75 TRICKS with a
STRIPPER DECK Compiled and Edited dited b y AL STEVENSON 2nd Edition dition * Completely Revise d WIZARD BOOKS 22-14 FORTIETH AVENUE LONG-ISLAND CITY 1 NEW YORK Copyright 1962 by WIZARD BOOKS
ÍNDICE ÍNDICE ÍN DICE .......... .................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ...................... ...................... ..................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ............ .. 2 PREFACE T O SEC SECON ON D EDIT EDITIO IO N ............ ........................ ........................ ....................... ....................... ........................ ....................... ....................... ........................ ....................... ............. .. 9 INTR IN TR O DU CT IO N ........... ....................... ........................ ....................... ....................... ........................ ....................... ....................... ........................ ....................... ....................... ........................ ................... ....... 1 0 T HE T APERE D DEC K ..................... .................................. .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ............. 1 2 THE COIN CIDENCE ............ .......................... ............................ ............................ ........................... ........................... ............................ ........................... ........................... ............................ ............... 1 4 . THE PERFECT COU COUNT NT .......... ..................... ..................... ..................... ...................... ...................... ..................... ..................... ...................... ..................... ..................... ...................... .............. 1...4 THE SHUFFLED SETUP.............. .......................... .......................... ........................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ............. 1 4 MIXED MIX ED UP MIRACLE.......... ..................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ........... ........... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ..................... ..................... ................ ..... 1 4 OD DS AN AND D EVEN EVENS S........... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ............. 1 5 . A SIMP SIMPLE LE FORCE .......... ...................... ....................... ...................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ..................... ....................... ............. ...... 1 5 THE POKER HA HAND ND ............ .......................... .......................... .......................... ........................... ........................... ........................... ........................... .......................... .......................... .................... ...... 1 5 READING THE DECK ............. ........................... ........................... ......................... ........................ ......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ......................... .................. ...... 1 5 COLO R SEPARATI SEPARATION ON ........... ....................... ......................... ......................... ........................ ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ....................... .......... 1 5 THE INDIA INDIAN N GIVER........... ...................... ..................... ..................... ...................... ...................... ....................... ............ ............ ........................ ............ ............ ....................... ...................... ............ 1 6 . AN OD DITY ......... ..................... ....................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ..................... ................ ...... 1 6 THE SMART SMART SME SMELL LLER ER............. .......................... ......................... ......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ......................... .......................... ........................... ................ 1...6 POCKET POC KET LOCAT LOCATION ION ........... ...................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ..................... ......... 1 6 POCKET POC KET PUZZLER............ ........................ ......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ............. ............. .......................... ........................... .............. ............. ....................... .......... 1 6 A WEIRD REV REVERSAL ERSAL............. ......................... ......................... ......................... ........................ ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ....................... .......... 1 7 THE STABBED DECK ........... ...................... ....................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ......................... ....................... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ................ 1...7 THE GAMBL GAMBLER'S ER'S ACES............. ......................... ......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ........................... ............... 1 .8 THE TH THUMB UMB COU NT ............. ....................... ....................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ............. ............. ........................ ....................... ............... 1...8 OUT OF THE HAT ............................. .......................................... .......................... ......................... ......................... ........................ ........................ ......................... ......................... ....................... .......... 1 8 ALL CALL IT ......... ..................... ....................... ...................... ...................... ..................... ...................... ....................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ................. ...... 1 8 THE FOUR ROBBERS.......... ..................... ....................... ....................... ...................... ..................... ....................... ............. ............. ........................ ..................... ..................... ...................... ........... 1 8 THE NEXT NEXT ONE IS IT ........... ...................... ...................... ....................... ...................... ...................... ....................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ...................... ...................... ........... 1 9 WITHOUT WITH OUT THE REVERS REVERSE E............. ........................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ............... .............. ............................ ............................ ............... 1 .9 AN EY EYE E POP POPPER PER............ .......................... .......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ................ 1...9 COIN - INCIDENCE............. ........................ ........................ .......................... ......................... ......................... .......................... ........................ ........................ ......................... ......................... ............... 1..9 THE PREDICT PREDICTION ION .............. ........................... ......................... ......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ....................... .......... 2 0 THE GIMMICKED GIMMICKED CASE............. ........................... ............................. ............... .............. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ............... .............. ................. 2...0 THE FLIP FLIP OVER REVE REVELATION LATION .............. .......................... .......................... ............................ ........................... ........................... .......................... ........................... ............... .......... 2 0 ANY CAR CARD D OP ANY SUIT........... ............ ....................... ...................... ...................... ..................... ...................... ........................ ............ ............ ....................... ...................... ............ 2 .1 USING A CO NFEDERATE ............. ........................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ............... .............. ............................ ............................ ............... 2 .1 ACE THE HAR D WAY............. ......................... .......................... ............................ ............................. ............... .............. .......................... .......................... ............................. ............... .......... 2 1 A GAG BIT............ ........................... ............... ............ ........................ ......................... ......................... .......................... ........................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ............. 2 1 WHICH POCKET ? .......... ...................... ....................... ........... ........... ....................... ....................... ...................... ...................... ..................... ..................... ...................... ..................... ................... ......... 2 2 IN TRIPLICA TRIPLICATE TE............ ......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ......................... .......................... ........................... ................ 2...2 LUCKY TH THIRTEEN IRTEEN ............ ........................ ......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ............. ............. .......................... ........................... .............. ............. ....................... .......... 2 2 TWO BLACK ACES............ ....................... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ........................ ................... ....... 2 2 LUCKY SEV SEVEN EN............ ....................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ..................... ....................... ............. ............. ............. ........................ ..................... ....................... ............. ...... 2 3 KINGS AND QUEENS............ ........................ ....................... ....................... ......................... ......................... ....................... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ............. 2 3 . THE LOST ACE............ .......................... .......................... ......................... ......................... ........................ ......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ......................... .................. ...... 2 3 THE EY EYES ES HAVE IT ............ ....................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ....................... ...................... ..................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ...................... .............. 2...4 FINGERPRINTS FINGERPRINT S............. ......................... ........................ ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... .................... ........ 2 4 FACE UP OR FACE DOW N ........... ....................... ............ ............ ....................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ..................... ...................... ....................... ...................... ............ 2 .4 MATHEMAGICAL ........... ....................... ............ ............ ....................... ...................... ...................... ..................... ..................... ...................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ................. ...... 2 5 COLO R TELEPATHY........... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ...................... ....................... ..................... ......... 2 5 PURELY MENTAL............ ......................... ............................ ............... .............. .......................... .......................... ............................. ............... ............ .......................... ............................ .................... ...... 2 5
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AN UNUSUAL VANISH ........... ......................... ........................... ......................... .......................... ........................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ........................... ............... 2 6 . THE TRIPLE COI NCIDEN NCIDENCE CE........... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ....................... ........... 2 6 THE MAD MAGICIAN ........... ........................ ......................... ......................... ........................... .............. ............... .............. ........................... ......................... ......................... ................ 2...7 THE ALLOWANCE........... ....................... ......................... ......................... ........................ ......................... ......................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ......................... .................. ...... 2 7 THE STRA STRANGER NGER............ ........................ ......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ........................... .............. ............... ............ ............. 2 8. THE REL RELUCTA UCTA NT CAR CARDS DS ............. ............. ....................... ...................... ....................... ...................... ........................ ....................... ...................... ....................... .................... ......... 2 8 WORLD'S WORLD' S FASTEST COU COUNT NT ........... ......................... ............................ ........................... ........................... ............................ ........................... ........................... ............................ ............... 2 .8 JUST FOR LAUGHS ........... ....................... ............ ............ ....................... ...................... ...................... ..................... ...................... ........................ ............ ............ ....................... ...................... ............ 2 9 . SUPER STRIPPER ............... ............ .......................... ............................ ............................. ............... .............. .......................... .......................... ............................. ............... .............. ................. 2...9 END STRIPPERS .......... ..................... ....................... ....................... ..................... ..................... ....................... ....................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ....................... .................. ...... 2 9 BLANK STRIPPER ........... ...................... ..................... ..................... ...................... ...................... ....................... ............ ............ ........................ ............ ............ ....................... ...................... ............ 2 9 . MAKING YOUR OWN ........... ...................... ...................... ...................... ..................... ..................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ...................... ..................... ................... ......... 2 9 ALPHABET CAR CARDS DS........... ......................... ............................ .......................... ........................... ............... ............ .......................... ............................ ........................... ........................... ............... 3 0 . ESP CAR CARDS DS ............. ........................... .......................... ......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ......................... .......................... ........................... ......................... .................. ...... 3 0
FOR TH THE E C AR D MEN ........... ........................ .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ....................... .......... 3 1 TAP TA P IT OFF ............ .......................... .......................... .......................... ............................ ........................... ........................... ........................... ........................... .......................... .......................... .................... ...... 3 1 THE AUT AUTOMATI OMATIC C RISE........... ....................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ........................... .......................... ........................ ......................... ......................... .................. ...... 3 1 THE PAPER CLIP............. ......................... ........................ .......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ........................ ......................... ......................... ......................... ................ 3...1 THE FLY FLYING ING CAR CARD D ........... ....................... ....................... ........................ ....................... ....................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ....................... ....................... ..................... ......... 3 1 ONE HAN D LOCATION ............. ........................... ........................... .......................... ............................ ........................... ......................... .......................... ............................ ....................... ........ 3 2 THE BAD PENNY........... ....................... ....................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ..................... ................ ...... 3 2 THREE TH REE CAR CARD D MONTE ............ ....................... ....................... ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ....................... ........................ ......................... ............. 3 2 . PASSE PASSE............. ........................... .......................... ........................... ............... .............. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ............... .......... 3 3 INKREDIBLE INKREDIBL E........... ....................... ......................... ......................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ......................... ......................... ......................... ....................... ....................... .................. ...... 3 3 THE JACKS JACKS'' PERSISTENCY........... ...................... ..................... ..................... ...................... ....................... ....................... ...................... ..................... ..................... ...................... .............. 3 ...3 ELUSIVE ELU SIVE CAR CARD D ............. .......................... .......................... ......................... ......................... ........................... .......................... ......................... ......................... .......................... ........................... ................ 3...4 # 6 6 ........... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ......................... ....................... ................... ........ 3 5 # 6 7 ........... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ......................... ....................... ................... ........ 3 5 # 6 8 ........... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ......................... ....................... ................... ........ 3 5 # 6 9 ........... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ......................... ....................... ................... ........ 3 5 # 7 0 ........... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ......................... ....................... ................... ........ 3 5 # 7 1 ........... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ......................... ....................... ................... ........ 3 5 # 7 2 ........... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ........................ ....................... ........................ ......................... ....................... ................... ........ 3 5 THE GIANT FAN ........... ....................... ......................... ............. ............. ......................... ......................... ......................... ........................ ......................... ......................... ....................... ................... ........ 3 6 BOOKED DECK DISCOVERY.......... .................... ..................... ...................... ...................... ..................... ..................... ...................... ..................... ..................... ...................... .............. 3...6 AGAIN THE BOOKED DECK ........... ........................ ......................... ........................ ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ....................... .......... 3 7 A SH OR T ST RIPPER RO U TI TINE NE............. .......................... ......................... ......................... .......................... ......................... ......................... .......................... ........................ .................. ....... 3 7 PA T TER & R OU TI NE............. ......................... ......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ....................... .......... 3 8
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75 TRICKS with a
STRIPPER DECK Compiled and Edited dited b y AL STEVENSON 2nd Edition dition * Completely Revise d WIZARD BOOKS 22-14 FORTIETH AVENUE LONG-ISLAND CITY 1 NEW YORK Copyright 1962 by WIZARD BOOKS
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TO my fri en d s of THE THE WIZ WIZAR ARD'S D'S SHOP SHOP who have bought the Wizard Wizard Deck and are a nxious nxious to do othe r than t he element element ary effe effects cts given given in the instr uctions.
