However, I felt t h a t t h e o rigin al ver sio n h a d r o o m fo r i m p r ove m e n t a n d s o I
h ave r evise d t h e e n tir e m a n u s cri p t, di sca r di n g s o m e effect s a n d a d di ng o t h e r s.

It is m y h o p e t h a t m y eff o r t s will give m a n y h o u r s o f plea s u r e t o t h o s e

w h o like t o d o ca r d t rick s b u t h ave n ei t h e r t h e ti m e n o r t h e p a tie n ce r e q uire d
t o p r ac tice in t rica t e sleig h s of h a n d. But: Do n’t s ell t h e s t ri p p e r s h o r t! O nce yo u
lear n t o h a n dle it well, yo u m a y fin d t h e n ece s s a ry ti m e a n d p a tie n ce a n d
- co m bi n e d wit h sleig h s o f h a n d - a s t ri p p e r d ec k will m a k e it p o s sible f o r yo u
t o d o a p p a r e n t m i r acles.

ALWYN STENSON

New York, 1 9 6 2

INTRODUCTION

In t h e o pi nio n of t h e a u t h o r, o n e of t h e m o s t n eglecte d piece s of m a gical

a p p a r a t u s is t h e t a p e r e d, o r "st ri p p e r," d ec k. Pro p e rly u s e d, t hi s d ec k ca n give

1 0

t h e i m p r e s sio n of m i r ac ulo u s sleig h t of h a n d a n d - eve n m o r e i m p o r t a n t -
p r o p e rly h a n dle d, t h e s t ri p p e r ca n n o t b e s p o t t e d a s b ei ng gi m mick e d.

Th e p ri nci ple of t h e s t ri p p e r is n o t a s co m m o nly k n o w n a s m o s t

m a gicia n s b elieve d e s pit e t h e fact t h a t t h e t a p e r e d d eck is m a n y yea r s ol d. It
h a s b e e n s ai d m a n y ti m e s t h a t t o u s e t h e s t ri p p e r is "che a ti ng," b u t t h e s t ri p p e r
ca n b e p l ace d in t h e s a m e ca teg o ry a s t h e s h o r t ca r d, fo rcing d eck, e tc.
Gi m micke d ca r d s a n d eve n e n tire t rick d e ck s h ave b ee n u s e d by m a n y car d
m e n. But it is t h e e n d r e s ul t, t h e m a ki ng o f a Myste ry, t h a t co u n t s. The m e a n s
u s e d t o a t t ai n t h a t e n d a re u ni m p o r t a n t.

This m a n u s c ri p t h a s b ee n writ t e n wit h t h e ex p r e s s Pu r p o s e o f m a ki n g

t h o s e w h o s h u n t h e s t ri p p e r, o r w h o a r e n o t awa r e o f it' s p o s sibilitie s, co m e t o
t h e r e ali z a tio n of t h e fact t h a t a s a n a d j u n c t t o sleig h t of h a n d, o r by its elf, if
n e e d b e, t h e p r o p e r u s e of t h e s t ri p p e r ca n ge t t h e m t h e a p p r o b a tio n a n d
a p pl a u s e of t h eir a u die nce s w h e n ever t h ey p e rf o r m.

Th e s t ri p p e r d ec k h a s m a n y u s e s o t h e r t h a n t h e loca tio n of a car d o r

g r o u p of car d s a n d t h e followi ng p a g e s will p r ove t o yo u t h a t, wit h it, yo u ca n
d o u n d r e a m e d of t hi ng s in car d m a gic, crea t e effect s i m p o s sible wit h sleig h t of
h a n d. To r n t o a ny p ag e in t hi s b o o k, r e a d a ny o n e of t h e n u m e r o u s ef fec t s, a n d
give yo u r s elf a p lea s a n t s u r p ris e. Th e t a p e r e d d ec k is a m a gical "tool' - a n d t h e
p r o p e r u s e of t hi s t o ol is t h e Pu r p o s e of t hi s b o o k.

1 1

THE TAPERED DECK

Th e p ri nci ple of t h e t a p e r e d d ec k is a si m ple o n e: O n e e n d o f t h e d ec k is

n a r r o we r t h a n t h e o t h e r. Co n s e q u e n tly, wit h all t h e ca r d s o n e w ay a n d o n e ca r d
r eve r s e d in t h e d ec k, t h e r eve r s e d ca r d is ea sily loca te d a s t h e n t h e wid e e n d of
t h e ca r d is a t t h e n a r r o w e n d o f t h e d ec k a n d it p r o t r u d e s.

