Bookmark this page to find out the next stop on Mark’s lecture tour.

WINNER! of the 2014 Beam’s Baton award for Best Magical Creation presented at the Carolina Close-Up Convention

H&R MAGIC BOOKS NAMES “Mark My Words/793.8/Markipedia” lecture note compilation among its “Top 10 books” of 2014. 

Welcome, fellow magicians

This is your first site for instant availability to lecture information as well as opportunities for lecture notes and products from Mark Zacharia.

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My latest lecture, “Markipedia,”  features my latest effects, “5-Card Monte,” “Night at the Museum” and “Crash & Burn”, an effect that combines the whimsy of a story deck with the audience involvement of a signed-card -location effect.

Thank you, Scott Robinson, for having me as one of the headliners at the 2014 TRICS Carolina-Close-Up Convention: receiving “Beam’s Baton” for Best Magic Trick Presented is an honor.  H&R Magic Books bought out all my remaining lecture notes on the spot, placed an order for more, and has already put in a bid for my next, as-yet unpublished, set of notes.

Thank you, John Luka, for having me as one of the headliners at the 16th Annual Motor City Close-Up Convention to present my “Markipedia” lecture as well as to perform.

Thank you, Diamon’ds Magic in Peabody, MA, SAM 77 Long Island Mystics, IBM Ring 123, Marc DeSouza, SAM Ring 161, Delaware Knights of Magic and the Wizardz Theater, for hosting my most recent lectures.

• Now Available!  “Mark My Words: Lecture Notes from a Working Professional” (Anniversary Lambada, Sobriety Test, Fast Food, Gone-Gone-Going, Spectator Cuts to the Aces, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, “Hand” Ping Chien)
• Now Available! “793.8, or, a Library of Practical Magic Lecture Notes” (ACAAN, Frequent Traveler, Shake-Rattle-Predict, International Exchange, You Have My Full Attention Sponge Balls, Thanks for Coming–the perfect restaurant or corporate effect, International Coin Exchange, Factory Seconds–a Mental Photography without the rough and smooth, Your Favorite Magician–my copper/silver routine)
• Now Available! “Markipedia: 21st century magic” (Night at the Museum, Ouija, Never Odd or Even, Small but Sharpie, No Change, Lepre-Con, Smooth Triumph, Chicago Open and Shut, 4 “Wow” gimmick effects)
• COMING SOON! “Truth in the Pleasant Disguise of Illusion” (featuring 5-Card Monte, Order out of Chaos, Going Somewhere?, License to Amaze, Walkaround Book Test, Music to My Ears, and 4 new “Wow” gimmick effects)

Professor Hitt emailed me after my recent lecture for the Delaware Knights of Magic, for whom I presented my newest lecture, “Markipedia,” and this is what he had to say: Hello Mark, After your lecture,7 of the guys went out to grab a bite to eat, and they shared a lot of great comments about you & your style of magic. It also showed your love of performing… Thank you Mark for a great knight of magic . Sincerely Al

I will be bringing my latest lecture, “Markipedia”, to Denny & Lee’s magic shop in August 2015.

Read what others who have purchased notes and products have to say

‘Your version of the Anniversary Waltz [“Anniversary Lambada”] is fabulous … it is too good!’–Doc Eason

‘The best version of “Anniversary Waltz” is by Mark Zacharia in his lecture notes.’–Paul Hallas

“I used to perform a very different approach to ‘Anniversary’ … your routine is absolutely great and I will be using your improvement from now on. You truly are one of those people who really love magic.”–Alexander de Cova.

‘Mark My Words is filled with proven ideas from an experienced worker and as such deserves your serious consideration.’–Jim Sisti

“Mark’s lecture clearly reflects the years of experience he’s had performing close-up magic at restaurants. You’ll learn some great magic and get great advice from a pro.” –Kostya Kimlat

“Mark Zacharia’s lecture offers some of the best advice to approaching presenting magic as a close-up magician as you are going to find.”–Garrett Thomas

‘The notes I ordered showed up today. I watched as far as “Anniversary Lambada” and then stopped. There was no reason to go any further since I already had received far more value than the $20 I paid.’–Robert T.

‘In particular your work on the “Anniversary Lambada” is excellent. I also like the “Sobriety Test” opener … It would be great for magicians who are looking for an appropriate lead-in when first approaching tables in a restaurant. From past experience, this is not always easy and your “Sobriety Test” is a fun way of getting people immediately involved. I’m very keen to make up “Gone Gone Going.” I think often when you bring out cards in a close-up situation, you get that “not another card trick” look from people; “Gone, Gone, Going” is another great idea to get diners on your side at the start of your restaurant act. The magic in the notes is entertaining, friendly and fun. I also like the extra comments you make, such as, “Nate Leipzig was right.” You obviously know your stuff.’–Mike E.