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PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION T h e fi f i r s t e d i ti ti o n o f t h i s b o o k le le t w a s p u b l i s he he d i n 1 9 5 7 s o d h a s h e r o n o t of print for som e time. S ev er e r a l f r ie ie n d s , i n cl c l u d i ng ng m a g ic i c d e a le le r s, s , h a v e u r g e d m e t o r e - p r i n t i t. t. However, I felt that the original version had room for improvement and so I have revised revised the en tire manu script, script, discarding discarding some effects effects and adding other s. I t is i s m y h o p e t h a t m y e f f o r t s w il il l gi g i ve ve m a n y h o u r s o f p l e a s u r e t o t h o s e w h o l ik ik e t o d o c a r d t r i ck ck s b u t h a v e n ei ei t h e r t h e t i m e n o r t h e p a t i e nc nc e r e q u i re re d to p ractice intricate sleighs sleighs of h an d. But But:: Don’ Don’tt sell the stri ppe r s hor t! Once you l eeaa r n t o h a n d le l e i t w el el l, y o u m a y f i n d t h e n e ce c e s s ar a r y t i m e a n d p a t ie i e n ce ce a n d - c o m b i ne ne d wi t h s l ei e i gh g h s o f h a n d - a s t r i p p e r d e c k w il ill m a k e i t p o s s i bl bl e f o r y o u to do ap parent miracles. miracles . ALWYN STENSON New York, York, 196 2
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INTRODUCTION In the opinion of the au thor, one of the mo st n eglected eglected pieces of magical magical apparatus is the tapered, or "stripper," deck. Prop erly used, this deck can give
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t h e i m pr p r e ss s s i on o n o f m i r ac a c ul u l o us u s s le le i g h t o f h a n d a n d - e v en e n m o r e i m po p o r ta ta n t pro perly han dled, the stripp er cannot be s potte d as being gimmicked. gimmicked. T he h e p ri r i nc n c i pl pl e o f t he h e s t ri ri p pe p e r i s n o t a s c om o m m o nl n l y k no n o wn w n a s m o st st m a g ic ic ia ia n s b e li li ev ev e d e s p i t e t h e f a cctt t h a t t h e t a p e r e d d e c k i s m a n y y ea ea r s o l d . I t has been s aid many times tha t to use t he stripper is "cheat "cheating, ing,"" but t he stripper c an a n b e p la l a ce ce d i n t h e s a m e c at a t eg e g or o r y a s t h e s h o rt r t c ar a r d, d , f or o r ci ci ng n g d ec e c k, k, e tc tc. Gi m mi m i cck k e d c ar a r d s a n d e ve ve n e n ti t i r e t r ic i c k d e c k s h a v e b e e n u s e d b y m a n y c ar ar d men. But it is the end result, the making of a Mystery, that counts. The means used to attain that end are unimportant. T hi hi s m a n u s c ri r i p t h a s b e e n w r it i t t e n w i t h t h e e xp x p r e s s P u r p o se s e o f m a k in in g those who sh un the st ripper, or who are not aware of it's it's pos sibil sibiliti ities, es, come to t h e r e aall i za z a t io i o n o f t h e f a cctt t h a t a s a n a d j u n c t t o s l ei ei g h t o f h a n d , o r b y i t s e lf lf , i f n e ed e d b e, e, t h e p r o p er e r u s e o f t h e s t r ip i p p e r c a n g e t t h e m t h e a p p r o b at a t io io n a n d applaus e of their audiences whenever whenever they perform. The stripper deck has many uses other than the location of a card or group of cards and the follow following ing pages will will prove to you th at, with with it, you can do un drea med of things in card magic, magic, create effects effects impossible with with sleight sleight of han d. Torn Torn to any page in this book, read any one of the n um erou s effects, and give yourself a pleasant surprise. The tapered deck is a magical "tool'-and the pro per use of this tool is is the Purpose of this book.
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THE TAPERED DECK The principle principle of the ta pered deck is a simple one: One O ne end of the d eck is narrower th an t he othe r. Consequently, Consequently, with with all all the cards one way and o ne card reversed in the d eck, eck, the reversed card is easily easily located located as then the wide end of the card is at the narrow end of the deck and it protrudes. A crudely crudely cut deck is n ot practical. practical. The taper sho uld b e s li l i gh g h t a n d s o g r a d u al a l t h a t e ve ve n t h e p e r fo fo r m e r s h o u l d have to look closel closely y to notice it. it. You You m ay, however however,, us e a c r u d e ly ly c u t d e c k t o i ni ni ti t i a te t e y o u i n t o t h e m y s t e ri ri e s o f t h e s t ri r i p pe p e r, r, t h e n u s e a f i ne n e r c u t w he h e n y ou o u h av a v e b e co co m e proficient. proficient. Your Your success with the stripper depen ds wholly wholly u p o n y o u r h a n d l i ng n g o f t h e p a c k, k, a n a t u r a l n es e s s i n w o r ki ki n g with it. You must be able to strip cards from the pack e as a s il il y a n d s wi wi ft ft l y, y et et d o i t a s i f y ou o u w er er e h a n dl d l i ng ng n o t h i n g m o r e t h a n a n o r d i n a ry ry p a c k o f c a r d s . D o n o t r u n y o u r f in i n g er er s a l o n g t h e e d g e o f t h e d e c k to de tect reverses cards; just lightly lightly touch the sides of the deck at both e nds. Your Your hand s are un der consta nt scrutiny. Fumbling Fumbling the edges of the deck is a sure giveaway; it is an unnatural movement and will arouse suspicion. W h e n a c a rd r d h a s b ee e e n s el el ec ec te t e d t h e d ec e c k m u s t h e r ev ev e rs r s ed e d , b u t t he he r ev e v e rs r s al a l s h o u l d n o t b e o bv b v i o us u s . F an a n ni n i n g t h e d e ck c k a n d c llo o si si n g i t i s t h e m o s t practical practical way of reversing reversing the deck. Hold Hold the deck face down in your left ha nd, t h u m b o n t o p , f in i n g er er s b e n e a t h . T h e r i gh g h t f o r e fi fi n ge g e r h i t s t h e t o p l ef ef t h a n d e d g e o f t h e p a c k, k, m o v e s f r o m l ef ef t t o r ig i g h t, t , s p r e a d i n g t h e c a r d s i n t o a f a n. n. A c a r d i s s e le le c te te d , r i g h t f o r e fi fi n ge g e r c l o se s e s t h e f a n f r o m l ef ef t t o r ig i g h t r e ve ve r si s i n g t h e d e c k. k.
The selected selected card is replaced replaced in the deck and can be strippe d when de sired. N ot ot ee:: I n t h e p a g es e s t h a t f ol ol l ow ow , t h e t e r m " r ev ev er e r s e d" d" w i l l b e u s e d t o designate the t urning of a card (or the deck) end for end.
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T o b e co c o m e p r o fi fi ccii een n t w i t h t h e s t ri r i p p e r i t i s m o s t i m p o r t a n t t h a t y ou ou develop develop ease in the han dling dling of th e deck. Practic Practice, e, opening and closing closing fans of cards, and stripping one or mo re cards tha t have been reversed reversed in the deck. Handle the deck lightl lightly. y. You do not need sup ersensitive ersensitive fingers fingers to han dle this deck. It It is easier easier to locate a reversed card by u sing a light light touc h rat her t han squeezing the sides of the deck. If stripping a reversed card from the deck s e e m s o b v io i o u s t o y o u a t f i r st s t , s t ri ri p t h e c a r d o r c a r d s n o t o f t h e d e c k w it it h t h e d e ck c k b e hi h i n d y o ur u r b a ck ck . T hi h i s w i ll , i n f ac a c tt,, a d d t o t h e m y s t er e r y i n s of of a r a s t h e spectator is concerned. concerned. Eventually you will will att ain the ability ability to strip n ot o ne or m ore car ds in full v i ew ew o f t h e s p e c t a t o r a n d p l ac a c e t h e m o n t o p o r b o t t o m o f t h e d e c k w it it h o u t i t being n oticeable. oticeable. Make Make it a habit to look directly directly at t he s pectator whe n s tripping a card. In t h e s e c on o n d h e r e t u r n s y o u r l oo o o k y ou o u c a n h a ve ve t h e c a r d o u t a n d o n t o p o f t h e deck. A l i tt t t le le s t o ry r y w i t h e ac a c h e ff f f ec ec t i s a llss o d e s ir ir a bl bl e f or o r p a t t e r i s i n i ts t s el el f misdirection. Pick out, a half dozen of the effects in this book, try them on so meo ne. You You wil willl not only sur prise th em, you will will surp rise yourself.
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#1 THE COINCIDENCE Have a card selected and (without allowing its face to he seen) initialed on t he back by a s pectator. Rev Reverse erse the deck and have the card inserted. Shuff Shuffle le a n d l aay y d e c k f ac a c e d o w n o n t h e t a bl bl ee.. C u t t o r ev e v er e r s e d c ar a r d , h a ve v e t h is i s p a ck ck e t tur ned face op and ask th e spectator to m ark th e face face - op card. He He is is, of of course, unaware that it is the same one he previously initialed on the back. Shuffle a ga g a iin n . Lo c at a t e t h e m a r k e d c ar a r d i n a n y w ay ay y ou o u w i s h, h, t h e n s h o w t h e a m a z i ng ng coincidenc coincidencee of the s pectator m arking the sa me card twice twice.. #2 THE PERFECT COUNT R eev v e rs r s e t h e t w e n t y si s i xt x t h c a r d i n t h e p a c k. k. R e m a rk rk t o t h e s p e c t a t o r s t h a t y o u h a ve v e , t h r o u g h y ea ea r s o f e xp x p e ri ri e nc nc e, e, d e ve ve llo o p e d t h e a bi b i l i ty ty t o j u d ge ge t h e amount of cards in any packet by its thickness. Cut the deck at the reversed c a r d a n d h a n d t h e p a c k e t y o u h a v e r e m o v ed e d t o a s p e c t a t o r t e ll l l in in g h i m t h a t y o n have judge d exactly half the p ack. #3 THE SHUFFLED SETUP M a ny ny e ff ff ec ec t s a r e p o s s ib i b le le w i t h a p r e - a r r an a n g e d d e ck c k . N at at u r al al ly ly, y o u cannot offer a set - up deck for sh uffling uffling.. Howev However, er, if you have a stripper set u p in a certain order simply reverse half the pack and place it in the card case. W h e n r ea e a d y t o p e rf r f or o r m , r e m ov o v e t h e p a ck c k f ro r o m t h e c a se se a n d h a n d i t t o t h e spectator for one riffle shuffle, then take the deck and strip not the reversed c ar a r d s . Yo Y o u w il il l n o w h a ve ve t h e s e t - u p i n t w o p a c ke k e t s. s. Pl aacc e t h e t wo w o p a c ke ke t s t o g e t h e r i n t h e ir ir p r o p e r o r d e r a n d t h e d e c k i s a g ai a i n s e t u p i n t h e o r i gi gi n al al p r e arranged order. #4 MIXED UP MIRACLE Divide the deck into two equal piles, reverse one pile and place the two piles face to face. Now, Now, thoro ughly shuffle the d eck. Place Place the deck be hind your back, strip the entire deck, torn one half over and place it upon the other half, t h e n b r in i n g t h e d e ck c k f or o r w ar a r d . Ri Ri bb bb o n - s p r e a d t h e c ar a r d s a n d s h o w t h e y a r e a ll ll one way. way. #5
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ODDS AND EVENS Bef o re r e h a n d h a v e t h e d e c k s e p a r a t e d i n t o t w o p i l es e s , o n e p i l e a ll ll t h e o d d numbers, the other pile, all even numbers. Reverse one pile and shuffle in the n o r m a l m a n n e r. r . A f te t e r s h u f fl fl i ng n g , s t r i p t h e e n ti t i r e d e c k b e h i n d y o ur u r b a ck ck a n d s h o w y o u h av av e s e p a r a t e d o d d n u m b e r s f r o m e v e n n u m b e r s . #6 A SIMPLE FORCE H av av e t h e c ar a r d y ou o u w a nt n t t o f o r ce c e r e ve v e r se s e d o n t h e b o t t o m o f t h e p a c k. k. Shuffl Shuffle, e, place the deck face down on the ta ble and casu ally ally cut to the reversed c a r d. d. S h ow ow i t t o t h e s p e c t a t o r. r. D o n o t g i ve ve t h e i m p r e s s i on o n y o n a r e c u t t i ng ng t o a certain card, cut th e deck casu ally. ally. #7 THE POKER HAND Have a straight flush reversed in the deck. Shuffle and strip the flush to t h e t o p . D e al al o u t f iv iv e p o k e r h a n d s a r o u n d t h e t a b le l e (f i v e c a r d s e a c h ). ). Pi P i ck ck u p e a c h h a n d , s h o w i t b ri r i e fl fl y, y, d o n o t d i s t u r b i t s o r d e r , a n d p l ac ac e e a c h h a n d b a c k on top of the d eck. Deal Deal out five five hands again of fiv fivee cards each, then show t hat y o u h a v e d e a l t y o u r s el e l f a s t r a ig ig h t f lu l u s h . U n kn k n o w n t o t h e s p e c t a t o r e ve ve r y f if if t h card on t op of the deck is part of the flush. #8 READING THE DECK Memorize five five cards an d reverse the m in t he deck. Tell Tell the spectator that you can read th e backs of the cards. Shuff S huffle le and st rip the five five me morized cards to the top of the deck. Remove Remove the top card face down, call call not t he na me of one of the five you have memorized, and place it face down no the table. Repeat this un til you have the five five top cards face down on t he table. Mix the m u p, then tur n t hem over and s how you have called called the five five cards cards correctly correctly.. #9 COLOR SEPARATION This is a real eye eye pop per. Bef Before ore star ting your perfor mance, separate the reds and blacks and reverse one color. To begin, shuffle the entire deck and d i s p la la y t h e f a c e s o f t h e c a r d s s h o w i ng ng t h e m t o b e t h o r o u g h ly l y m i x e d. d. F a n t h e deck with with the backs toward you an d have a red card selected. selected. Ask Ask the spectat or t o r e m e m b e r h i s c a r d . Re R e v e rs r s e t h e d e c k a n d h a v e t h e c a r d r e p l a ce ce d . Fa F a n a g ai ai n an d have a black card selected. Reverse Reverse and replace. Now, shuffle thoroughly. Put the deck behind your back and completely strip out the entire deck. Bring h forward holding the two packets and show
