't enough. You absolutely prove this is SO not needed... sometimes the greatest tricks are short and simple, but by being so, are so very very powerful, and this trick absolutely 100% nails that!! Bravo sir, bravo!

[@Tayl0r_]

Im really sorry to hear about your dad :( Im glad you were able to showcase your talents for us to see though! I think you’re exactly right. He’d be proud of you.

[@jean-francoissenecal2675]

Pause the video at exactly 8:17 and look at teller

[@HiddenAgendas]

lmao

[@estebanrivera8820]

Well done. Definitely fooled me. I like that you added the complication of Allyson doing the stab. Added a lot to the magic of it all.

[@4547466]

And let her pick the card, and the knife, and the 3 cuts. I have no idea how this trick was done.

[@aDifferentJZ]

@@4547466 As a magician once told me when I asked him that same question: it was done masterfully ;)

[@PotentialisMajor]

Personally I felt the magic was above rather than below. Just my take. In any case, Zak, you brought a simple and straightforward premise to the show and fooled everybody flat, in a most humble manner to boot. Excellent job and congratulations 🎉

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

Its all simple tricks seen before even on P&T. the only question is what holds the card to the knife.

[@gonzalogoded2089]

That was my first impression as well since the tool doesn't seem to get through above, although forcing the card doesn't seem that easy from the way it was "selected". Maybe a couple of deck switches. But then I though what Penn & Teller said and made more sense.

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

@@gonzalogoded2089 The selection is fine! The printer in his pocket etc can print any card! on the special made card with the insert which makes the card thick you can see it in the deck! Its just a question of how it sticks to the knife. I would say its highly magnetic or maybe the knife!

[@RealitysSuccessor]

@@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307 The knife is normal, but I think you're on the right track. In code speak, I would say there is more that there's more than one force involved.

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

@@RealitysSuccessor Card was not forced it was printed on the special card! Which he slips into the deck (the card is lighter than the original :) Or he just adds PLATE METAL CARD BACK under the 3C (if the lightness is camera effect etc) Cause when he puts the cards on the table theres clearly naughties going on and thats after they edit stuff out! Tho now I think he most prob puts the card on the front of a block of cards with the metal stopper above the 3C. solving the problem of how the knife holds the card up! 😁 Also hes a few card short a of deck 😁 (hence the quick cut from fanning) and the 3C does look thick!

[@oldschoolwarrior]

This trick actually made me audibly yell "HOW THE..." Really awesome trick and fabulous presentation.

[@emperio1212]

Thanks for not spoiling the ending. It made it a lot more enjoyable to watch!

[@TommyGunsXL]

I think this was the nicest and most heart warming reaction on the show after Penn and Teller got fooled. You defenitly deserved the trophy. And the trick was very cool!

[@TBH_Inc]

Thanks for not spoiling the ending in the title! Great act!

[@reineh3477]

Yes, I hate when people do that.

[@fredhag]

Instead of a shim below the card picked, I think the 3 card was magnetic. However, this required both a force to Alyson to pick his card, and then he had to make sure the card was at a reasonable place in the deck to be stabbed by the knife and be able to hold up the cards above it without grabbing any of the cards below it.

[@BCM1959]

What is magnetic besides steel?

[@christhetanman2639]

I think you are right about it being magnetic. However I think he placed the 3 under the knifes cards as he was moving the table forward to reveal the card.

[@fredhag]

That makes sense.@@christhetanman2639

[@MagnumDB]

I’m so sorry about you father, I did not expect anything like that in your intro. I’m sure he’s proud of you.

[@derekrivera9487]

I like how you did that 😅 The suspense was real how you told them that wasn't it 🙌🏽 Good job

[@MIRZ365]

Thank you!

[@LasseLundster]

@@MIRZ365 I guess the metal plate as something to stop the blade wasn't *attractive* enough, were you surprised he went for the blockage theory over well, the truth?

[@412mtk3]

@@MIRZ365 could it have to do with the cards sticking to one another when stabbed and the 3 is the card that didn’t stick to the rest and also 3 had no stab marks

[@dynamo_spade]

@@LasseLundster are you guys serious ⁉️🙄 do you expect him to discuss the "secrets of his trade" on this plateau ❓ ✋🏻 😠

[@marksekelsky]

You did an amazing job. Very charismatic, well paced, and a fooler!

[@MIRZ365]

Thank you for the support, Mark!

[@DStructureOfficial]

The taking off the jacket to lower the 'thread' is such a wonderfull gesture. I love illusions, but I love gestures like these even more.

