Peter Duffie - Selected Tricks

FAULT FINDINGby Peter Duffie This routine is really a card location masquerading as a Lie Detector. Arrange the pack in alternating colour order - red / black / red / black and so on. WORKING 1. False shuffle and cut the pack a couple of times then place it face down on the table. Invite a spectator to give the pack another couple of complete cuts. Cut the pack at the mid-point (26/26). A guide is that the face card of the upper section will be the same color as the bottom card of the pack. 2. Place both sections face down on the table and ask the spectator to pick up one of the halves and hold it face down in his hands. Pick up the other section in order to demonstrate what will be required. Explain that you will ask him some questions about a card which he will shortly look at and he can lie or tell the truth. Give an example saying; “I will ask you to spell out the suit of your card. You might say Diamonds. In that case you will spell the word D-I-A-M-O-N-D-S dealing off a card at a time onto the table one on top of the other like this....then drop the rest of the deck onto the dealt cards. You will do this in answer to every question I ask.” Make sure he understands before going on. 3. Place your packet aside then turn away. Ask the spectator to give his packet a couple of cuts then to look at and remember the bottom card. He should show this to the rest of the audience. You now ask him the following questions and he will spell the answers, either by lying or being truthful: a) “What is the suit of your card....was it Clubs, Hearts, Spades or Diamonds? Remember you can lie or tell the truth.” b) “Is your card a face or a spot card....Face or Spot?” c) “Is the value High or Low?” d) “Is the value Odd or Even?” e) “Finally, have you been completely truthful?....Yes or No?” 3. Take the packet and casually fan it face up. Immediately look at the top ten cards, that is the ten cards at the rear of the fan. If there is a pair of cards together of the same color then the left card of the pair is the selection. If there is no pair of the same color in the back ten, then move along to your right until you come to the first pair that matches in color. The selected card is the fifth card counting back to the left from this pair. Reveal the card as you see fit. FIRST EXPERIMENT by Peter Duffie A spectator merely thinks of any card in a packet. He then answers a series of questions about his card - colour - suit - etc. In the end he finds himself holding his card. This can be presented as an experiment to check the compatibility a spectator who you choose to assist you. A 14 card arrangement is required - reading from the top: QD-7S-KH-8H-4D-KC-3C-8D-8S-4H-3H-JD-JC-5S-rest of deck. WORKING 1. Jog Shuffle retaining the stack on top. With the deck face down, push off seven cards, without reversing the order, and place them on the table. Push off another seven cards and place these face down beside the first pile. The rest of the deck is discarded. 2. Turn your back as you invite a spectator to pick up either pile - look through the cards and merely think of one. Once he’s done that he places his packet on top of the other pile. 3. Pick up the 14 card pile and carry out the following simple Overhand Run Shuffle (this has to be precise): Pull off the top card then throw the balance on top. Run 4 cards single then throw the balance on top. Run 2 cards single then throw the balance on top. 4. Explain to the spectator that you will try an experiment to see if he’s suitable to assist you with your magic. You will ask him four questions. All he has to do is spell out the answers by dealing one card for each letter into a pile on the table. Give an example, saying, “I may ask you if your card is a SPOT card or a COURT card. If you’re card is a spot card, you will spell S-P-O-T like this, then drop the rest of the cards on top.” Here, you deal 4 cards into a face down pile while spelling the word S-P-O-T, then drop the balance on top of the four dealt cards. Now give him the cards. 5. You will ask the following four questions, and he spells the appropriate word, dropping the balance on top each time: a) "Is your card RED or BLACK?" b) "Is your card a SPOT or a COURT?" c) "Spell the suit - CLUBS, HEARTS, SPADES OR DIAMONDS." d) "Spell the VALUE." (note he spells the value and does not count). Conclude by asking him to remove the top card of the packet and hold it for a moment. Finally say, “This experiment can only succeed with a truly psychic subject. What was your card?” Once he names it, ask him to turn over the card he is holding. This will be his card. Congratulate him on his psychic powers and proceed with your next effect. A trick using his selected is ideal. 3 - SOME by Peter Duffie A matching effect where the spectator does all the work and finishes with Three of a Kind. Inspired by Marty Kane’s Status Quo-2 Principle. Remove any three threesomes, say, 3 Aces, Kings & Tens. Arrange them rotationally as follows: A-K-10-A-K-10-A-K-10. Place this packet on top of the deck. Devise your own presentation for this if you feel you need one. WORKING 1. False shuffle then deal off nine cards - discard the rest of the deck. 2. A spectator gives the packet a few cuts then carries out any number of Deal Mixes, as follows: A spectator deals the packet into two face down piles, then picks up either pile and drops it on top of the other. He repeats this as many times as he wishes. He can also cut between mixes, but that might slow things down too much. Finally he deals the top card face down onto the table as his selection. He is left holding eight cards. 3. He now deals the top four cards into a face down row on the table. He turns the remaining four cards face up then deals these onto the first four to form four pairs - he must deal in the same direction both times. 4. Now turn the selection face up. Look for a matching value among the four face up cards (clue....it will the 3rd pair along), and slide the selection under this pair to form a three card sandwich - the middle card is face down. You might want to ask for a number betwen 1 and 4 thus forcing the 3rd position. Turn the lower cards of the other three pairs face up showing that none match. Finally flip over the face down card to reveal Three of a Kind. . Hold the deck face down and push off sixteen cards. The balance of his packet is placed on the table. The number of cards needn’t be sixteen. then to spread them and remove the middle card. where a spectator manages to separate the colors of the cards with the exception of two selections.but they were pretty good ones!" . As he completes the deal.. The first card will be dealt to spectator B if he deals according to the rules of card play. 3. Ask both spectators to pick up their three cards and hold them face down. If he happens to deal the top card to himself. He looks at this card and remembers it. With two able spectators at hand whom we will refer to as A and B. but sixteen is about right. say. As you remove the two selections. you can use any even quantity. it would be apparent that they are all one colour.AUTO . It is essential that you instruct the spectators clearly so that they don’t turn their cards over. "I think you made a couple of mistakes there. Set the top sixteen cards of the deck in a strict red-black alternating sequence..SPLIT A mysterious double card revelation. again dealing alternately as in a two handed game.he should deal alternately left and right as if in a game. Finally turn over each pile and spread them to reveal that all the blacks are in one pile.never mind. I hope to make this book available in e-format soon. "I told you that you made two mistakes!. simply relabel the spectators B and A. These are the two selections. it’s only a card trick!" Ask each spectator to name the card he looked at. but I can't be sure.. you never touch the cards ! This first appeared in Cards in Principle (1994). Instruct him to deal the complete packet into two piles. If all three cards are seen. keeping them face down. Ask spectator B to give the tabled packet one complete cut then to take the packet into his hands. Now spectator B does exactly the same with his three cards. with two exceptions. WORKING 1.. Tell spectator A to mix his three cards. Meanwhile place the deck aside as it is no longer needed. and the reds in the other. Give these to spectator A and ask him to give the packet a few straight cuts. Ask the spectator to deal two piles of cards with three cards in each . 4. Interestingly. 2. then replaces it between the other two. say. Finally he drops his packet back on top of the tabled balance of the sixteen card packet. carrying out a classic two handed Pass. This will cause the two loaded cards to emerge at the inner end by means of the plunger principal. the left thumb releases two more cards Thus two face down cards have been secretly loaded between the face up Jacks. as soon as this happens. Placing your right thumb on the inner end begin to push the Jacks square with the deck. EFFECT A selected card vanishes from the bottom of the deck and appears between two face up Jacks in the middle. Due to the spread condition the upper Jack enters the deck first. Take the two Jacks and hold them face up with the right hand with the thumb on the face and the fingers below. The tabling of the deck should coincide with the finish of the sentence. Again look the spectator in the eye and say. . Turn the card face down again and apparently deal it onto the table. Turn over the top card and ask the spectator to remember it. Remove the two black Jacks from the deck then hold the deck face down in a dealing position in the left hand. "I'm now going to make this card vanish and appear between the two Jacks. 2. The right hand spreads the Jacks slightly and begins to insert them into the gap held open by the left thumb. When you reach the point where the Jacks have only about half an inch to go. Finally ribbon spread the deck across reveal a face down card trapped between.DIRECTLY BETWEEN by Peter Duffie NOTE! This effect appeared in Obsession (1992). Have the card removed and verified Leave the deck lying as someone is bound to pick it up and look at the bottom card." As you say the word 'vanish' carry out another Classic Pass then immediately drop the deck onto the card which is on the table. With the left thumb riffle down the outer corner of the deck stopping at the centre. The complete Obsession manuscript containing 20 tricks will soon be made available on this site as a free download. WORKING 1. During a squaring action push down on the injogged cards with the right thumb and obtain a little finger break above them. As your right hand is dealing the card open up a break anywhere near the middle of the deck by pulling down with the left little finger and inserting it. lift the right thumb and push them flush. Look the spectator in the eye and ask him if he has a good memory. really executing a Strike Second Deal. WORKING 1.BLACK SEPTEMBER by Peter Duffie A variation on the Brown aka Fulves 'Black Widow' trick. What happens is: When you turn the reds face down you pause to square them .. As you do this you say.. Conclude by turning over the face down card between the tabled Kings to show the complete transposition. 2.” At that. Finally say. Spread to show them.. “Which will be the magic set.” 3.. “You’ll recall I told you that only the Kings have magic powers? I can prove this to be the case because while the Kings passed through one another. Give deck to speck and ask him to remove a red and black Ace. saying. 4. then push off the top 3 and place them on the table in a spread . and then you APPEAR to turn the threesome face down and place them to the bottom of the blacks. turn over the three cards you are holding to reveal the two black Kings now have the red Ace between them.. Then. “The red set goes under the black set. which is taken on top of the right hand cards.” Flip over the next card using the edge of the right hand packet to reveal the other red King. “The red Ace. reds and blacks. Casually replace the right hand cards on the left hand packet. you place the remaining 2 cards SECOND from the bottom using a Pull-Down or Buckle. .. State that ONLY THE KINGS have magic powers. asking. Then state that you will cause one set of cards to magically pass up through the other set of cards. Deck is tossed out the window at this point. The red set has risen through the black set as you said they would. As you turn it over you catch a break below the next card. Now take the top 2 cards as one with your right hand then push off the next card and take it face down (don’t turn it) on top of the face up King. He places the red Ace between the red Kings and the black Ace between the black Kings (all cards are face up). Now pick up the red set and place them face up on top.in doing so you allow the bottom card to fall onto the lower section. Pick up the blacks and hold them face down in dealing position..face up red King / face down card / face up red King.the Aces remained static. Tap the packet then flip over the top card revealing a red King has risen to the top.the reds or the blacks?” Let’s say he names the reds. Remove the four Kings and lay them face up in two pairs. one cuts near the top . Finally flip them over one by one revealing the other three Aces.FU Ace .FD Ace of Spades . To begin arrange the top 5 cards of the deck as follows from the top: FD Ace . Replace the face up section on top (keep it face up).The Christ Force and the Balducci Cut-deeper Force. When the other three cards are turned over they prove to be the other three Aces. This was inspired by a Ace production which I believe was Herb Zarrow's. saying.turn the section over and replace it. Repeat with a third spectator. then place the deck face down on the table. this time asking him to cut deep down near the bottom . Turn to a second spectator and ask him to do the same but he is to cut at the center . Now spread the deck across the table revealing the Ace of Spades face up in the middle. Replace the face up section on top as it is. The deck is spread and one card is found to be reversed . “Make your cut above center. As a result. Spread over all the face up cards and take them momentarily with your right hand as your left thumb deals the first face down card onto the table.this is the Ace of Spades. Remove the Ace and tap the three selections with it.CHRIST MEETS BALDUCCI by Peter Duffie Three spectators each cut the deck . Give the deck a Jog Shuffle retaining the top stock then hold it face down in dealing position. Again remove the first face down card but this time flip the right hand cards face down to finish. Extend your hand towards a spectator and ask him to lift off a portion.turn over the packet and replace it. three cards are selected. Again. 2. . Mime the removal and reversal of a card. spread over all the face up cards and take them momentarily with your right hand as your left thumb deals the first face down card onto the table. This is a very simple application of two well-known principles . 