A cr u d ely c u t d ec k is n o t p r actical. Th e t a p e r s h o ul d

b e slig h t a n d s o g r a d u al t h a t eve n t h e p e r f o r m e r s h o ul d
h ave t o loo k clo s ely t o n o tice it. You m ay, h o w eve r, u s e a
cr u d ely c u t d ec k t o initia te yo u in t o t h e m y s t e rie s of t h e
s t ri p p e r, t h e n u s e a fin e r c u t w h e n yo u h ave b ec o m e
p r o ficie n t. You r s u cce s s wit h t h e s t ri p p e r d e p e n d s w h olly
u p o n yo u r h a n dli ng of t h e p ac k, a n a t u r al n e s s in wo r ki ng
wit h it. You m u s t b e a ble t o s t ri p ca r d s f r o m t h e p ac k
ea sily a n d s wif tly, yet d o it a s if yo u wer e h a n dling
n o t hi n g m o r e t h a n a n o r di n a ry p ac k o f car d s.

Do n o t r u n yo u r finge r s alo n g t h e e d ge o f t h e d ec k

t o d e t ec t r ever s e s ca r d s; j u s t lig h tly t o u c h t h e si d e s of t h e

d ec k a t b o t h e n d s. You r h a n d s a r e u n d e r co n s t a n t sc r u ti ny. Fu m bli ng t h e e d g e s
o f t h e d ec k is a s u r e giveaway; it is a n u n n a t u r al m o ve m e n t a n d will a r o u s e
s u s picio n.

Whe n a car d h a s b e e n s elec te d t h e d eck m u s t h e r ever s e d, b u t t h e

r eve r s al s h o ul d n o t b e o bvio u s. Fan ni n g t h e d ec k a n d clo si ng it is t h e m o s t
p r ac tical way of r ever si ng t h e d ec k. Hol d t h e d ec k face d o w n in yo u r left h a n d,
t h u m b o n t o p, finger s b e n e a t h. The rig h t fo r efi nge r hi t s t h e t o p lef t h a n d e d g e
o f t h e p ac k, m o ve s fr o m left t o rig h t, s p r e a di ng t h e ca r d s in t o a f a n. A ca r d is
s electe d, rig h t fo r efi nge r clo se s t h e fa n fr o m lef t t o rig h t r ever si n g t h e d ec k.

Th e s electe d ca r d is r e place d in t h e d ec k a n d ca n b e s t ri p p e d w h e n d e sir e d.

Note: In t h e p a g e s t h a t follow, t h e t e r m "rever s e d" will b e u s e d t o

d e sig n a te t h e t u r ni ng o f a ca r d (or t h e d ec k) e n d fo r e n d.

1 2

To b eco m e p r o ficie n t wit h t h e s t ri p p e r it is m o s t i m p o r t a n t t h a t yo u

d evelo p ea s e in t h e h a n dli ng of t h e d ec k. Prac tice, o p e ni n g a n d clo si ng fa n s of
ca r d s, a n d s t ri p pi ng o n e o r m o r e ca r d s t h a t h ave b e e n r ever s e d in t h e d e ck.

Ha n dle t h e d ec k lig h tly. You d o n o t n e e d s u p e r s e n sitive finge r s t o h a n dle

t hi s d ec k. It is e a sie r t o loca te a r ever s e d car d by u si n g a lig h t t o u c h r a t h e r t h a n
s q u e e zi n g t h e si d e s of t h e d ec k. If s t ri p pi ng a r ever s e d ca r d fr o m t h e d eck
s ee m s o bvio u s t o yo u a t fir s t, s t ri p t h e ca r d o r car d s n o t of t h e d e ck wit h t h e
d ec k b e hi n d yo u r b ack. This will, in fac t, a d d t o t h e m y s t e ry in s of a r a s t h e
s p ec t a t o r is co n ce r n e d.

Even t u ally yo u will a t t ai n t h e a bility t o s t ri p n o t o n e o r m o r e ca r d s in f ull

view of t h e s p ec t a t o r a n d p lace t h e m o n t o p o r b o t t o m of t h e d ec k wit h o u t it
b ei ng n o ticea ble.

Make it a h a bit t o lo o k di r ectly a t t h e s p ec t a t o r w h e n s t ri p pi n g a ca r d. In

t h e s eco n d h e r e t u r n s yo u r loo k yo u ca n h ave t h e ca r d o u t a n d o n t o p of t h e
d ec k.

A lit tle s t o ry wit h eac h effec t is als o d e sir a ble fo r p a t t e r is in it self

m i s di rectio n. Pick o u t, a h alf d o z e n of t h e effec t s in t hi s b o o k, t ry t h e m o n
s o m e o n e. You will n o t o nly s u r p ri se t h e m, yo u will s u r p ri se yo u r s elf.