‘I enjoy it all. Your “Anniversary Lambaba” is  easy and very straightforward.’–Chip K.

A.J. Polizzi from Bloomfield, MI just took receipt of my “Mark My Words” lecture notes, my “793.8: A Library of Practical Magic” lecture notes, my effects “Night at the Museum” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” and immediately contacted me to say, “I’ve been reading your lecture notes…they’re GREAT!!”

‘I had the pleasure of attending a lecture from Mark Zacharia last night at the Delaware Knights of Magic. What I particularly enjoyed about the lecture was not only his focus on effects that play well in restaurants, but the thinking that goes into the presentation of each.  From, ‘What do you say as you approach a table’ to ‘what’s the first effect you do to engage as many at the table as you can,’ to the blocking of individual effects … Mark’s obviously given a great deal of thought to his craft, and it shows.’–Steve Friedberg

‘It was truly a pleasure meeting you at the Motor City Close-Up conference. Your performance was exquisitely scripted and choreographed; I admire the way you expertly involved the audience and made them feel part of the enjoyable show.’–Suresh Seshan

Mark Eric Ginther writes: ‘Mark was great at the Motor City Close-Up Convention. Thoroughly professional, creative, and friendly. Catch him performing and/or lecturing if you get the opportunity.’

‘Love the two sets of notes I just received from you [“Markipedia” and “793.8: A Library of Practical Magic”] … can I get “Mark My Words” from you now?’–Joel K.

My “5-Card Monte”, an ungaffed Wild Card effect, is endorsed by Alexander de Cova and is getting terrific reviews from attendees at my “Markipedia” lecture.

‘I first would like to thank you for a great lecture at Marc DeSouza’s house last night …. I’ve seen practically 60 lectures at Marc’s house alone and … your lecture for me was possibly one of the most useful lectures I ever attended. You offered real world, everyday magic for the average guy. As far as your effects that I purchased, I would also like to add that you offer great value.  It’s apparent that it’s a labor of love, since every card is hand drawn or hand written.  Thank you for making the experience affordable to beginners like me.  5-Card Monte is becoming one of my favorite “packet tricks”.  I like the fact I don’t have to have a shirt pocket like  Garret Thomas’s version ( because often I don’t have a shirt with a pocket) and the cards CAN be examined, unlike any other packet trick I carry.’–Stephan Sloan

‘Mark delivered a strong lecture the other night for magicians. He has audience tested material that he has worked in the real world. One of the many tips he gave was an “insurance” technique to avoid having the ‘wrong’ deck in play at the wrong time.’–Frank Kennedy III

‘Thanks again for giving a wonderful lecture.  I really enjoyed your performance style and your insights on performing were really useful.  [Your] “Sobriety Test” plays as well as you could possibly hope for.  It got a lot of laughs and there was never the suspicion of a [gimmick].’–Philip La Porta

Read what others who have purchased “The Voodoo that You Do” have to say!

‘Mark has taken some very powerful subtleties and has melded them together to create this effect.  I knew this was a winner when he demonstrated it for me at a magic convention and I’m very happy to see that it’s finally available for other performers to use.’–Jim Sisti, editor of The Magic Menu

‘This is a great little effect! It is just as advertised. Simple, easy and effective. It is learned quickly, carried easily, has an interesting story line and plays very well. My audiences have enjoyed it very much. It is a keeper!’–Al Tokarsky, Bellbrook, OH

‘I purchased “The Voodoo that You Do” recently and am very pleased. The routining and handling were obviously very well thought out and are shared in a clear and easy-to-understand fashion. Thanks for this one.’–Donavon Powell, Battle Mountain, NV

A “magician’s magician,” Mark Zacharia regularly earns a coveted invitation to Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic (the original close-up magic convention).  Ask any professional magician and they’ll tell you how prestigious this is.

In his review of the 2008 workshops conducted by magicians for other magicians at Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic, Linking Ring contributor Robin Dawes writes, “Friday morning brought us [a] workshop … the theme of which was ‘Stunning Openers’ … For me, the [two] highlights of the [4F] workshop [included] Mark Zacharia’s tres amusant ‘Sobriety Test.'”–Robin Dawes (vol. 88, no. 7 July 2008 Linking Ring, p. 51)

In the May 2009 issue of the Linking Ring, Ring 113 reviews Mark’s lecture: “Mark does restaurant and walkaround magic. He showed us his version of ‘Any Card at Any Number,’ which he uses as a closer. Mark also told us how he approached the tables, and the psychology of why he says what he does. Mark covered every question the patron could possibly have in his introduction. Each word was well thought out. Mark then showed us his own Sponge Ball routine, an entertaining one for children and adults. Mark closed the first half with ‘Sobriety Test.’ During the second half of his lecture, Mark treated the crowd to some of his signature effects. First up was the commercial ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,’ which gets the energy level up and the entire crowd cheering together. Next up, Mark did ‘Ouija,’ his newest effect and one that lets the spectator go home with a magical-looking gift. He closed with ‘The Voodoo that You Do.’ Throughout his lecture, Mark talked about his approach to restaurant magic and gave tips and suggestions about how to be the best you can be. If you have a chance to see Mark Zacharia’s lecture, do not pass it up.”