3. WORKING 1.FU Ace = rest of deck FD. 4.one cuts near the middle and one near the bottom. Here both principles are combined in one.FU Indifferent .” Now tell him to turn the packet face up and replace it on the deck. which you pretend to reinsert into the deck. COLOUR POKER CHALLENGE By Peter Duffie You explain that a lot of people do not play card games, especially Poker. Therefore, you have devised a simplistic version of Poker which uses the colours of the cards only. The idea being, the player who gains the most cards of the one colour wins the game. Five of one colour is obviously the best possible hand. You ask a spectator to 'think' of any number from one to ten. This secret number will represent the number of hands he will shortly deal. You give the deck a 'psychic shuffle' then give it to the spectator, who only now announces his secret number. It might be 'eight'. He deals eight hands of five cards. All the hands contain a mixture of reds and blacks, except the spectator's hand, which contains five reds! This trick appeared some years ago in The Budget. NOTE: Thanks to Jim Snapp, the stack for this has now been altered as of 1 Nov 2001. This allows the dealer a choice of ANY number of hands from 1 to 10 (inclusive) rather than 3 to 10. The idea for using the colours of cards in a Poker demonstration was utilised by Lewis Jones in 'Colour Poker' that appeared in his book Shampagne. Lewis devised his effect with non-card players in mind. The idea is good as everyone can follow the effect. The following uses a simple stack which allows the cards to be dealt into any number of hands from one to ten inclusive; in any deal the dealer will receive all of the one colour, and all other hands will be mixed. The dealer will always receive five red cards except when he deals seven hands, when he will receive five blacks. This uses a stack. To set the deck, separate the reds from the blacks, then reassemble them so that the reds occupy the following positions, reading from the top down: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 24, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36, 40, 45, 46, 50, 52. WORKING 1. Introduce the deck and say, "I expect most of you are not regular Poker players. Well, I've got news for you - I have invented the simplest Poker game in the world. All you need to bother about is the colour of the cards, red or black. You deal out a number of hands as normal until there are five cards in each hand. The idea is that the player who has the most of one colour wins. The best possible hand is all five of one colour." Select a spectator as the dealer and ask him to think of any number from one to ten inclusive, but not to tell you as yet. Continue, saying, "As I invented the game, I also devised a way of cheating at it. It's a rather unusual method because it does not require any dexterity. You see, because we are only concerned with colours I am able to use psychic powers to manipulate the cards." 2. Place the deck face down on the table in front of the spectator and ask him to pick it up. Stare at him and pretend to send psychic messages to the deck, then say, "That's it. The deck is now stacked so you will receive the winning hand of all one colour." 3. Tell him to deal the number of hands he had decided upon. Once he had dealt the first round you will know if he is dealing seven hands. If he is, say, "That's good. Stop once every hand has five cards. You will be amazed to see that your hand will be the only one containing five cards all black." If he is dealing any other number of hands, substitute red for black in your patter. All that remains is for you to turn over each hand to show that none is of the one colour. Finally ask the spectator to turn over his hand to conclude. COVERSION by Peter Duffie You cut the deck into two halves. A spectator picks up either and shuffles it. He then selects any card, which is lost back into the packet. This section is replaced on the table. You ask a second spectator to pick up the other half and start dealing it into three piles. At ANY point he can stop the deal - no matter on which pile he dealt the final card. The top card of each pile is turned over and the three values added together. They might total 20. The first spectator counts down to the 20th card in his half and is surprised to find his chosen card! A full deck stack is required and I suggest you grab a deck and set it before reading further. The stack is an expansion of the classic 12/13 or 14/15 Force. Here is a 26 card stack - both halves are set in identical order: X = Court cards and Ten spots. 9-9-A-8-X-2-7-X-3-6-X-4-5-X-5-4-X-6-3-X-7-2-X-8-A-X Set the other 26 cards in identical order. Crimp the bottom card of one section then place this section on top of the other. WORKING 1. Give the deck a few False Cuts then divide it at the exact centre (crimp). Place both halves face down on the table. 2. Invite a spectator to pick up either half and shuffle it. Then ask him to remove any card as his selection. Take the cards from him while he shows the card to the other spectators. As he is doing this push over the top 6 cards and retain a little finger break below them. Ask him to place his card on top of the packet, then cut the cards above the break to the bottom. His card now lies 20th down. There are other ways to get the card there, so feel free to use the method that suits you best. 3. Ask a second spectator to pick up the other half in readiness for dealing. Point out the various values in a deck - Ace = 1 and Court cards = 10. You must ensure that they know the latter. 4. Ask him to deal the cards into 3 face down piles - dealing in the same direction each time. the best way to say this is to ask him to deal as if it were a three-handed game. Allow him to deal a few cards then tell him he can stop the deal at ANY point he wishes. So, he can stop on any pile and does not need to complete the final three-card round. 5. Next reach forward and turn over the top card on each pile and ask the spectator to add together their values. The total will be either 19 or 20. It can be nothing else. Finally ask the first spectator to carefully count off 19 cards - if the total is 19, he turns over the NEXT card. If 20, he turns over the 20th card. Either way, it will be his selection. CROSSFIRE by Peter Duffie A simple matching effect based on Arthur Setterington's "X Marks the Spot" (Abracadabra 2161, 1987). A slightly more elaborate effect will be offered at the end. WORKING 1. Run through and remove five matching pairs of cards, for example, two red Queens, two black Threes, etc. Arrange these cards in a rotational order: A-B-C-D-E-A-B-C-D-E. You can either do this openly (without actually showing the faces of the cards) or you can set it up in advance and push the 10 cards off the deck. Only the 10 cards are used. 2. Give the packet to a spectator and ask him to give it a few straight cuts. Now say, "Let the magic begin, but before that can happen you need to tell the cards." At that, ask him to spell MA-G-I-C dealing a card for each letter into a face down pile on the table, then he drops the remaining cards on top. 3. He now carries out as many Deal Mixes as he wishes. That is, he deals the cards into two hands, as if he were dealing a two-handed game of cards, then drops one hand on top of the other. This can be repeated indefinitely because the packet is in Stay-stack order and this type of mixing procedure contains certain Faro properties. 4. Say, "The sign of the Cross has been significant in human spirituality throughout history and before. It has been a focal point and symbol for many religions. It's purpose is to bring together soul-mates and create peace and happiness. Unfortunately, most religions misused this precious symbol to bring death and persecution to those who dared to express their free-will, and who refused to bow to the man-made dogma of a new religion. Let's see if we can return the Cross to its rightful purpose, the bringing together of soulmates." Ask him to deal a row of 5 cards, followed by a column that crosses the row - both central cards overlap (see illustration). Finally turn over the pair at the center of the Cross to reveal a perfect match - Soul Mates. and the two Aces are his bodyguards. Turn the deck face down and establish a break under the injog . Pause for effect.” At this. you toss the deck from hand to hand and instantly produce the three card sandwich . he names Diamonds. Finally you say. You can utilise the above presentation. then ask a spectator to name any King. Introduce the theme of Elvis as outlined above. This displays Elvis! Now pick up the two Aces and place them face up on top of Elvis. I use a wrist-snap action which makes it appear more sudden. and locate the block of four Kings . 2. slip the desired King to the face of the group and then cut them to the top. Here are the actions you carry out to accompany the patter.he might say Diamonds. under all four Kings.remove the top card (apparently Elvis) and slide it between the other two. I just make the adjustment openly as no-one can see what I’m doing. then slowly turn over the three cards revealing Elvis and his two bodyguards. Reach down and turn over the two Aces leaving them on the table. the top card and the bottom two cards will remain behind. “And when the fans finally got to his dressing room. All you need to do is get the four Kings together anywhere in the deck. 3. simply cut all four Kings to the top (rear).if Diamonds is already at the face of the group. You now perform a Hofzinser-Toss-come-Muller-‘Three-Card-Catch’ as follows: Assuming the deck is in your left hand. When the announcement was made. which represents the auditorium. you flip over all four cards above the break as one (Quadruple Lift). then place the three-card sandwich in the card box.ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING by Peter Duffie You ask a spectator name to name king . they were bitterly disappointed. As you explain what they represent (bodyguards). because all they found was three Elvis impersonators!” The contents of the card box are revealed as the other three Kings! Although created independently while experimenting with the Multiple Lift. the bottom two cards are gripped between the little finger (which holds the break) and the palm of the hand. “It has only recently come to light that Elvis had a secret way of leaving the auditorium without the fans seeing him. You now toss the deck from your left hand into your waiting right hand . Say. or make up your own (check out ‘Inside Job’ for another suggestion). Conclude by revealing the other three Kings inside the card box. Your left thumb presses down on the top card of the deck. then flip all 6 cards face down. . then hold a break above them.that is.Elvis between his two bodyguards. Double Cut the top two cards to the bottom. the basic effect is similar to a previous effect of mine called ‘Inside Job’ (Alternative Card Magic).however. As you are continuing the story. Otherwise. Now run through and toss the two black Aces face down onto the table. You say. Spread through. You cut the KD to the top of the deck and remove the two black Aces. Immediately push over the top three cards . You place Elvis between his bodyguards then pop the sandwich into the card box. You explain that the King will represent Elvis . As you close up the spread downjog the named King which is now 4th from the back. with the faces towards you. WORKING 1.the King of Rock ‘n Roll.’ he really had. ‘Elvis has now left the building. also... but do not draw attention to this fact. saying. flash its face. method-wise. . the injog can later be transformed into the break. WORKING 1..the only stipulation is that he must move progressively downwards from the card you inserted. Finally the packet is squared. black. each consisting of one positive and one negative colour.. "Red. a limited edition manuscript compiled by Gordon Bean in honour of the publication party for The James File. "We have the four Aces who are the time travellers in the pack. A spectator inserts the Aces into the packet at random positions then squares the packet. The top four cards are once again the Aces. Push off the top 4 cards.. the final Ace is flipped face down on top of all. 3. Count them onto the deck. Explain that the red/black pairs represent little pockets of time and space.red. Repeat with the remaining pairs.. Finally turn over the remaining cards a pair at a time showing each to consist of a red and black card. As if to demonstrate. You now turn time backwards. "A red and black. and the remaining cards are as they were . Invite a spectator to push the Aces into the spread at random." and so on. Hold the packet face down in dealing position. Now invite the spectator to do likewise with the remaining three cards . saying. Instead attention is focused on pairs.. Remove the four Aces and place them in a face up pile on the table. Turn the Aces face up and pick up all seven cards above the break. black. If you spread them so the lower card is injogged then drop these on the pile. The overall sequence of these cards (excluding the Aces) should alternate. then insert it 4th from the top.EMIT by Peter Duffie You show a packet of cards arranged in red/black pairs plus four Aces. and set them on the table. END NOTE: The break for the Braue can be set in advance as you initially show the second pair of red/black cards.then cleanly turn over the top 4 cards revealing that the Aces are now on top untouched. without reversing teh order. Next remove about a dozen pairs of red/black cards and form a pile on top of the Aces. Pick up the pile and take it face down into dealing position. check Phil Goldstein's "Straight Raiser" that appeared in Afterlife.pretend to turn the clock back . Talk about going back in time . 4. turn them over." Now push off a pair of cards." then drop these face up on top of the Aces... turn them face up and drop them on the table. so that each card goes below the previous. The packet. The plot is Roy Walton’s ‘Back into Time’ that appeared in The Complete Walton 2. flipping each face down using the Braue Addition. For a related item. last August 2000. 5. The method is the Gilbreath Principle. Show the set up as follows: Push off the four Aces. Push off the four Aces from the top and catch a break under the third card further down (See End Note). pick up the top card of the Ace pile. saying. black.in red/black pairs. is seemingly back as it was. then spread the remaining cards into a line on the table.red. Here is an example of the face up pile from back to front: A-A-A-A-R-B-R-B-R-B-R-B-R-B-R-B-R-B-R-B-R-B-R-B-R-B-R-B 2. ...X .. Alternatively..Rest of deck... saying. retaining the break.. you will insert the Queen two cards to the right of the Ace of Spades... 3. WORKING 1.. and replace the five card stack from the cop position. Drop the right hand section on top and square the deck. This will be a key card and you only need to remember it for a very short time. then pick up the Queen and insert it two card to the right of the first Ace. Cop this packet in your left hand as your right hand takes the deck and gives it to the spectator. removing the upper section.." At this. spread to the end. Finally turn the deck face down executing a Turn-over Pass. Before you begin you need to cull the four Aces with Hearts at the rear and have one random card between the first and second Aces.. That’s why I used the magic Queen because she never fails me. then Double Undercut..... thus: 1 . dealing one card for each letter and forming three separate piles.X . look to the left of the Ace group and you’ll see your key card.... note and remember the 5th card from the face.. belongs to Henry Christ..X . Riffle Force to the break. I believe. "I need the magic Queen for this trick... With your left hand pick up pile 1 as your right hand picks up pile 3. These 5 cards are on top of the deck.. Turn the deck face down and give it a cut and retain a break between the halves.... Before closing the fan. 2 . Say. In this instance.AH . "But first you’d better give the deck a good shuffle.FOURSHADOW by Peter Duffie A spelling effect using a shuffled deck which culminates in the revelation of the four Aces. Turn the deck face up and make a wide fan in your left hand...A ... turn the deck face down.AD .. you should have - X . 2. face up into your left hand.X .... "I’ll demonstrate what I want you to do.. spell Queen of Clubs.A . Let’s use the following order for this description: AH AC . saying." Once he has shuffled the deck take it back.. Hold the deck face up and spread the cards from hand to hand...X .. POSITION CHECK: Reading from the top down.. Spread through and toss out the Queen of Clubs . after which it is replaced..AS (face card of packet).as you begin to spread.." As you are talking.. 