[@1369brandon]

What?

[@DStructureOfficial]

@@1369brandon care to elaborate on your what?

[@cocomonkilla]

@@DStructureOfficial What?

[@lecacasurmonmur]

I’ve seen MANY acts on Fool Us and this is definitely in my top five! Nicely done, Zak!

[@Bl4ckw0lf1]

Right next to Kostya

[@Bl4ckw0lf1]

Kostya, Shin, that card mechanic.. Richard?, the time traveling puppeteer...

[@nitedk]

Yes, Richard Turner.

[@davel9514]

@@Bl4ckw0lf1 Don't forget Shawn Faraquar!

[@danmac1871]

That was terrific. I love simple tricks. Very very sweet that you were so touched. P&T were sweet as well…they knew it meant a lot to you! Love this show! Keep going strong Zak!

[@athanasioslianoudakis9119]

Simple, crystal clear, trick...just wonderful greetings from Greece

[@thegodofpez]

What a humble and amazing magician. Incredible personality. I hope he returns and collects more trophies.

[@pascalboot]

Wasn't he allowed (for safety) to keep his jacket with knives on when Penn and Teller entered the stage? Normally magicians don't take their jackets off when winning the prize. Good trick btw.

[@shaidyn8278]

He wanted to go in for a hug but he didn't want to stab anyone.

[@GergiH]

I don't know if it was intuition to take off the jacket before hugging them or he got straight told to do so but I loved the "panic" telling Allison to take off his jacket (Allison could've stabbed them easy though!) :D

[@RonPiggott]

I'd bet he was told it had to come off and he was in a position as a young adult looking for guidance, encouragement and hope ... a substitute dad moment if you will. I've had this done for me many times.

[@withershin]

@@RonPiggott I bet it was for another reason. The sound crew must have "loved" that jacket. No spoilers.

[@julievanderleest]

Amazing performance! The trick was amazing and the added comedy of course made the whole performance so fun to watch. Good job!

[@MIRZ365]

Thank you for the kind words, Julie!

[@brianjensen4129]

Awe Zak, so proud of you man! You're a blessing to so many when you share your story, glad to see the success

[@Rafael-ft1hu]

Absolutely loved it, such charisma is hard to find

[@MIRZ365]

Aw! Thanks for the kind words, Rafael!

[@kardtable]

I'm guessing the upper packet was one solid piece with the selection on the bottom. The pressure used to stab doesn't matter if it's stabbed through say 4 cards, it would still pick up the whole packet as a unit. As for keeping the knife from stabbing pass the selection, I think some type of synthetic fiber was used.

[@Rubixdecampo]

But he seperates all the top cards to prove that it was not a block before and after the trick.

[@Mouse_007]

yes I think you're close but it wasn't a solid block, more like a slightly magnetic block of cards so they could also be separated at the end.

[@thememaster7]

I think they all spread

[@TropicalRogue]

But what if every other card was the target card... How many do we really see when it spreads?

[@nikolaosezikis7622]

@@thememaster7 the easy way to find out if they were fooled would be the "can we check the last card if it has a hole? Or at leat a mark of the knife" ..it doesn't for sure as Alison doesn't have that much strength:) so hope this says more or less how it was done

[@ke6gwf]

I get most of my joy out of figuring out mysteries, so here's my guess, and anyone who likes mystery don't read this! Lol I am picturing the top several cards to be magnetic, with the lowest magnetic card being the 3. This way if any of top cards are lifted, the entire stack of magnetic cards will be lifted together, so that it's the bottom of the stack when lifted. Then when the top of the deck is stabbed, the entire magnetic stack will lift, with the 3 still on the bottom. But being magnetic, the cards will still fan out and look normal if handled properly. The other option is that he had a hard plate under the 3, it just wasn't metal lol But the way Penn spoke the guess so clearly with no code tells me he knew it wasn't the correct method, because he'd never give a trick away that obviously.

[@thestarshavefallen]

I believe it was a metal card and he lied. Reason: the rehearsal would have been important to ensure she stabs hard enough to go through to the plate.

[@ke6gwf]

@@thestarshavefallen the Producer knows how the trick is done, and is the judge and referee, so the performer is not able to, or allowed to lie because the Producer will step in, and they also have the final word on whether Penn gets it right, so no, he didn't lie. That doesn't mean it wasn't a plastic plate, or that it wasn't a metal plate ABOVE the card with some magnetic cards, just that the exact way Penn worded it was not correct.