******************

1 3

# 1

THE COINCIDENCE

Have a ca r d s electe d a n d (wit h o u t allowing its face t o h e s ee n) initiale d

o n t h e b ack by a s p ec t a t o r. Rever se t h e d e ck a n d h ave t h e ca r d in se r t e d. Sh uffle
a n d lay d eck face d o w n o n t h e t a ble. Cu t t o r ever s e d ca r d, h ave t hi s p ac k e t
t u r n e d face o p a n d a s k t h e s p ec t a t o r t o m a r k t h e face - o p car d. He is, o f co u r s e,
u n a w a r e t h a t it is t h e s a m e o n e h e p r evio u sly initiale d o n t h e b ac k. Sh uffle
ag ai n. Locat e t h e m a r k e d ca r d in a ny way yo u wis h, t h e n s h o w t h e a m a zi n g
coi nci d e n ce of t h e s p ect a t o r m a r ki ng t h e s a m e ca r d t wice.

# 2

THE PERFECT COUNT

Rever se t h e tw e n ty sixt h car d in t h e p a ck. Re m a r k t o t h e s p ec t a t o r s t h a t

yo u h ave, t h r o u g h yea r s o f ex p e rie nce, d evelo p e d t h e a bility t o j u d g e t h e
a m o u n t o f ca r d s in a ny p ac k e t by it s t hick n e s s. Cu t t h e d ec k a t t h e r ever s e d
ca r d a n d h a n d t h e p a ck e t yo u h ave r e m ove d t o a s p ec t a t o r t elling hi m t h a t yo n
h ave j u d g e d ex ac tly h alf t h e p ac k.

# 3

THE SHUFFLED SETUP

Many effect s a r e p o s si ble wit h a p r e - a r r a n ge d d eck. Nat u r ally, yo u

ca n n o t offe r a s e t - u p d ec k fo r s h u ffling. However, if yo u h ave a s t ri p p e r s e t u p
in a ce r t ai n o r d e r si m ply r eve r s e h alf t h e p ac k a n d pl ace it in t h e ca r d ca se.
Whe n r e a dy t o p e r f o r m, r e m ove t h e p a c k f r o m t h e ca se a n d h a n d it t o t h e
s p ec t a t o r fo r o n e riffle s h u ffle, t h e n t a k e t h e d ec k a n d s t ri p n o t t h e r ever s e d
ca r d s. You will n o w h ave t h e s e t - u p in tw o p ac k e t s. Place t h e tw o p a c k e t s
t o g e t h e r in t h eir p r o p e r o r d e r a n d t h e d eck is agai n s e t u p in t h e o rigin al p r e -
a r r a n g e d o r d e r.

# 4

MIXED UP MIRACLE

Divide t h e d ec k in t o tw o e q u al piles, r ever s e o n e pile a n d p l ace t h e tw o

p ile s face t o face. Now, t h o r o u g hly s h u ffle t h e d eck. Place t h e d ec k b e hi n d yo u r
b ack, s t ri p t h e e n tir e d eck, t o r n o n e h alf over a n d p lace it u p o n t h e o t h e r h alf,
t h e n b ri ng t h e d ec k fo rw a r d. Rib b o n - s p r e a d t h e ca r d s a n d s h o w t h ey a r e all
o n e way.

# 5

1 4

ODDS AND EVENS

Befo re h a n d h ave t h e d ec k s e p a r a t e d in t o t w o piles, o n e pile all t h e o d d

n u m b e r s, t h e o t h e r p ile, all eve n n u m b e r s. Rever s e o n e pile a n d s h u ffle in t h e
n o r m al m a n n e r. Afte r s h u ffling, s t ri p t h e e n tir e d ec k b e hi n d yo u r b ack a n d
s h o w yo u h ave s e p a r a t e d o d d n u m b e r s fr o m eve n n u m b e r s.

# 6

A SIMPLE FORCE

Have t h e car d yo u wa n t t o fo rce r ever s e d o n t h e b o t t o m of t h e p a ck.

Sh uffle, pl ace t h e d ec k f ace d o w n o n t h e t a ble a n d ca s u ally c u t t o t h e r eve r s e d
ca r d. Show it t o t h e s p ec t a t o r. Do n o t give t h e i m p r e s sio n yo n a r e c u t ti ng t o a
ce r t ai n ca r d, c u t t h e d eck ca s u ally.

# 7

THE POKER HAND

Have a s t r aig h t fl u s h r eve r s e d in t h e d eck. Sh uffle a n d s t ri p t h e flu s h t o

t h e t o p. Deal o u t five p o k e r h a n d s a r o u n d t h e t a ble (five ca r d s eac h). Pick u p
eac h h a n d, s h o w it b riefly, d o n o t di s t u r b it s o r d e r, a n d pl ace eac h h a n d b ac k
o n t o p of t h e d eck. Deal o u t five h a n d s ag ai n of five car d s eac h, t h e n s h o w t h a t
yo u h ave d e alt yo u r s elf a s t r aig h t fl u s h. Unk n ow n t o t h e s p ec t a t o r every fif t h
ca r d o n t o p o f t h e d ec k is p a r t of t h e fl u s h.

