Verbal Magic by Juan Tamariz
Verbal Magic by Juan Tamariz
Couldn't load pickup availability
The best interactive magic book of all time is back in print, and it's never been more valuable. Perfect for everything from live shows to Zoom.
Full Description
When it happens in their hands -
It's an old adage of conjuring: The strongest magic happens in the hands of the audience.
A lesser-known corollary to this is: The more that happens there, the stronger the magic.
So what if it all happened in their hands?
What if the magician wasn't even in the room?
What if only his voice were guiding them...
From the radio - or the television - or from far away?
- and the magic happened while they did everything!
That is what Spain's greatest magician, Juan Tamariz, asked himself. And from this question sprang a body of magic that has astonished vast audiences in Spain and Latin America when performed on radio and television, on stage and close up. It is magic that has fooled both the public and master magicians.
Using only a few playing cards, pieces of paper and other common objects as props, audiences are led through a variety of entertaining processes that lead to their utter amazement. Through clever principles, old and new, combined with cunning psychology and ground-breaking strategies, Juan Tamariz makes magic happen in everyone's hands. He fools people into amazing themselves! Further, as you follow the radio transcripts in these pages, he will fool you, too.
So open this book and join the amazed. Then share the amazement and fun with your audiences, whether they are listening to the radio, watching television or in the room with you.
Follow along as Juan Tamariz tells you to take a few red and black cards from a deck and mix the colors in ways random, chaotic and independently determined. Yet, when you are finished, the colors magically separate! That's right, you perform Oil and Water for yourself and have no idea how it happened - just as thousands of people have done while listening to Juan Tamariz over the radio, on television and in live audiences.
People freely choose a card, lose it in a packet, mix the cards thoroughly, and then magically discover their own selections-without knowing how they did it. The magic leaves Tamariz's hands and settles in their own!
This book collects over forty such tricks and presentations, all refined and tested through professional performance. Close associate Gema Navarro, under the guidance of Juan Tamariz, has meticulously transcribed presentations from tapes of numerous radio broadcasts. The transcripts are so detailed, they first let the reader fool himself, and then give him the information necessary to entertain and astonish his audiences, and the tools to devise many other effects that happen entirely in their hands and heads.
Scattered in the literature of magic is a scant number of participation effects suitable for performance on radio and television; and those tricks are sought and coveted by professionals. In Verbal Magic Juan Tamariz reveals the largest body of such magic ever offered, while taking it in new directions and teaching new principles with wide-reaching possibilities for further application. He also shows that this type of magic is just as astonishing when performed close up and for theater audiences. As a final bonus, Verbal Magic provides the largest record yet, for non-Spanish speakers, of what it is like to be part of Tamariz's audience. Here is a long, in-depth look at how a master magician simultaneously entertains and mystifies.
Pages 176 - Deluxe Hardcover.