Mark Zacharia was hand-picked by Jim Sisti to be the New Products Reviewer for The Magic Menu, the trade publication for professional close-up performers.

Mark Zacharia is also a contributor to the updated version of the “Blank Phil Deck”.

Looking for something original? Here’s part of what Mark Zacharia has to offer.

NEW!  “5-Card Monte”

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Winner of the 2014 “Beam’s Baton” award for Best Magic Creation” presented at the TRICS Convention.  Completely rethinking the way Wild Card is done, you can now cleanly show both sides of every card you lay down.  The spectator sees four red 5s and one Joker.  These are turned face down and slowly slid around–no tossing motions.  Even though the spectator finds what appears to be the lone Joker, when all the cards are turned back face up now there are four Jokers and only one red 5.  Everything can be examined.  Comes with everything you need.  Only $10 plus shipping.

NEW!  “Night at the Museum”

Putting a new face on a standard magician’s give-away, you offer to test to see if your spectator is a world-class liar by seeing if she can spot which of a collection of paintings is, in fact, the counterfeit one.  You lay out almost a dozen full-color images of paintings such as the  Mona Lisa, The Last Supper and Dogs Playing Poker (!) and give the spectator a 100% free choice of which image she believes is the counterfeit.  After a lot of amusing byplay and spectator interaction, you reveal the spectator has, in fact, found the only counterfeit among all the originals.  As a kicker, you let her keep the lie detector.  No sleight of hand; instant reset; comes with memorable souvenirs you can provide to your spectator.  Only $10 plus shipping.

NEW! “Crash & Burn”
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“Crash & Burn” combines the whimsy of a story deck with the audience participation of a spectator’s-signed-card location.  National Champion of Magic winner Marc DeSouza says “Crash & Burn” is “one of the best story deck routines I’ve seen.”  Purchase of this routine entitles you performance rights as well as access to an exclusive facebook closed group on which you can learn variations of the routine, critique others’ handlings, and even post and get critique on your handling.  The intent is to help you make this effect your own.  Routining includes variations for both signed and unsigned revelations.  Above is a video of a recent live performance at the Dickens Parlour Theatre.  Only $10 plus shipping.

“The Voodoo that You Do” and “Deluxe Voodoo that You Do”

You introduce a Voodoo doll wrapped in a black bandana, along with a deck of cards each of which indicates a different location on the body. Spectator selects three cards in the fairest possible manner, and when the SPECTATOR removes the doll from the bandana, it is seen to have a red X on each of the three exact spots the spectator selected! This is one of the strongest effects you will ever do! Includes Voodoo doll, custom-crafted deck of cards, bandana and complete instructions.  In the Autumn 2009 Magic Menu, editor Jim Sisti writes, “Mark has taken some very powerful subtleties and has melded them together to create this effect.  I knew this was a winner when he demonstrated it for me at a magic convention and I’m very happy to see that it’s finally available for other performers to use.”
“The Voodoo that You Do” is only $20 plus shipping.
“Deluxe Voodoo that You Do” includes a second Voodoo doll, so may be repeated with a DIFFERENT outcome! Only $30.

“Ouija”–OUT OF STOCK

Spectator holds a “specialty” card from a deck–similar to a Joker, it is a card with the Ouija Board symbols printed on it, even though its back is the same as the rest of the deck. Spectator 1 selects and signs another card, which Spectator 2 will attempt to divine by using the Ouija card. After a failed attempt, the spectators come to realize that on the back of the Ouija card–which has been in sight the whole time–is Spectator 1’s signed card! All can be examined and you leave the card as a souvenir. Comes with 10 souvenir cards that you can give away. $10 plus shipping.

Mark Zacharia performing his card effect, “Ouija,” at the prestigious Fechter’s close-up convention.

“Factory Seconds “–OUT OF STOCK
A blank deck of cards mysteriously develops first faces, and then backs. As a kicker, the deck reverts back to being blank again! (This is all the magic of the “Mental Photography” deck without the unavoidable problems associated with a rough/smooth deck! No more troublesome flashes.) Includes beginner and advanced handlings, photo-illustrated 11-page manuscript and custom-crafted deck. $29.95 plus shipping.
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“Five Minutes with a Nickel” (and Worth Every Penny!)
Includes two routines and a Spiked Nickel gaff. Packaged with a FREE Bonus! “Herculean Penny.” Includes routine and gaff. $2 plus shipping.