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t h a t y o u h av a v e n o t o nl n l y c o m pl pl et e t el el y s e pa p a r at a t e d r e ds d s f ro r o m b la la ck ck s b u t t h e r e d selected selected card is among the black, black, and the black selected selected cart! amo ng the red. #10 THE INDIAN GIVER Break reak the deck into two piles. piles. Giv Givee one to a s pectator, reversing his pile as you ha nd it to him. Ask A sk him to look at any card in his pile pile and insert it face down into your pile. pile. Shuff Shuffle le your pile, pile, strip o ut the card he gave gave yon an d place it face down in his pile. Ask him to na me his card. Show it is not in your pile as he thought. Tell him he is an "Indian Giver" and influenced you into giving him back the sa me card he gave von. von. #11 AN ODDITY S e p a ra r a t e t h e r e eell f r o m t h e b l ac ac k c a r d s i n t o t w o p il il e s. s. R e ve ve r s e o n e p il il e a n d t h e n m a k e a s i n gl g l e p i le le b y a l t e r n a ti ti n g r e d a n d b la l a c k. k. H ol o l d t h e d e c k w it it h b o t h h a n d s b y t h e e d g e s a n d s t r i p t h e e n t i re r e d e c k j u s t t h e s li li g ht h t e s t f r a c ti ti o n. n . If If you n ow riffle riffle the cards in one direction, direction, you wil will see o nly red cards; riff riffle le in the o the r direction an d you will will see only black cards. #12 THE SMART SMELLER La y s e ve ve n c a r d s i n a r o w o n t h e t a b le le , t h e m i d d l e c a r d r e ve ve r s e d. d . H a ve ve a spectator write the aromas you call out, one each, on the backs of the cards, left to righ t. Turn your back if you wish. Call ou t, Rose, Rose, Violet Violet,, Jasmin e, Lil Lilli lies, es, Pine, Hemlock, Hemlock, Cedar. The r eversed card will will be Li Lillies, lies, the four th card called. called. Have Have the cards mixed an d han ded to you; you; strip Lillies llies to t op. Smell Smell each card, face toward you, remarking that you will find your favorite aroma: Lillies. You may do this with drinks or s pices. pices. #13 POCKET LOCATION T h e s e le l e c te te d c a r d i s r e v e rs r s e d i n t h e d e c k a n d t h e d e c k i s s h u f f l e d. d. D r o p t h e d e c k i n t o a s p e ct c t a t or o r ' s s h i r t p o c ke k e t T h e e n d o f t h e d e ck c k f r o m w hi h i cch h the reversed card protr udes s hould be u p, that is: is: nearest to t he edge of the pocket. T or o r n y ou o u r h e a d a ssii d e, e, r e a c h i n t o p o c k et e t w i t h t h u m b a n d m i d d le le f i ng n g er er a n d remove selected card. #14 POCKET PUZZLER PUZZLER Have selected card reversed in the deck. Shuffle. D rop deck, protruding end of selected selected card up per most, into spectator's shirt pocket. Ask for a num ber
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between 1 and 20. Reach into spectator's pocket and remove and show cards one at a time. We will presume the number called was 14. Remove 13 cards from t he top o r the bot tom of the deck; show the fourt eenth (the (the reversed) reversed) card t o b e t h e o n e s el el ec ec te t e d b y s p e c ta t a t or o r . U s e t h u m b a n d m i d dl dl e f i ng ng er e r w he he n reaching into into the spectator's pocket. #15 A WEIRD REVERSAL Take all all the cards of one suit (spades, for example), example), reverse reverse the m, insert the m in t he deck, shuffle thoroughly and place the deck hack in its case. When When y o u a r e g o in i n g t o p e r f o r m , r e m o v e t h e p a c k f r o m y o u r p o c k et e t a n d o f fe fe r i t t o b e shuffled. As As the deck is being shuffled patt er to t he effect effect that thirteen is your l u ck ck y n u m b e r a n d y o u a r e g oi o i n g t o t r y a n e x p er e r i m e n t w it i t h t h a t n u m b e r . Ta Ta k e t h e d ec e c k f ro r o m t h e s p ec e c ta t a t or o r a n d p la l a ce ce i t b e hi h i n d y ou o u r b ac a c k. k. S t ri ri p n o t t h e t h ir i r t ee e e n s p a d e s, s , t u r n t h e m o ve ve r a n d i n se s e r t t h e m t o ge g e t h e r b a c k i n to t o t h e p a c k. k. Br i ng ng t h e d ec e c k f or o r wa w a r d, d, f ac a c e u p; p ; s p r ea e a d t h e d e ck ck a n d s h ow o w t h a t t h e re re a re re thirteen card s face down, together, a remar kable coinc coincidence. idence. Now Now,, square the p ac a c k, k, m e n i t f ac ac e c l o w n, n, s p re r e ad a d t he h e c ar ar d s a n d - a n o th t h er e r c oi oi nc n c i de d e nc nc e h a s occurred: the t hirteen cards are all all spad es! #16 THE STABBED DECK This is a remarkable effect and never fails t o m y s ti t i ffy y. H av av e a c ar a r d s el e l eecc t e d a n d i n se se r t e d a ga g a iin n i n t h e r ev e v er e r s e d d e ck c k . S ho ho w a n o r d in i n a ry ry p a p e r n a p k in i n . W ra r a p t h e d e ck c k i n t h e n a p k in i n b u t, t, t e s t e d a s y o n s t a r t t o w r a p, p, p u l l o u t t h e r e ve ve r s e d card slightl slightly y - a quarter of an inch will will do. H ol ol d t h e d e c k f i r ml ml y a s y ou o u w r ap ap s o t h a t t h e p r o t r u d in i n g c a r d d o e s n o t s li li d e b a ck c k i n to to t h e deck with the h andling. andling. When the deck is wrapped, tuck under the ends of the napkin, again b e in i n g c a r ef ef u l n o t t o m o v e t h e p r o t r u d i n g c a r d. d . H ol ol d t h e w r a p p e d d e c k f a c e u p in your right hand and, with the left, push the tip of a knife blade into the n a p k i n a t t h e e n d o f t h e d e c k w h e r e t h e c a r d i s p a r t l y s t ri ri p p e d o u t . Pu P u s h k n i fe fe blade into the na pkin from a slightly slightly angled position, position, downward, so t hat t he tip of the knife hits hits p rotr uding card; then, leve levell the knife and pu sh it all all the way in. in. T he h e k ni n i ffee b la la d e i s n o w r e s t i ng ng o n t h e s t ri r i p p e d c ar a r d . P u sh s h t h e k n if if e i n t o t h e d e ck c k u p t o t h e h a n d le l e , t h e r e by b y p u s h i ng ng t h e s t ri r i p p e d c ar a r d b a ck c k i n t o t h e d e ck ck and even even with the ot hers. Ask Ask that the selected card be na med. Lea Leave ve the knife i n p l a ce ce a n d r i p o f f t h e n a p k i n s h o w i n g t h e k n i f e r e s ti t i n g o n t h e s e le le c te t e d c a r d. d. This is not an effect in be done hurriedly. Make a big thing of it and, when abo ut t o reveal th at t he knife is resting on t he selected eas e!, do it slowly. slowly.
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#17 THE GAMBLER'S ACES Have Have the four aces reversed in the deck. Tel Telll those watching that you are g oi oi ng n g t o p r o ve ve t h a t i t i s n o t s m a r t t o p la l a y c a r d s w i t h s t r a n g er e r s. s . S h uf u f fl fl e t h e deck, place it it face face down on the ta ble and cut t o an ace. Do Do not s how the ace but r e m o ve ve i t f r o m t h e p a c ke k e t a n d p la l a ce ce i t f a c e d o w n t o o n e s i d e. e. D o t h i s t h r e e m o r e t i m e s u n t i l y ou o u h a v e c u t a n d r e m o v e d a ll ll o f t h e a c eess . T ur u r n o ve ve r t h e f o u r cards an d show th at you cut to an ace each ea ch time. #18 THE THUMB COUNT R eem m a r k t h a t y o u h a v e s u p e r s e n s i ti ti ve ve f i ng n g e r s a n d c a n c o u n t c a r d s w h il il e riffl riffling ing them with with your th um b. Be Beforehand, have the fifteenth fifteenth card reversed in the d eck. Be sore th at you riffle riffle the corner of th e deck where the reversed card prot rude s. Rif Riffl flee this corner o nce or twice, twice, break the deck at the reversed card and han d the p acket to the sp ectator to be count ed. You You,, of of course, have stated in advance how ma ny cards you are going going to thu mb coun t, #19 OUT OF THE HAT Sele Selected cted card is stripped to to p of deck, Borrow Borrow a felt felt hat, crease the top a n d h o l d h a t h ig i g h . Dr Dr o p t h e d e c k i n t o t h e h a t , d e c k o n o n e s i d e o f t h e c r e a s e, e, s t r i p p e d c a r d o n t h e o t h e r . Sn Sn a p t h e o u t s i d e b o t t o m o f t h e h a t , b e lo lo w s t r i p p e d card. It will will ju mp out of the h at. #20 ALL CALL IT Have a card reversed in the deck, King of Spades, f or example. Shuffle, c u t t o t h e k i n g a n d s h o w i t t o o n e p e r s o n p r e s e n t o n ly l y. Re R e s h u ff f f le le , d o t h e s a m e t o a n o t h e r p e r s o n. n . D o t h i s f o u r t i me m e ss,, e a c h t i m e s h o wi w i ng n g t h e s a m e c a rd rd b u t without without letting letting any of the four s pectators know tha t they have all all looked looked at t he King of of Spades. Tell Tell the fou r s pectators to call call out their card when you count to t h r e e . T h e y w il ill l oo o o k a n d f e eell r a t h e r f o ol ol i s h w h e n t h e y a ll ll c al al l o u t "Ki ng ng o f Spades." #21 THE FOUR ROBBERS Remove Remove the lone aces from the deck and lay lay them lace lace down o n the table. table. R e ve ve r s e t h e d e c k a n d l ay ay i t o n t h e t a b le l e . T el el l t h e s t o r y o f f o u r r o b b e r s i n t e n t upo n rob bing a house. Insert one ace low in the pack, face face down; this robber is in the cellar. Another ace is inserted a bit higher in the pack, the first floor; a
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third ace still still higher higher in the p ack, the secon d floor, floor, and the last ace near the t op of the pack. As you now shuffle the pack re mark tha t one of the robbers looked out of the window an d s aw the p olice olice app roaching. roaching. The only only way of escape was t h r o u g h t h e r o of o f . S tr t r ip i p t h e a ce c e s t o t h e t o p , p l a ce ce t h e d e ck c k f ac ac e d o w n o n t h e table and slowly slowly remove the four to p cards, one at a time. The four robbers are all on t he roof. #22 THE NEXT ONE IS IT Have Have a card selected an d re placed placed in t he reversed d eck. Hold Hold t he deck in your left hand, lightly feeling the selected card. Deal out one card at a time f r o m t h e f a c e - d o w n p a c k , s h o wi wi n g t h e c a r d e a c h t i m e, e, a n d m a k i n g a n e a t p il il e f ac a c e d o w n o n t h e t a bl b l ee.. C o n ti ti n u e d e a li li ng n g p a s t t h e c h o se s e n c ar ar d , t h e n r e m a r k that the next card you s how will will he t he selected card. Surprise Surprise them all all by not s h o w in in g t h e n e x t c a r d t o b e d e a l t b u t b y c u t t i n g t o t h e r e ve ve r s e d c a r d t o b e i n the pile on t he table. #23 WITHOUT THE REVERSE This will will fool a m agician. agician. Have Have the entire lower h alf of th e d eck reverse d. A sk s k s o m e o n e t o s e le le c t a c ar a r d f r o m t h e u p p e r h a l f of of the deck. Slow Slowly ly riffle riffle th e c a r d s s o t h a t t h e c h o s e n c a r d i s i n se s e r t e d i n t h e lower half half of the deck. Break Break the d e c k a t t h e c e n t e r a n d g i ve ve t h e t o p h a lf l f t o t h e s p e c t a t o r f o r s h u f fl f l in in g. g. S h uf uf fl fl e the b otto m half yourself yourself.. You You can now strip out the selected selected card in your half. half .