[@dustercat21]

@@ke6gwf Exactly- Penn only seems to have in mind that a plate is the only way it was possible, however... I looked at the 3 of spades at the end and it didn't have a knife mark on it so I suspect that the original comment may be right with a magnet of some kind but not necessarily how Penn worded it. So if the magician were lying, the producers for sure would have corrected the situation.

[@ke6gwf]

@@dustercat21 I enjoy parsing Penn's code, and what I hear him saying is "we are unable to pinpoint exactly how you did this, and we like your act and want you on our show, so we are going to explain in great detail the way WE did the trick on the David Letterman show, which everyone already knows about, because we are positive that you did NOT do it that way!" If that had been a legitimate guess, and they actually thought he did it that way, they would have used fancy words "you put a lot on your PLATE when you STEEL our act" and the like, to drop their hints, but they didn't do that. The other possibility is if they were upset at him, thought he was so lame for trying to fool them with their own trick that they were going to roast him, and it backfired, but I doubt that, because he did a pretty good trick and show! The rules of the show are that they can make one guess, and it has to be specific. They can't just say "you used Magnets", they have to say, "the 3 was attracted to the cards above it in the same way that my kid's homework is attracted to the fridge door" etc. And there are quite a few specific ways it could be done, and if they couldn't settle on one as the most likely, they may just throw the game lol I personally think Penn wanted him to win, and so just was being a showman with his "guess" knowing it was wrong, to be sure he didn't accidentally get it right!

[@ZombiZohm]

The three of Spades is Penn's favorite card to force so I think there was a force and I think the three of Spades was the only card that could be attracted by a magnet He had Alison pick one of the knives in his jacket because they are held in there by a magnet which magnetized the metal knife and the knife stop at the 3 and picked it up 3 wasn't metal but it was something solid and magnetic

[@deadmanavir]

Aw man, the ending made me cry. Such passion... love it.

[@kevind6723]

I absolutely love the enthusiasm and joy you project. Seems like you truly were just enjoying the moment. Hope this helps sky rocket your career as a magician.

[@Ad_Inferno]

Omg, I'm not from the South - or even the US - but my first thought on the reaction when he was told he fooled them was, "Aww, bless his heart." Like, that could not have been more adorable.

[@varnium]

My first thought was same like Penn's. So the alternative way of doing it is with thin layer of glue. Or perhaps slight of hand upon revealing the card, cause his hands covered the view for 1 second.

[@f52_yeevy]

Such a beautiful take on this plot, congrats Zak!

[@MIRZ365]

Thank you so much!

[@brianzembic]

Never watched this show until this last couple of weeks. Im always 10 years late. Now i can enjoy in my old age. And can say that. Alison is absolutely wonderful as the host. Ive watched maybe 20 before i said. Yes. She is witty and spontaneous, and a bonus being smart and attractive. She really is a plus to the show. Great job.

[@stephenhayes466]

I’ve seen, I think, EVERY Fool-Us... This trick and YOUR Performance is a Top 5 for me.. Very well done to you!!!

[@Nico12420]

Congratulations! I was thinking the same thing as Penn and Teller about the trick but it wasn't that! So you fool me too, this trick was amazing and I hope when you try to fool them again that you'll do another knife trick!!!

[@magicnyc3623]

I love when card tricks get interesting, this was like David Blaine, it got me engaged, love it. I like card tricks like this!

[@zaubersalz]

he is a master at switching decks. When Alison stitches into the deck for the first time, all cards are the same. The second time too. In between he swaps the deck for a normal one. So that a card doesn't accidentally fall off and the spectator realizes that all the cards are the same, he lets Alison practice so that nothing goes wrong.

[@Lordestroyer]

RIP to your dad. I’m sorry you lost your dad to senseless violence. I’m a father of 2 girls. Can’t imagine missing what they’ve become. Thank you for entertaining me and hope your dad is smiling down on you from some magical plane.

[@rv0_0]

you man is soo humble, straightaway makes you so lovable, you gonna go places. Wish you all the best

[@baravan381]

He should have said, if i understand you correctly, just bring down the trophy.

[@katelyn371]

This guy has the most wonderful energy and beautiful smile. What a fantastic act and I was impressed that you fooled Pen and Teller!

[@tinojooo]

did you use a mix between invisible deck and sven deck ?

[@neilhess2518]

Great trick, and the guy seemed so kind and greatful. May he have many years of success ahead.