4. . Raise the cards slightly so that the faces are not quite visible to your audience.. then close the spread keeping a break above the 5 card stack...QC . The plot..X ..A ... and ask the spectator to look at and remember the top card of the lower section. 3 Q-U-E-E-N . Place this card face up to one side.X .. The selected card is fairly lost in the middle. Obtain a break below this card as you close the fan... O-F .X . C-L-U-B-S Place the deck on the table then flip over the top card revealing the Queen of Clubs. Drop the left hand packet onto pile 2.......... then ask the spectator to turn over the top card of each..... pick up the Queen.." Tap each pile with the Queen... Finally..well.. Invite the spectator to pick up the deck and spell the name of his selected card .. O-F ....... H-E-A-R-T-S Tell him to turn over the top card of the deck and he should be surprised to find his card.... 1 .... saying. then drop the right hand packet on top of all... Pause for effect and act as if the trick is over.... 2 .. the Ace of Hearts...forming three piles as you did..Ace of Hearts . This reveals the other three Aces to match his selection... ... I’ll show you. They won’t expect anything else because the spectator has repeated exactly what you did with the magic Queen....... "I expect you’re wondering exactly why I call this card the "magic" Queen. Pick up the complete packet and drop it on top of the deck.. 5.. 3 A-C-E ......... the audience perceive four piles. "The top card of this pile will tell me something about your card. saying. Force the jack of Spades. and again.at least not yet. The spectator deals four packets of four cards and discards the rest of the deck. Let's say you have the four Jacks on top with Spades at the top. that means that none is your card. turn your left hand completely over (fig. You now finish as follows: a) With the packet in dealing position. The selected card is at the bottom of one of the end piles . "No? Well.. This results in four piles of four cards .are any of these four cards the same value as your card?" They'll say. As he does so. At this stage." 6. so you give the cards a cut to lose it.in fact it may even BE your card. tap it. each with a face up card on top.a Jack at the bottom of each. This wasn't supposed to happen. Then again. .. b) Ask the spectator to name his card.. 7.Spades the top card. You hold the packet. Repeat the above with the three remaining piles. Give the deck to the spectator and ask him to deal four cards into a face down row. obtain a little finger break below the top card. There is a face up card on top.1). WORKING 1. Study the four piles. The packets cleanly are placed together with the four reversed cards still in place.starting with the selection pile so it finishes on top. the true position is the complete opposite! 5.RETURN TO THE GARDEN PATH by Peter Duffie EFFECT A card is selected and returned to the deck. saying. Make any suitable comment about the card now showing. So pick up an end pile. That's not so good. The top card of each packet is turned face up. 2. and the selection falls face up onto the table. no. Now cleanly gather up the piles. but none is the selection... then replace the pile back on the table where it came from. have it returned and controlled back to the top. In fact. Finally you spread the cards revealing that the other three face up cards have changed into the other three mates of the selection giving four-of-a-kind. So you're back where you started with the four Jacks on top . 3.. placing one top of the other . 4. The rest of the deck is now discarded." Buckle the bottom card and flip over the upper three as one.it was the first card dealt. "I'm having problems now. followed by four more on top of the first four. But don't give me any help. Here you lift off the top three cards and place them to the bottom to leave a face down card (selection) on top. The only preparation is to cull any four-of-a-kind to the top of the deck. At this stage it doesn't matter in which order you deal with the piles. "You mean this one?" Casually place the rest of the packet face down beside the face up selection and act as if the trick is over.. spread the packet revealing the other three cards have changed into the other three Jacks. . Finally. as you say." At that. say.2). "You know.At this point loosen your grip on the broken card so it's held very lightly. I still can't figure out why I couldn't deduce your card from the other three reversed cards. Now strike the back of your hand with your right fingers (fig. This causes the selection to drop face up onto the table... Place this four card spread on the table. Devil’s Playthings chapter).turn them face up . “Look. Say. 3. Hold the deck in dealing position with a break under the top card. . As you count them. 4. Watch as they appear instantly back on top. METHOD 1. “Now for the King’s magic.HOFZINSER MEETS ERDNASE by Peter Duffie This is another handling for the well-worn (by me) Hofzinser Ace Problem. The use here of the Erdnase Colour Change has its roots in Roy Walton’s “Mission Accomplished” (Complete Walton.the red Kings should be beneath the blacks with Hearts at the bottom. There are three face up Kings under this card. saying. Spread the top four cards showing three face up Kings with one face down card among them. say. You now appear to cut the face up Kings into the deck . the greatest magicians in a deck of cards. Pick up the Kings .” Pull out the face down card from the fan and turn it face up revealing that it is the King. Run through the deck and remove the four Kings.” Don’t draw attention to the suits. which transposes the top and 2nd card as your right hand passes to and fro over the deck. The illusion. revealing the selection. Your card has reversed in sympathy with the King.” Here you execute an Erdnase Colour Change.and place them momentarily on top of the deck. is perfect as a face down card (selection) finished on top as it should. He will say Hearts. Turn the deck face up and make a wide fan revealing one face down card in the middle. placing them face down on the table . “Here are the four Kings. Force the top card on a spectator. Point out that it is the King of Hearts that has reversed. 2. then ask the spectator which suit his card was. 5. Pick them off again along with the card above the break then count them one by one onto the deck. the last two are placed on top as one.in fact you execute a Slip Cut which takes only the top King into the deck. and have it returned then control it back to the top. As you remove the Kings cull any Heart to the top of the deck. The Kings have apparently risen back to the top. Conclude by turning over the face down card among the Kings. however. WORKING 1." At this. start doing Hummer’s CATO (Cut and Turnover): that is. If face down. "But just like Vegas. one house might have the electricity on. How do you think you did? Well. you’re ready for the climax. After you’ve demonstrated this a couple of times. 2. the electric companies have been using roving blackouts. cut the deck and complete the cut.HUMMER & LIGHT COMPANY Duffie/Robertson A card trick in which Bob Hummer’s Cut-and-Turnover (CATO) principle is used to demonstrate California’s electricity problems. "Has everyone heard about the problems California is having with electricity? Things are getting so bad. "In fact. "As the energy problem has become more severe." Have the spectator deal the cards into two alternating piles. I think you’ll be happy to know that your three homes were the only three with electricity still on. Deal at least a dozen cards and make sure you have an even number by starting with a face up card and ending with a face down card. If face up. hand the cards to a spectator to continue as long as desired. and have it remembered." As you talk deal a pile on the table. turn the card face up in place. 3. some people are luckier than others. alternating face up and face down cards. on and off. At any given time." Have three spectators point at a face down card one-at-a-time. briefly the electricity went off everywhere at the same time. turning off the energy on a random 2% of the homes. 5. some people are lucky. then turn either one over on top of the other. Let’s pick three luck households. Each card will represent a California household." Have the spectator spread to show that the three chosen cards are the only face-up cards in the packet. While this is going on. In each case. "But even in the worst crises. . watch to see in if the cards are now almost entirely face down or face up. "Recently there was an especially bad day when half the homes lost energy at one time. one their electricity off. people have a better chance winning in Las Vegas than keeping their electricity on in California. I’ll give you an example. 4. say." Motion the spectator to turn over the whole packet to illustrate this. then turn over the top two cards. ” You now ask the spectator to spell the word M-A-G-I-C in the same way as before. However. and then having a second selection made from the top half of the deck.. say. 3. by replacing the used cards on the bottom of the deck. As he is doing this. but dealing into a separate pile. The deck is set in the standard Si Stebbins arrangement. He will help you to identify the suit. I say. Finally announce both the value and suit together thus completing the name of the card then ask the spectator to remove the card from his pocket.. Next. WORKING 1. but the value is much more difficult. Turn over the top card of this pile heap to indicate the value. 4. give the deck a complete cut at the point where the card was withdrawn and square up.” Hand the deck to the spectator and ask him to spell the name S-H-E-R-L-O-C-K by dealing one card for each letter in the name into a face down pile on the table. first the suit and then the value. “Of course this is really a Card Discovery. END NOTES The above will also work with a four lettered word followed by a nine lettered word. I think we will need to use a little ‘magic’ now. Sherlock Holmes. and the four suits rotate throughout. so let's use those very words and see what happens?” . As I prepare for the repeat. so let’s call upon the greatest detective of all time. Holmes. 2. “OK. Spread the deck between your hands and have a card freely selected by a spectator who places the card directly into his pocket without looking at it. Turn over the top card of the tabled pile to indicate the suit. NOTE: Tom Sellers' “A Trick with the Si Stebbins Pack” can be found in Best Sellers. Turn to a second spectator and say. followed by a couple of genuine cuts. Mr. I use “CARD” “DISCOVERY” for an instant repeat. “You will now discover the secret identity of the hidden card. The principle employed here stems from an observation made by Tom Sellers in “A Trick with the Si Stebbins Pack”`(Card Tricks That Work).even for Mr.IDEAL HOLMES by Peter Duffie The effect of the following was inspired by Steve Hamilton’s “Thinking Out Loud” that appeared in Roger’s Thesaurus by Roger Crosthwaite and Justin Higham. This will prove to be that very card. which is simply that each card is three ahead in value than the previous. you will need some help to do this. Begin by giving the deck a False Shuffle. so that’s the suit taken care of. . Lay out the Kings in two spreads with both sets in the same suit order.the 4th card is slid aside and the balance dropped on the remaining three cards." Not just any old pair. Ask the spectator to turn over the top two cards . Ask a spectator to pick up the Kings and hold them face down. Remove the Kings and Queens (discard rest of deck). Tap the packet again and ask him to turn over the next pair revealing a second perfect marriage.H-D-S-C (Clubs at the face). last on top. "To start this experiment we need "any pair.In fact we'll use these very words. take the top card in right hand. take next on top. Now he spells P-A-I-R dealing 4 cards into a pile . let's say they run in C-H-S-D with Diamonds at the face of each." Ask the spectator to spell A-N-Y dealing three cards into a face down pile on the table .all four couples are now matched up!] 5. saying. 4. Pick up the two selections and tap the packet. So you can follow this. The Kings and Queens now marry up! Based on the classic Hofzinser plot. but any pair. you pick up the Queens. WORKING 1.e. The balance of the packet is dropped on the two remaining cards.. we'll both turn our cards over together -remember these are the two cards you picked at the start (referring to your two cards).. Say. . "When I say. Replace the Queens in a spread on the table.. tap his last two cards.the third card is slid aside." You both turn your cards over to reveal two more perfectly married couples. NOW. saying you’ll mix them so they are no longer in the same order . It is clear to everyone that both sets of cards are separate. next below. then to pick up the Queens and place them on top of the Kings. 3. They now run .hold Queens face up and do an Over-under shuffle i. Having allowed the audience to see that all are present and correct. Finally.they are a perfect matching couple. 2..MARRIED TODAY by Peter Duffie A spectator places the four Queens on top of the four Kings. [At this point it's all over . Tell him to think of his card." then point to the right. Here they offer a direct and baffling mental speller. ". Assume the spectator it sitting across the table from you. Then he SPELLS the suit (plural) and holds the final card as you ask him to announce the name of his card he is thinking of. 4. WORKING 1. "Take the value of that card.MENTAL MERGER Duffie / Robertson A trick jointly created by Robin Robertson (USA) & Peter Duffie (UK). Finally ásk him to turn the card over to reveal the very card. moves & subtleties devised through their transatlantic brainstorming conducted via the internet. This random suit and value make up a new card. Together. but doesn’t actually use it. while he mentally COUNTS the value of his card (explain the values of court cards).. they have amassed over 100 new card effects. Place the deck face down on the table and cut the top half to the right.1). Ask him to cut near the middle and hold the section faces towards him (fig. The deck is back as it was.. so he knows that he is to make a regular cut despite the elongated/partially shuffled condition of the cards. The reason for demonstrating is.and the suit of that card. . You can now either give him the deck and allow him to carry out the final spell. Riffle Shuffle the sections together and leave them elongated. Let's assume the spectator has the deck. Think of that card. Strip the sections apart and replace the right onto the left. Demonstrate how you want the spectator to lift off a section.. saying. Set the Ace through King of Hearts on top of the deck (Ace on top) then add six cards. He now deals cards slowly onto the table. only the actions. or deal the cards yourself. 3. Point to the left side ( your left). Meanwhile the brainstorming continues! The following trick was inspired by Karl Fulves’ Riffle Shuffle Control." He then replaces the cut section. saying. The count/spell principle is a Stewart James idea. Here you simply cut off a section then replace it. 2. " Pretend to turn it face up. . and to remove that number of cards from the top of the deck and place them into the card case so you cannot touch them. A 12 card set-up is necessary: arrange an Ace through Queen of any suits on top of the deck in order (Ace on top). Slide this card out of the deck along with the card immediately above it. Turn to face the front and take the deck face down. Ask him to think of any time of the day (one to twelve).3. but in this effect. saying. Now turn to the first spectator.PHANTOMESQUE by Peter Duffie In case you're wondering how a 1999 trick can be highlighted as "new. WORKING 1. Reach forward and tip the cards out of the card case . Finish. Enter the Phantom. and ask him to call stop at any time and drop his card onto the portion in your left hand. 5. Give the deck a Jog Shuffle retaining the top stock then give the deck to a spectator and turn away for a moment. As you are talking. which represent the hour he thought of.7. END NOTE : You could ask the spectator to put the cards in his pocket. carry out a Braue Reversal with the top card the result of this is that the deck is face up with the original top card face down at the rear. then turn over the face down card revealing it to be the selection. Ask the spectator to verify the number of cards. Vol. Spread the deck revealing one face up card in the middle. Pretend to remove an invisible card from your breast pocket. 