#24 AN EYE POPPER Have the deck in the case with all the red cards reversed. Remove the d e c k f r o m t h e c a s e a n d s h u f f le le t h o r o u g h l y. y. St S t ri ri p t h e d e c k c o m p l e te t e ly ly a n d p u t the two packets together. You You now have tics deck half red and half black black.. Hold Hold t h e d e c k f a ce c e d o w n i n y o u r r ig i g h t h a n d , l e ft ft t h u m b c o m e s o v er er t o t h e t o p o f t h e deck, left left fingers fingers und erneat h t he deck. With With your left left han d, remove the top and b o t t o m c ar a r d s o f t h e d e ck c k t o ge g e t h e r, r, p l a ci ci ng n g t h e t w o c a r d s f a ce ce d o w n o n t h e table. table. Continue Continue d oing this un til the entire pack is on the table, table, face down. Turn the cards over, spread them, and show a perfect alternation of red and black throughout the deck. #25 COIN-INCIDENCE Reverse Reverse a deuce, trey, trey, four an d nine in your deck. Bef Beforehand orehand gather a nd
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put in your trouser pocket a quantity of coins, all of different dates, but all d a t e s t o t a li li n g e i g ht h t e e n ( 1 9 3 5, 5, 1 9 2 6 , 1 9 0 8 , 1 9 4 4 , 1 9 5 3 , e t c. c . ). C u t d e c k a t t h e four reversed cards, making four piles, with one of the reversed cards at the botto m of each pile, pile, the four piles face down on the table. table. Casuall Casually y remove the coins from your pocket and have one selected. Ask the spectator to total the f o u r d i gi g i t s o n h i s s e l ec ec t e d c o i n. n. W he h e n h e a n n o u n c e s t h e t o t a l (w (w hi hi c h m o s t b e eighteen) eighteen),, turn over each pile pile on the table and s how that t he four cards you cut to also tot al eighteen. eighteen. #26 THE PREDICTION Before performing, reverse and note three cards in your deck. Tell your audience th at you are feeli feeling ng particularly particularly clairv clairvoyant oyant an d you would like them to hel p you in testing t he validity validity of your feelings. feelings. Take a piece piece of pape r an d on i t w ri r i t e t h e n a m e s o f t h e t h r e e c a r d s y ou o u h a ve ve p r e vi vi o us u s ly ly r e ve ve r se se d i n y o u r s t r i p p e r d e c k. k . R e m ar a r k i ng ng t h a t y o n h a v e m a d e a p r e d i c ti t i o n, n, f o ld ld t h e p a p e r a n d p l ac ac e i t i n a s p e c ta t a t o r' r ' s p o c ke ke tt.. S hu hu ff f f le le y ou o u r d e ck c k a n d p l ac ac e i t i n y o u r, r, o r another spectator's pocket. Tell your audience that yon are going to remove cards, one at a time, from the pack and that anyone should call out "Now!" w h il il e y o u r h a n d i s s t il il l in in t h e p o c k e t. t. P r oc o c e eed d t o t a k e c a r d s o u t a s d e s c ri ri b e d placing the m in a face - op pile to one side. Whenever Whenever so meo ne calls "No "Now w!" stri p o n e o f t h e r e ve v e r s e d c a r d s a n d p o t i t f ac ac e d o w n o n t h e o t h e r s i d e o f t h e t a b l e. e. Continue until you have stripped out the t hree cards you have "predicted "predicted." ." Ask the Spectator in whose pocket you h ave placed placed your p rediction rediction to read it aloud. Turn over the three cards you have placed singly and face down to one side of y o ur u r t a bl b l ee.. Pi c k t h e m u p , o n e a t a t i me m e , a n d c al al l t h ei e i r n a m e s d r a m a t ic ic al al l y holding them op for all all to see t hat your feelings feelings did no t deceive deceive you. you. N O TE: W h e n pl ac i n g t h e d ec k in t h e p ac k et b e s u re t h a t t h e e n d w h e r e t h e c ar ds p ro t r u d e is up.
#27 THE GIMMICKED CASE I n a n o l d e f fe fe c t u s e d w i t h t h e s t r i p p e r d e c k t h e c a r d c a s e is is s a n d p a p e r e d t h i n a t e a c h s i d e , n ea e a r t h e b o t t o m . W h en e n t h e d e c k, k, w it it h t h e p r o t r u d i n g c a r d o r c a r d s d o w n , i s i n s er e r t e d i n t o t h e c a s e t h e f in i n ge ge r s c a n f e e l t h e s e c a r d s t h r o u g h t h e t h in i n , s a n d p a pe p e r ed e d s id i d es e s o f t h e c as a s e. e. H ol ol d t h e c as a s e o p e n e n d d o wn wn a n d allow allow all all the car ds except t he reversed one s to fall out. #28 THE FLIP OVER REVELATION Bring reversed card to top. Push top card so that it projects an inch to o n e s i d e o f t h e p a c k . D ro ro p e n t ir i r e p a c k f r o m a b o u t a f o o t o v e r y o u r t a b l e. e. T h e t o p c a r d w il il l f li li p o v e r f a ce c e u p , d u e t o t h e d r a f t h i t t i n g t h e p r o j e ct c t i ng ng e d g e o f
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the card. #29 ANY CARD OP ANY SUIT I n a dv d v a n ce ce o f y o u r p e r f o r m a n c e, e , t a k e a n e n t i r e s u i t - s a y, y, t h e h e a r t s - o u t of your deck. Put Put the m in or der from ace to king, king, reverse reverse the p acket, pu t it back o n t he h e t o p o f y ou o u r d ec e c k a n d p u t t h e d e ck c k i n i t s c a se se . W h e n y o u s t a rt rt t o perfor m, say that you have an affinity affinity for hearts a nd you would like like to prove it. Take the deck ou t of its case and riffl rifflee shuffle once. Put the deck be hind your back and as k som eone to call any card of the heart suit. As you you pat ter an d while you wait for t he s election, election, strip out the entire s oil (it wil willl still still be in or der) and pot t he packet on t op of the deck. It It is, is, of course, an easy matte r for you to count down t o whatever card is call called ed for an d t hus prove you are "in "in tune" with with the hearts. D ep e p e n di d i n g o n y ou o u r m e m o r y - a n d a bi b i l i ty ty - y o u m a y r e p ea e a t will s o n e o r t w o o t h e r c a r d s. s. B ut ut d o n ' t d o m o r e t h a n t h r e e. e. O n e c o u l d b e a n a cc c c id i d e n t , t wo wo might b e coincidence, coincidence, three is incontrovertible proof, four is bored om. #30 USING A CONFEDERATE M a ny ny a p p a r e n t c a rd r d m i ra r a cl cl eess c a n b e a cc cc o m p li li s he he d wi t h t h e u s e o f a n assistant for, if you have a confederate to han dle the deck while while you are out of t h e r o o m, m, y ou o u c an a n d o t h e s ee e e m in i n gl gl y i m po p o s si s i bl bl e. e. Yo u c an a n b e a b se s e n t, t, y ou ou r c o n fe f e d e r a t e c a n h a v e a c a r d s e l ec ec t e d a n d r e ve ve r s e t h e d e c k. k. Y ou ou c a n t h e n e n t e r t h e r o o m a n d f in i n d t h e s e le le c te te d c a r d . It It i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t n o o n e k n o w s y o u a r e working with an assistant. Brief someone in the audience as to what to do is han dling dling the deck. Do Do not overdo the u se of the assistant. #31 ACE THE HARD WAY R eev v e rs r s e a n a c e i n t h e d e c k. k. H av a v e t h e d e c k s h u f f le le d a n d t h e n l ai ai d o n t h e table, table, face face down. Pla Place ce a silk silk over over the d eck and cut t hrough the silk to show t he ace. #32 A GAG BIT This is a comedy bit that always gets a good laugh. Occasionally strip not the selected card while yon are shuffling and say, "Please don't forget your card while I am shuffling." Show the card, put it hack in the deck and go on with whatever effect effect you had planned. #33
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WHICH POCKET? Have Have a card selected selected and reverse it in the deck. Shuff Shuffle le.. Ask a sp ectator to empty both left and right jacket pockets. Drop the deck in his left jacket pocket ma king sure that the edge with the pr otru ding card is up. Br Bring out half t h e d e ck c k a n d p la l a ce c e i t i n t h e s p e ct c t a t or o r ' s r i gh g h t j aacc ke k e t p o c ke k e tt,, m a k in in g s u r e t h e r ev ev er e r se s e d c ar a r d r e m ai ai n s i n t h e left p o c ke k e tt.. N ow o w a s k t h e s p e ct ct a t o r t o n a m e a pocket, right or left... If he says "right," tell him to discard the portion of the deck in his right right pocket a nd you reach into the left and remove selected selected card. #34 IN TRIPLICATE H av av e a c ar a r d s el e l ec ec te t e d. d . A s k a s p ec e c ta t a t or o r t o w ri ri te t e h is is initials on the back of the card. Reverse the deck and insert t h e c ar a r d . S h uf uf fl fl e t h e d e ck c k , b r in i n g t h e s el e l eecc ttee d c ar ar d t o t h e b o t t o m a n d q u ic ic kl kl y t u r n t h e d e ck c k f ac a c e d o w n i n y o u r r i gh gh t h a n d . H o l d t h e d e c k w it it h f o u r f i n ge ge r s c u r l e d o v e r o n e s i d e and the thumb over the other. See illustration. The fingers p u l l b a c k t h e b o t t o m (i ni ni ti t i al al e d) d) c a r d . A sk s k t h e s p e c t a t o r w h a t h i s n a m e i s. s. A s you spell out his na me, keep holding back the bot tom card. You You always always pull out o n e c a r d a b o v e this card. When When you come to the last letter of his nam e; pull out t h e c ar a r d y ou o u h av a v e b e e n h ol o l di d i ng n g b ac a c k, k, t u r n i t o ve ve r a n d s h o w i t i s t h e o n e initialed by the spectator. #35 LUCKY THIRTEEN Beforehand have all all the s pade s reversed in th e lower portion of t he deck. H av av e a c ar a r d s el e l eecc ttee d f r o m t h e t o p p o r ti t i o n o f t h e d e ck c k , r e ve v e r se s e t h e d e ck ck a n d have the selected sele cted card inserted. Remark to the s pectators t hat you have a lucky luck y s u i t: t: s p a d e s a n d y ou o u a llss o h a ve ve a l uc u c ky ky n u m b e r s: s : t h ir i r t ee e e n. n . S h uf u f fl fl e t h e d e ck ck , place it behind behind your back an d tell the au dience you you are going going to use your lucky lucky suit an d also the lucky lucky nu mber to find t he selected selected card. Come forward with all al l o f t h e s t r i p p e d c a r d s f a ccee d o w n . C ou o u n t t h e m o n t o t h e t a b l e, e , f ac a c e d o w n . T he he r e will will be fourteen cards. Turn the m over and sprea d t hem out. Spectator Spectator will will see t h e t h i r t e e n s p a d e s a n d t h e c a r d h e s e le le c te te d . #36 TWO BLACK ACES This trick trick consist of a simple setup of the to p eighteen cards in the deck. D ec ec k f a ccee d o w n , t h e s e t u p i s a s f ol o l lo lo w s: s: t o p c a r d, d, a n y " si si x" x"; n e x t, t, a n y f i ve ve indifferent cards; the n, a black ace; ace; next, any "ten" "ten";; the n, nine indifferent card s, a n d t h e o t he h e r b l ac a c k a ce ce . T he h e se s e t o p e i g h te t e en e n c ar a r d s a re r e r ev e v e r se s e d. d. Tell t h e s p ec e c t at a t o rs r s t h a t y ou o u w i l l l oc oc at a t e t h e t wo w o b la la ck ck a ce c e s i n a n u n u s u al a l m a n n e r. r.