[@vivanonnonanni9318]

This guy got a whole Adrian Pimento vibe goin on and I LOVE IT

[@zo3821]

Lol “Jacket off!” “jacket off!” At the end. I guess they did not what any knives around the boyz.

[@ollcanoe]

Or one of them has a pacemaker because I'm pretty sure it was magnets holding the knives in there

[@mikecothran7912]

That section of cards that she stabbed thru sure were perfectly squared and didn’t move one bit , almost as if they were one solid section of cards. Hmmmm.

[@TearyEyesAndersonReacts]

Alyson is like, "Keep your hand away from this knife." And kept expecting him to try and stop her by putting his hand in the way. But at least she got a free jacket. 😉

[@RM-ws2kw]

Your dad is definitely proud! Can't wait for you to come back to fool them again👏

[@aminnaseri7124]

Your act, your character and you. Just amazing. I'm sure your dad said "pesaram, behet eftekhar mikonam".

[@ChoralPleasure]

Love this trick. Missed opportunity for a Vampire Slayer joke

[@mcgremi5769]

You are so well-spoken and admirable, congratulations on the trophy brother!

[@MrYawwwn]

Great performance. Your opening story was very heartwarming. Gave me chills

[@saba9866]

There are 2 parts to the trick, I know the first part (similar to invisible decks for fellow magicians) but not TOO sure about second part, which is what Penn mentioned. I think he was close, but as he got specific then magician said no. Pretty sure I can guess but don’t want to post here as I don’t wish to ruin the trick for this magician! Afarin o barikala👍👍

[@jackmartinleith]

Pretty sure @irehman7 will do a reveal.

[@PoshakDua]

Congrats Zack it’s a beautiful trick and your presentation made it so much more incredible !! Kudos to you ♥️♥️👏👏

[@kenpearce3269]

That was entertaining! Congratulations on a job well done!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@amirbahalegharn365]

iranians with so much taarof...so much thank you there...iranians are humble in acts but so proud for their rich history wish you long lasting successful happy journey through magic show and still happy new year

[@LLUEVE]

Great act. Sucks the title spoiled the ending.

[@namelessminionveinreaver3763]

Interesting... usually P&T are very cryptic with their explanations in these. Never see them be so blatant. At first I was expecting "wormed" to be the key word there but then they really just laid it all out. What that tells me is that this is something new to the magic community. Awesome job.

[@danijelandroid]

The 'metal' plate is probably an open secret. But still I found it odd. It was like it was rehearsed. Strange.

[@danijelandroid]

Metal plate trick was one of the magic tricks that Penn and Teller have unmasked in the past.

[@danielj.8876]

They're not cryptic when the act is somewhat dangerous. Like the other with the eye stabbing machine, they were very direct aswell. Also they cut out the bit where they talk to each other to come up with a guess and then confirm it with the producers (who know how it's done) if they got it right or not; so they don't risk spoiling how the trick is done anyway, because they know that they're wrong before they ask the magician about it. Coding it to the magician and asking the magician if he fooled them is just for the show and I think this time Penn thought screw the code, I don't wanna risk that some guys out there get me wrong and then accidently stab themselves trying to recreate the trick.

[@pastorangel45]

So Amazing! Congrats, Zak!

[@KhanakJoshi]

Iran is my favorite country and your trick is super

[@SimKieu]

The knife doesn't seem to go through that many cards, so my guess is magnet but I could be fooled.

[@truthonly2114]

Fabulous one! What a presentation! You can act, you can perform, you can do magic and you are good looking. BOLLYWOOD is waiting my dear brother

[@ahmadshaaban9199]

i guess this is all about magnet, you saw how all his knives are just hanging on his inner shirt which has magnetic materials. same materials are somehow attached in the cards.

[@RomeoX911]

Let's be fair, the "clear" way of doing this trick is exactly how Penn says. You slide in a metal card so the knife always stops exactly where it needs to be. I think, it's very close to that. But it's a magnetic plate that holds the card to the knife which is why the blade doesn't actually go through. Metal plate to stop it versus metal plate to hold it are very close, which is why the magician had to be sure he was able to celebrate!