4. issue No. Take aim as if you are about to toss the card at the deck. Turn to a second spectator and tell him that he is to choose a card. Close up the spread then begin a Hindu Shuffle (deck is still face up). if he removes them face up. then give it a complete cut. 6. then make a tossing motion towards the deck. NOTE: Instead of the Hindu Shuffle. calling it your Phantom Finder (or whatever you wish to call it). the numerical stack will be evident. This trick came about after reading Les (The Phantom) Johnson’s "Time Zone" in Abacus." It was drawn to my attention by a reader that I had duplicated a trick. then place it face down on the table. So I have added this one. which you show to the audience. and draw attention to the value of the face up phantom finder. Spread the cards and ask the spectator to choose any one. It might be a Seven spot. 2. Finally drop the balance on top and square the deck. the card should be face up. This quantity will be the same as the value of the locator. then stop.make sure they come out face down. The card case is lying on the table. Ask the spectator to remind everyone what his card was. "Sorry. then add one more card on top of all. you could simply ask the spectator to place his card on the face of the deck. 3. At this stage you can tell him to only remember the card .” Ask the spectator to add the values. I’ll show you some cards and when you see your card. it doesn’t seem possible for you to know where the card is in the pack. it doesn’t matter. “I don’t know if you saw your card or not. “First I’m going to give you a psychic test.to reveal that very card! If both cards turn out to be Ten spots. 10 + 10 = 20. you state. in his pocket. Now ask him to subtract the values. just “think” of it. To begin. Turn your head to one side. or into the card case as they won’t be needed again. If you have two cards of different values and one is a 10. Tell him to pick up the rest of the pack and count down and remember the card that lies at the same position from the top as his secret number. “As this is a psychic test. WORKING 1. you only use addition. If you don’t see it. Turn away as you ask him to secretly count the number of cards the took. Tell him to deal 4 more cards onto the tabled pile.” Turn over the two cards . One is a Henry Christ concept called “Sum and Difference. Add and subtract. saying. Now ask him to shuffle the pack then to cut off less than half the cards and place the balance on the table.top card of the tabled pile . The only requirement is a full pack of fifty-two cards. He then deals off 20 cards. subtract. Tell him to deal 16 cards from the pack into a pile on the table.” Place these ten cards to the BOTTOM of the pack.they might be a 10 (one will be) and a 6. Give the pack to a spectator and ask him to remove any SPOT card and place it face down on top of your card.he can forget his number. The selected card will always be 20th. 3. will prove very useful later. saying. This time he will get 4. the card is found using the values of two random cards that were selected before the trick began. Ask him to name his card. run through the pack and remove any Ten spot and place it face down on the table. the final total will always be 20! . Point out that you can add. This combines two different principles. Hold these up as before then place them on the bottom. and push off another ten. in this case he will get 16.PSYCHIC MATH by Peter Duffie This is a card discovery that appears impossible for two reasons: first. In this case he would remember the 17th card from the top. saying. and second. Do this one more time with another ten cards. Tell him to place his packet of cards either. So let’s use the two random cards that we chose earlier. then total both results. which you place to the bottom. Turn to face the front and take the pack.” Hold the pack face down and push off ten cards without changing their order. Let’s say he has 17 cards. “We’ll try two simple examples arithmetic. I’ll tell you what to do if both cards are Ten spots in a moment. 2. Pause and say. but I certainly didn’t get any psychic message. when you add. Take these ten cards in a fan with your right hand and hold them up in front of the spectator.” The other is a placement belonging to Eddie Joseph/Marlo. I don’t want to get any clues from your facial expressions. then tell him to turn over the last card he dealt . multiply and subtract the two values to get different results. These. In other words the top halves are swapped over. you can give the packet two Reverse Faros.then to drop one pile on top of the other. Or any similar object that will act as a cover . Alternatively. Now turn to spectator 'B' and repeat the procedure as you did in Step 3 except this time you show groups of SIX cards instead of four. So you can now lift the wallet . Give the packet to either spectator and ask him to deal the cards into two piles .in similar fashion to the Rub-a-Dub Vanish. Now ask each to replace their cut off sections on top of the others' balance.ask each spectator to name his card. From a shuffled pack push off 12 cards and hand them to a spectator whom we shall call (A) Have him shuffle the packet and as he is doing so.REFERENCE POINT by Peter Duffie This is a variation of an Alex Elmsley effect entitled "Cross 25. place the four cards to the bottom and repeat with the next four cards and continue until he replies in the affirmative. 1. Ask both spectators to hold their cards face down and cut off a section and look at the face card of the cut off portion. 7. Push off the top four cards into the right hand and hold then up in front of spectator 'A. 2. If he says yes then move on to Step 4. After some deliberation lift the top three cards at the inner end. push off another 12 cards and give them to a second spectator (B) who also shuffles. In fact your left thumb simply pushes over the top card then retracts it once under cover . 5. . If he says no. Both selections are now under the wallet and in the correct order. Apparently mix the four cards.' Ask him if he sees his card. Now ask the other spectator to do the same. then turn over each card to show that you have been 100% successful. This version appeared in Obsession. and with the left thumb push off the top two as one below the wallet.a postcard is also ideal. Your right hand now lifts the wallet at the inner end as the left hand apparently thumbs off the top card beneath. obtain a break below the top two cards. When he says "yes. The Deal Mix option in step 5 has since been added. As you do this. Take the packet of cards and hold it face down in the left hand. really doing nothing except shifting them around so they finish back in the same order. ensuring that no one can see that there is nothing under it. 3. With the right hand lift the wallet at the inner end. Lastly ask that either of them take the others packet and place it on top or bottom of his then give the cards several complete cuts. 4. remove the 4th card and place it on top of the packet." false mix the six cards then place them back on top. 6." and is a different handling from another version which I included in my Triad Cavalcade in Abracadabra. then place them on top of the main packet. WORKING Begin by placing a wallet or envelope on the table. Take back the packet.dealing alternately . 1. 3. This is essentially Roy Walton's "Double Discovery" (The Complete Walton. Ask him to turn over the two cards he selected earlier. This time you remove 6 pairs of cards (rather than 5) and arrange them in a rotational stack: A-B-C-D-E-F-A-B-C-D-E-F. then drops one hand on top of the other. I realized that the same concept could also be used for a one-spectator version of Roy's trick." At that. Ask him to remove the top card of each pile and place these two cards face down to one side." Finally turn over the pair at the center of the Cross to reveal the two matching mates. WORKING 1. then he drops the remaining cards on top. This can be repeated as many times as he wishes. "A red Jack and a black Two. Draw attention to the color and value of each. he deals the cards into two hands. The cross-deal is Arthur Setterington's. 2. Now say. as if he were dealing a two-handed game of cards. A spectator now finds the matching mates. for example. 4. He then places one pile onto the other. ask him to spell C-H-A-N-C-E dealing a card for each letter into a face down pile on the table. Give the packet to a spectator and ask him to give it a few straight cuts.DOUBLE-CROSS DISCOVERY Peter Duffie Two cards are freely chosen from a packet. followed by a column that crosses the row . . 1981). but before we can proceed. He stops at any time after he has dealt two piles. Pick up the 10-card packet and cut the top two cards to the bottom. While playing with Crossfire. Give the packet to another spectator and ask him to deal a row of 5 cards. we need to program the cards. "An experiment in chance. Vol. He now carries out as many Deal Mixes as he wishes.both central cards overlap (see illustration). That is. "Do you see your card?" One YES means both cards are on top of the 'yes pile' . then give the other card to B. and is as follows: a) Deal one card to the RIGHT then one to the LEFT b) Deal one card to the LEFT then one to the RIGHT c) Push off a pair and take it in your right hand so you hold a pair in each hand. You can shift the pairs around. it may not be highly complicated. This is a simplification of Peter Alexis' "Mini-Mental" (Pallbearers Review. Now use this knowledge in your most inventive manner! .. Ask him to lay the cards out in a row of four pairs. each remembers their card. Two spectators each think of one of the cards. Alexis says. 5. and the RIGHT pile to B. You ask each one question . 5.MINI MENTAL REVISITED The deck is shuffled by the audience and a spectator removes any eight cards. page 380). Hand out the deck for shuffling then ask someone to remove eight cards and place the rest of the deck aside. You now turn to face the front. Turn your back and ask A to pick up any pair . You now deal the cards into two piles. This is a casual distribution." Well.A's card on top of B's. A simply way is to push off a pair into your right hand . Pick up the packet and give it a False Mix.push off another pair and take them on top of the first pair. 2. I don't have an elegant way to finish it! WORKING 1.. Push off a 3rd pair and take these below . or split them. Invite two spectators to assist . I'll leave it up to the reader how the two cards are eventually revealed to the audience. Two YES' mean each card lies THIRD from the top of its respective pile. with regard to the procedure.. Tell B to replace his card in the row on the table...place the final pair on top (or bottom. Ask each. but it could be made a lot simpler. It isn't. Drop a pair on top of each pile to make two four-card piles.eh. Pick up the left pile with your left hand and the right with your right hand. then A places his card on top of B's Finally ask either spectator to place the piles on top of one another in any order so all eight cards are together in one packet again. just so long as you don't reverse the order of any pair. 3..they answer yes or no. and visa-versa). You immediately know where each spectator's card is.to further. There are also two errors in the four options given.keep one card for himself. "The system may look complicated. 4. Fan both packets and show the LEFT pile to A.these will be A and B. Two No's mean each card is at the bottom of its pile (A's card is at the bottom of pile B.complicate matters :-) This revised method is very easy to remember. ” As you are speaking. Take the deck behind your back and immediately count the cards above the break. Say. but by sense of touch alone. Use 7. In the end. You count 13 cards. in this case 9.but without fractions. so one “half “ will be greater than the other. The key is now 30th from the top. 2. . Square the deck and obtain a break below the 22nd card. Finally cut the cards above the break to the table then drop the rest on top. Finish as in the first version showing that you succeeded in matching the quantities of both the spectator’s packets exactly. and block off the top 22 cards as you count. you both have the same quantities of cards in each pocket. Now spread count the cards from hand to hand. Always take the higher number. Then keep counting till you reach the end . seemingly. He then places the remainder of the deck in your hands after which you turn round. Give the deck to a spectator and ask him to pocket two groups of cards exactly as in the first version. you now put some cards in your left pocket and some cards in your right pocket.thus. “This is an experiment in exact quantities. NOTE: a) If you use a touch-locator like a short card you can do it all with the deck unseen by you.TOUCH & GO # 2 by Peter Duffie While your back is turned. satisfying yourself that the deck is complete. b) You must restrict the choice of numbers from 10 to 17 (inclusive) as suggested by Jim Snapp. Now simply subtract this number from 20 and count off that number of cards for your left pocket. Obtain a break below the crimp as you explain that you will attempt to duplicate what he has just done. That’s 6 & 7. 3. Another example. Now turn to face the front and take the deck into your hands. It will always be an odd number. counting out loud if you wish. Now count off the total of the digits for your right pocket. crimp the bottom card. so I need to make sure I have a full deck. a spectator takes a deck and puts some cards in his left pocket and some cards in his right pocket. So if you count 17 cards: 17 / 2 = 8 & 9. Instantly half this number . Hand out the deck for shuffling then take it back face down in dealing position. With the deck behind your back. Simply cut the locator to the bottom in step 1. Again inspired by a placement-based trick shown to me by George McBride on Halloween 2000. WORKING 1. or edge mark it by scraping your right thumb nail along its inner edge. 2. making sure the packet is square. POSITION CHECK: The order from the top is: A-X-X-X-A-A-A-rest of deck. 4. .really random cards). Lift off all 7 cards above the break in a Biddle grip and perform a Braue Addition.get a break below the top three cards.thumb at the inner end and fingers at the outer.then slap it flat onto the packet in your left hand and make a squeezing motion. then back-spread the lower three Aces to show all four. Finally push all four cards square." Without hesitation. do not grip the three broken with the thumb. 