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R e m o ve v e t h e p a c k f r o m t h e c a s e, e, r i ff ff le le s h u f fl fl e o n c e, e, f a c e d o w n , a n d s t r i p t h e eighteen eighteen card s to the top of the deck. Show Show the top card, the "six "s ix.." Count Count down to t he sixth card an d tu rn it over. It will will be the first ace. ace. Show Show the next car d, the " te te n. n ." Co Co u n t d o w n t o t h e t e n t h c a r d , t u r n i t ov ov e r a n d s h o w i t t o b e t h e s e c o n d black ace. #37 LUCKY SEVEN H av av e t h e d ec ec k i n y o u r p o c k e t w i t h t h e s e v e n o f s p a d e s r e v e r s e d . T a l k a b o u t s ev e v e n b e i ng ng a m y s ti t i c n u m b e r i n m a g ic ic . R e m ar a r k a ga g a iin n that spades are your lucky lucky soil soil and take cards o u t o f y o u r p o c k e t o n e a t a t i m e , a card for each letter. letter. As you withdraw t he card s, spell note "S - e - v - e - n o - f S - p - a - d - e - s" show t h a t t h e l a st s t c a r d r e m o v e d f r o m t h e p o c k e t i s t h e Se v en e n o f S p a de d e s . Pl Pl ac ac e t h i s f ac a c e d o w n o n t h e c a rd r d s a llrr ea e a d y o n t h e t a bl b l ee.. T a ke k e t h e r e m ai ai n d e r o f t h e p a c k out of your pocket an d place it to one side. Pic Pick k up the "spelled "spelled out" cards an d shuffle them, face down. The Seven of Spades is still reversed. Place this small packet in your pocket. Once again s pell out "Seven Seven of Spades. Spades." Again Again,, t he last card re moved is the Seven Seven of Spades. Spades. Turn it face up as you take it out of your pocket. #38 KINGS AND QUEENS I n a dv d v an a n ce ce , p u t t he h e f ou o u r k i ng ng s o n t o p o f t h e d ec e c k. k. T o b eg eg i n y o ur ur performance, remove the four queens and reverse the deck. Patter about the four ladies who wanted escorts for a dance and visited an escort bureau (the deck). deck). Insert Insert the q ueens hap haz ardly into the deck an d riffle riffle shuffle shuffle thoro ughly b u t m a k i ng n g s u r e t h a t t h e f o u r k i ng ng s r e m a i n a t t h e t o p . St St ri ri p t h e q u e e n s t o t h e t o p o f t h e d e c k . Re Re m o ve ve t h e t o p e ig ig h t c a r d s ( t h e ki ki n g s a n d q u e e n s ) a n d s q u a r e t h e m u p . H ol ol d t h e p a c ke k e t f a ce ce d o w n i n o n e h a n d , t h u m b b e n t u n d e r o n e l o n g edge, the four fingers fingers curled un der t he other edge. Now, Now, with with the thu mp of the o t h e r h a n d o n l o p a n d t h e f i ng ng e r s b e n e a t h, h, p u l l o u t t o g e t h e r o n e c a r d f r o m t h e t op o p a nd n d o ne n e f r om o m t he h e b ot o t to t o m o f t he h e p ac a c ke ke t a nd n d p l a c e b ot o t h c a rd r d s - s ti ti l l t o ge g e t h er e r - f ac a c e d o w n o n y ou o u r t a bl b l ee.. D o t h i s t h r e e t i me m e s l eeaa vi vi ng ng t w o o r t h r e e inches of space be tween pairs. When When you have only two cards left in your ha nd, t u r n t h e m o ve ve r s h o wi w i n g t h a t a t l e as a s t o n e l a dy d y f o u n d a n e s c o r t. t. P a t t e ri ri n g o n , t u r n t h e c a r d s o n t h e t a bl bl e ov o v er e r - o n e p ai a i r a t a t i m e - a n d r e m ar a r k t h a t al l t h e l aad d ie ie s h a d b e e n l u ck c k y a n d w er e r e n o w r ec e c o m m e n d i ng n g t h e e s co co r t b u r e a u t o a ll ll their friends. If you have followed the directions correctly, yon should have the four queen s paired up with with the kings. #39 THE LOST ACE State State tha t t he aces have an affinit affinity y for each other - which which you wil will prove. R un u n t h r o u g h t h e d e ck c k , r e m o ve v e t h e f o ur u r a ce c e s a n d p la l a ce ce t h e m f ac a c e u p o n y ou ou r
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table. Ask a spectator to choose any one of the ace s and insert it back into the deck (whi (which ch - as yon p atter - yon have reversed). reversed). Shuffl Shuffle. e. Tell Tell the spectator that the ot her th ree aces are going going to find the lost o ne. Pic Pick k up the t hree tabled aces, i n s er e r t t h e m i n t h e d e c k a n d s h u f f le le . N ow ow s t r i p t h e f o u r a c e s t o t h e t o p , c u t t h e d e c k a n d c o m p l e te t e t h e c u t. t . S pr pr e a d t h e d e c k f ac ac e o p a n d s h o w t h e f o u r a c e s a r e together. #40 THE EYES HAVE IT H av av e a c a r d s e l ec ec t e d a n d p o t h a ck c k i n to t o t h e r ev e v er e r s e d d e ck c k . S h u ff ff l e t h e deck and, if possible, possible, control the reversed reversed card to eighth or ten th fro m th e top. H ow o w ev ev e r, r, i t i s n o t a b s o l u t el el y e s s e n ti t i al a l t h a t t h e s e le le c te te d c a r d b e n e a r t h e t o p ; b u t t h e e ff ff ec ec t w i l l b e m o r e o f a " q ui ui c ki ki e" i f t h e s el el ec ec te t e d c ar ar d i s i n t h e u p p e r m o s t p o r ti t i o n o f t h e d e c k. k . H ol o l d t h e d e c k f ac a c e d o w n i n y ou o u r r ig ig h t h a n d , f o r w a r d . T h e r i g ht w i t h t he h e p r ot o t r u di di ng n g e dg d g e o f r ev ev e rs r s ed e d c a rd r d fo h t t hu hu m b a n d m i d d l e f i ng ng e r t i p s g e n tl t l y t o u c h in i n g b o t h f o r wa wa r d s i d e s o f t h e d e c k a n d f e eell i n g the prot ruding, selected selected card. Tell Tell the s pectators that their eyes wil willl giv givee the m a wa w a y o n t h i s o n e . Re R e m ov ov e t h e t o p c ar a r d f r o m t h e f ac a c e - d o w n p a c k a n d h o ld ld i t face towards towards the s pectators. Tell Tell the m n ot to give give any sign sign when they see their c a r d. d. R e m ov ov e c a r d s f r o m t h e t o p o f t h e d e c k, k, o n e a t a t i m e . Yo Yo u r r ig ig h t t h u m b a n d m i d d l e f i ng n g e r t i p s w i ll ll t e ll l l y o u w h e n y o u a r e s h o w i ng ng t h e s e le le c te t e d c a r d. d. Stop ther e, look intently at th e sp ectat ors' eyes (as you you have bee n doing with all p r e vi vi o u sl sl y s h o w n c a r d s) s), t h e n d e c la la r e t h a t t h e y d i d give themselves away and the card you are now holding is the selected sele cted card. #41 FINGERPRINTS Fan the deck and have a red card selected. selected. Re Reverse the deck and have the r e d c a r d r e p l a ce ce d . As As k t h e s p e c t a t o r t o p i ck ck a black c a r d a n d r e ve ve r s e t h e d e c k again before the card is replaced. replaced. Now, Now, shu ffle ffle the deck, giv givee it to him, and tell tell him t o rem ove one of the two selected selected cards, either the black black or t he red. He is to do this with his back towards you. Take T ake the deck back, strip the one reversed c ar a r d t o t h e t o p. p. F a n t h e d ec e c k f ac ac e t o w ar a r d s y ou o u a n d t al a l k a b o u t l oo oo ki ki ng n g f or or fingerprints. Naturally, you will see the color of the top card. You then name the color he removed, the oppo site color color to the top card. #42 FACE UP OR FACE DOWN Have Have a card selected. selected. Rev Reverse erse the pack an d have the card retur ned to the pack. Hold Hold the deck be hind your back, back, remove the selected selected card and replace it it in the deck, but t u r n e d o v e r . Ask Ask the spectator if he would like like his card face up or face down. If he says, "fa "face ce up," up," bring the deck forward and sprea d it on the t a b le l e w i t h a ll ll t h e c a r d s f a c e d o w n . If If h e s a y s h e w a n t s t h e s e le le c te te d c a r d f a c e
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d o w n , s p r e a d t h e d e c k f ac ac e u p . Either Either way his selection selection s hows up imme diately diately a s y o u h a v e t u r n e d t h e s e le le c te t e d c a r d w it it h i t s f a c e i n t h e o p p o s i t e d i r ec ec t io io n t o the rest of the deck. #43 MATHEMAGICAL Reverse Reverse any twenty cards in the deck. Shuff Shuffle le.. Strip Strip the twen ty to t he to p o f t h e d e c k . Ha Ha n d t h e d e c k , fa f a ce ce d o w n , t o a s p e c t a t or or a n d a s k h i m t o c o u n t o f f a s m a n y c a r d s a s h e w i s he h e s , u p t o 2 0 , a n d p u t t h e m i n h i s p o c k e t. t. S hu h u f fl fl e t h e d e ck c k a g ai ai n, n, p l ac ac e i t b e hi hi n d y ou o u r b a ck ck a n d s t ri r i p o u t t h e r e m ai a i ni n i n g r e v er er s e d c a r d s. s . C ou o u n t t h e s e c a r d s b e h i n d y o u r b a c k, k, s u b t r a c t t h e n u m b e r t h u s o b t a i n e d f ro r o m t we w e n ty t y . A nn n n o u nc n c e t h e r es e s ul u l t. t. I t should b e t h e n u m be b e r o f c a rd r d s t he he spectator h as in his pocket. pocket . #44 COLOR TELEPATHY In advance, advance, separ ate the red a nd black black cards, reverse reverse all the card s of one c ol ol o r a n d s h u f fl fl e t h e e n ti t i rree d e ck c k t o ge g e t h e r. r. Pl aacc e t h e d e ck c k i n i t s c as a s e. e. T o perfor m, remove the deck from the case and have it thoro ughly shuffled. Then, q u i ck ck ly ly, s t r i p t h e w h ol o l e d e c k s o t h a t y o u h a v e t h e t o p h a l f e n t ir ir el e l y o n e c o l or or a n d t h e b o t t o m h a lf l f t h e o t h e r . Ho Ho l d t h e d e c k fa f a ce c e d o w n a n d s p r e a d o u t t h e top h a lf l f o f t h e d e c k f o r t w o c a r d s t o b e s e le le c te te d . R if if fl fl e t h e d e c k a n d a s k t h a t t h e t w o c ar a r d s b e r e t u r n e d, d, b u t m a k e o n c e t h e t w o c a r d s a r e p l a ce ce d i n t h e b o t t o m half of the deck. Break reak the deck at the reversed cards, han d one half of the deck t o a s p e c t a t o r t o s h u f f le le. Yo Yo u s h u f f l e t h e o t h e r h a l f. f . If If t h e c a r d s a r e r e d , t h e y will will be in the black pa rt of t he deck. After both h alves have been sh uffled, place t h e m t o g e t h e r, r, f a n t h e d e c k f a c e t o w a r d y o u , a n d l oo oo k o v e r t h e c a r d s . A sk sk t h e spectator to concent rate on the two cards he selected. You You will will be able to locate the m because t hey are the op posite color color of the cards o n each side of them. Do this effect slowl slowly y to give give the impression of great concentration on your pa rt. #45 PURELY MENTAL This mental effect with the stripper is a stunner. It is easy in execution and b a f fl fl in in g t o t h e l a y m a n. n. H av a v e t h e t o p t h r e e c a r d s r e ve ve r s e d o n t o p o f t h e f a ccee d o w n d e c k. k. L et et u s s a y t h a t t h e y a r e t h e K in in g o f H e ar a r t s , t h e Ac e o f C lu lu b s, s, a n d the Three of Diamonds. Display the top three cards fanned in your hand and ask a spectator to concentrate on o ne of them. Do Do not disturb th eir order which we will will pre su me t o be: king, ace, th ree. When When a card has been m en tally selected, p l ac a c e t h e t h r e e c a r d s h a c k o n t o p o f t h e f a ce c e - d o w n d e c k a n d g i ve ve t h e d e c k o n e thorough riffle shuffle. Place the deck behind your back, strip out the three cards together and replace them on top of the deck. You You will will still still have the king, a ce c e a n d t h r e e i n t h a t o r d e r. r. P u t t h e t o p c ar a r d ( t he h e k in i n g) g) i n y o u r r e a r t r o u s e r
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pocket, the next card (the ace) on the bottom of the deck and, the remaining c a r d ( t h e t h r e e ), ), o n t o p o f t h e d e c k. k. B ri ri n g t h e d e c k f o r w ar a r d a n d p l ac ac e i t f a c e d o wn w n o n y ou o u r t a bl bl e. e. A s k t h e s p ec e c t at a t o r t o n a m e h is i s t h o ug u g h t - o f c ar a r d. d . If h e names the king, slowly turn around and have him remove the card from your p o c k e t. t. I f h e n a m e s t h e a c e , si si m p l y t u r n o ve ve r t h e d e c k o n t h e t a b l e o r , b e t t e r still: have h i m t urn it over. over. The The ace will will be revealed revealed on the botto m of the deck. I f h e m e n t i o ns n s t h e t h r e e a s t h e t h o u g h t - o f c ar a r d , t el el l h i m t o t u r n o ve ve r t h e t o p c a r d o f t h e p a c k o n t h e t a b l e. e. P u t a l it it tl tl e p r e s e n t a t i o n i n t o t h i s a n d i t c a n b e b u il il t u p i n t o a s t r o n g m e n t a l e f f ec ec t. t. T h e s p e c t a t or o r w i ll ll n e v er er b e a w a r e o f t h e fact that whicheve whicheverr of the three cards he na mes is of no importa nce: nce: You You have arranged a place for each card and so t here are three places where the th ought of card could b e! #46 AN UNUSUAL VANISH H av av en e n c ar a r d s el e l ec ec te t e d a n d r ev ev er e r se s e t h e d ec e c k. k. H av av e t h e s el el ec ec te t e d c ar ar d returned to the deck. While shuffling, bring the selected card to the top of the d e c k. k. P la la ce ce t h e d e c k f a c e d o w n o n t h e t a b le l e . W hi h i l e t a lk l k in in g o r b y u s e o f s o m e misdirection, misdirection, moisten t he back of your right han d with your lips or tongue. Tell Tell t h e s p e ct c t a t o r y o u a r e g oi oi n g t o s h o w h o w t o m a k e a c ar a r d v an a n is i s h. h . P la la ce ce y o u r r ig ig h t h a n d b a c k d o w n, n , o n t o p o f t h e t o p c a r d o f t h e p a c k. k. D o t h i s t o i ll ll u s t r a t e t o t h e s p e ct c t a t or o r w h a t i s y o u w a n t h i m t o d o . W h en e n y o u t a k e y o ur u r h a n d a wa wa y f ro r o m t h e p a ck ck , t h e t o p ( s e l ec ec te t e d) d) c ar ar d s h o ul u l d b e s ti t i ck ck i ng ng t o i t d u e t o t h e mois tu re on its back. Get Get tha t ha nd below table level level quickly. quickly. The spectat or will will du plicate plicate your actions. actions. Then request t hat h e look through the deck for his card. It wil willl he gone! By then you will will have have ha d am ple time t o get the card into your pocket or wherever you want it to ap pear. #47 THE TRIPLE COINCIDENCE In advance, reverse the Ace of Spades on top of the facedown deck. Tell the s p e c ta t a t o r s y o u a r e g oi oi n g t o c o n d uc u c t i n e xp x p e ri ri m e n t i n c oi oi nc n c i d e nc nc e. e. A t r i pl pl e c oi oi n ci ci d e n ce c e . In In s t r u c t o n e o f t h e m t o c o u n t o f f - wi t h o u t l o o ki ki n g a t t h e m - a n y n u m b e r o f c a r d s b e t we w e e n e ig ig h t a n d t we w e n t y a f t e r y o u le a v e t h e r o o m . H e i s t o deal off the cards face down o n t he t able. able. Tell Tell him, also, also, that the Ace of Spades Spades is going going to play an imp ortan t p art in the triple coincid coi ncidence. ence. He is is to pick up the p a c k e t o f c a r d s h e d e a l t o ff f f a n d r e p l ac ac e i t, t, f a ce ce d o w n , o n t h e f a ccee - d o w n d e c k , r e m e m b e ri ri n g t h e n u m b e r o f c a r d s h e c o un u n t e d. d . O n y ou o u r r e t u r n, n, t a k e t h e d e c k and break off the top portion (at (at the reversed ace, ace, nat urally urally!) behind your back. T hi h i s w il il l g iv iv e y o u t h e a m o u n t o f c a r d s d e a lt l t o u t . N o w, w, t a k e t h e r e ve ve r s e d a c e and insert it back into the same packet, but with face in the direction opposite t o t h e r e s t o f t h e c ar a r d s . Br Bri ng n g t h i s s m a ll ll p a c k et e t f o rw rw a r d a n d a s k h o w m a n y c ar a r d s w er e r e c o u n t e d. d. S h ow ow t h a t t h e p a c k e t y o u a r e h o l di di n g o u t h a s t h e s a m e amo unt. Coincidence Coincidence #2: The The ace you men tioned is in this packet. Coinc Coincidence idence #3: The ace is face face up, the rest of the card s face down.
