This ZIG ZAG trick by French magic inventor Mickael Chatelain is one of several effects he created based on the classic Zig-Zag Girl illusion.
To the best of my knowledge, the 2008 version, which I am featuring it here was released first as just the name ZIG ZAG.
Then followed by what I called ZIG ZAG 1 (one plate), ZIG ZAG 2 (two plates with binder clips), CRACK, and Trisection.
According to his official website, this cut-and-restored card effect is now labeled ZIG ZAG 1, while the two-plate version is referred to as ZIG ZAG 2.
However, the website does not include the one-plate version, even though a demonstration video of it was performed by Mickael himself.
Anyway, this post, I am sharing with you the version using a card with two round holes to create the zig zag effect.
👉 Read Mini Zag Tenyo Magic Trick Secret Explained
Cut And restored Trick By Mickael Chatelain
I will be sharing with you the ZIG ZAG 1 & 2 trick secret in future posts.
Welcome to another post from Info Ruckus Magic Trick Secrets Revealed series.
Again it is just my speculation how the magic trick works based on viewing the grainy demo video.
As they always say magic trick secrets are meant to be hidden.
Mickael Chatelain ZIG ZAG Trick Routine:
A card is randomly selected and signed by a spectator, then placed on top of the deck.
The performer places a special card with two diagonally aligned circular holes over it.
As this card is slid sideways, the selected card visibly shifts out of alignment, appearing to be cut and clearly seen through the holes.
The card is then slid back into place, instantly restoring it, and may be handed out for inspection.
Watch the ZIG ZAG magic performance:
ZIG ZAG By Mickael Chatelain Trick Secret Explained
After closely observing Mickael Chatelain’s demo video and reviewing two additional clips (link 1 and link 2), I think I know the method behind this cut-and-split card effect.
First, do not focus on the card with two diagonal round holes, as it is simply an ordinary playing card.
For clarity in the explanations, the illustrations use bold black outlines to highlight key areas.
The gimmick card is placed on top of the deck.
At a casual glance, it looks like an ordinary card back, as the fold line running down the center is not easily noticeable.
In reality, one half of the card is a flap that can be folded downward.
Hidden behind this foldable flap is a half-face card of the King of Spades that is attached to the gimmick.
This is the key secret behind the ZIG ZAG card trick created by French magician Mickaël Chatelain.
Because the gimmick uses the King of Spades, the spectator’s selected card must be of the same value.
To create the illusion of a free choice, the performer must use a forcing technique.
A force is a method used in magic to control a spectator’s selection while making it appear completely random.
👉 You can get the free classic book 202 Methods of Forcing by Ted Annemann from Google Search.
Cut-And-Restored Card Trick
Now let’s analyze how Mickael Chatelain performs his own trick with such finesse that the method becomes nearly impossible to detect.
After he picks up the King of Spades at 0:12, he deliberately focuses attention on that card.
This misdirects the viewer away from the top card of the deck, which is the gimmick card with a concealed flap.
Here is the position of both cards:
At 0:15, after placing the King of Spades on the deck, he turns the deck inward, away from the audience.
At 0:17, you can spot his thumb and fingers visibly fidgeting the cards.
This is when he folds the secret flap down onto the King of Spades.
At 0:18, as he turns the deck back toward the audience, he simultaneously places the two-hole card on top.
This single fluid action hides the separation line between the flap and the normal card.
This is actually how it looks like:
At 0:24, he slides the normal card sideways, which is visible through the bottom hole.
The card seen through the top hole is actually the half-card flap.
That’s is how this zig zag effect works.
To finish the effect, at 0:34 he again turns the cards inward.
At 0:35, as he lifts the two-hole card together with the King of Spades, his thumb secretly pushes the flap back into place.
Finally at 0:37, while displaying the ZIG ZAG cards, his ring finger and pinky hold the flap down.
This trick is also marketed as Karate Card by The Magic Gadget Site.
👉 Read all about Zig Zag by Jay Sankey.
Psychology Of Mickael Chatelain ZIG ZAG Trick
The strength of this split and restored magic trick lies in visual dominance and timing.
The bold, high-contrast image of the two diagonal holes draws the audience in and acts as a visual anchor.
Once viewers focus on the holes, they unconsciously assume anything seen through them must be genuine.
Attention management achieves misdirection rather than speed.
Chatelain deliberately pauses on the selected card and maintains eye focus, steering attention away from the deck at critical moments.
This creates a false sense of fairness and transparency.
The sideways motion of the card reinforces the illusion.
The restoration works because the reverse motion mirrors the original action, signaling “undo” at a subconscious level.
Another key factor is continuity.
When the brain sees lateral movement, it interprets it as separation and instantly concludes that the card has been cut.
All actions flow smoothly with no visible breaks, preventing the audience from questioning transitions.
The handling feels natural, so viewers never register a moment where a secret action could occur.
Finally, the effect benefits from expectation bias.
The audience already knows the classic zig-zag illusion, so their mind fills in the method automatically—incorrectly.
This familiarity strengthens the deception and makes the restoration feel even more impossible.
In short, the trick succeeds because it controls where the audience looks, when they look, and what they expect to see.
Sneak Peek: Ultimate Zig-Zag Card By Magic Wagon Secret Revealed
This split-and-restored card trick is based on either Robert Jackson or Fantasio’s Zig-Zag Bill.
Do you want to know how Magic Wagon Zig-Zag card trick is done?
I believe the secret behind this close up card trick, is as follows:
The three split sections of the Ten of Hearts shown in front are actually parts of a different card, not the card behind them.
These three split pieces are already inside the frame, but are blocked from view by the panel pieces.
When the middle window is pulled to one side of the frame, what the audience sees is the front card piece.
👉 Read Tenyo T-118 Side Track zig zag card trick secret revealed.
Magic Wagon Ultimate Zig-Zag Card Trick Exposed
They do not see the card underneath because it bends as it is pushed, hiding it from view.
This bending is what creates the zig-zag effect.
The secret is similar to Tenyo T-142 Lancelot pocket trick, by bending the card.
After the performance, you can notice that the card is slightly curved.
This plastic version prop is made in Vietnam using the same method. Similarly, you can see the bent card at the end of the trick.
👉 Read the full Ultimate Zig Zag Card By Magic Wagon trick secret exposed.