5 Card Opener

“The opening of any act is a tough choice for most performers. How do you get their attention, how do you hold their attention, how do you amaze and entertain them all at the same time? The 5 Card Opener is my answer all these questions and a whole lot more.” - Bill Abbott

What is the Five Card Opener?

The Five card Opener re-invents the classic five/six card repeat with a completely fresh approach featuring three sequences that build with a definitive climax that is a big surprise. It has been Bill’s opener for many years and it’s in all of his shows. Corporate shows, family shows, college shows, etc. The Five Card Opener is a whole new way to make your show fun! AND it can play for audiences from 10-10,000. 

The “Real” Secret

The BEST part about the 5 Card Opener is that you will have the audience screaming, yelling and at the edge of their seats in the first 2 minutes of your show. Guaranteed! And the 5 Card Opener isn’t just an opener—it’s an audience conditioner. It trains your crowd to react, making applause feel natural, easy, and fun.

It’s also a built-in call back. A verbal trigger that gets a response every time you use it, shaping the energy of your entire show. And it’s fully customizable—have them shout a corporate slogan, school cheer, company name, even a birthday shoutout.

Simple To Do & Gets Reactions

Performing this off the top of your show will guarantee you will not have any mediocre reactions to any of your tricks - because you’re giving them an outlet to respond in a BIG way. And they will. Even the most jaded ones.

Bill has had corporate audiences (almost asleep after a cocktail hour, two hour dinner and then awards and speeches before his show) up and cheering in the first three minutes of his show using The Five Card Opener.

For the working performer you can literally 'drop' this into your show the next day. It plays BIG and VISUAL but packs small and flat in your prop case. And the best part is that it’s so easy to do.

No angle restrictions, no special staging, packs smart, resets in 30 seconds and delivers a BIG impact. Work away from tables and out of your pockets, making an instant connection with your audience. Just pure, practical, magic.

ALL-NEW Michael Ross' 5 Card Closer

Revealed for the first time, Michael Ross’ 5 Card Closer, a genius twist that turns this powerful opener into an even stronger show-stopping finale to your show.

With Michael’s secret spin, your audience could be on their feet in a roaring standing ovation! This isn’t just an opener—it could also be your ultimate closer.

Not Just A Trick

The 5 Card Opener isn’t just a trick—it’s a game-changer. It grabs attention, builds energy, and conditions your audience to react from the very first moment. Don’t leave your show’s success to chance—get the 5 Card Opener and start every performance with unstoppable momentum!

Pro Package Includes:

Handmade gimmicked Bicycle Jumbo Playing Cards: These play big for a theatre yet are deceptive enough for an up close house party.

Portable Pop-Up Hamper: For seamless card drops and a clean stage.

Water-Proof Zip Up Bag: To keep all the props safe, dry between shows and while traveling.

Full Performance Script in PDF form exactly as Bill performs this at every show. (Remember the script is a template to add to, subtract from and get creative with.)

In-Depth Video Tutorial Featuring:

2 LIVE performances of the Five Card Opener. One at the Magic Hideaway and the second in a banquet hall for 300 audience members. Detailed routine handling using the jumbo-sized cards and a second showcasing the script and the handling in unison. Several portable container ideas to use with the routine. The “REAL” secret of the Five Card Opener with decades of insider secrets and all the psychological subtleties to make this routine play as strongly for you as it has for Bill for many years.

Here is what performers are saying about the 5 Card Opener…

“If you use Bill's script it is a VERY solid opening effect. It delivers what he promises. The reactions are EXACTLY as Bill tells you they will be. My audience was screaming and cheering- for my OPENER. Beautiful! Performers looking for a good opening routine will NOT be disappointed with this.” -Jason Wethington

“Bill, you are a genius.  I followed your routine and everyone at the end was yelling, "that's amazing!"  I knew this was great but never thought it would be THAT GREAT.  Thanks!!!!!  Worth every penny and I must say this will be in every show I do. Thanks Bill!” -Mike Storz

“All I can say is brilliant!  A professional routine that's going in both my adult stand up & family show.  Great routine with loads of potential for specific tailoring, including corporate presentations.  I believe this is vastly under priced.  Thanks Bill for sharing this real worker!” -Andy Kean

“This is a true professional piece that you will want to have as your opener as soon as you get it and watch Bills well done and detailed instructional video.  And the best part is this effect is SO SIMPLE!  Truly if you can count up to 9 you will have no problems performing this.”   -Floyd Collins

“The routine is as close to self-working as one can be (can you count cards from one hand to another? That’s it!).  The focus is on the presentation and personality.  It truly is an opener.  Finally a five-card-repeat trick that works! You get your money’s worth here.” -Harry Murphy

"I wish you could have seen the crowd at the end of my show this evening. It takes a trick that I always thought was ho-hum and turns it into something that really gets the crowd unified! Thanks for making this available. It is "AMAZING." -Tim Hannig

“Simply brilliant and not priced high enough!!! I perform weekly in a 1,700 seat theater on a cruise ship. I have the audience chanting my name over and over by the end of The Opener. What a great feeling to have a group of that size screaming your name in unison. Almost as good as sex!!! Thanks Bill!” -Malcom “Puck” Puckering

“The Five Card Opener sets the tone of the entire show and "trains" the audience, and virtually assures you of positive responses throughout your entire act. Therein lies the inestimable value of the Five Card Opener.” -Scott F. Guinn

“I watched your outstanding instructional video late last night. Worked on my own script out loud for about an hour this morning. And I kicked off the general session in front of about 1000 people with the routine. IT KILLED! The 5 card opener got the audience laughing, applauding, reacting. Thanks a million, Bill!" -Adam Christing

“Bill's Five Card Opener routine and thoughtful explanations on the instructional video are PRICELESS! I’ve got (probably) $75,000+ in props in my garage, and I’ll tell you this the one routine I won’t ever leave home without. This is staple in every show I do for young, old and everyone in between!” -Al Jensen

Want to see the perfect addition to the 5 Card Opener?

Check out the 5 Card Box