What You Get
176 Pages
Deluxe Hardcover Book
What the Pros Say
"Juan Tamariz is a master of many aspects of card magic, and one of his unique areas of mastery is the ability to take card routines that rely on simple and often sleight-free methods, that produce effects that are largely intellectual rather than visceral or visual, and yet put them across effectively and make them connect with people. Tamariz developed and refined these skills many years ago when performing a weekly series of magical broadcasts over radio, that involved the spectators in their own homes, using playing cards or other simple materials. "Verbal Magic" is a unique instruction manual for how to makes such material work for remote audiences at a distance -- whether over the radio, in virtual performance, or over the telephone. This is not just a collection of such material, but it is a guide to how to transform such material into actual real-world performance." - Jamy Ian Swiss
"Verbal Magic is a masterful treatise on how to turn mathematical and procedure heavy effects into strong performance magic. These are exactly the kind of effects most of us would have passed right over if we encountered them unadorned in the literature, but see as treasure now that they’ve been given the Tamariz treatment. Over the radio as Juan used them, over the phone if you’d like, or through the internet—if you perform remotely, for people at a distance, this book will be a resource you’ll return to again and again." - Eric Mead
"I am amazed that there are still magicians who don’t own Verbal Magic. Juan Tamariz designed these tricks for radio, and they’re perfect for that, as well as over the telephone. But most importantly, these can be—and should be—done in person, with the spectators doing everything. We all know that magic that happens in the spectators’ hands is the most powerful kind there is. This book is, by definition, full of the most powerful magic there is. A must-have." - John Lovick
"I really love Juan Tamariz' Verbal Magic. I saw most of the tricks live, with Juan, at the radio studio. Not only were the tricks killing everyone in the studio, but the responses from listeners was simply incredible! These are miracles that can be performed by simply listening to the instructions or by watching them virtually. A masterpiece in thinking." - Gaetan Bloom
"I love Verbal Magic. I think today more than ever Verbal Magic is a very important book for magic that defies the limitations of distance. And an important lesson in directing your audience." - Asi Wind
"The power of the mind emerges verbally from Juan Tamariz and controls his spectators into convulsions of amazement." - Richard Kaufman
"Verbal Magic is the solution to how you set yourself apart from other magicians who are performing virtual magic. The book contains a wealth of effects that will allow your audience to perform magic in their own hands as they follow your visual and spoken instructions. Your spectators become an integral part of your magic and isn’t that what magic is supposed to be about?" - Martin Kaplan
"People think I'm an expert on the field of interactive magic but, frankly, it's time to confess... I'm a fraud. EVERYTHING I learned about tricks, procedures, and how to create and present this kind of magic I learned from the master Juan. Verbal Magic is a reference for this type of magic that is so apropiate in these times. And this book is very fun to read as you can do all the tricks while following the instructions and feel the magic yourself. SUPER-RECOMENDED!" - Woody Aragon
"One translation of the word Abracadabra is, "I create as I speak." Juan Tamariz has transformed this from an idea into reality with his book Verbal Magic. It is filled with magical, practical, poetic ideas that can teach you how to make "magic words" a reality." - Michael Weber
"Some years ago, I was lucky enough to sit in an audience when Juan Tamariz performed one of the tricks from Verbal Magic. It was the most electrifying experience I’ve ever felt in a magic show. The whole audience was actively and emotionally involved, having a wonderful time and feeling the mystery, both as a group and individually. The material in Verbal Magic is capable of affecting all kinds of audiences in ways traditional magic rarely attains—remarkable material." - Stephen Minch
More Videos
Quick Links
Contact Us
At Penguin Magic, we believe in real magic—and that starts with real people helping you. Our friendly support team is made up of passionate magicians who understand your needs and are here to help every step of the way.
Whether you're placing your first order or you're a seasoned pro with a tricky question, you're never just a number to us—we’ve got your back!
💬 Talk to a Real Human
Need help? Have a question? Just want to say hi?
Our support team is quick, kind, and genuinely excited to connect with fellow magic lovers.
Email us anytime:
📧 support@penguinmagic.com
We respond fast—usually within one business day or sooner!
☎️ Give Us a Call
We’re always happy to chat magic.
Toll-Free (U.S.): 800-880-2592
International: +1 707-317-6733
Please leave a message with your name, order number (if applicable), and callback number. We’ll return your call within 24 business hours.
🕒 Hours of Availability
Our team is based in California and available:
Monday – Friday
🕗 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Pacific Time)
📦 Mailing Address
For returns, mail orders, or fan mail:
Penguin Magic
3299 Monier Circle, Unit A
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
United States
🪄 We're Here For You
No bots. No scripts. Just real people who love magic as much as you do.
Got a question? A shipping hiccup? A product suggestion? We’d love to hear from you.
Reach out—we’re always happy to help. 💙
Want to partner with Penguin Magic?
Partnering with Penguin Magic offers creators a unique opportunity to showcase their magic tricks on one of the world's largest magic platforms. By joining the Penguin Partner Program, you can:
- Earn Generous Royalties: Receive a 50% royalty for exclusive products, with Penguin handling order fulfillment, credit card processing, and shipping.