3. the Ace of Spades. place the Ace on top of the left hand packet. You now appear to cut the deck." Do this with the next three cards (apparently the other 3 Aces . and your left thumb retains the face card which falls onto these cards. It looks lie a simple cut. Stop when only the bottom card remains and insert the Ace above the bottom card.not essential. However.all eyes are focused on the Ace of Spades. Raise your right hand .but the three broken cards stay in your left hand. Then spread the deck to finish off the illusion. "I’ll lose this Ace down near the bottom. as you say. Don’t pause and ruin it. The moment the deck hits the table .their eyes will follow . "Watch!" Lift your hand. Place your left thumb on the face card. Reach down with your right hand and pick off the Ace of Spades.they get a bigger surprise when you don’t! WORKING 1. Here’s what happens. but recommended. Your right hand pulls the main deck to the right and slaps it onto the table . Believe me. Bring the right hand over and grip the deck .SUDDEN IMPACT by Peter Duffie The audience believe you are going to cut to the Aces .Turn the deck face up and obtain a break above the lower/rear three cards (Aces). also do not rush. as follows: Peel off the first Ace with your left thumb and lever it face down onto the deck Repeat with the next two Aces . Leave it oujogged. saying. State that you will now try to cut to the Aces. Place the Aces face up on top with Spades at the rear . DO NOT pause here.You now appear to cut off a section onto the table with the Ace of Spades appearing on top. inserting them at varying intervals. "Ace number one. at this moment the audience have it in their mind that half the deck is in your hand and half is on the table.Place the remaining four-card block onto the deck then turn the final Ace (Spades) face down on top of all. Remove the four Aces and hold the deck face down in left hand dealing position . Remove the top card with your right hand then riffle down the outer left corner with your left thumb. then ask the spectator to announce his total. Ten is on top. 1. Now ask him to mentally add his secret number which only he knows to the value of the random card.. Ask the spectator to think of any single digit number. cop the half card from your pocket and add it to the face of the deck. as he will never arrive at one. Set the top nine cards of deck so that they run in strict numerical order .with suits mixed.and one half (flick the half card for effect) makes five and a half!" . Spread the packet to reveal apparently SIX cards. pausing on the fourth. At some point during your performance. 2. This will give him five and a half. All you have to do is tear (or cut) a card in half lengthwise and discard one of the halves. Here is a version that I came up with which goes over just as well with an audience and uses normal cards. Act as if he has made a mistake and ask him what the two numbers were etc. This first appeared in Hidden Agenda. "Five.TEN to TWO . then deal the fifth to reveal the half card. Draw attention to the prediction packet and state that you have predicted the outcome by removing the exact number of cards which will equal the total that the spectator is thinking of. the card that lies at that position from the top.. at an angle so that the torn edges of the half card are not directly facing the audience. This restricts his choice to between One and Nine inclusive. Finally close the spread and take the packet into your hands and count the cards onto the table. With your right thumb riffle off FIVE cards (plus the half) and place the balance of the deck face down on the table in front of a spectator. Now ask him to pick up the deck and count down to. The force belongs to Bob Ostin. He will automatically arrive at ELEVEN. and to note the value of the card. and remove. Place the remaining half into an accessible pocket. Finally ask him to half the total by dividing it by two. saying. Point out the representative values of court cards for effect only.THE 5. 4. so that it is in line with the left edge of the deck. 3.5 TRICK by Peter Duffie A variation on the classic gag 'The 31/2 of Clubs' (why always Clubs?). The prediction packet is placed to one side. The idea of using TILT to cause a card to change belongs to Ed Marlo. 3." Hold the deck face down and carry out a Double Lift to show the Ace then turn it face down and deal off the top card face down onto the table.. “If I thrust the most prominent card into the deck at a prominent position I should be able to show the prominent trick I promised you.“Cut deeper this time” . Carry on. position the top card in readiness for TILT ( Vernon Depth Illusion ) then pick up the supposed Ace of Spades. WORKING l. then take the appropriate action by causing the face down Ace to change into the selection . which the audience believe to be still lying on the table in front of the spectator. Immediately spread the deck face up across the table to reveal the face down card in the middle as expected.. "I would like you to remember the first face down card which nobody can know.what was your card?" Of course as far as they are aware . then pivot the face down 5ection face up and place it below the other face up section thus completing the deck. Further inspiration was derived from Jerry Sadowitz's “Prone To Live Dangerously” which appeared in his book Cards Hit. This also leaves the selection face down in the middle. saying.and turn this section over and place it on the balance.. "Here's the miracle..THE AMNESIA CARD TRICK by Peter Duffie The following is a surprising revelation of a chosen card by means of a totally unexpected transformation come transposition. This originally appeared in a small limited-edition manuscript called ETHOS (1993). Do not flip the double over but raise it so that the face is away from you anyway. however this is not the Ace but the selection. saying. Ask a spectator to lift off about one third of the deck and turn it face up onto the balance. and show the card to the spectator. At this. Retain a break below the top face down card then pick up the face up section and square it adding the card above the break below it.then finish by having the spectator turn over his card to reveal the Ace! .the selection hasn’t been put back! After a bit of acting you realize your mistake.. Now ask the spectator to lift off about two thirds . "I will use the most prominent card in the deck to demonstrate a most prominent card trick. turning your head away so you do not see it. Replace the double and deal off the top card and place it in front of the spectator. Run through the deck and cut the Ace of Spades to second from the top position. 2. 4.because the prominent position is in fact right next to your card . saying. The Cut Deeper Force belongs to Ed Balducci. say." Spread through all the face up cards and place them momentarily on the table then lift off the top two cards of the face down remainder as one. With the deck face up.” Execute TILT placing the face down card second from the face. Give him the top card. square the deck and place it on the table. Any red card. Ask if this is a selection. Jog Shuffle retaining the small stack on top then cut the deck and hold a break. revealing the 7D. Hold the deck face down and spread the cards. Approach the first of three spectators and carry out a Riffle Force. “Your cards could be anywhere in here and I’m going to attempt to cut to all three with a single cut. Now grasp the lower half by the sides between your right thumb and second finger. Once they have noted their cards take them back on top of the deck in 3-2-1 order then False Shuffle. WORKING 1. You don’t have to use the Seven of Diamonds. Now follow the presentation as given in the “effect” above. tap the deck. Now remove the face up 7D and show it. Before you begin you need to cull four cards to the top. you point out that the card is a Seven. reading from the top down. . giving a bit of information about each selection. This is essentially a standard False Cut while maintaining your break. Again this proves to be correct. cutting the upper section to the bottom. so these can be various combinations. Ask the three spectators to each name their card. The four cards stack is still on top as it was. As you do this set the top card in readiness for TILT (Vernon Depth Illusion). Choose your best moment. then give the next card to spectator 2 and the next card to spectator 3. Pointing out that the card is red you announce that the first spectator’s card must be a red card. Take care not to expose the face up Seven below the top card as you spread. You then point out that the card is a Diamond. Finally you push this card face up into the middle of the face down deck. 4. 2. therefore the third spectator’s card must be a Seven. Lastly. 3. therefore the second spectator’s card must be a Diamond. Come back to the remaining half and flip over the top four cards as one. It is. Pull this section inwards then slap it on the table.THE BESSEWISSER CARD by Peter Duffie Three spectators each select a card and all three are lost back into the deck. Tilt your hand upwards slightly so the front edge of the deck faces the audience. Place this half on top of the tabled half them pick up the complete deck. During this you execute a Top Card Cover Pass anywhere near the middle of the deck. It is. You give the deck a cut and turn over the top card. but this is not a selection. Immediately spread it across the table top revealing the three face up selections in the middle in place of the Seven. Push the face up Seven into the break. then spread revealing that the card has now transformed into the three selections which are now face up in the middle. which may be the Seven of Diamonds.” Close the spread obtaining a break under the top four cards. saying. any Diamond. any Seven and the Seven of Diamonds. Not to be discouraged you insist that this card represents all three selections. It is not. Close up the remaining spread and give it to the spectator.QD . 2. which you ask the spectator to lay on the table beside the other three. Place Cupid face up on the table. dealing to and fro as in a two-handed game of cards. the arrangement can be made to look like a random one. This will result in two more face down pairs of cards.QS .QH . WORKING 1. Before discarding the pack remove the Jack of Hearts. paying attention only to the suits. saying that he represents Cupid. until he is satisfied that the cards are in an unknown order. He now carries out the following procedure: a) He deals the cards into piles again. yet effective. plus the final pair.drop it on top of the other. So as you can see. Turn the packet face down and give it to a spectator and tell him to deal the cards into two piles. then pick the packet up. The spectator can now carries out the above process as many times as he wishes.QC The suits of the top four cards are in reverse order to the bottom four. I'll leave the main presentation to the reader.KH . Finally he drops the other pile on top of Cupid to bury him. Then. Show the packet of cards to the audience pointing out that they are the Kings and Queens.KD . b) You now spread the packet on the table and slide out the face up Cupid along with the two cards on either side.WEDLUCK ( From Card Flair ) The trick that follows is a simple. Steps A) and B) are now repeated two more times. Remove the four Queens and the four Kings and arrange them in a mirror stack. he picks up Cupid and places him him face up on top of either pile. Remove Cupid from between the two cards and place him face up on the table. A Stay Stack is a mirror stack that retains its properties after certain shuffling. 3. Then tell him to pick up either pile .KS . Here is an example of a set-up: KC . royal marriages effect using the Rusduck Stay Stack principle. Conclude by tapping each pair with Cupid before turning them over one by one to reveal four perfect marriages! . Now he spells P-A-I-R dealing 4 cards into a pile . Ask a spectator to pick up the Kings and hold them face down." Ask the spectator to spell A-N-Y dealing three cards into a face down pile on the table .MARRIED WITHOUT A CAUSE A spectator places the four Queens on top of the four Kings. NOW." You both turn your cards over to reveal two more perfectly married couples. WORKING 1.. 3. So you can follow this.In fact we'll use these very words. let's say they run in C-H-S-D with Diamonds at the face of each. The Kings and Queens now marry up! Based on the classic Hofzinser plot. Tap the packet again and ask him to turn over the next pair revealing a second perfect marriage. [At this point it's all over .all four couples are now matched up!] 5.take the next one on top take the 3rd below . tap his last two cards. we'll both turn our cards over together -remember these are the two cards you picked at the start (referring to your two cards). you pick up the Queens. then to pick up the Queens and place them on top of the Kings. They now run . Lay out the Kings in two spreads with both sets in the same suit order..the 4th card is slid aside and the balance dropped on the remaining three cards.they are a perfect matching couple. but any pair.finally place the last one on top.hold Queens face up and do an Over-under shuffle. The balance of the packet is dropped on the two remaining cards.. Replace the Queens in a spread on the table. saying your mix them so they are no longer in the same order . Having allowed the audience to see that all are present and correct.H-D-S-C (Clubs at the face). This is: take the first Queen in your right hand . "To start this experiment we need 'any pair.. 2. Finally. 4.the third card is slid aside. "When I say. Pick up the two selections and tap the packet. saying. Remove the Kings and Queens (discard rest of deck). Say. . Ask the spectator to turn over the top two cards . It is clear to everyone that both sets of cards are separate.' Not just any old pair. I’d like to show you how they accomplished this. Finally turn each pile face up revealing the four matching Queens. You now find a random card for each King by using their suits. dealing one card for each letter into a face down pile on the table. but you hold back the top card. He can only marry the Heart. in other words you execute a Slip-Cut. then pick up the tabled half and drop it on top of the deck. Draw attention to the suit then spell C-L-U-B-S.” 2. for example. N.KC . “There you are . saying. 3.KH . In the end there are four piles of cards on the table.the the Kings are face up and the Queens face down ..MARRAID ( From With Cards ) You cut the deck four times .each paired perfectly with the correct King.the Queen of Clubs is the top face down card of the deck: QC . When these cards are turned over they prove to be the four Queens . Each has to marry according to their race .each time a face up King appears. Repeat the above procedure three more times. each accompanied by a face up King. or Monarch’s in the deck. Pick up the King and drop it below this pile. Say. dealing a new pile of cards for each suit. remove the Kings and Queens and set them on top of the deck as follows . “There are four Kings. The King of Clubs sits (FU) on top of the tabled half.KS .QH .so.four harmonious couples. You now cut the top half of the deck onto the table. then hold it face down in dealing position.KD WORKING 1.” . Begin by giving the deck a Jog Shuffle retaining the top stock. the King of Hearts is forbidden to marry a Queen of any other suit. Hofzinser.QD . The plot is the classic ‘Royal Marriages’ and belongs to J. To begin.QS . 3. 