[@TropicalRogue]

That makes sense, but since he appears to use a svengali deck or similar for the force, it seems like it would be overkill when you're always going to stab either to the card or through the card, and then it's a simple magician's choice whether to reveal the one on the deck or on the knife tip

[@BrendanWhelan]

Yeah there's really no other way this could have been done without a metal plate of some kind. I think he just played a semantic game to win the trophy

[@jeschinstad]

@@BrendanWhelan: You're entirely wrong. The solution is fairly simple, but I'm not going to reveal it. However, using a metal plate is very dangerous and Penn & Teller would never allow it. That is most likely _why_ he revealed it, to give the performer the chance to say it's _not_ how it's done, because it's important that people _don't_ believe that. The real solution is very far from that. If you really want to know, there is a very glaring visual and verbal hint in the video. That's as far as I'll go. :)

[@BrendanWhelan]

@@jeschinstad what do you mean a metal plate is dangerous and penn & teller wouldn't allow it? How is adding a metal plate to a deck of cards dangerous?

[@jeschinstad]

@@BrendanWhelan: You can't just stop a force by imposing an immovable object. Something has to give and when you're dealing with a sharp object moving unpredictably with a great force, someone's gonna get hurt. Not every time, but eventually, you're going to hurt someone. In Norway, the magicians used to perform the real bullet catching trick, where you fire a real bullet with a real gun, against someone's head and the artist would catch the bullet with their mouth. You will say that can't be true, because you think that a real gun firing a real bullet will have to be deadly. You're missing an element, right? What you're missing is the fact that you can adjust the power provided by the gun powder and that's what they did before sanity was invented. I can reveal this because it is now strictly illegal and will never be done in Norway again. You can't violate the laws of nature, so in that sense, it's perfectly safe, as long as everyone does everything perfectly perfectly, all of the time. But the human factor doesn't go away, so every time you pull the trigger, chances increase that the performer will die. I will reveal the trick now, in this carefully crafted wall of text, since we're so deep into it and it's a matter of safety. There is nothing special about the deck. It is the knife that is special. The knife he stabs into the table, is a real knife, so it is not used and that is why he "jokingly" says «choose a knife, any knife». What he is telling her, is to not make the obvious choice, which is the knife that he stabbed the table with. He does not allow her to use the _actual_ knife, which is already out and on the table. The prop knives he has in his jacket, are only sharp at the start of the blade and as the knife cuts through the cards, the upper cards eventually reaches the dull part of the blade, stopping the cutting action, preventing the knife from going deeper. The force you use is irrelevant, because the deck of cards is laminated. This is also why his prop knives does not have a stab guard, preventing the hand from slipping and sliding down over the sharp edge. Don't tell people what the trick is, because it will ruin the trick, but please _do_ tell them that you understand why it is not anti-Newtonian physics using a metal card. The edge isn't sharp and the only sharp edge of the knife is embedded in the cards. Even holding your thumb at the hammer end of the real knife, would not be safe for someone who is not specially trained, because the power of your arm is so much greater than the power of your thumb. A volunteer would eventually cut their fingers to the bone, which would be bad for the magician. This is also a good reason not to stab someone to death; you are going to cut your fingers. :)

[@James-mh3rt]

This was the best one yet

[@dedpoptart]

What a humble and appreciative man. I'm a fan

[@seanammon6993]

Wow he seems like such a great guy. Awesome trick too! Loved it!

[@ferdiemabayan2]

had to watch it again to see how it was done. my guess is the same as penns. instead of letting alyson use the knife thats already outside (which is easier) he let alyson choose a knife from his jacket. ( something fishy already) so all of the knives in his jacket are all gimmicked. then next if u are to look at the cards closely. starting with the joker and the selected card there are no stab holes, gimmicked knife and a magnetic deck

[@NetAndyCz]

I am not sure about the knife, though it is possible ,but I am sure the top half of the deck is gimmicked, though I am not 100% sure about the actual method.

[@bobbyd9319]

@@NetAndyCz right...it looks like a brick. I think there are about 5-6 cards on top of the brick. Do u see how perfect the brick is, u can’t see any card edges, just the 3 of spades

[@NetAndyCz]

@@bobbyd9319 Yeah, it looks really suspicious.

[@magicjim1]

It's not as complicated as you're making it out to be.

[@peterandre1900]

Dude.... that was awesome! Congrats!!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@elijahperry5112]

It's kinda funny, you're performing style seems like it's changed quite a bit from when I saw you perform at my church camp like 5 years ago

[@zaharinawi]

I love this act. Very fluid. Good comedy. Charismatic. Well done.

[@KyleBJobey]

What a nice person! Thanks for the performance, it was cool!

[@jasonbarnes6568]

i like how the show lets the magisicans use the scene as promo. me gusta

[@poodlefluids]

You are a gift. What a great performance and what a great personality. I hope to see much more of you!