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#48 THE MAD MAGICIAN Pre- arrange your deck with all all the re d card s reversed. Spread Spread it, face face up, o n t h e t a b le l e b u t d o n o t c o m m e n t o n c ol ol o r. r. J u s t m e n t i o n t h a t t h e d e c k h a s b e e n thor oughly shuffled. shuffled . Pi ck ck u p t h e c a r d s a n d s t r i p t h e m s o t h e t o p h a lf l f o f t h e d e c k i s bl bl a ck ck a n d the lower half, red. Relate the following story: "O nc nc e u p o n a t i m e t h e r e w a s a m a d m a n w h o t h o u g h t h r w a s a m a gi g i ci ci a n o r a m a gi gi c i a n w ho h o t h o ug u g h t h e w as a s a m a d m a n ... I d o n ' t r e me m e m b er e r w hi hi ch ch . H ow ow e v er er , l e t' t' s j u st s t s ay a y t h a t a ll ll m a gi gi c i an a n s a re r e m a d .. .. . o r a l l m a d m e n a r e magicians. magicians. Any Anyhow, how, the reason he was driven ma d was t hat every time time he took a card from the deck it was a red card." Remove and show a card from the botto m h alf of the deck you are h olding face face down. Repla Replace ce the card. "Even when hr cut the deck hr always got a red card ." Cut the deck into the red half. "He even took a card from behind his back and, sure enough, it was a red card!" Place the deck behind your back and take a card from the lower (red) half. "O u r m a g ic ic ia ia n t r ie ie d p u t t i n g t h e c a r d s i n h i s p o c k e t a n d - g u e s s w h a t ?. ?... S ur ur e e n o u g h, h , h e c o ul ul d o n ly l y p u l l o u t a r e d c a r d! d! I t e v en e n b e ca c a m e c o n t a gi gi o u s. s... When When his friends to uched one of his cards it turne d red!" red!" Have Have someone touch * the back of a (red) (red) card and then show it. "Fi n al al ly ly , i n d e s p e r a t i o n, n, o u r m a d m a g ic i c i a n d e ci ci d e d t h e r e w a s o n ly ly o n e thing to do..." Shuffle the deck and strip it once more so you again have all b l ac ac k o n t o p a n d a ll ll r e d s o n t h e b o t t o m . ". " ... H e w as a s n o t s o d u m b . H e c le le ve ve rl rl y ded uced th at if he separate d half the pack a nd touched it it it would be all all red ... ..." Di vi vi d e t h e d e c k i n t o t w o p il il e s a n d p l ac ac e t h e m w id i d el el y s e p a r a t e d o n t h e t a b le le. "...and ..and sur e eno ugh, all all red…” red…” Spread th e red half face up on the t able. "Our no l o ng n g e r - m a d m a g ic ic i a n f in i n a ll ll y f o u n d a w a y t o g e t a b l ac ac k c a r d - j u s t t u r n o ve ve r the o ther h alf of of the d eck." eck." Turn over the second half of your your deck an d s how it consist s of all black cards. A n ex ce lle n t g a g h e r e is to h a v e a r e d Kin Ki n g of S p a d es ~ o b t ai n a bl e f ro m y o u r m a gi c d e al er - in yo y o u r p oc k e t, re a d y to b e h a n d e d o u t to be to uc h e d. *
#49 THE ALLOWANCE "Once Once up on a time, a magician magician ha d a stu pid wife wife -in fact, a n y w o m a n w h o would ma rry a m agici agician an is stu pid. Howe However ver,, that's beside the point. He had he r believing that playing cards were money and he always gave her an allowance o f 6 5 c en e n t s a w ee e e k. k. H e re r e i s h o w h e d i d i t. t." T h e m a g ic ic iiaa n t h r o w s a b u n c h o f cards on t he table, table, they are tur ned face up an d the tot al of the spot s equals 65.
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Method: Reverse Reverse two tens, t hree fives fives,, one four, two sixes, sixes, one trey, one d e u c e, e, o n e e ig i g h t a n d o n e a c e. e. St St ri ri p t h e m o u t a n d t h r o w t h e m o n t h e t a b l e f ac ac e down. #50 THE STRANGER In this effect effect one of the cards in your d eck is of the op posite color; color; let us say you have a blue b lue - backed card in a red - backed deck. Rev Reversed, ersed, of course. course. S pr p r e a d t h e d e c k f a ce ce d o w n a n d r e m a r k t h a t s o m e o n e m a d e a m i s t a k e i n packing the deck. deck. pro perties. Now, Now, using the strippe r principle principle you you can cut to this "stranger" "stranger" card, or find find it behind your back, do the stabbe d deck t rick rick with the k nife nife blade finding the od d card, etc. For For a finish, finish, drop the deck into your coat pocket an d bring ou t a deck of b l ue u e - b a ck c k ed e d c ar a r d s i n to t o w hi hi c h y o u h av a v e i ns ns er e r te t e d t h e r ev ev e rs r s ed e d r ed e d - b ac ac k du plicate plicate of the one you've you've been using. Bring the deck out face up an d s pread it o n t h e t a b l e. e. P at at t e r a b i t a b o u t t h e m y s t e r i e s o f c ol ol o r a n d s p r e a d t h e d e c k f a c e d o wn w n t o s h o w t h e s t ra r a n ge g e r c a rd r d h a s t u r n e d c ol ol or or a n d s o h a s t h e r e s t o f t h e pack. #51 THE RELUCTANT CARDS EFFECT: T h r e e c a r d s a r e s e le le c te te d , r e p l ac ac e d i n t h e d e c k a n d t h e d e c k s h u f f le le d t h o r o u g h l y. y. Pe Pe rf r f o r m e r t a k e s t h e d e c k a n d d r o p s i t i nt nt o t h e o p e n e n d of a wooden case. The selected selected card refu se to d rop in with with the others. Yo u wi wi ll ll n e e d a c a se s e t o h o l d y o u r d e c k b u t t a p e r e d j u s t a s t h e c a r d s a r ee.. I t c a n b e e a si si ly ly c o n st s t r u c te t e d f r o m h e av a v y c a r d b oa o a r d o r c i ga ga r - b o x w o o d. d. T h e b r o a d e n d o f t h e c a se s e i s l ef e f t o p e n . W he h e n d r o p p i n g t h e s h u f f le le d d e c k b a c k i n t o the case, be sure to do so with t h e t a p e r e d e n d d o w n . The selected car ds will will be f or o r c ed e d u p b y t h e t a pe p e ri ri ng n g o f t h e c as a s e. e. P a tt t t er e r a bo b o u t h ow o w s o me m e c a rd r d s a re re reluctant to mi ngle ngle with with the others. #52 WORLD'S FASTEST COUNT Set Set up you r stri ppe r deck as follows: follows: About ten cards from t he top of the deck, reverse reverse the next six. six. About About ten cards fro m t he bott om of the deck, reverse reverse the n ext ten. So So you you will will have a deck with with top cards nor mal, six reversed, mor e nor mal cards and then ten reversed. Pl aacc e a j ok o k e r b e tw t w ee e e n t h e 2 7 t h a n d t h e 2 8 t h c ar a r d s a n d t h e o t h e r j o ke ke r s o m e w h e r e n e a r t h e t o p o r b o t t o m o f t h e d e c k. k. When When about to perfor m take the deck out of its case and, saying saying that you won't use t he jokers for this effect, effect, take the m o ut a nd lay lay then on t he table. Howeve However, r, i t i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t y o u h o l d t h e p l ac ac e w h e re r e t h e j o ke ke r w as a s m a r k in in g o f f t h e 2 7t 7 t h a n d t h e 2 8t 8 t h c a rd r d s. s . Br e ak ak t he h e d ec e c k a t t h at a t p oi o i nt n t , h a n d t h e t o p h al al f
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(containing 27 cards, 6 of which are reversed) to one spectator and the bottom h a lf l f ( wi wi t h 2 5 c a r d s, s , 1 0 r e ve ve r s e d) d) t o a n o t h e r . A s k e a c h t o s h u f f le le t h e ir i r h a lf lf thoroughly. Now, Now, take the half which which was original originally ly at t he to p a nd pu t it behind your b a c k. k. I m m e d ia i a t el el y, y, b r i n g y o u r h a n d s f o r wa w a r d e a c h h o l d i n g a p il il e a n d s a y: y: "I "I h a v e 2 1 c a r d s i n o n e h a n d a n d s ix ix i n t h e o t h e r ." ." T he he n , t a k e t h e s e c o n d h a l f of of t h e d e c k a n d r e p ea e a t t h e s a m e p r o ce c e d u r e b u t - w i t h t h i s h a lf lf - s a y: y: "I "I ha h a ve ve 1 5 c a r d s i n o n e h a n d a n d t e n i n t h e o t h e r ." ." Wh hee n t h e f o ur u r p il il eess a r e c o u n t e d, d , i t w il il l a p p e a r a s i f y o u h a ve ve d o n e a lightning count behind your back. #54 JUST FOR LAUGHS Have Have a Fortune Fortune Tell Telling ing Deck Deck strip ped. Reverse Reverse the cards you wish t o jibe jibe w it it h a f o r t u n e y o u w i l l p r e d i ct c t f o r s o m e o n e . A s k s o m e o n e t o s h u f f le le t h e d e c k f o r y o u. u. T a ke ke i t b a c k a n d b r i ng ng t h e r e ve ve r s e d c a r d s t o t h e t o p . T u r n t h e m o ve ve r and show that the fortune you have predicted in advance, by reading (?) the spectator’s palm, is is confirmed by t he card s. #53 SUPER STRIPPER T ak a k e t w o s t ri r i p p e r d e ck c k s, s , o n e b l u e - b a ck c k e d a n d o n e r e d - b a ck c k e d. d. F r o m t h e s e t w o d e c k s y o u c a n m a k e t w o u n u s u a l d e c k s - w i t h i n f in in i te te p o s s i bi bi li li ti ti e s. s. Make Make two two strippers t hat consist of half half red - backed and half blue- backed cards. Not only can you use this as a regular stripper deck, you can now do effects invol involv ving color. color. For For example: example: Separating Separating red - backed fro m blue- backed card s by reversing reversing one color; color; cutting to a de sired color back with with th e deck face down on the table (selected (selected color reversed), etc. END STRIPPERS You can purchase cards stripped at the ends instead of the sides of the deck. These, These, too, have m any uses and will will fool fool even t he fellow fellow who is familiar familiar with with the Stripper Stripper p rinciple rinciple.. Howeve However, r, many more effects effects are pos sible sible with side s t r ip i p p e r s t h a n w i t h e n d s t ri r i p p e r s, s, s o t h is i s b o o k i s d e v o te t e d s o le le l y t o t h e s i de de stripper. BLANK STRIPPER Have Have your favorite favorit e m agic agic dealer st rip a deck of blank cards for you. With With this deck, you you can do ama zing "l "living iving and dea d" tests and ma ny other "mentor' routines. MAKING YOUR OWN Clamp an o rdinary deck in a vise vise and, with fine sandp aper, you can wear away one corner of the entire deck. Howe However ver,, professionally professionally stripped decks are
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so easily easily and economicall economically y avail available able from any m agic agic sh op that it is impr actical actical t o g o t o t h a t m u c h t r o u b l e. e. ALPHABET CARDS M a ny n y e ff f f ec e c t s a r e p o s s i bl b l e w i t h a s t r i p p e d d e c k o f Al p h a b e t C aarr d s . Y ou ou may p urchase t hese cards fro m any magic dealer dealer and he will will also strip the m for you. ESP CARDS A d e c k o f E xt xt r a S e n so s o r y P e rc rc e p ti t i o n c a r d s h a s s y m b o l s, s, i n s t e a d o f s u i t s and nu mbers, on the faces. faces. These symbols are Triangles Triangles,, Squares, Circ Circles les etc., etc., such as are used in telepathy experiments. A stripped deck of such symbols offers many p ossibili ossibiliti ties es for ps eud o min d rea ding effects effects..