2. Place the selection between the Jacks with all three cards facing upwards. If you prefer you can place the deck momentarily on the table leaving your left hand free. Either way. Conclude by turning over all three cards over onto the deck. Now turn over the top two cards revealing the Jacks. where is the chosen card? Upon spreading the deck the selection is seen to be still in the middle.THE STRAGGLER by Peter Duffie A selected card is placed between the two black Jacks. I will describe the procedure with the deck in hand. I retain the deck in my left hand during the following simple count. Explain that the Jacks will now cause the selection to reverse itself. This trick first appeared in The Griffin. b) As you peel off the selection the first Jack is stolen (Biddled) beneath the other jack. then the Jacks will rise back to the top with their mission accomplished. At your command the two black Jacks rise to the top. Obtain a break where the facing sections meet and execute another Half-Pass to right the deck.in fact you carry out a Double Undercut to take only the top card to the bottom. . but it has somehow mysteriously reversed. WORKING 1. using the Christ Twist as your cover apparently your magical gesture to activate the Jacks. the packet is held face up in a right hand Biddle grip. Remove the two black Jacks then have a card selected. This cutting must use only the top half of the deck! 4. Explain that you will cut the selection with its two guardians into the middle of the deck. The complete sandwich is cut into the middle of the deck. This you appear to do . c) Finally both Jacks are placed on top as one. Carry out the following brief count: a) With your left thumb peel the upper Jack onto the deck but retain a little finger break below it. However. As it is being looked at take this opportunity to reverse the lower half of the deck using a Half-Pass. Conclude by spreading the deck to show the selection face up in the middle. 5. 1. If your cards are a Nine and Ten: Push the indicator back between the spectator’s two cards. It will be the same." Spell T-E-N transferring three cards from top to bottom. Remove an Ace through Ten of mixed suits and arrange them in order. This total will equal the spectator’s two cards. then spell C-L-U-B-S transferring another four cards to the bottom and turning the 5th face up onto the table in front of you. The rest of the deck is place to one side. then make a complete cut at that point. announcing the total. Slide out the indicator card from between his two selections and leave it in front of them. "Now I’ll select two cards also. then ask the spectator to turn over his two cards and announce their total. then spread the cards on the table. Slide out the indicator card along with the two cards on either side of it. Offer him a chance to reposition the indicator card. Now hold the cards face down and give them a few Charlier Shuffles then give them to a spectator for cutting. Your first selection. 4. Repeat the above spelling. I’ll do this by simply spelling its name. marking off the point where the cards were removed. This total will equal your two cards. Remind the audience of the fairness of the initial selection. 2. dealing a second card face up onto your first then discard the remaining cards in your hand. Tell him to pick up the Ten spot and push it face up into the packet anywhere. Then toss out the Ten of Clubs face up onto the table. Now gather up the rest of the spread.. then ask him to turn the outer two cards over and add all three cards. so they are all different. Say. Point out that every number is represented in the packet. running in either direction.THE VERSATILE TEN by Peter Duffie A number revelation based on a Stay Stack related principle. 3. Draw attention to the values of your two cards and add them together. But to ensure that I don’t cheat I’ll let the Ten of Clubs choose my cards for me. etc. . There are two exceptions: If your two cards are an Ace and Two: Drop them beside the face up Ten spot (indicator) and total all three cards. 2. Let’s say the card showing is the Five of Spades. So you spell the name of this card by dealing a card for each letter of the name ..the last time I did a trick backwards the damn thing worked. forming three piles. Maybe it’ll work here. Let’s spell our indicator card backwards. He cuts off a portion and turns it over. After a pause. Spell "S-P-A-D-E-S" into one pile. let’s use this Five of Spades as an indicator to try to find your card. A second spectator attempts to find the card. . tap each pile with the card then turn over the top card of each pile revealing the other three mates to make four-of-a-kind. Let’s spell our indicator card backwards... Turn the top card of the dealt pile face up . You turn over the final card and Bingo! it’s the selection. Maybe it’ll work here.. Ask if the card showing is the selection . it might be the Five of Spades. However you deal bottoms on the first two letters of "FIVE. But then you say.you turn over the final card.. Not so good..SPADES OF FIVE!" You do this.. We’ll use the complete name of the card. Riffle Force to the break . then "O-F" into a 2nd pile and finally "F-I-V-E" into a 3rd pile .. Say.. WORKING 1..lift off the upper section and have a spectator member the face card (JH). Replace the upper half executing the Ovette/Kelly so the Jack of Hearts goes to the bottom.SPADES OF FIVE!" Do that but this time you form three piles." the first letter of "OF." Easy to remember . Slip Cut the top Jack into the middle of the deck and hold a break below it.it’s not the selection. except for the first word which kicks off with two bottoms. For this I recommend Robin Robertson’s "Final Control" from his 1965 book Handle With Care (Hades). Pick up the small pile. Invite a second spectator to cut off half the deck and place this section face up on the table." and the first letter of "SPADES.you begin each word with a bottom. saying. one for each word.. Ask for the name of the selection then turn this card over revealing it to be the selection..it isn’t.. 3. "I’ll tell you what . "Well.but this is not the selection.the last time I did a trick backwards the damn thing worked..but retain the final card in your hand. "I’ll tell you what . Replace this card on top of the dealt pile as you place the rest of your half deck aside. Finally you turn over the to card of each pile to reveal the other three mates making four-of-a-king...TO AND FRO by Peter Duffie A spectator looks at a card in the middle of the deck where it remains.three go to the bottom of the deck and one goes to the top (make this the Jack of Hearts for this description). Cull the four Jacks .and it’s NOT the selection." You now spell F-I-V-E O-F S-P-A-D-E-S dealing one card for each letter and forming a single face down pile on the table. Place these cards face up in a spread on the table as two Aces . The cards are cut and selected card is now found between the two Aces. Pick up the two Aces and place the packet face down on top of the pack. then to give the pack one complete cut.The Twin Aces From Seller's Secrets. METHOD Remove the two black Aces with an extra card concealed behind them. A selected card is now placed on top of the pack. EFFECT Two black Aces are shown. then place the next card on the bottom. Ask the spectator to place his card on top of the pack. 1931. the other anywhere near the centre. Turn the pack face up and spread the cards revealing both Aces now together in the middle with the selected card between them. Now have a card selected. The spectator retains the card. One is placed at the bottom of the pack. Place the top card into the centre. .the extra card is aligned with the lower Ace and thus concealed. REQUIREMENTS: A pack of cards. You are now fairly blindfolded. As you pass each ball of paper to your forehead. 1927. each ARE identical. You are not limited to five people . All papers are of the same size. SECRET One of the pieces of paper on the tray is perfumed. Five spectators each take one.this can be worked for any number of people. You immediately know the ball you want by the smell of the perfume. you remove the balls of paper one by one. Each spectator rolls his paper into a ball and a member of the audience collects the five papers in a hat. You ask four spectators to write the name of someone who is living. . You throw one ball out to the audience. and the fifth spectator to write the name of someone who is dead. and this proves to be the slip with the dead person's name on it. All edges are the same.Living or Dead? From Tricks that Work. Reaching into the hat. colour and weight. you let every one pass your nose. The one who takes this piece is asked to write the dead person's name on it. You simply keep a watch who selects it. pressing each to your forehead. EFFECT You introduce five slips of paper on a tray or plate. EFFECT The performer has a card selected and replaced in the pack." take the pack in your left hand. Now give the pack a False Shuffle. "Your card is not on top. METHOD Have a card selected and returned to the pack." spin the card in the air which shows you have only one card. you will now be in a position to repeat the effect a la "Francis Carlyle's Homing card. this bringing the selected card second from the top of the pack. palm off the two top cards into your right hand. as described in Down's Art of Magic). at the same time turn the pack over and show the bottom card. Now." should you wish to. Remarking. .A CARD FROM POCKET TRICK From Card Tricks That Work. He next shows that the card is neither at the top or bottom of the pack. slip the little finger of your left hand under the top card. Take the top card and show it. and placing your right hand in your inside pocket. Remarking. as you square up the pack. as the card is returned to the pack slip one card above it and make the Pass. leaving the other card behind. The selected card is now produced from the performer's pocket. "Your card is not at the bottom. This is an excellent card to pocket. withdraw the under or selected card. as the card returns to you (boomerang fashion. 1934. REQUIREMENTS: A pack of cards. It combines both directness and subtlety in a manner that appeals to me. (Duffie) If you use your right trouser pocket rather than the inside pocket. ask for any ACE and spell it out by taking a card from the top of the packet and placing it to the bottom.AH . .ask for any QUEEN and spell it out. the performer (or spectator) removes a card for each letter of the name of the selected card.Any 34 Cards .KH . Now have a heap freely chosen.AC . For Spades. If heap "four" is chosen . If heap "one" is chosen .JS .Any Card .AS . Tell the spectator that whatever heap he chooses you will use it for the trick.THE "NO OPTION" SPELLER From 21 New Card Tricks. 1936. when the last letter of the name is reached this is seen to be the chosen card.JD .KD .QC . If heap "two" is chosen . It requires a set-up. For Hearts. If heap "three" is chosen . The performer asks the spectator to name any Ace in the pack. the full name is spelled out and the next card turned up. ARRANGEMENT When the pack is face down the arrangement from top to bottom is as follows: AD .QS. but if you can bring the deck into a card session with your fellow magi.JH .JC .KS . This is a rather ingenious effect. in a row. METHOD Either you or a spectator deal the pack into four equal heaps.ask for any JACK and spell it out as above. A heap is now freely selected.QH . Clubs and Diamonds the card is turned up on the last letter of the name. you'll probably blow them away.KC .ask for any KING and spell it out in the above manner. when this has been done.QD . (PD) EFFECT The performer (or spectator) deals the pack into four equal piles.Any Card . Remove the ribbon with hook from your pocket and attach the weight to the hook. yet it does not break. Holding the cigarette at the extreme end with his fingers and thumb. The weight is seen to be suspended from the top of the cigarette. it is thoroughly practicable. it's certainly a more subtle use of invisible thread than floating a dollar bill! (PD) REQUIREMENTS A weight (just heavy enough to be lifted by the thread). He now attaches an examined weight to the hook on the end of the tape.THE STRONG CIGARETTE From More Secrets." Well. nevertheless. "I am not sure if this can be classed as a conjuring trick. Hold the weight apparently by the end of the cigarette for a moment or so. at the same time allowing the thread. then take the loop off the cigarette and return it. Attach a thread to the hook. . The loop is removed and the cigarette is given back to the lender with the remark that it is too strong for you. which you will remember was attached to your vest button. this thread should be longer than the ribbon used. You now take hold of the end of the ribbon with the loop and place the loop over the tip of the cigarette. Tie the free end of the thread to one of your vest buttons. EFFECT The performer borrows a cigarette. METHOD Borrow a cigarette and allow anyone to handle the weight. Sellers says. then shows a piece of ribbon with a loop at one end and a small hook at the other. coil up the ribbon and replace in vest pocket. a piece of ribbon about two feet long with a small loop at one end and a small hook at the other. Remove the weight. You are now ready to perform. he slips the loop over the other end. to take the strain of the ribbon. 1933. place the ribbon and hook in one of your vest pockets allowing the thread to hang free. nevertheless. of course. ARRANGEMENT Arrange the pack into two heaps as follows: Two Aces. I have had a lot of amusement out of this trick. if he cuts a Ten. If he cuts a Seven. while I do the same. METHOD Cut the pack at the two Kings and offer either half to a spectator (free choice). when you cut your half you always beat him. You now offer a spectator a free choice of either half. Now ask him to shuffle his packet.CUT From Magical Pleasantries. Now ask him to cut and tell you the card cut. with a little judgement you can always cut higher than your opponent. but there is nothing to be found as both heaps have been genuinely shuffled. Give it a trial. Great fun can be had if you contrive just to beat him by one spot. As I do. I ask the assistant to cut just once more. you cut an Ace and draw with him. then request him to shuffle his half while you shuffle yours. while you shuffle yours. as you know the arrangement of your packet. two Threes. The basic effect here is a favourite with Ricky Jay. You now ask him to cut his half anywhere and show the card he cut to. you cut a Jack. up to two Kings. 1933. If he cuts an Ace. and so on. Two Twos. I win again. and if he cuts an Ace then you cut an Ace also. I finish the trick by exchanging the heaps and ask him to shuffle. (PD) EFFECT You introduce a pack of cards and cut them equally into two portions. . Place the two halves together and you are ready to perform. I take care to locate an Ace and get a break at this point. two Fours. You of course only False Shuffling. I immediately hand him my packet. you cut an Eight. over the one inside the bottle."<>"Well. You can now pass the bottle for examination. METHOD Exhibit the bottle closely. Pick up the sheet of newspaper and as you wrap the bottle up in it. Perhaps a little improvement in the effect would be to have the underside of the outside label covered with newspaper. With the aid of very little wax. A sheet of newspaper with plenty of wax spread about the centre is also required. stick a duplicate label on the outside. bottle and with a little manipulation get a label stuck inside. clear glass. The bottle. if you examine the bottle closely you will see that the label has passed right inside the bottle!" REQUIREMENTS Obtain a quart. . 1935. (PD) EFFECT The performer shows an empty bottle and inserts the cork. This effect is currently marketed by David Roth.MATTER THROUGH MATTER From Quick Tricks. which is thrown aside. After tapping with the wand the performer unwraps the bottle. also a cork for the bottle. When you unwrap the bottle the label will adhere to the newspaper. press the well-waxed piece on the label. Then you could show the newspaper on both sides when you conclude the trick. which has a conspicious label on the outside. but do not tell the spectators what you are going to do. is now wrapped in a piece of newspaper. "Perhaps you are wondering what has happened. REQUIREMENTS. Plus the four suits rotating in an known order. have a card selected.A Trick with the Si Stebbins Pack From Card Tricks That Work. EFFECT The performer has a card freely selected. One of these cards denotes the suit and the other the value of the selected card. this card will denote the suit and the thirteenth card will denote the value of the selected card. METHOD False shuffle. . the twelfth and thirteenth card will always denote the suit and value. 