# 8

READING THE DECK

Me m o ri ze five ca r d s a n d r ever s e t h e m in t h e d eck. Tell t h e s p ec t a t o r t h a t

yo u ca n r e a d t h e b ack s of t h e ca r d s. Sh uffle a n d s t ri p t h e five m e m o ri z e d car d s
t o t h e t o p o f t h e d ec k. Re m ove t h e t o p car d face d o w n, call n o t t h e n a m e of o n e
o f t h e five yo u h ave m e m o ri z e d, a n d p lace it face d o w n n o t h e t a ble. Re p ea t
t hi s u n til yo u h ave t h e five t o p ca r d s face d o w n o n t h e t a ble. Mix t h e m u p, t h e n
t u r n t h e m ove r a n d s h o w yo u h ave calle d t h e five ca r d s co r r ec tly.

# 9

COLOR SEPARATION

This is a r eal eye p o p p e r. Befo r e s t a r ti ng yo u r p e r f o r m a n ce, s e p a r a t e t h e

r e d s a n d black s a n d r eve r s e o n e colo r. To b egin, s h u ffle t h e e n tir e d ec k a n d
d i s play t h e face s o f t h e car d s s h o w ing t h e m t o b e t h o r o u g hly m ixe d. Fan t h e
d ec k wit h t h e b ac k s t o wa r d yo u a n d h ave a r e d car d s electe d. Ask t h e s p ec t a t o r
t o r e m e m b e r hi s ca r d. Rever s e t h e d ec k a n d h ave t h e ca r d r e place d. Fan ag ain
a n d h ave a black ca r d s electe d. Rever se a n d r e place.

Now, s h u ffle t h o r o u g hly. Pu t t h e d eck b e hi n d yo u r b ack a n d co m ple t ely

s t ri p o u t t h e e n tire d ec k. Bring h fo rw a r d h ol di ng t h e t w o p ac k e t s a n d s h o w

1 5

t h a t yo u h ave n o t o nly co m ple tely s e p a r a t e d r e d s f r o m black s b u t t h e r e d
s electe d ca r d is a m o n g t h e black, a n d t h e black s electe d ca r t! a m o n g t h e r e d.

# 1 0

THE INDIAN GIVER

Break t h e d ec k in t o t w o piles. Give o n e t o a s p ec t a t o r, r eve r si ng hi s pile

a s yo u h a n d it t o hi m. Ask hi m t o lo o k a t a ny car d in hi s pile a n d in s e r t it face
d o w n in t o yo u r pile. Sh uffle yo u r p ile, s t ri p o u t t h e ca r d h e gave yo n a n d p lace
it face d o w n in his pile. Ask hi m t o n a m e hi s car d. Show it is n o t in yo u r pile a s
h e t h o u g h t. Tell hi m h e is a n "In dia n Giver" a n d infl ue n ce d yo u in t o giving hi m
b ack t h e s a m e car d h e gave vo n.

# 1 1

AN ODDITY

Sep a r a te t h e r eel fr o m t h e black ca r d s in t o t w o piles. Rever se o n e pile

a n d t h e n m a k e a si ngle pile by alte r n a ti n g r e d a n d black. Hol d t h e d ec k wit h
b o t h h a n d s by t h e e d g e s a n d s t ri p t h e e n tir e d ec k j u s t t h e slig h t e s t f r actio n. If
yo u n o w riffle t h e ca r d s in o n e di rec tio n, yo u will s ee o nly r e d car d s; riffle in
t h e o t h e r di r ec tio n a n d yo u will s ee o nly black ca r d s.

# 1 2

THE SMART SMELLER

Lay s eve n car d s in a r o w o n t h e t a ble, t h e m i d dle ca r d r eve r s e d. Have a

s p ec t a t o r w rite t h e a r o m a s yo u call o u t, o n e e ac h, o n t h e b ack s of t h e car d s,
lef t t o rig h t. Tu r n yo u r b ack if yo u wis h. Call o u t, Rose, Violet, Ja s mi n e, Lillies,
Pine, He mlock, Ce d a r. Th e r ever s e d car d will b e Lillies, t h e f o u r t h ca r d calle d.
Have t h e car d s m ixe d a n d h a n d e d t o yo u; s t ri p Lillies t o t o p. Smell eac h ca r d,
face t o w a r d yo u, r e m a r ki n g t h a t yo u will fin d yo u r f avo rite a r o m a: Lillies. You
m a y d o t his wit h d ri n k s o r s pice s.

# 1 3

POCKET LOCATION

Th e s electe d ca r d is r eve r s e d in t h e d ec k a n d t h e d eck is s h u ffle d. Dro p

t h e d ec k in t o a s p ec t a t o r' s s hi r t p o ck e t Th e e n d of t h e d ec k fr o m w hic h t h e
r eve r s e d ca r d p r o t r u d e s s h o ul d b e u p, t h a t is: n e a r e s t t o t h e e d g e of t h e p o c k e t.
To r n yo u r h e a d a si d e, r e ac h in t o p o c k e t wit h t h u m b a n d m i d dle finge r a n d
r e m ove s elec te d car d.