[@vforvasilis7994]

I am so glad that Ted from how I met your mother found a new career!

[@muratmhcoglu4184]

Also he grew taller and more self-confident.

[@tipsrus1348]

In his intro one of his shots was from the amp I work for. Great guy and great magician.

[@user-pu5vb4xu6d]

Not sure which I liked more. The look on their faces or a maniacal Teller going “Norman” with the knife 😂😂😂

[@voidremoved]

Teller looked like he wanted to run away, or use Penn as a shield when you pulled out that knife

[@xGoodOldSmurfehx]

The trick was nice and all but the life story overshadows much of it, its such a sad story but also such a beautiful one too

[@protocol6]

I wanted to say it was something to do with that suspiciously smooth move as you slide the table out of the way. I just can't think how you managed it with one hand on hers, one on the table and just a split second as the packet is covered by your arm.

[@Bdlbdlbdl]

That was my immediate guess as well. The deck is hidden from us just long enough for him to stick the card on the knife point.

[@PoshakDua]

Congrats Zack. It’s a beautiful trick and your presentation just made it so much more incredible. Kudos to you. ♥️♥️

[@muratmhcoglu4184]

Kudos Zak... Any chance this was done by use of the same principle that allowed a little plunger to pick the chosen cards way, way back in an early season of the show?

[@kardtable]

Except tiny plunger doesn't penetrate through the cards.

[@DjRobEntertainment]

Magnets

[@kevinkrasnansky9723]

@@DjRobEntertainment That was my immediate thought. He even hung the knives in his jacket with magnets. Beautiful.

[@stephensarmento3529]

@@DjRobEntertainment that's my guess

[@sahandrashidi7832]

Loved how he got rid of the coat to hug Penn and Teller :))))

[@Deep-Travel]

Love it! Most of all, I love your humility. It was awesome!

[@brandonjohnson-actorvoicea2316]

Finally got around to watching this. Great work dude!

[@BLUE-wg8lp]

1:37 that shot reminded me of HIMYM , he looked like Ted Mosby coupled Alison on the stage paired with fitting music ....great performance enjoyed the humour the presentation I will definitely show it to my wife.

[@DaddyBeanDaddyBean]

At 4:56, the knife and stabbed packet of cards is out of our sight, just for a moment. I suspect that was when the magic happened - but exactly what happened in that moment, I don't know. Magnets happened, perhaps.

[@yookoala]

Congratulations! Love the act. Straight forward plot and funny performance. Cool!

[@callumherley4372]

At 4:55 he passes his hand across obscuring view. I think he palmed the object card and passed it in front. Some sort of adhesive got it to the underside - attracted by the knife perhaps…

[@josephlongfellow1244]

could be. when i saw he was using magnets in his coat to hold the knives, it made me wonder if he uses them in other places in the trick.

[@alexilie3808]

Alyson did not have the force to stab all those cards all the way to 3 of clubs..if you see..there is no hole in the cards.Magnet or adhesive.And he placed the 3 under somehow.

[@willp2003]

@@alexilie3808 yeah the knife did not go that far down.

[@Dodogssaywooforruff]

Saw you live the other day, good stuff. Entertaining. One last thing. Ooga Booga

[@NetAndyCz]

I suspected a metal plate the moment he explained how the trick will work, but then I saw Alyson stab... and it looked more like adhesive/magnetic trick more and the stopping did take place earlier than Penn and Teller thought... great performance and I still wonder how it was done.

[@zzxd7720]

Yeah, I don't think Alyson stab reached the card.

[@kyleleon85]

No magnets.

[@GeorgeValkov]

@@kyleleon85 Think again

[@kyleleon85]

@@GeorgeValkov I know exactly how this trick is done. If you know anything about the Greek alphabet you’ll know about this deck. The initials of the creator of it is M.M.

[@GeorgeValkov]

@@kyleleon85 The knife is magnetic, no idea about the rest. I enjoyed it a lot. I'd need more than initials. The order in the Greek alphabet is actually quite similar to the order in Cyrillic which we use in Bulgaria.

[@kbchef9205]

Great trick Zak!! Congrats on the Win!👏👏👏

[@stevenospam4216]

Bravo, Zak! Thanks for the entertainment!

[@Battshimself]

This is one of the best acts i have seen on this show.. and im pretty sure I have seen them all. Not not overly complex or longwinded. Stunningly simple but seemingly impossible to figure out. I was thinking the same thing as Pen. So happy you fooled us all!