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FOR THE CARD MEN For For those with a good working working knowledge of of sleight sleight of han d t he strippe r can p rove invaluab invaluable le in many effects. effects. Those listed listed below are a few you can use in conjunction with with sta nd ard effects. effects. #55 TAP IT OFF This is a weird weird effect. Have Have two cards reversed in the d eck. S hu h u f fl fl e a n d b r i ng n g t h e m t o t h e t o p . H o ld ld t h e d e c k f a c e d o w n i n your left hand. With With your right t hu mb and middle finger, finger, lightl lightly y p i ck c k u p t h e t w o t o p c a r d s b y t h e p r o t r u d i n g e d ge ge s a n d s h o w t h e two cards as one card. Repla Replace ce the two cards on to p of the d eck. eck. A s k a s p ec e c ta t a t or o r t o t a p t h e b a ck c k o f t h e t o p c ar a r d o n t h e p a c k. k. S ho ho w i t. t. Be B e c au a u s e h e p r e s u m e d t h a t b e t a p p e d t h e c ar a r d w hi h i cch h was shown him, he will will be ama zed when you tur n the card over and it proves to have changed to a different different o ne. #56 THE AUTOMATIC RISE As in in the pr evious evious effect effect reverse two two cards, strip the m an d bring the m to t h e t o p . Wi W i th t h y o u r r i g ht h t t h u m b a n d m i d d le le f i n ge ge r s h o w t h e t w o t o p c ar ar d s a s one. Place the double back on top of the deck. Hold the deck face down and b u r y t h e t o p c ar a r d i n t h e d e ck c k. T a p t h e t o p o f t h e d e c k a n d s h o w t h a t t h e c ar ar d you "buried "buried"" has retur ned t o the to p. #57 THE PAPER CLIP Have two card s reversed in the deck. Shuffle. Shuffle. Strip Strip the two reversed ca rds t o t h e t o p a n d s h o w a s o n e c a r d . Re Re p la la ce ce t h e t w o c a r d s o n t o p o f t h e d e c k a n d f a s t e n a p a p e r c li li p t o t h e t o p c a r d. d. T h e s p e c t a t o r w il il l p r e s u m e t h a t t h e c li li p i s o n t h e c a r d y ou o u s h o we w e d h i m. m. La L ay t h e t h r e e t o p c ar a r d s f ac ac e d o w n o n t h e t a b l e and tell tell the s pectator t o na me t he card with with t he clip clip on it. it. Of Of course, he won't! won't! #58 THE FLYING CARD Reverse Reverse two aces in t he dec k. Let Let us u se t he Ace of Spades Spades an d t he Ace of of
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Di a m o n d s f o r i ll ll u s t r a ti ti o n. n . S h uf u f fl fl e t h e d e c k a n d s t r i p t h e t w o a c e s t o t h e t o p . G ra ra s p t h e p r o t r u d i n g e d ge ge s o f t h e r e v er er s e d c a r d s a n d s h o w t h e d o u b l e c a r d a s one card. Let Let us say the spectator s see t he Ace of Spades (the Ace Ace of Diamond Diamond s i s h i d d e n b e h i n d i t) t ). Pl Pl ac ac e t h e t w o c a r d s b a c k o n t o p o f t h e d e c k, k, r e m o v e t h e f ac a c e - d o w n t o p c ar a r d a n d l aay y i t o n t h e t a bl bl ee.. T h e s p e ct c t a t or o r w i l l p r e s u m e t h is is c a r d t o b e t h e A c e of o f S p a de d e s . Re Re m o ve ve t h e s e c o n d a c e f r o m t h e t o p o f t h e d e c k and hold it face down over the card o n th e table. The ace in your hand (Ace of of Spades) Spades) is is held about a foot over the face- down card on t he table. table. Tap the back of the facedown card in your hand and show it to be the Ace of Spades, turn over the card on the t able and sh ow it to be the Ace of Diamond Diamond s. #59 ONE HAND LOCATION R eeq q u e s t t h a t a c a r d b e s e le le c te te d . Re Re ve ve r s e t h e d e c k , a s k t h a t t h e c a r d b e r e pl p l aacc e d a n d t h e n t h a t t h e d e ck c k b e s h u f fl fl e d. d. R e m a rk r k in i n g t h a t , " Th Th e h a n d i s q u i ck ck e r t h a n t h e e y e, e," s h o w t h a t t h e s e le le c te te d c a r d i s n o t o n t h e b o t t o m n o r o n t h e t o p o f t h e d e ck c k . Ho Ho ld l d t h e d e ck c k i n t h e r ig ig h t h a n d i n p o s it i t io io n f o r t h e o n e han d cut. When your right right t hu mb feels feels the reversed card, allo allow w the cards below below it to fall into your right palm; complete the cut, then show that the selected card is on the botto m of the deck. #60 THE BAD PENNY Reverse three aces in the deck and shuffle. Strip the aces to the top. Execute xecute a triple lif liftt (showing (showing the three cards as one). one). Let Let us say that when you s h o w t h e s p e ct c t a t or o r s t h e ( a p p a re r e n t ly ly o n e) e) c a r d , t h e y s e e t h e A c e o f H e ar a r t s. s. Remark that the Ace of of Hearts is a bad pen ny and always always keeps t urning up. Lay Lay t h e t h r e e c a r d s f a ce c e d o w n o n t o p o f t h e d e c k . R eem m o ve v e t h e t o p c a r d a n d p l a ce ce i t in the center of t he deck, face fa ce down. The spectators will will presu me t hat you have buried th e Ace Ace of Hearts. Hearts. Now Now,, do a d ouble lift lift with with the two cards o n to p of the d e ck c k a n d s h o w t h a t t h e Ac e o f H ea ea r t s h a s r e t u r ne n e d t o t h e t o p . P la la ce ce t h e t w o c a r d s f a c e d o w n o n t o p o f t h e d e c k a n d , a g ai a i n, n , b u r y t h e t o p c a r d. d. O n c e a ga ga i n show t he to p card, The Ace Ace of Hearts Hearts is back! back! Throw up your ha nds in disgust and remar k you give give up. #61 THREE CARD MONTE A good sucker effect., Have two cards previously reversed in the deck. Shuffl Shufflee and bring them to th e top. Li Lift the two cards as in effect effect #55, and show t o t h e s p e c t a t o r s . Pl Pl ac ac e t h e t w o c a r d s b a c k o n t o p o f t h e d e c k , t h e n b e n d b a c k t h e c o r n e r o f t h e t o p c a r d a n d p l ac a c e i t f ac ac e d o w n o n t h e t a b l e. e. T h e s p e c t a t o r s w i l l p r e s u m e t h a t t h e c ar a r d w i th t h t h e b e nt n t c or o r n er e r i s t h e s a m e o n e y o u h av av e shown. La Lay two more car ds face down alongside alongside the bent one. Do n o t s h o w t h e
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f a c es . Mov Movee the th ree cards aro und. Ask the spectato r to pick out t he card first shown hi m, he wil willl of course tur n over - the card with bent corner.
#62 PASSE PASSE Proceed exactly as in effect #58 (Flying Card) until after you show the d o u b l e c a r d a n d r e p l ac ac e t h e t w o o n t o p o f t h e d e c k . T h e n o p e n ly ly t a k e t h e t o p card an d place it face f ace unseen, in a spectator's pocket. The ace a ce left left on to p of the deck is shuffled into the deck. Now Now, "comman "comman d" the two aces to cha nge places. places. T h e s p e c t a t o r wi w i l l fi fi n d t h a t t h e a c e i n h i s p o c k e t i s t h e o n e h e p r e s u m e d t o b e in the deck and the one in the deck the ace he tho ught you ha d given given him. #63 INKREDIBLE Prepare an ordinary, u n s t r i p p e d , Ac Ac e o f He He a r t s b y p u t t i n g a d r o p o f b l u e ink near the center of the large pip and allow allow it it to dry. Insert Insert this pre pared ace in your stripper. F o rc rc e t h e u n p r e pa p a r ed e d , s t ri p p e d , A c e o f H e a r t s f r o m y o u r s tr t r i pp p p er er o n a s p ec e c t at a t o r; r; o r, r, c ut u t t o i t a n d s h ow o w i t t o y ou o u r a u d ie ie nc n c e b u t d o n 't ' t l oo oo k a t i t yours elf. elf. Shuffle Shuffle the deck an d palm o ut this ta pere d ace (leaving leaving,, of course, the prep ared un prep ared ace in the p ack) ack). Insert Insert the d eck face face down into its case. P aatt t e r a b o u t m a g ic ic ia ia n s ' b l o o d h a vi vi n g m a g ic ic al al p r o p e r t i es e s a n d - a s e ve ve r y magician magician has magic in his his veins- his blood can locate the de sired card. F ro ro m y o u r p o c k e t, t , t a k e o u t a f o u n t a i n p e n w h ic ic h y o u h a v e f il il l e d w it it h vanishing ink * and rema rk tha t this effect requires requires blood, blue blue magicians' magicians' blond a n d y ou o u h a ve ve f i l l e d t h e p e n w i t h y o u r o w n. n. Le t o n e d r o p o f i n k f a ll ll o n t h e o u t s i d e o f t h e c a r d - c a s e, e, n e a r t h e c e n t e r. r. Wi W i t h y o u r f o r ef ef i ng ng e r, r, g e n t ly ly r u b t h e dro p of ink. It It wil willl vanish vanish co mpletely in a second o r two. Remove Remove t he deck fr om the case, spre ad it face face up a nd show the selected card has an ink spot on it. *
This ink is sold sold at m ost no velty and m agic shops.
#64 THE JACKS' PERSISTENCY (Orig (Originally inally pu blishe d in Hug ard 's MAGIC Monthly) EFFECT: Mag Magic ician ian ribbo ns prea ds a d eck of card s, faces u p, an d slides t he four jacks clear of the s pread. Lea Leavi ving ng the jacks face up on t he ta ble, ble, he gathers up the deck, squares it and invites any spectator to shuffle it. Taking the deck b a ck ck h e a s k s f o u r d if i f fe f e re r e n t s p e ct c t a t o rs r s e a ch c h t o i ns n s e r t o n e o f t h e j aacc k s a t a n y p oi o i n t t h ey e y p le l e as a s e i n t h e d e ck ck . W h e n t hi h i s h a s b ee e e n d o n e, e, p e r fo f o r m er e r a ga ga i n r e q u es e s t s s o m e o n e t o s h u f fl fl e t h e c ar a r d s t h o r o u gh g h ly ly . P er e r fo f o r m e r t h e n t a ke ke s t h e d e c k a n d m a k e s i t i n t o f o u r s e p a r a t e p i le le s o n t h e t a b l e b e f o re re h i m . W he he n t o p c ar a r d o f e a c h p i le le i s t u r n e d o ve ve r, r, s p e c t a to t o r s a r e s u r p r i s ed e d t o f i n d t h a t a llll t h e
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ja j a c k s h a v e ri s e n t o t h e t o p. METHOD HOD: When When deck is retu rne d, riffle riffle shu ffle once, strip t he jacks to the top and riff riffle le shuffle once more retaining the jacks in position. Now: 1. Hold Hold deck in your left left han d, right right e dge parallel parallel to floor and resting on the lower joints of middle, ring and little fingers with thumb lying across left edge and forefinger forefinger curled against against face of botto m card. 2. With tip of left thumb, riffle upper left corner of deck until you have about ¼ of the deck left to go. 3 . Gr Gr a s p t h e t o p 3 / 4 p o r t i o n o f t h e d e ck c k b e t w ee ee n y o u r r ig ig h t t h u m b a t t h e inner end and your fingers at the outer end and lift packet clear of bottom p o r t i o n . A t t h e s a m e ti m e , left middle, ring and little fingers curl up and press a g ai ai n s t t o p c a r d ( ja ja ck c k) r e t a in i n i ng ng i t a g ai ai n s t t o p o f b o t t o m p a c k et e t r e m a i n i ng ng i n left left ha nd. 4 . Pl Pl ac ac e t h i s p a c k e t o n t h e t a b l e a n d r e p e a t s t e p s 2 a n d 3 u n t il il y o u h a v e four packets on t he table each with with a jack on Sop. Sop. SUGG SUGGE ESTED STED PRE PRESENTAT ENTATION ION AND PATTER PATTER:: Idly s h uf flin g yo ur de ck, as k: "Have a ny n y o f y o u e v e r n o ti ti c e d h ow o w s o me m e d ec e c ks k s h av a v e c a rd r d s w hi hi c h a re r e r ea e a ll y obnoxious?. obnoxious?.., No matt er where you put the m, they keep tur ning up!. up!... I' I'll show y o u w h a t I m e a n - .. I n t h i s p a r t i c ul u l a r d e c k , t h e j a ck ck s a r e t h e s o ci ci al al c li li m b e r s. s. Let's take the m out.,, out.,," (R (Ribbonspread the deck an d slide slide jacks out; pick up the sprea d, square it up, sh uffle. uffle.)) ..S o me me o f y o u m a y t h i n k t h a t t h e j a ck ck s t u r n u p o n ly l y f o r m e .. .. . t h a t t h e y have an 'affinity' for me.., Well I'll ask four of you gentlemen to pick up one ja j a c k e a c h a n d i n s e r t i t w h e r ev e r y o u lik li k e i n t h e d e c k… No w, s i r, will wi ll y o u p l e a s e shuffle the deck? Thank you.. you... Whil Whilee our cooperative cooperative friend m akes sure that the ja j a c k s a r e r e a lly ll y b u r i e d, le t' s r e vi ew w h a t h a s h a p p e n e d. .." (Us e i n d e x fi n g e r s o f right han d t o coun t off left left fingers fingers t hus casually casually showing your your h and s are clean. clean.)) O n e, e, w e s e p a r a t e d t h e j a c k s f r o m t h e r e s t o f t h e c a r d s a n d l ef ef t t h e m f a ccee u p o n t h e t a b le le i n o r d e r t o m a k e c e r t ai ai n t h a t t h e y w e r e n o t i n s o m e s o r t o f p e e a r r a n g e d s e q u e n c e . T wo w o , f o u r d i ff ff e rree n t p e r s o n s r e p l ac ac e d a j a ck ck a t a d i f fe fe r e n t spo t in t he deck. Three, Three, another perso n is now s huffling huffling the deck - ,. Wi Will you, you, sir," (to the shuffler) "please make sure that there are no jacks at the top or b o tt t t o m o f t h e d e c k a n d t h e n g iv iv e i t b a ck ck t o m e ? T h a nk n k y ou o u - - - Le t u s n o w squa re t he d eck., eck.,, divide divide it into four parts … like like so…. so…. and now… we we tu rn over the top card of each pile .. ...and… we find… find… that you can't keep the jacks d own. No mat ter w h e r e you p ut the m, they persist in climbing climbing to the top!" top!" WARNING WARNING: Don't let let more th an o ne spectator spectator at a time pick up a jack and keep your eyes on him! He may inadvertently turn his jack end for end.