# 1 4

POCKET PUZZLER

Have s electe d ca r d r ever s e d in t h e d ec k. Sh uffle. Dr o p d ec k, p r o t r u di n g

e n d o f s electe d ca r d u p p e r m o s t, in t o s p ec t a t o r' s s hi r t p o ck e t. Ask fo r a n u m b e r

1 6

b e twee n 1 a n d 2 0. Reac h in t o s p ec t a t o r' s p o ck e t a n d r e m ov e a n d s h o w car d s
o n e a t a ti m e. We will p r e s u m e t h e n u m b e r calle d wa s 1 4. Re m ove 1 3 car d s
f r o m t h e t o p o r t h e b o t t o m o f t h e d ec k; s h o w t h e fo u r t e e n t h (th e r eve r s e d) ca r d
t o b e t h e o n e s electe d by s p ec t a t o r. Use t h u m b a n d m i d dle finger w h e n
r e ac hi n g in t o t h e s p ec t a t o r' s p o c k e t.

# 1 5

A WEIRD REVERSAL

Tak e all t h e ca r d s of o n e s ui t (s p a d e s, f o r exa m p le), r eve r s e t h e m, in s e r t

t h e m in t h e d ec k, s h u ffle t h o r o u g hly a n d pl ace t h e d ec k h ac k in it s ca se. Whe n
yo u a r e g oing t o p e r f o r m, r e m ov e t h e p ac k f r o m yo u r p o c k e t a n d offe r it t o b e
s h u ffle d. As t h e d ec k is b ei ng s h u ffle d p a t t e r t o t h e effec t t h a t t hir t ee n is yo u r
lucky n u m b e r a n d yo u a r e going t o t ry a n ex p e ri m e n t wit h t h a t n u m b e r. Take
t h e d ec k f r o m t h e s p ec t a t o r a n d p lace it b e hi n d yo u r b ack. Stri p n o t t h e
t hi r t ee n s p a d e s, t u r n t h e m ove r a n d in s e r t t h e m t o ge t h e r b ack in t o t h e p ac k.
Bring t h e d ec k fo rw a r d, face u p; s p r e a d t h e d eck a n d s h o w t h a t t h e r e a r e
t hi r t ee n ca r d s face d o w n, t og e t h e r, a r e m a r k a ble coi nci d e n ce. Now, s q u a r e t h e
p ac k, m e n it face clow n, s p r e a d t h e car d s a n d - a n o t h e r coi nci d e nce h a s
occ u r r e d: t h e t hir te e n car d s a r e all s p a d e s!

# 1 6

THE STABBED DECK

This is a r e m a r k a ble effect a n d n ever fails

t o m y s tify. Have a ca r d s electe d a n d in se r t e d
ag ai n in t h e r ever s e d d ec k. Show a n o r di n a ry
p a p e r n a p ki n. Wra p t h e d e ck in t h e n a p ki n b u t,
t e s t e d a s yo n s t a r t t o wr a p, p ull o u t t h e r eve r s e d
ca r d slig h tly - a q u a r t e r of a n inc h will d o.

Hol d t h e d ec k fir mly a s yo u w r a p s o t h a t

t h e p r o t r u di ng ca r d d o e s n o t sli d e b ack in t o t h e
d ec k wit h t h e h a n dli ng.

Whe n t h e d ec k is wr a p p e d, t u c k u n d e r t h e e n d s of t h e n a p ki n, ag ai n

b ei ng ca r ef ul n o t t o m o ve t h e p r o t r u di ng car d. Hol d t h e wr a p p e d d ec k face u p
in yo u r rig h t h a n d a n d, wit h t h e lef t, p u s h t h e ti p of a k nife bla d e in t o t h e
n a p ki n a t t h e e n d of t h e d ec k w h e r e t h e ca r d is p a r tly s t ri p p e d o u t. Pu s h k nife
bla d e in t o t h e n a p ki n f r o m a slig h tly a n gle d p o si tio n, d o w n w a r d, s o t h a t t h e ti p
o f t h e k nife hi t s p r o t r u di n g ca r d; t h e n, level t h e k nife a n d p u s h it all t h e way in.
Th e k nife bla d e is n o w r e s ti n g o n t h e s t ri p p e d car d. Pu s h t h e k nife in t o t h e
d ec k u p t o t h e h a n dle, t h e r e by p u s hi n g t h e s t ri p p e d ca r d b ack in t o t h e d ec k
a n d eve n wit h t h e o t h e r s. Ask t h a t t h e s electe d car d b e n a m e d. Leave t h e k nife
in pl ace a n d ri p off t h e n a p ki n s h o wi ng t h e k nife r e s ti n g o n t h e s electe d ca r d.
This is n o t a n effect in b e d o n e h u r rie dly. Make a big t hi ng of it a n d, w h e n
a b o u t t o r eveal t h a t t h e k nife is r e s ti ng o n t h e s elec te d e a s e!, d o it slowly.