1934. He now lays two cards on the table. An arranged pack set up in the Si Stebbins order. When the pack is cut at the place where the selected card is removed. cut the pack at the selected card. Now deal off cards until you come to the twelfth card. every card being three spots higher than the preceding card. " receive it back and shuffle into the remaining cards. "The Red Sea.. A number of cards as above." Red Sea. (PD) EFFECT A clean slate is shown to the spectators." "Vesuvius." "CoraL Islands. The name of the selected card is shown on the slate in a surprising manner." Indian Ocean. and on his answering "The Red Sea" show the large red C on the slate." etc. A number of cards are exhibited bearing such names as "Sahara.A SURPRISE SLATE TRICK From Sellers' Secrets. REQUIREMENTS A flap slate.there are alternatives that can make a message appear. Now show cards and have one selected. Under the flap with a piece of red chalk write a large letter C. Forcing the card with the name. 1931. Although Sellers uses a slate . METHOD Show slate and lay on table. For close-up a double lift with a blank business card will work. .a natural prop of that time . say about twelve. One is selected. etc. You are now ready to perform. Now ask the spectator to name the card he selected. Of course. However. "This trick can only be done with the Nine of Hearts" . if you can execute a half decent Top Palm. The selected card lies face up in second position from the top.or whatever card it happens to be. As you show it. The right hand with the palmed card leaves the pack showing the selected card face up on top." then show that the card has again come to the top. fan the cards and ask for the card to be replaced face up in the pack. as the right hand covers the pack the top card is instantly palmed. A pack of cards. this is not seen and it is assumed the right fingers carried out the riffle as before. Most magicians know the card trick where a selected card is replaced in the centre of the pack. "Only one riffle this time. "I will place the card face down in the centre of the pack this time. . slip one card above the selection and make the Pass. your left thumb makes the riffle rather than the right fingers. After the riffle the right hand away from the pack then returns and riffles again. METHOD Have a card selected. the pack is riffled and the card shown to be on top. Because the right hand covers the pack. your right fingers are already in position to riffle and the illusion is perfect." You remove the top card and place it in the centre. REQUIREMENTS. PD NOTE: Sellers suggests an alternative handling: as the right hand palms the card. With the right hand riffle the front end of the pack. then the pack is riffled.ON THE TOP IN REVERSE From 21 New Card Tricks. The effect of the trick I am about to describe is similar only the selected card is returned to the centre of the pack face up. the secret is that you made a Pass and brought the card to the top. remark. You now remark. Move the right hand away and return for a third riffle. As you say this flip the face up card face down while leaving the palmed card secretly on top. having apparently been pulled right through the pack. The selected card seems to appear on top of the pack visibly. remarking. 1936. This time. riffle the pack. As you square the cards. Hold the pack in the left hand in dealing position. Pasch. 1939. ask the spectators to open them and read the cards and remember the name of the racehorse. EFFECT To begin you write a prediction on a card and leave this in full view of the audience with the writing hidden. Otherwise. on every card is printed the name of a racehorse. Hand out the envelopes. Place each card in an envelope and mark one of the envelopes with a small dot.THE WINNER From Scots magic. On each of the five cards write the name of a race horse. You next hand out to five spectators. if you spell each horse's name . such as Mirza. each containing a card. you will be left with the envelope that contains the horse you predicted at the outset. and that the last envelope left will be considered the winner. This matches your prediction. This is handed to a spectator to open. You proceed as stated until only one envelope remains. five envelopes. REQUIREMENTS Five cards. . Each name must have five letters only. Have the cards replaced. the holders are requested to seal the cards in the envelopes. also note the name of the horse within. Take back the envelopes and note where the marked one lies. You now take the envelopes and state that you will move one from the top of the packet to bottom for each letter in each horse's name that the envelope that falls on the last letter will be discarded. If it is second from the top. or the like. leave it there. collected and mixed.as called out to you randomly by those who held the cards . A spectator is now requested to collect the envelopes and mix them. After these cards and envelopes have been examined.placing an envelope from top to bottom for each letter. while explaining what you are going to do. Now. METHOD Pick up the card and write the name of the horse you mentally noted and lay it down without letting the audience see what you have written. casually cut the marked envelope to second from the top. and the name of the horse read out. and discarding the envelope that falls on the last letter of each name. five envelopes. a card to write your prediction on. Give the pack another riffle then remove the top card showing the selection on top for a third time. . execute a Top Change. noted and returned to the pack. Control the card to third position from the top. leaving the upper card outjogged. Turn the triple face down and remove the top card. Place this card on the bottom of the pack. METHOD Have a card selected. Now cut all the cards below the outjogged card to the top. 1934. Before the audience has fully recovered from this triple effect. then push the jogged card flush. then execute a Double Lift showing the selection has again risen to the top. Tom Seller's Ambitious Card where a card rises to the top four times.give it a riffle . Give the pack another riffle. A different method is used for each phase. Now push the switched card slowly into the middle of the pack .ON THE TOP From Card Tricks that Work. Give the pack a riffle then execute a Triple Lift revealing the selection has risen to the top. Taker this double card and insert it face down into the middle of the pack .once it is about half way in push the lower card into the pack.then show it on top for the final time. REQUIREMENTS Nine cards numbered One through Nine. again dealing left to right. with no logical reason given. Place the 5th card to one side. each with a different number on it.8. you show nine cards.6. The prediction is opened and revealed to be 100% accurate. Two cards are freely chosen and their numbers added together. The order of these cards are 1.left to right.5. The sealed prediction is the same as final total. this meant having to deal in opposite directions. as you will see. However.A NUMERICAL MYSTERY From Seller's Secrets.3. EFFECT You begin by handing out a sealed envelope.9. 1931. Next. .4. Discard the other three pairs. Deal the top four cards into a row .2. You could use playing cards. NOTE: Sellers had the cards running in strict numerical order. METHOD Give the envelope to a spectator for safe keeping.7. Pick up the odd card and ask a spectator to tap any one of the pairs with it. then deal the remaining four cards onto the first four making four pairs. Write the number 10 on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope. Now have the numbers of the selected pair of cards totaled = 10. then introduce the nine cards. Glide back the next card (the Ace) then withdraw the next two cards. Square up the cards and hold them face down in readiness for the Glide. NOTE: Sellers makes 8 transfers in total. The black Ace will be seen between the red court cards and the red Ace between the black court cards. one by one. This is the same plot. The Aces change places. (PD) METHOD From the pack remove two red court cards and two black court cards.GLIDE . fourth card face up. second cards face down. Deal the cards in a row as follows:. now withdraw one more card and put it on top. With your right hand slide out the bottom card and put it on the top. 1943.FAIR .First card face up. third card face up. When you turn up the two face down Aces they will be seen to have changed over. Withdraw the Ace and put on the top. A simple trick. the Ace of Clubs and the Ace of hearts.) . sixth card face up. Place the Ace of Hearts between the two red court cards and the Ace of Clubs between the two black court cards. Hold the six cards in a fan and draw the spectators' attention to the arrangement of the Aces. (P.THE CHANGE-OVER ACES From Magical Mixture. He could have done it with only 6 transfers as follows: FAIR . and put then on top. A red Ace is placed between two red court cards and a black Ace is placed between two black court cards.D. Now withdraw the Ace and put it on top. A forerunner to the popular "Black Widow" effect published in the Pallbearers Review by Alan Brown. glide back the next card (other Ace) then withdraw the next two cards and put them on top.FAIR .FAIR . but somehow I like it. fifth card face down.GLIDE. Place the pack into the Club pocket so that the arranged suit is on top of the deck.A SPELLER IDEA From Magical Pleasantries (1933 or 1934) EFFECT You have the deck shuffled then ask someone to name any card. The final card is the named card. Once you have removed one less than the value . Now start spelling the name removing a card from the TOP of the deck for each letter.in this case 8 cards . s 3. Let's say he names the Nine of Clubs. each running on order.then remove the TOP card on the final letter. Ask a spectator call out the name of any card. . Hand out the complete pack for shuffling then take it back.remove the remaining cards from the BOTTOM of the deck . 2. REQUIREMENTS An extra pack of cards split into the four suits. Place the pack into the pocket containing the suit of the named card. Place each suit into a different pocket and remember which is where. You drop the deck into your pocket and remove a card for each letter in its name as you spell it. WORKING 1. You also have one complete deck. This will be the named card. A small glass that will hold a card neatly in an upright position. . Or simply turn the glass round." The chosen card is now taken from the glass and proves to have a red spot.and give it to the spectator..." Finally remove the remaining two cards as one and turn then round to reveal a red spot. turn over the top two as one.apparently your original prediction . You now introduce a packet of cards on each of which is printed a spot of a different colour. .. WORKING 1. This is placed in the glass beside your prediction.. Take this card and drop it into the glass in front of your prediction. Immediately remove the front card . A spectator examines and mixes these then freely selects any one. Pick up the packet of blank cards. Your prediction may say. who examines them and then mixes then face down. writing unseen."RED. REQUIREMENTS A dozen blank business cards. A further dozen on on each of which has been printed (or has a sticker) a spot of a different colour.. "RED. Place a card with a red spot face down on top of the packet of blank cards. Now bring out the packet of colour-spot cards and give these to a spectator. Ask him to read out what you wrote . Tilt your hand up so the audience cannot see what you write. Lift these two cards off as one and drop them into the glass with the writing away from the audience.. He now selects any one without looking at the face.... which is immediately removed.. and write the word "RED" on it.PREDETERMINED THOUGHT From Magic Hits (1937) EFFECT You write the name of a colour on a blank card and place it. 2. in a small glass... keeping the stolen card pressed against the fan (fig. Once the spectator has confirmed that his card isn't there. You cut off a section and fan it with the faces towards the spectator. completely hiding the left hand section of the deck (fig.rewritten for brevity (P. Make a one-hand fan.UNDERFAN Originally from The Gen . He doesn't. Hold the pack with your left hand as if for a Charlier Cut as in figure 1. so you drop the fan face up on the table.2).4) . then pull about 20 cards from the middle. When the fan of cards is turned over. your left thumb pushes the top card to the right and it's gripped between the first & second fingers of the right hand (fig. This one looks weird in Netscape!) EFFECT A card is selected and returned to the pack. WORKING Have a card selected and. control it to the top.3).S. You now riffle the rest of the deck towards the tabled fan. face downwards on the table. upon it's return. As he's doing this. Ask the spectator if he can see his card in the fan. requesting if he can see his card. separate the hands. the chosen card is found underneath. then turn over the card to finish. The selected card will remain hidden under the fan (fig.Hold the fan level with the table and drop the cards. . Now riffle the remainder of the pack you hold towards the tabled fan.5).ask the spectator to name his card. Finally lift the fan revealing a face down card . 6 .6 .3 .2 .TOUCH & GO by Peter Duffie UPDATE! Jim Snapp wrote to inform me that the trick had a major fault in its construction. and some cards in your right pocket.4 . This effect works on the principle that if you add the digits of any number between 10 and 20. some cards in his right pocket.A . they would like to be again. You haven’t seen the deck.5 . We’ll assume he counts off 15 cards for this description. you both have the same quantities of cards in each pocket. and the stack has been shortened. 2. from 10-17. Set the deck as follows from the top down: Any 13 cards . Give the deck to a spectator then turn your back. and your single cards prove to be matching mates! The following was inspired by a placement-based trick shown to me by George McBride on Halloween 2000! See Select Secrets section for an impromptu version. In this case 1+5 = 6. In the end. The description has now been modified with a similar patter theme. and to think of that number.2 . we become adults . only the Horowitz singular stack principle is used. Ask him to silently count off that number from the top and place them into his left pocket.4 . The only stipulation is that each individual pair of values be the same colour. a spectator takes a deck and puts some cards in his left pocket.7 . the final sum total will always be odd. but one that is easy to remember (The second version in the Select Secrets section uses a shuffled deck but loses the single card selection). whose ages range from 10 to 17. He pockets 6 cards." Then ask what age.we lose our innocence. The stack is “physically” a Bilis Stack. . Talk about the ages from10 to 17 as being "the best years of our lives. Finally tell him to remove the top card of the deck and place it into his breast pocket. but the Bilis principle is not used. Jim tells a story about his teaching mathematics to students. then add the total to the original number. you now put a single card in your breast pocket.3 . some cards in your left pocket. EFFECT While your back is turned.5 . WORKING 1. He then places the remainder of the deck in your hands after which you turn round.A . Once we turn 18. Without any delay. Give the deck a Jog Shuffle making sure you don’t disturb the top 27 cards. If the spectator thought of 18 or 19 you ran out of cards! To cover this. Now tell him to add together the digits in his number and count off that number of cards and place them into his right pocket. So you can have two red A’s followed by two black Twos. and so on. and you still can’t see it. thanks to the odd number principle. But don’t worry because that’s something you don’t need to know to do the trick! This requires a stack. then have the spectator pick an age that they would like to be (assuming they are older than that) or use their age if they are in that range.eligible to vote .7 .rest of deck. and a single card in his breast pocket. Both packets are equal.3. a 7 spot he took 17 cards. Now turn to face the front. Quickly thumb off that number of cards. Ask him to place the deck in your hand which you hold behind your back. This means he took 15 cards first. Explain that using sense of touch alone you will try to duplicate what he has just done. You now both bring out the cards from your left pockets and count them in unison. If it’s a 3 spot he took 13 cards. Discard the remainder of the deck. In this example the card will be a 5 spot. Repeat with the cards in your right pockets. saying.” Place this in your breast pocket. Finally you both remove the single cards from your breast pockets. bring them to the front and drop them into your left pocket. after pushing off 8 and putting them in your left pocket. Ask him to turn his over (if it’s face down) then slowly turn your card over revealing two matching mates. NOTE: Jim Snapp pointed out that (assuming you have a full deck) if they have taken 17 cards. “This will be my single card selection.no need to count. 