Earlier, I shared with you his first ZIG ZAG trick (2008), which involves a card with two diagonal holes.
Anyway, Mickael’s homepage markets this first version as ZIG ZAG 1.
As far as I know, this second split-and-restored card trick is Chatelain’s second creation, featuring a unique plate with a circular hole in the middle.
Welcome to another post from Info Ruckus Magic Trick Secrets Revealed series.
Mickael Chatelain – ZIG ZAG 1 Routine
The performer first introduces a special thin plate featuring a round hole in the center, along with a row of three smaller holes at both the top and bottom.
A card (Queen of Clubs) is selected, and the special plate is placed on top of it.
Through the central cut-out, part of the card’s face design is clearly visible.
Using his thumb and fingers, the performer gently slides the middle section of the card sideways.
As this happens, only the portion of the face design seen through the center hole moves.
Meanwhile, the face designs visible through the two rows of three smaller holes remain stationary.
This creates the illusion that the card has been cleanly cut into three separate pieces.
The middle strip of the card is then slid back into place beneath the plate.
Finally, the plate is lifted away, revealing that the Queen of Clubs has been mysteriously restored into a single, solid card.
Watch the ZIG ZAG 1 with a special plate.
ZIG ZAG 1 By Mickael Chatelain Trick Secret Exposed
Do not confuse this effect with Mickael Chatelain’s other visually similar creations, such as The HOLE, Hole 2.0, CRACK, or TRISECTION.
While they share thematic elements, the working principles appear to differ.
This close-up effect uses only a special plate with holes and a single playing card.
What follows is my speculation on how the cut-and-restored illusion is accomplished.
First, the plate itself appears to be completely ungimmicked.
It functions purely as a visual framing device, controlling what the audience can and cannot see.
If you watch the performance carefully, you will notice that Mickael Chatelain never shows the back of the Queen of Clubs at any point during the routine.
This strongly suggests that the secret lies entirely in the card, rather than in the plate.
Based on this observation from the demo video, it is reasonable to conclude that the Queen of Clubs is the only gimmicked element in the effect.
As shown in the visual below, the edge of the Queen of Clubs appears noticeably thicker than a normal single card.
That indicates that it is likely composed of more than one card layer.
This thickness supports the idea that the card is a double-card gimmick with a secret compartment.
Hidden inside is a portion of the face design piece to move independently, while the rest of the card remains stationary behind the plate.
ZIG ZAG 1 Gimmicked Card Explained
The Queen of Clubs used in this routine is a gimmicked double-card construction.
But the moving back piece is not physically attached to the cut-out section of the front card.
The front Queen of Clubs is a specially prepared card with a definite cut-out hole in the middle.
This cut-out window follows the natural lines of the face design, so the edges of the opening are well camouflaged and difficult to detect during performance.
How do I know there is this concealed hole?
When he brings the Queen of Clubs card near to the camera at 0:26, I notice the cut-out outlines on the card face.
Shown here are two close-up views of the card face design, highlighting the cut line.
In short, the front card genuinely contains a hole through its center.
Between this card is a short card piece, also bearing the Queen of Clubs face design, as seen below.
This hidden card piece positioned directly behind the face of the card.
Only the portion of its design that corresponds to the missing middle section of the front card.
In short, it acts as a false middle section, visually completing the front card.
This is the card piece that moves out from the plate, while the actual card is still behind it.
The illusion of a solid card is created solely by the back card’s face design, which is perfectly aligned behind the opening.
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JUMBO Zig Zag Card Trick
Among the many other card tricks that used this method include the Jumbo Zig Zag Card.
Here you can see the cutline across the face of the large Queen of Hearts card.
Likewise you can see the two cut-lines across this version called Zig Zag Card Giant.
How The Cut And Restored Illusion Is Created
When the performer slides the back card sideways:
The visible design behind the central hole moves with it
This creates the impression that the middle section of the Queen of Clubs itself is sliding out
Meanwhile, the top and bottom portions of the front card remain stationary.
Because the plate restricts the viewing area:
The large central hole reveals only the moving false section
The two rows of smaller holes reveal portions of the stationary front card
This contrast convinces the audience that the card has been cleanly divided into three independent sections.
Even though the front card never changes position.
From the video at 0:41, using his left thumb and index finger, he draws out both the concealed card piece and the movable cut-out section of the Queen of Clubs.
Under the pretext of slowly revealing the magical splitting effect, he gingerly pulls the pieces outward.
Restoration
When the back card is slid back into alignment, its face design once again fills the hole in the front card perfectly.
Upon removing the plate, the Queen of Clubs appears fully restored, despite the fact that the front card still contains a hidden cut-out.
From the video, to conclude the trick at 0:49, he slowly pushes the card back into place.
Once the cards return to their original positions, at 0:53 his left thumb rubs downward along the edge of the plate to ensure the concealed card piece is fully hidden again.
This is my speculation how Mickael Chatelain‘s ZIG ZAG 1 trick is done.
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Mickaeal Chatelain ZIG ZAG 2
The ZIG ZAG 2 uses two plates that are supported by binder clips.
I am not certain about the method of this trick, even though he does show the back of the card.
It is because the demo video has been edited.
There is a flash effect edit just before he turns the back card to the camera at 0:38.
I am very sure the secret in the card just like ZIG ZAG 1.
It is because at 0:59 he has to make a quick switch to another Queen of Hearts card (from the bottom of the deck).
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The Psychology Behind ZIG ZAG 1
The strength of ZIG ZAG 1 lies in how it directs the spectator’s perception rather than relying on overt movement or flashy handling.
The cut-and-restored trick exploits several key psychological principles.
First, visual framing plays a major role.
The plate acts as a rigid frame that defines what the audience believes is possible.
Once the performer introduces the plate, spectators subconsciously accept it as a passive object rather than something that can secretly alter their perception.
Second, the effect uses selective attention.
The audience focuses on the central round hole because it shows the most dramatic motion.
When the middle section appears to slide, the eye naturally follows that movement.
While the stationary designs visible through the smaller holes reinforce the illusion that the card itself is splitting into separate sections.
Third, consistency bias strengthens the deception.
Because the face design appears unchanged through the smaller holes, the brain assumes the entire card must be intact except for the moved section.
The audience’s mind fills in the gaps and concludes—incorrectly—that the card has been cleanly divided.
Finally, the restoration phase leverages closure and expectation.
After the performer returns the middle section and removes the plate, the audience expects to see damage or separation.
Revealing a fully restored card contradicts that expectation, producing a strong moment of surprise and impossibility.
Overall, ZIG ZAG 1 by Mickael Chatelain succeeds because it lets the spectator’s own perception do the work.
It guides the eye, reinforces assumptions, and allows the brain to reach the wrong conclusion with confidence.
Sneak Peek: Demi Deck Trick Secret Revealed
Demi Deck by Angelo Carbone miniaturizes the classic “sawing a person in half” illusion.
How does Demi Deck trick work?
I think it uses a built-in compartment that holds the deck of cards, as illustrated below.
When the blade is slotted into the case, it pushes this hidden compartment downward.
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