1 7

# 1 7

THE GAMBLER'S ACES

Have t h e fo u r ace s r ever s e d in t h e d ec k. Tell t h o s e wa tc hi ng t h a t yo u a r e

g oing t o p r ove t h a t it is n o t s m a r t t o play ca r d s wit h s t r a n g e r s. Sh uffle t h e
d ec k, p lace it face d o w n o n t h e t a ble a n d c u t t o a n ace. Do n o t s h o w t h e ace b u t
r e m ove it fr o m t h e p ac k e t a n d p lace it face d o w n t o o n e si d e. Do t hi s t h r ee
m o r e ti m e s u n til yo u h ave c u t a n d r e m ove d all o f t h e ace s. Tu r n ove r t h e fo u r
ca r d s a n d s h o w t h a t yo u c u t t o a n ace e ac h ti m e.

# 1 8

THE THUMB COUNT

Re m a r k t h a t yo u h ave s u p e r s e n sitive finge r s a n d ca n co u n t ca r d s w hile

riffling t h e m wit h yo u r t h u m b. Befo re h a n d, h ave t h e fif tee n t h ca r d r eve r s e d in
t h e d ec k. Be s o r e t h a t yo u riffle t h e co r n e r o f t h e d ec k w h e r e t h e r ever s e d car d
p r o t r u d e s. Riffle t hi s co r n e r o n ce o r twice, b r e a k t h e d ec k a t t h e r ever s e d car d
a n d h a n d t h e p ac k e t t o t h e s p ec t a t o r t o b e co u n t e d. You, of co u r s e, h ave s t a t e d
in a dv a nce h o w m a n y car d s yo u a r e goi ng t o t h u m b co u n t,

# 1 9

OUT OF THE HAT

Selecte d ca r d is s t ri p p e d t o t o p of d ec k, Bor r ow a felt h a t, crea s e t h e t o p

a n d h ol d h a t hig h. Dr o p t h e d eck in t o t h e h a t, d eck o n o n e si d e of t h e cr ea s e,
s t ri p p e d ca r d o n t h e o t h e r. Sna p t h e o u t si d e b o t t o m of t h e h a t, b elow s t ri p p e d
ca r d. It will j u m p o u t o f t h e h a t.

# 2 0

ALL CALL IT

Have a ca r d r eve r s e d in t h e d ec k, King of Spa d e s, f o r ex a m ple. Sh uffle,

c u t t o t h e ki ng a n d s h o w it t o o n e p e r s o n p r e s e n t o nly. Res h u ffle, d o t h e s a m e
t o a n o t h e r p e r s o n. Do t hi s fo u r ti m e s, eac h ti m e s h o wi ng t h e s a m e ca r d b u t
wit h o u t let ti ng a ny of t h e fo u r s p ec t a t o r s k n o w t h a t t h ey h ave all lo o ke d a t t h e
King of Spa d e s. Tell t h e fo u r s p ec t a t o r s t o call o u t t h eir car d w h e n yo u co u n t t o
t h r e e. They will loo k a n d feel r a t h e r fo olis h w h e n t h ey all call o u t "King o f
Spa d e s."

# 2 1

THE FOUR ROBBERS

Re m ove t h e lo n e ace s f r o m t h e d ec k a n d lay t h e m lace d o w n o n t h e t a ble.

Rever se t h e d ec k a n d lay it o n t h e t a ble. Tell t h e s t o ry of fo u r r o b b e r s in t e n t
u p o n r o b bi n g a h o u s e. Ins e r t o n e ace low in t h e p a ck, face d o w n; t hi s r o b b e r is
in t h e cellar. An o t h e r ace is in s e r t e d a bit hig h e r in t h e p ac k, t h e fir s t flo o r; a

1 8

t hi r d ace s till hig h e r in t h e p a ck, t h e s ec o n d flo o r, a n d t h e la s t ace n e a r t h e t o p
o f t h e p ac k. As yo u n o w s h u ffle t h e p ac k r e m a r k t h a t o n e of t h e r o b b e r s loo k e d
o u t of t h e win d o w a n d s aw t h e p olice a p p r o ac hi ng. Th e o nly way of e sca p e wa s
t h r o u g h t h e r o o f. Stri p t h e ace s t o t h e t o p, p l ace t h e d eck face d o w n o n t h e
t a ble a n d slowly r e m ove t h e f o u r t o p car d s, o n e a t a ti m e. Th e f o u r r o b b e r s a r e
all o n t h e r o of.