4. Remove the top card of the deck and bring it to the front. . simply put the rest of the deck in your right pocket . Now add the digits and thumb off that number and drop these into your right pocket. glimpsing the face as you do so. and so on. twenties. "We’ll use that as an indicator card in a moment.. 1984 & The James File Vol. This.now take back that number of cards one by one from the pile you just dealt and put them back on top of the cards in your hand. Pick up the deck and Double Cut the bottom card to the top. "Finally shuffle the cards in your hand and drop these on top to bury your card. Your number has two digits. "Reduz" was in turn a variation on Stewart James’ "Heduz" (Stewart James in Print. "Now for the mystical element." Watch how many cards he deals. will be an indicator card. 2000). saying. say.the Curse of Scotland? Well there’s an omen right away. apparently for the first time. WORKING 1. "Stab this card into the middle of the deck somewhere and leave it sticking out. then toss the top card (a Nine) face down onto the table. Cull the 9D plus any 3 and 4 to the top of the deck (9D on top with the other two cards in any order).. 2. I’ll remove the Nine along with the two cards on either side of it.UNINHIBITED by Peter Duffie You begin by placing a random card on the table." 3. All you need to know is if it’s in the teens. Add these together .. you state. This places the Three and Four spot at top and bottom. This was inspired by Phil Goldstein’s "Reduz" (Thequal." Separate the spread as you place the three cards on the table then place the right hand section to the bottom and square up. He then stabs the indicator card into the deck and the two cards on either side are removed. Give the deck back to the spectator. thirties or forties.1." You now the Bill Simon business card turnover. The deck is face down in dealing grip. Pick up the face down indicator card and hand it to the spectator. Give the deck back to the spectator and give him the following instructions: "Think of any number between ten and fifty and deal that number of cards into a pile on the table. Look at and remember the card now on top of the pile on the table. "The Nine of Diamonds. A spectator now selects a card by using any number from 10 to 50." If you prefer not to palm cards a false shuffle and cut will suffice. . This turns the Nine spot face up and also places the Three and Four on either side of it. Take back the deck adding the palmed cards. "No one could possibly have predicted what number you would think of so we have a totally random situation. The values of these cards now reveal the position of the selection in the deck. Seeing the 9D. 1989). page 1256. Palm off the top three cards and give out the deck for shuffling. saying. push the face up Nine to one side. If I subtract the indicator value. Say. then say. push the face up Nine to one side. "These could represent 34.3 plus 4 plus 9 gives us 16." He counts down and it is. "Well that could represent 43? It could also mean that your card is the 43rd card in the deck. Would you believe your card is 25th down in the deck? Have a look. . and turn over the 4 and 3. saying. say. turn over the two face down cards." He counts down and it is. "I am going to use these three cards to calculate the position of your card in the deck. You now use the three cards to locate the selection as follows: a) If his number was in the teens. "Well that could represent 34? It could also mean that your card is the 34th card in the deck." He counts down and it is." Turn over the two face down cards. b) If his number was in the twenties. Would you believe your card is 16th down in the deck? Have a look. Say. d) If his number was in the forties." He counts down and it is.4. "Let’s add together these three values . that’s 34 less 9 = 25. and turn over the 4 and 3. c) If his number was in the thirties. Place the cards you are holding on his outstretched palm then ask him to cover the cards with his other hand. 7. you Buckle the bottom card and transfer the top THREE cards as a unit to the bottom. You place the Ace back on the table. Turn your right hand to show the face of this double which is the Ace. and Three are now between the spectator’s palms! This routine is based on a previous one of mine called "Hellraiser. Two. Finally you place the two Jacks between a spectators palms. Not so. With your left fingers back-spread the lower two cards into your left hand. Make a mystical pass towards the spectator’s hands. and Three of Spades in a face up row on the table. Two. and Ace. Two. 2. by picking up the odd card first and placing this on top of a Jack. giving the impression that you have only two cards. You now repeat this with the Two and then the Three. placing the rest of the deck aside. 3. Wrong again! These are the Three. the extra card remains concealed behind the rear Jack. Make any relevant comments then flip the card face down. Repeat step 3 with the Two. Finally ask the spectator to examine the cards he is holding. Two. Remove the Ace. This is very easy to accomplish. and Three. Take the face Jack into your right hand and snap the remaining double and the single Jack together. whereupon they transform into the two black Jacks. each time the card is placed below the Jacks and rises to the top. Two. Two. then lift off the face THREE cards as two. These are a Jack. Ask a spectator to hold out his hand palm up. 6. which you claim have incredible powers! You offer to demonstrate. Instantly you turn over the top card revealing the Ace has risen up through the Jacks. and he should be surprised to find that he now has the Ace. Finally place all three cards into your left hand. You can use the Ed Marlo elevator patter from here on in if you wish. 4. The Ace.UNWONTED by Peter Duffie You lay the Ace. Tap the packet then lift it with your right hand from above in a Biddle grip. and Three of Spades. POSITION CHECK: There are three face down cards in a row on the table. then place both on top of the other Jack. The audience think these are the Ace. You pick up the Ace and place it below the Jacks. then snap your cards face up. and an odd card." a revised handling of which can be found in Effortless Card Magic. Next run through and openly transfer the two black Jacks to the face of the deck. Pick up the three cards from the table. and Three of Spades and lay them in a face up row on the table. leaving a double in your right. You now appear to transfer the top card to the bottom. Next you remove the two black Jacks. and the triple is never in focus long enough to be spotted. Pick up the Ace and place it face up on top of the packet. WORKING 1. Hold the Jacks face up and push over the upper one to display both. Place the double face down on top of the two cards in your left hand then deal the top card face down onto the table where the Ace came from. The transposition was inspired by Jerry Sadowitz’ "The Whisperers" that appeared in Alternative Card Magic. a Jack. In reality. 5. then again with the Three. . The audience think that you have the two Jacks in your hand. You gather up the three tabled cards and snap them. Square the packet and turn it face down and retain it in dealing position. that's the one we'll use. WORKING To demonstrate how this works. or business card. write: "13 IS LUCKY FOR SOME. Ask to deal six cards into a face down pile on the table." then flip it face down again. CURRENT POSITION: There are two face down piles on the table. 3. Others may well have made the same observations. This is a standard rotational stack and can be cut any number of times.repeated three more times. we'll present it as a prediction. b) If he turns over the other top card. saying. "This card will be your helper. saying. 1. but it does guarantee you a total of 13 every time. Point out that a King is value 13. having too much time on my hands).these two cards will always equal 13. "You could have had this card. be used again. This card may. Repeat several times. Now have the two cards totaled . The helper card (in this case a Six spot) lies face up somewhere nearby (see below). The simplicity of the sum of any two adjacent cards totaling one of two possible totals is a powerful tool. On a piece of paper. "Whichever card you decide upon. saying. ." [ see end notes ] Let's assume this card is a Six spot. saying. This is an old technique and very deceptive. While still a full-deck stack. "You could have had this card. The following idea will never replace the aforementioned classic.then throw the remainder on top." Place this on the table writing side down. It came about through experimentation (or. This results in the deck being cut rather than shuffled. Ask the spectator to turn over the top card of either pile. If he turns the King over. As you introduce the trick give the deck a False Shuffle. I use a standard fake Overhand Shuffle as follows: Undercut half and pretend to pull off some cards with your left thumb (really taking none) then drop half of the right hand block below the left section . Now proceed to reveal your prediction." a) The top card of the first pile dealt will always be a King (13). casually flip over the top card of the other pile to show that this card is a different value. or may not." then flip it face down again. A one-two-three action. Give the deck to a spectator and ask him to give the cards a complete cut. Simply set the cards in reverse numerical order and mixed suits: K-Q-J-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-A.13/13 FORCE by Peter Duffie The 13/14 or 14/15 Force Deck has been a standard weapon in the arsenal of mentalists and close-up magicians for many years. Flip over the top card of the other pile to show a different value. 2. then to deal a second pile of six cards beside the first. take it from him and drop it face up next to the "helper" card. 4. The rest of the deck is placed aside. the to deal the top card face up onto the table. it's an easier one to assemble. ii) If he cuts to." Now ask him to leave it face up on top and give the deck a complete cut. there's no way a 13-connection can be made with the other card. and turns over a King at the start. END NOTES: i) If he cuts to. This is a King. The fact that each card is dealt with in a different manner. and turns over an Ace. and you have made no reference to card values at that point. "This will be a marker. say. Talk about your prediction for a bit. then spread the deck across the table and slide out card immediately below the face up Ace.I feel that it's important to show that the card he didn't select is of a different value. forget the helper card and stop right there as he's freely cut to a King (13). . " Spread through all the face up cards and place them to one side. three or even four cards from the top of the packet of cards on the table. So we need to find a random location for the crime to take place. turn to face the front again. In the description that follows patter suggestions are given above each stage of the handling.D. saying.then replace it on top. Once he has hidden the stolen cards. leaving the face down section in your hand. Once you have stolen the cards.in order . Three and Four to the top of the deck . Now ask him to cut off a larger portion. As this is a case of detection. Ask a second spectator to pick up the remainder of the packet." Again he turns the packet over then replaces it. "Pretend this is a random burglary. Two. It further incorporates a principle that belongs to Gene Finnell. and when I do. that will be the number of cards that the other spectator stole. This two-part routine is based on Phil Goldstein's "Sherlocution" that appeared in issue one of The Conjuror (October 1995). The order of the cards is reversed as they are dealt to the table. This is of course the Ed Balducci 'Cut Deeper Force. "cut deeper this time. The only preparation is to get any Ace." Give the deck any shuffle that retains the top stock. I want you to 'steal' one.E. Spell the word detective dealing one card for each letter as you spell aloud . luck plays no part in this! PART ONE "The Great Brain Robbery" "Let's try an experiment in crime detection using this deck of cards." Ask the spectator to turn the card over. "I’ll turn my back. Two. "You have arrived at one random card. two. That card will reveal exactly what has been stolen. You now instruct him (clearly) to carry out a Down-Under Deal to leave him with one card. .' "We'll only use a few cards for this to keep it simple. Incidentally. Three or Four.SHEER-LUCK HOLMES Peter Duffie A demonstration of theft detection is followed by the successful identification of the thief. (Near Deck Experience)." Hold the deck face down in dealing position and invite a spectator to cut off about a third of the deck turn it face up . Whichever it is.D-E-T-E-C-TI-V-E.with the Ace on top. and it's all down to Sherlock Holmes and a deck of cards. This first appeared in my book N. It will either be an Ace." Turn away and allow him to carry out your instructions. we'll spell the word detective. Place the rest of the cards you are holding on top of the other half of the deck then set the deck face down to one side. hide them from view. Then ask him to turn over the card he is holding to reveal that very card......up to six.." (He must not exceed seven) Once he has done that turn to face the front.. Spell the name aloud nice and slowly so there can be no errors. three. Instruct the spectator to carry out a Down-Under Deal to eliminate all but one card. even seven. So I want you to take some cards from the top of the deck and add them on top of the cards in your hand... . one. Sherlock Holmes. Finally ask him to reveal the identity of the criminal. You may add." Ask the spectator to place the packet face down on the table. two. he's got to go into hiding.. "The next part of this experiment is more difficult. "At this point I have no idea of the location of the criminal. So let's call on Sherlock. Of course the criminal is not going to remain at a known location. and so we will need the assistance of one of the greatest detectives of all time. then turn your back once more and give the following simple instructions: "Look at the top card and remember its identity because that is the criminal (Moriarty?).PART TWO "No Hiding Place" Gather the nine cards together and ask one of the spectators to give them a mix.. Emphasise that the suspect was ultimately at a random location." Instruct him to spell the name S-H-E-R-L-O-C-K transferring a card from top to bottom for each letter in the name. and that the spectator had complete freedom in positioning the card. You may have heard of him....Mr.