- Engage Directly with Customers: Utilize a private FAQ section to interact with your audience, answer questions, and provide updates or improvements to your products.
- Monitor Real-Time Sales: Access daily sales tracking tools to evaluate the impact of your marketing efforts and understand customer feedback through reviews.
- Benefit from Free Order Fulfillment: Avoid additional fees as Penguin manages the storage and shipping of your products from their California warehouse.
To become a partner, sign up for a partner account and email partner@penguinmagic.com to express your interest. Your submission will be reviewed by Penguin's team to ensure it aligns with their quality standards and community ethics.
For more details, visit the Penguin Partner Program page.
About Us
Welcome to Penguin Magic – Where Magic Begins.
At Penguin Magic, we believe in the power of wonder. Since 2002, we’ve been on a mission to inspire, teach, and connect magicians around the world—whether you're a seasoned professional or just picking up your first deck of cards.
We’re more than just a magic shop. We're a global community of creators, performers, and dreamers who share a passion for the art of astonishment. From exclusive, cutting-edge tricks to timeless classics, we curate the best magic in the world—and make it accessible to everyone.
What We Do
- Unmatched Selection: Our massive online catalog features thousands of tricks, props, and accessories—meticulously selected by magicians, for magicians.
- Exclusive Content: We produce high-quality tutorials and performances with some of the biggest names in magic. Only at Penguin will you find original, mind-blowing effects you won’t see anywhere else.
- Community & Support: We're proud to support one of the most active and welcoming communities of magicians online. Need help or advice? Our team is here for you every step of the way.
Why Penguin?
Because we love magic. Every member of our team is a magician, and that passion drives everything we do—from hand-packing your order to filming the next blockbuster tutorial. We’re committed to helping you grow your skills, build your act, and perform with confidence.
Whether you're performing on stage, up close, or online, Penguin Magic is your partner in magic.
Thank you for letting us be part of your journey.
Stay magical,
The Penguin Magic Team 🐧✨
Return Policy
At Penguin Magic, your satisfaction is our top priority. We want you to feel confident with every purchase. While magic is full of surprises, your order shouldn’t be one of them.
🧾 General Return Guidelines
Because of the secretive nature of magic, many items are non-returnable once opened. However, we’ll always do our best to make things right.
Here’s how our return policy works:
- Unopened Physical Products: You may return new, unused, and unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund or store credit.
- Defective or Damaged Items: If a product arrives damaged or doesn’t work as expected, we’ll replace it or refund you—no hassle.
- Digital Downloads: All instant downloads, streaming videos, and digital content are non-refundable once purchased.
- Opened Tricks or Props: Due to the exposure of magical methods, we cannot accept returns on opened or used magic effects (unless defective).
📦 How to Start a Return
1. Contact our support team at support@penguinmagic.com with:
- Your order number
- A brief explanation of the issue
- Photos if there’s damage or a defect
2. We’ll respond within 1 business day to help you out.
3. If approved, we’ll provide return instructions. Once we receive the item, we’ll process your refund or store credit within 3–5 business days.
❗Important Notes
- Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer unless the item was defective or sent in error.
- All refunds are issued to the original payment method or as store credit.
- Items marked Final Sale or Non-Returnable cannot be returned.
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help. Email us at support@penguinmagic.com — our customer happiness team is standing by.
🪄 Thanks for shopping with Penguin Magic. We appreciate your trust—and we’ll always work to make your experience magical.
Shipping Options
At Penguin Magic, we're committed to delivering your magical products promptly and reliably. Below is our comprehensive shipping policy to guide you through our shipping processes.
📦 Order Processing & Fulfillment
- Same-Day Shipping: Orders placed before 4 PM Eastern Time (1 PM Pacific), Monday through Friday, are typically shipped the same day. Orders placed after this cutoff will ship the next business day.
- Shipping Origin: All orders are shipped from our warehouse located in Rancho Cordova, California.