# 2 2

THE NEXT ONE IS IT

Have a ca r d s electe d a n d r e place d in t h e r ever s e d d ec k. Hol d t h e d ec k in

yo u r lef t h a n d, lig h tly feeling t h e s electe d car d. Deal o u t o n e car d a t a ti m e
f r o m t h e face - d o w n p ac k, s h o wi ng t h e ca r d eac h ti m e, a n d m a ki ng a n e a t pile
face d o w n o n t h e t a ble. Co n ti n u e d e aling p a s t t h e c h o s e n car d, t h e n r e m a r k
t h a t t h e n ex t car d yo u s h o w will h e t h e s elec te d ca r d. Sur p ri se t h e m all by n o t
s h o wi ng t h e n ex t ca r d t o b e d e al t b u t by c u t ti ng t o t h e r eve r s e d car d t o b e in
t h e pile o n t h e t a ble.

# 2 3

WITHOUT THE REVERSE

This will f o ol a m a gicia n. Have t h e e n tir e lower h alf of t h e d ec k r ever s e d.

Ask s o m e o n e t o s elec t a car d fr o m t h e u p p er h alf o f t h e d ec k. Slowly riffle t h e
ca r d s s o t h a t t h e c h o s e n ca r d is in s e r t e d in t h e lower h alf o f t h e d ec k. Break t h e
d ec k a t t h e ce n t e r a n d give t h e t o p h alf t o t h e s p ec t a t o r fo r s h u ffling. Sh uffle
t h e b o t t o m h alf yo u r s elf. You ca n n o w s t ri p o u t t h e s elec te d car d in yo u r h alf.

# 2 4

AN EYE POPPER

Have t h e d ec k in t h e cas e wit h all t h e r e d ca r d s r ever s e d. Re m ove t h e

d ec k f r o m t h e ca s e a n d s h u ffle t h o r o u g hly. Stri p t h e d eck co m ple tely a n d p u t
t h e tw o p ac k e t s t o ge t h e r. You n o w h ave tics d eck h alf r e d a n d h alf black. Hol d
t h e d ec k face d o w n in yo u r rig h t h a n d, lef t t h u m b co m e s ove r t o t h e t o p o f t h e
d ec k, left finge r s u n d e r n e a t h t h e d ec k. Wit h yo u r lef t h a n d, r e m ove t h e t o p a n d
b o t t o m car d s o f t h e d ec k t og e t h e r, pl acing t h e tw o ca r d s face d o w n o n t h e
t a ble. Co n ti n u e d oi n g t hi s u n til t h e e n tire p ac k is o n t h e t a ble, face d o w n. Tu r n
t h e ca r d s over, s p r e a d t h e m, a n d s h o w a p e r fect alte r n a tio n of r e d a n d black
t h r o u g h o u t t h e d ec k.

# 2 5

COIN - INCIDENCE

Rever se a d e u ce, t r ey, fo u r a n d ni n e in yo u r d ec k. Befor e h a n d ga t h e r a n d

1 9

p u t in yo u r t r o u s e r p o c k e t a q u a n ti ty of coi n s, all of diffe re n t d a t e s, b u t all
d a t e s t o t ali ng eig h t e e n (19 3 5, 1 9 2 6, 1 9 0 8, 1 9 4 4, 1 9 5 3, e tc.). Cu t d e ck a t t h e
fo u r r e ver s e d ca r d s, m a ki ng f o u r piles, wit h o n e o f t h e r ever s e d ca r d s a t t h e
b o t t o m of eac h pile, t h e fo u r piles face d o w n o n t h e t a ble. Cas u ally r e m ove t h e
coi n s f r o m yo u r p o ck e t a n d h ave o n e s electe d. Ask t h e s p ec t a t o r t o t o t al t h e
fo u r digit s o n hi s s elec te d coin. Whe n h e a n n o u n ce s t h e t o t al (which m o s t b e
eig h t ee n), t u r n over eac h pile o n t h e t a ble a n d s h o w t h a t t h e fo u r ca r d s yo u c u t
t o al s o t o t al eig h t ee n.

