Welcome The A.C.A.A.N routine has become somewhat of a Holy Grail for magicians. The effect is as simple as it gets; a deck is placed on the table, the spectator is invited to name any card from within a deck, along with any number between 1 and 52. They are then invited to count down to that number in the deck where, low and behold, the card they named is at that number. A simple plot, right? So I need to ask a simple question; why are so many methods so over thought? I have seen versions of this effect that use stacks. 2 and even 3 decks of cards. Not to mention gimmicked cases, and gimmicked decks. When I designed my method for this effect I gave myself a set of rules that I was not allowed to compromise on: • • • • • •
Only one deck may be used. The deck may not be gimmicked. The deck may not be stacked. The deck can be borrowed and incomplete. You never handle the deck, and the spectator can shuffle it if they want. It had to take up as little pocket room as possible.
I know that sounds a little impossible, but hang in there and I'll explain what I created, worked, tested and loved. This has been a labour of love and I can never deny that. I am sure you will slap yourself once you see what I have done. OK, so what is my secret? Well it is a small business style card, which on one side has the numbers 1 to 52 and on the other it has a 1 and 52 card image as in Fig1 and Fig2. Fig 1 Fig 2
With a small stack of these cards, and a simple gimmicked pen, you can do the impossible. So what is this gimmicked pen? Don't panic. This is something you can make in ten minutes with a little super glue. Simply take a Sharpie©, cover the tip with super glue and let it dry. You will notice in Fig 3. that I have left the pen in a glass so that I do not need to sit holding it as the glue sets.
Fig 3. This makes a Sharpie © that will not write or leave a mark on the cards. If you already have a Sharpie© that has run out, feel free to use that but I prefer to use the glue to make sure everything has dried out. I have on occasion used a pen that I thought had dried out naturally but when I went to use it, it did leave a little mark on the paper. I would rather be certain it will not leave mark, than risk it, so I use the glue. So all you need is a stack of the business cards and your non-write Sharpie©, along with a matching working Sharpie ©, which I am sure you carry already. To makes the cards, open up the JPEG images that come with this download, or print pages 9 and 10 of this pdf. Which ever you choose to do make sure you print one page on each side of a sheet of card, then cut each card to size. This will give you a double sided card that you will use in the routine. Stick 4 or 5 of these cards in your wallet and you are ready to go. Alternatively you can take the pdf to a printers and have it done professionally. I have also included two single shots of the back and front if you choose to do this. Anything to keep it easy for you. You will also need a standard deck of cards, which I am sure you all carry anyway. You can also borrow these if you like. And keep in mind it does not have to be a full deck.
Performance Now you know what you need; let's go over the set up and performance. Take 4 or 5 of the cards, place them inside your wallet and place the 2 pens in any pocket you would normally carry a Sharpie © in. Just make sure you can differentiate between the non writing one and the normal one. I keep them in my pocket like Fig 4. The front, highlighted, pen is the standard Sharpie © that writes. This way I know which is which when I need to switch it out. I know a few of you panicked when I said switch, but fear not, it happens at a point where there is no heat on you at all. Finally, carry your deck where you normally would, unless your borrowing the deck. This is you all set to go!
Fig 4.
To perform the effect you will start by borrowing/placing the deck of cards on the table and state that for this effect you will not touch them. Invite the spectator to take the deck out of the case and shuffle it any way the wish, then spread it face up on the table. Once they have spread the deck face up say “So you have shuffled the deck yourself, would you say that this is a fair mix?” Of course they will say yes, because they shuffled it, but even if they say no you can let them do it again.
This is the point where most of the work happens. You will spot what card is in your desired position. I usually use the 12 th position from the top of the deck because I can count to it easily by counting down four blocks of three, which tells me what card will be in the 12th position. You can choose whatever number you like, and the beauty of this effect is that in the routine you can spot what card will be there during the spread which to them looks fair and as if your showing them its a fair and clean mix. This also lets you perform it as many times as you want in one night and have different numbers with different cards every time. Now you know what card lays at your desired number, for explanation we will say the 7 of Hearts at the 12 th position, as in Fig 5.
Fig 5. Have them square the deck up and place it on the table face down. Now you say “ I want you to choose a card from the deck and I will also need you to choose a number between 1 and 52. Now if I just asked you to name a card and a number of the top of your head there are a few that come up more often than not which takes away the randomness of the selection, so I have put together these” As you say this you bring out your little stack of business cards. “These are little cards that have all the cards on one side and the numbers 1 to 52 on the other. So if we take a pen we can select a card on one side and a number from the other with a small dot, this means its clear what card and number you have chosen ”
As you say this you take out your normal Sharpie©, mark the number 12 on one side with a dot and on the other you mark the 7 of Hearts with a dot to demonstrate. It helps if they do not see what you marked exactly, but it's not essential as the time delay will help. Cap the pen and place it back in your pocket as you say “ Now of course we cant use this one as this is my choice not yours. I also did it face up so I knew what the outcome would be. We want your choice to be random.” As I say this I do a double lift with the business cards, turning them over. This places your marked card second from top with a normal unmarked card on top. Take that unmarked card which they will think is the card you just demonstrated with, and place it in your pocket. Do not worry about the dot that will be on the top of the deck as your thumb should be able to cover it so they can't see it, as in Fig6.
Fig 6. Now you will say“ when you mark the card I will hold the pack like this( as you turn your hand and cards face down like in Fig 7.) and have you mark the card from underneath.
Fig 7. This way you can't see what your going to get and keeps it completely random. The easiest way for you to mark the cards like this is if you hold your hand like this.”Put your hand out in a fist like Fig8 and have them hold there hand the same way. As they do this you take out your gimmicked Sharpie©, uncap it and place it in the hand like in Fig 9.
Fig 8.
Fig 9.
“ If you hold the pen like this it lets you mark the bottom easily. Feel free to place a dot randomly on the card.” You say this as you hold the pack of business cards over the pen and gesture for them to stab upwards. As they do this it does not matter where they hit as the pen will not mark the card, leaving your markings as the only ones on there. Angle the card towards yourself, flip the bottom card over and invite them to do the same again.
At this point all you have to do is slide the bottom card off and hand it to them as you take the pen back. Cap the pen and put it away along with the other unused business cards. I then like to recap everything for them “ So you took the deck and shuffled it. We even made sure it was a good mix. Then you randomly selected a card and number by marking the little business card you now hold in your hand. Is that fair?” Of course they will say yes. Everything seems perfect at this point. “ Now can you please tell us what card and what number you got?” They will say the 7 of hearts and number 12. “ Would it be amazing if the 12th card in the deck that you freely shuffled/supplied was the 7 of Hearts? Keeping in mind that the card and number were your choice and I have never touched the deck.” Let this sink in for a second and then invite them to count down to the 12 th card. Now all you need to do is accept your applause!
Notes: You may need to have good audience management. As you are not handling the deck you need to make sure it's not shuffled or cut again after you spot your card in the face up deck. I have never had an issue with it, but it may happen so just be aware. A few friends like to have a pre-set number on a card and skip the double lift. I find it better to let them shuffle and do a simple double lift during the routine. I think it adds an extra element that makes it completely unbelievable for them.
Credits: Dave Forrest: Dave put out a routine called autobahn a few years ago which has a similar element to it. He gave me permission to put these notes out as he thought there was enough of a difference to merit it but I would recommend checking his out too at www.full52.com
Thank you: Dee Christopher, Daniel Madison, Chris Webb, Ben Williams, Jamie Daws, Dave Forrest, Rob Ne'kros, Mat Parrott, Lloyd Barnes and last, but not least, Ross Lavry
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