CHRIST MEETS BALDUCCI

by Peter Duffie

Three spectators each cut the deck - one cuts near the top - one cuts near the middle and one near the bottom. As a
result, three cards are selected. The deck is spread and one card is found to be reversed - this is the Ace of Spades.

When the other three cards are turned over they prove to be the other three Aces.

This is a very simple application of two well-known principles - The Christ Force and the Balducci Cut-deeper
Force. Here both principles are combined in one. This was inspired by a Ace production which I believe was Herb
Zarrow's.

To begin arrange the top 5 cards of the deck as follows from the top:

FD Ace - FD Ace of Spades - FU Indifferent - FU Ace - FU Ace = rest of deck FD.

WORKING
1. Give the deck a Jog Shuffle retaining the top stock then hold it face down in dealing position. Extend your hand
towards a spectator and ask him to lift off a portion, saying, “Make your cut above center.” Now tell him to turn the
packet face up and replace it on the deck.

Spread over all the face up cards and take them momentarily with your right hand as your left thumb deals the first
face down card onto the table. Replace the face up section on top (keep it face up).

2. Turn to a second spectator and ask him to do the same but he is to cut at the center - turn over the packet and
replace it. Again, spread over all the face up cards and take them momentarily with your right hand as your left
thumb deals the first face down card onto the table. Replace the face up section on top as it is.

3. Repeat with a third spectator, this time asking him to cut deep down near the bottom - turn the section over and
replace it. Again remove the first face down card but this time flip the right hand cards face down to finish, then
place the deck face down on the table.

4. Mime the removal and reversal of a card, which you pretend to reinsert into the deck. Now spread the deck across
the table revealing the Ace of Spades face up in the middle. Remove the Ace and tap the three selections with it.
Finally flip them over one by one revealing the other three Aces.

copyright Peter Duffie 2000