#65 ELUSIVE CARD An elusive elusive card routine is always always entertaining a nd mystifying mystifying.. However However,,
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by having having a card previously previously reversed reversed in t he deck you can a dd a great deal to t he effect, for during the routine you can have a spectator shuffle the cards and imm ediat ely go into the elu sive sive card again. #66 I f a c ar a r d i s p r o t r u d i ng ng a t e n d " a" o f t h e d e ck c k , t h a t s a m e c a rd r d will b e i n d e n t e d a t e n d “ b” b” o f t h e d e c k . Th T h is i s i n d e n t a t i on o n m a y b e u s e d a s a s h o r t c a r d. d. There is a definite click click when th e deck is riffled riffled at this e nd. #67 U se se t h e r e ve ve r s e d c a r d a s a " k ey ey" c a r d. d . Y ou ou c a n c u t t o t h e r e ve ve r s e d c a r d easily easily after after each s huffle and have the selected selected card placed next to it. it. #68 Card on ceil ceiling ing,, using the s tripper to bring the selected selected card to po sition. sition. #69 If you do "Out Of This Wor World" ld" - and you proba bly bly do - using the stripper makes it all the more of a miracle. Simply have the cards set up its the case with one color reversed, hand the deck to the spectator to be shuffled, quickly separa te site colors colors and you are set to perform. #70 For a gambling routine you can have site desired cards reversed, then shuffle, shuffle, and bring the entire setu p to site top of the deck. #71 N ee ee d le l e s s t o s a y, y, b r i ng ng i ng ng a c a r d t o t h e t o p f o r p a l m i n g i s a n e a s y m a t t e r w it it h t h e s t r i p p e r . Af Af t er e r s i t e c a r d i s p a l m e d a n d t h e d e c k s h u f fl fl e d y o u c a n a d d t h e p a l me m e d c ar a r d t o t h e d e c k, k , s t il il l r e ve ve r se s e d , a n d b e a b le le t o d o m a n y u n u s u a l effects. #72 You will will find find that, with a little little experimenta experimenta tion, tion, th e s tripper can be very very useful in your work. For F or example: example: without without any false shuffles shuffle s or passe s you can force the sam e card several times, times, simply by by bringing bringing the st ripped card you are forcing forcing to the top of the deck. #73
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THE GIANT FAN If every every other card in the deck is reversed, it it is an easy mat ter to get into p o s it i t io io n f o r t h e g i aan n t f a n w i t ho h o u t i n te te r we w e av av i ng n g t h e t w o h a lv lv es e s o f t h e d e ck ck. Si m pl pl y s t r i p o u t h a lf lf t h e c a rd r d s a l mo m o s t t o t h e ir ir f ul u l l l e n gt g t h , g iv iv i ng n g t h e p a ck ck nearly dou ble the length length an d the n go right right into the fan, The stripping should be done quickly quickly and sm oothly.
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The two effects which follow were devised by my good friend, John V, Hope. A past president of New York's F.A.M.E., Mr. Hope is a versatile magician with a particular bent for coin m agic. agic. However However,, the follow following ing sa mples will will prove tha t he is no "slouch" "slouch" with with car ds! #74 BOOKED DECK DISCOVERY EFFECT: A card is selected and returned to the deck. During the shuffle, some cards become reversed in the deck. On sprea ding the cards it is is seen that the d eck is pretty well we ll mixed up with cards face up an d face down. The The deck is shuffled som e mor e and cut once. Spreading Spreading the cards again it is is seen that they have all all righted righted the mselves, except for th e selected card. METH OD: H av av e a c ar a r d s el e l eecc ttee d a n d r e t u r ne n e d a s y ou o u u s u a ll ll y d o f o r c o n tr t r ol o l l i ng n g t h e c ar a r d . S t aarr t s h u f fl fl i ng n g a n d , a ft f t e r o n e o r t w o r eg e g u la la r s h u f fl fl eess , t he d eck an d tur n it face reverse o n e h a l f t face u p. Continue sh uffling uffling.. This wil willl give give y o u w h a t g a m b le l e r s c al al l a " b oo o o k e d" d" d e c k, k , t h a t i s: s: a d e c k w i t h t h e c a r d s m i xe xe s f ac a c e u p a n d f ac a c e d o w n. n . T h is i s t u r n i ng ng o f t h e c a rd r d s f ac a c e u p i s i m p o r ta t a n t . T he he s im i m p le le s t w ay a y i s t o o p e n t h e d ec e c k l ik ik e a b o ok o k , u s i ng ng o n e o f t h e e n d s a s a n i m a gi gi n a ry r y h i n ge ge . C o n ti ti n u e o p e n i n g t h i s i m a gi gi n a ry ry b o o k u n t i l b o t h p a c k e t s touch the ta ble. ble. You You now have one packet face up and one face down. Without Without changing the relationship of the packets, shuffle them into each other. Show the cards t o be all all messed u p. After showing the cards to be hopelessly mixed, strip out all projecting c a r d s a n d p l ac a c e t h e m o n t o p o f t h e d e c k . Wh Wh e n a ll ll t h e p r o j e c ti ti n g c a r d s a r e o n t o p o f t h e d e c k, k, t u r n t h e s e c a r d s o ve v e r s o t h a t b o t h p a c k e t s a r e f a ci ci n g t h e s a m e w ay a y . S p re re a d t h e c a r d s a n d a ll ll o f t h e m w i l l b e f a c in in g t h e s a m e w ay ay e x ce ce p t t h e selected card. N O TE: If t h e d ec k h a s b ee n u s e d a bi t, sp re a d it o u t f ac e u p. T h e r e is a t e n d e n c y fo r t h e reversed card to stick stick to to the others and not show itse itself. lf. If this happens, don't say an ything about the selected selected card. card. Square the deck and m ak e a m agical gesture gesture towards it. Now, spread the cards f a ce do w n a n d t h e sele se le ct e d ca r d w ill b e t h e o nl y o n e f ac e u p.
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AGAIN THE BOOKED DECK EFFECT: The deck is sh uffled uffled with abou t half the cards face up and half f a ccee d o w n . S pr pr e a di di n g t h e c a r d s i n y o u r h a n d s , e x pl pl ai ai n t o a s p e c t a t o r: r: "R "R u n thro ugh the cards as I'm doing and if you see a card you don't like, ike, turn it face down, if you see a card t hat is face down an d you want to know what card it is, is, t u r n i t f a ce ce u p . Re R e m e m b e r w h ic ic h c a r d s y o u t u r n e it i t h e r f a c e u p o r f a c e d o w n ." ." After After the sp ectator has done this, take the d eck from him, shuffle it i t and cu t it a few times. times. Spread Spread t he deck an d s how that all all the cards h ave righted righted t hem selves, selves, except except t he cards reversed by the s pectator. METHOD: Shuffle about half the deck face up into the other face-down half as explained explained in the previous effect. effect. Ex Explain to t he s pectator, what you want him to do, ill illustrating ustrating with with th e cards in your ha nd s. When When turning cards face up o r f ac a c e d o w n , d o s o w i t h a r ig ig h t t o l ef ef t o r v i ce ce v e r s a m o t i o n . Do n o t r e v e r s e t h e m b y t u r n i n g t h e c a r ds d s o v e r e n d f o r e n d. Re Re t u r n a n y c a r d s t h a t y o u r e ve ve r s e t o t h ei e i r o r ig i g i n al al p o s it i t io io n, n , i m p r e s s u p o n y ou o u r s p e c ta t a t o r t h a t y ou ou w a n t h i m t o t u r n h i s c a r d s o v er er a s y o u d i d , t h e n h a n d h i m t h e d e c k. k. Af A f t er er h e h a s r e v e r se se d h i s s e l ec ec t e d c a r d s , t a k e t h e d e c k f r o m h i m a n d s h u f fl f l e a b i t. t. S t ri ri p a l l t h e f ac ac e u p o r f a ce c e d o w n c a rd r d s t o t h e t o p o f t h e p a c k. k. By By r ev ev er e r si s i n g o r t u r n in in g t h i s packet so t hat t he cards in it are facing facing in the same direction as the faces of the o t h e r p a c ke k e tt,, y o u h a v e a r ra r a n ge g e d t h e d e ck c k s o t h a t a ll t h e c ar a r d s h a ve ve r ig ig h te te d themselves except the spectator's spectator's cards. ****************
A SHORT STRIPPER ROUTINE A r o u t i n e, e, o r " ac ac t" t" w it i t h t h e s t r i p p e r s h o u l d n o t b e o f l o ng ng d u r a t i o n, n, f o r even good card tricks can become boring. If you use this routine, practice it o ve v e r a n d o ve v e r a g a in i n . Kn Kn o w t h e s e q u e n c e o f t h e t r ic i c k s s o w el el l t h a t y o u a l m o s t auto maticall matically y go from one effect effect to the next. Most Most import ant of all: all: Be Be sure you
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k n o w h o w t o " h a n d le l e" t h e s t r i p p e r p r o p e r l y so so t h a t i t i s n o t a p p a r e n t t h a t y o u a r e u s i n g a t rrii cck k d e ck c k . Wh W h en e n s e a te t e d w i t h a g r o u p o f s p e ct c t a t or or s s t a r t o u t b y h a vi vi n g t h e d e c k s h u f f le l e d b y s e v er e r a l p e r s o n s . W at at c h f o r t h e o n e w h o s h u f f le le s the deck p ro perly, i.e. .e.: no revers als as he s huffles. When When you have n oticed th ose t h a t s h u f f le le " yo yo u r" r" w a y, y, p i c k o n t h e m w h e n t h e e f f e c t y o u w a n t t o p r e s e n t requires that the deck be sh uffled uffled by a spectator.
PATTER & ROUTINE "Ladies adies and Gentlemen: Gentlemen: The secret of card ma nipulation is control. By By control I m e a n t h e s h u f f li li n g o f t h e d e c k a n d a p p a r e n t l y lo l o si s i n g o f t h e s e le le c te te d card or cards d uring the shuffle when actually actually the perfor mer has cont rol of of the selected selected cards whenever he wishes. wishes. I would would like to give give you so me examples of card cont rol. First, the sim plest: control of a single card." card." Have Have a card selected, selected, reverse reverse the deck, have have card inserted in the deck a nd the n located quickly by you. "Now, Now, for a multiple contr ol. We shall have four per son s select a card an d end eavor to locate all all four of the m." m." H av av e f o u r c a r d s s e l ec e c t e d a n d i n s er e r t e d i n t h e r e ve ve r s e d d e c k. k. S h uf u f fl fl e a n d find the four cards, preferably preferably by bringin bringing g them to the top. "Now I wish to s how you tw o of the mo st difficult difficult types of card location." location." Find two selected selected card s, one behind your back, the other un der a silk silk.. "Now Now, here is an example of a s pectator unwittingly unwittingly controllin controlling g his own card." Perfor m "The "The Coincide nce" (#1). (#1). "And now for the impossible! impossible! The mo st unu sual card trick trick you have ever ever seen…and do n't try to figure figure it out - it is impossible. impossible."" Finish Finish u p by p erf or ming "The Indian Giver" Giver" (#10). (#10). It is wise wise to learn a few simple simple card tricks that you can d o without u sing the s tripper p rinciple rinciple.. Your Your magic dealer has a vast n um ber of books on sim ple card tricks and sleight sleight of han d. It It is also also a good idea to have in your pocket, an o r d i n a ry r y d e c k o f c a r d s, s, w i t h b a c k s t o m a t c h t h e s t r i p p e r y o u a r e u s i n g. g. W he he n finished finished with the st ripper rou tine, drop the trick deck into into your pocket the n, as an afterth ought, bring out the or dinary deck and sh ow a few simple card tricks. tricks. This is the easiest of "switches. "switches.""
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