“Siamese Card “
Includes “Shake, Rattle, Predict!” routine and a gaff printed on Bicycle Brand stock. Performer predicts card selection made from cards shuffled randomly by spectator. Packaged with a FREE Bonus routine,”About Face”! Here, a spectator’s card instantly reverses itself in the deck. Easy to do! Includes routines and gaff. $5 plus shipping.

“Yin-Yang Cards”
Imagine having two selected cards reverse themselves one at a time for back-to-back revelations! Includes FREE Bonus Two-Card Monte routine. Includes routines and gaffs. $5 plus shipping.

And in “Mark My Words: Lecture Notes from a Working Professional”:

“Anniversary Lambada”
Mark’s take on the classic Anniversary Waltz is so good that Doc Eason himself said, “Your version of the Waltz is fabulous … it is too good! I don’t know if the masses even know how good it is!” Imagine performing this classic effect, but completely in the hands! Now, no table is necessary! Works with gaffs suplied in “Yin-Yang Cards,” above. $20 plus shipping.

“Gone, Gone, Going”
The effect with which Mark opened his performance at 4F. It got audible gasps from an audience of his peers! Imagine introducing a deck of cards still in its cellophane case, the seal still intact. In an instant, the box vanishes off the deck, leaving only loose cards in your hands! The box is seen to have jumped to your jacket pocket. In the next instant, the deck has now vanished! Finally, the box, still in plain sight, is seen to have shrunk down to a third of its original size with NO VISIBLE MEANS! You can even open the newly shrunken box and remove a miniature deck of cards! This really fools ’em. $20 plus shipping.  OUT OF STOCK.

“Fast Food”
Here, you have a card freely selected and then lost into the center of the deck. The spectators examine the two Jokers, which you insert face up into two widely separated parts of the deck. The deck is spread to demonstrate that the Jokers are, in fact, perhaps 25 cards or more apart. With the deck squared, a spectator waves his hand over the deck and, without so much as a move, you spread the deck to reveal the Jokers have joined in the middle of the deck, creating an “instant sandwich” (get it? fast food?!) around one face-down card, which turns out to be their selected card. No gaffs; everything can be inspected before and after the effect. $10 plus shipping.

“Sobriety Test”
This is a quick bit of fun that can get everybody at the table involved. Magician quips that he wants to be sure the spectator can observe what he’s doing, so he offers to administer a little sobriety test. Magician gives four face-up cards to spectator (or several spectators, if desired), and even takes four face-up cards himself. Magician demonstrates simple-to-understand instructions with the cards, but no one seems to be able to follow them! Despite the fairness of the do-as-I-do example, the spectators always seem to mix up the cards! Very funny and easy to do. Works with gaffs supplied in “Siamese Card,” above. $10 plus shipping.

“Spectator Cuts to the Aces a la Zacharia”
Mark’s take on a classic effect wherein the spectator finds the Aces in a shuffled pack. $10 plus shipping.

“Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”

This sells out at every lecture and convention at which I present it.  You explain you are authorized to provide a cash prize to the spectator who thinks of the “right” card. You put your envelope with a check inside it down on the table and in sight. The spectator names the card he is thinking of and you remove it from the deck, leaving it in his hands. You turn over the deck to reveal that every card has a DIFFERENT DOLLAR AMOUNT written on the back. There are large amounts, small amounts, funny amounts, gags, but EVERY AMOUNT IS DIFFERENT. When he turns over his card, he sees it has a buffalo printed on the back, along with a big 5-cent symbol. “Aw,” you say, “you didn’t win the million dollars, but don’t feel bad, you do get this,” and you take the envelope and shake from it a wooden nickel (on the back of which, of course, you can put your contact information!). It’s funny, it’s sure-fire, and it leaves them with a souvenir of your performance! This impressed Obie O’Brien so much he had a write-up of it marketed with my permission! Another great one for the restaurants or just for friends. No rough-smooth; no sleight of hand. The deck does the work for you and it resets instantly. $15 plus shipping.

“‘Hand’ Ping Chien”
A classic coins-across, but on the spectator’s palm. $10 plus shipping.

“Want to score a little pot?”
This is a very funny sight gag! Mark is a big fan of the pun and this is a surprise play on words that guarantees a BIG laugh! $2 plus shipping.

“Two-Card Monte”
This custom-printed set of Bicycle Brand playing cards and video tutorial are available exclusively from magician Mark Zacharia.  $10 plus shipping.
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Lecture notes available for $20 apiece plus shipping. Buy two sets of notes for only $35! Buy all three sets of lecture notes at once for only $45 plus shipping!