US Domestic Shipping (U.S. Orders)
- Free Standard Shipping: We offer free standard shipping on all orders over $100. For orders under $100, a $5 flat-rate shipping fee applies.
-
Shipping Methods: Depending on the weight and destination, we utilize the following carriers:
- USPS: First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Media Mail, Parcel Select Ground
- FedEx: Ground, Overnight, 2-Day
- UPS: Ground, Overnight Saver
- ePacket (for certain items)
Delivery Times:
- USPS First-Class Mail: 2–7 business days
- USPS Priority Mail: 1–3 business days
- FedEx Ground: 1–7 business days
- FedEx Overnight: Next business day
- FedEx 2-Day: 2 business days
- UPS Ground: 1–7 business days
- UPS Overnight Saver: Next business day by 3 PM
Note: Delivery times are estimates and may vary based on location and carrier.
🌍 International Shipping
- Flat-Rate Shipping: For international orders, a $10 flat-rate shipping fee applies.
-
Shipping Methods:
- FedEx International: 2–6 business days with tracking
- FedEx Connect Plus: 4–8 business days with tracking
- ePacket: 2–6 weeks (tracking availability varies)
- UPS Mail Innovations: 2–6 weeks (tracking availability varies)
Note: Delivery times are estimates and may vary based on destination and customs processing.
📌 Important Shipping Information
- Business Days: All shipping timeframes are based on normal business days (Monday–Friday).
- PO Boxes: FedEx and UPS cannot deliver to PO Boxes. Please provide a physical address for these shipping methods.
- Customs & Duties: International shipments require a Customs Declaration Form detailing the contents and value. Import duties, taxes, and fees are the responsibility of the customer. In some cases, carriers may pay these fees in advance and bill the recipient an advancement fee. Please research your country's customs procedures before placing an order.
- APO/FPO Addresses: Orders to APO/FPO addresses will be shipped via U.S. Mail.
- Holiday Delays: Please anticipate potential delays during peak holiday seasons.
📦 Tracking Your Order
Once your order ships, you'll receive a confirmation email with tracking information. You can also track your order by logging into your Penguin Magic account.
❓ Need Assistance?
If you have any questions or concerns about your shipment, please contact our Customer Support team:
- Email: support@penguinmagic.com
-
Phone:
- Toll-Free (U.S.): 800-880-2592
- International: +1 707-317-6733
- Please leave a message with your name, order number (if applicable), and callback number. We’ll return your call within 24 business hours.
Thank you for choosing Penguin Magic. We're dedicated to ensuring your magical journey begins with a seamless delivery experience.
Price Match Guarantee
At Penguin Magic, we're committed to offering you the best prices in the magic community. If you find a lower price on an identical item at a reputable magic shop—even during sales or members-only promotions—we'll match it without hesitation.
How It Works
- Place Your Order: Shop as usual on PenguinMagic.com and complete your purchase.
-
Submit Your Price Match Request: Before your order ships, email us at support@penguinmagic.com with:
- Your order number
- A link or copy of the competitor's promotion or sale flyer
- Relax and Enjoy: We'll review your request promptly and adjust your order accordingly.
Important Details
- Timing: Price match requests must be made after placing your order but before it ships
- Eligible Competitors: We match prices from reputable magic shops.
-
Exclusions:
- No additional discounts can be applied with a price match.
- If the competitor doesn't offer free shipping and you've chosen free shipping with us, we'll deduct our shipping cost from the price match amount.
- We cannot match generic products without a brand name, as quality and pricing can vary significantly.
Example
If you find an item for $12 less at another shop, and our shipping cost is $3.42:
- With Free Shipping: You'll receive a refund of $8.58.
- If You Paid for Shipping: You'll receive the full $12 refund.
Our shipping costs are based on actual rates from the courier, with no added fees.
Questions?
We're here to help! Contact us at support@penguinmagic.com or call us at 800-880-2592 (International: +1 707-317-6733).
Shop with confidence knowing you're getting the best deal at Penguin Magic!