At just sixteen years old, Liam Abner packed a surprising punch on Penn & Teller: Fool Us—combining his love for magic with a unexpected instrument: the tuba. His routine, where cards emerge from the bell of the tuba in a dramatic burst, left viewers gasping—and magicians scratching their heads. Let’s unpack how this stunning trick likely played out.
The Setup and Performance
Liam begins by involving host Brooke Burke, having her sign a card that ostensibly gets shuffled back into the deck. But, as fans noted, he never truly relinquished control of her selection. Through sleight-of-hand—most likely a double lift—he ensures that Brooke ends up burying a decoy card while her signed card remains in his grasp Reddit.
Next, he introduces the tuba: not just as a prop, but as part of the apparatus. Behind the scenes lurks a cleverly hidden mechanism—a slot inside the tuba, strategically positioned to receive the signed card. Beneath it, in a separate compartment, sits a compressed air tank or a small fan system.
The Grand Reveal
Here’s where the theatrical magic really unfolds. Liam dramatically “stabs” the tuba with his conductor’s wand—precisely where the signed card lies hidden in its slot—then exhales into the instrument. Moments later, cards burst from the bell in visual chaos. The compressed air or fan mechanism triggers the propulsion, sending cards—including Brooke’s signed one—flying in a seemingly impossible eruption Reddit.
Why It Looks So Magical
The brilliance lies in how the method aligns with pure showmanship. Penn praised Liam for his “control”—not just of the cards, but of his performance—including the tuba itself—and nailed the idea of “magical causality” Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH)The Castle Pines Connection. Teller, backstage, echoed that sentiment, calling it “the highest form of magical causality” Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH)The Castle Pines Connection. The trick becomes cinematic: the cause (blowing into the tuba) leads perfectly to the dramatic effect (cards flying out), making the performance feel cartoonish, yet entirely real.
Community Insight
Magic enthusiasts chimed in on Reddit to break down the construction:
“…unique and ending in an amazing sight gag of cards flying out of a tuba. … I think he used a fan, or more likely a small compressed air tank to achieve the effect.”
“He manipulated her card… held onto Brooke’s card… he could ensure that it ended up on top. He then carefully put that top card into the tuba in a special slot… and then placed the remaining groups of cards in another slot above the compressed air tank. …he simply stabs the card in the special slot … blows, and releases the compressed air.” Reddit
The Magic Behind the Magic
Though Penn and Teller weren’t fooled, the trick remains powerful—not by secrecy, but by precision. A clever mechanism, deft card control, and rhythmic performance converged in a moment of pure theatrical magic. Liam turned a musical instrument into a visual punchline, blending ingenuity with youth-inspired showmanship. It’s a reminder that the most unforgettable magic doesn’t just mislead—it mesmerizes.
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