# 2 6

THE PREDICTION

Befo re p e r f o r mi n g, r ever s e a n d n o t e t h r ee ca r d s in yo u r d ec k. Tell yo u r

a u die nce t h a t yo u a r e feeling p a r tic ula rly clairvoya n t a n d yo u wo ul d like t h e m
t o h el p yo u in t e s ti n g t h e vali dity of yo u r feeling s. Tak e a piece of p a p e r a n d o n
it write t h e n a m e s of t h e t h r ee ca r d s yo u h ave p r evio u sly r e ver s e d in yo u r
s t ri p p e r d ec k. Re m a r ki ng t h a t yo n h ave m a d e a p r e dic tio n, fol d t h e p a p e r a n d
p lace it in a s p ec t a t o r' s p o ck e t. Sh uffle yo u r d ec k a n d pl ace it in yo u r, o r
a n o t h e r s p ec t a t o r' s p o c k e t. Tell yo u r a u die nce t h a t yo n a r e g oing t o r e m ove
ca r d s, o n e a t a ti m e, fr o m t h e p ac k a n d t h a t a ny o n e s h o ul d call o u t "Now!"
w hile yo u r h a n d is s till in t h e p o ck e t. Procee d t o t a k e car d s o u t a s d e sc ribe d
p lacing t h e m in a face - o p pile t o o n e si d e. Whe n eve r s o m e o n e calls "Now!" s t ri p
o n e of t h e r e ver s e d ca r d s a n d p o t it face d o w n o n t h e o t h e r si d e of t h e t a ble.
Co n ti n u e u n til yo u h ave s t ri p p e d o u t t h e t h r ee ca r d s yo u h ave "pre dicte d." Ask
t h e Spect a t o r in w h o s e p o c k e t yo u h ave p lace d yo u r p r e dictio n t o r e a d it alo u d.
Tu r n over t h e t h r ee ca r d s yo u h ave p lace d si n gly a n d face d o w n t o o n e si d e of
yo u r t a ble. Pick t h e m u p, o n e a t a ti m e, a n d call t h eir n a m e s d r a m a tically
h ol di n g t h e m o p fo r all t o s ee t h a t yo u r feeling s di d n o t d e ceive yo u.

NOTE: Whe n placi n g t h e d eck in t he p ac ket b e s u re t h at t he e n d w h e re t h e car ds p rotr u de

is u p.

# 2 7

THE GIMMICKED CASE

In a n ol d effect u s e d wit h t h e s t ri p p e r d ec k t h e car d ca s e is s a n d p a p e r e d

t hi n a t e ac h si d e, n e a r t h e b o t t o m. Whe n t h e d eck, wit h t h e p r o t r u di ng ca r d o r
ca r d s d o w n, is in s e r t e d in t o t h e ca se t h e fi nge r s ca n feel t h e s e car d s t h r o u g h
t h e t hi n, s a n d p a p e r e d si d e s o f t h e ca se. Hol d t h e cas e o p e n e n d d o w n a n d
allow all t h e car d s exce p t t h e r ever s e d o n e s t o fall o u t.

# 2 8

THE FLIP OVER REVELATION

Bring r ever s e d car d t o t o p. Pu s h t o p car d s o t h a t it p r o jec t s a n inc h t o

o n e si d e of t h e p ac k. Dr o p e n tire p ac k fr o m a b o u t a fo o t over yo u r t a ble. Th e
t o p ca r d will flip ove r face u p, d u e t o t h e d r af t hi t ti ng t h e p r o jec ti ng e d g e of

2 0

t h e ca r d.

# 2 9

ANY CARD OP ANY SUIT

In a dv a nce of yo u r p e r f o r m a n c e, t a k e a n e n tir e s uit - s ay, t h e h e a r t s - o u t

o f yo u r d eck. Pu t t h e m in o r d e r fr o m ace t o ki ng, r ever s e t h e p ac k e t, p u t it b ack
o n t h e t o p o f yo u r d eck a n d p u t t h e d eck in its ca se. Whe n yo u s t a r t t o
p e r f o r m, s ay t h a t yo u h ave a n affinity f o r h e a r t s a n d yo u w o ul d like t o p r ove it.

Tak e t h e d ec k o u t of its ca s e a n d riffle s h u ffle o n ce. Put t h e d e ck b e hi n d

yo u r b ack a n d a s k s o m e o n e t o call a ny car d of t h e h e a r t s ui t. As yo u p a t t e r a n d
w hile yo u wait fo r t h e s elec tio n, s t ri p o u t t h e e n tire s oil (it will s till b e in o r d e r)
a n d p o t t h e p ac k e t o n t o p of t h e d ec k. It is, of co u r s e, a n e a sy m a t t e r fo r yo u t o
co u n t d o w n t o w h a tever ca r d is calle d fo r a n d t h u s p r ove yo u a r e "in t u n e" wit h
t h e h e a r t s.

De p e n di n g o n yo u r m e m o ry - a n d a bility - yo u m ay r e p e a t wills o n e o r

tw o o t h e r ca r d s. But d o n ' t d o m o r e t h a n t h r ee. O ne co ul d b e a n acci d e n t, tw o
m ig h t b e coi nci d e nce, t h r ee is inco n t r ove r tible p r o o f, fo u r is b o r e d o m.

# 3 0

USING A CONFEDERATE

Many a p p a r e n t ca r d m i r acle s ca n b e acco m plis h e d wit h t h e u s e of a n

a s si s t a n t f o r, if yo u h ave a co nf e d e r a t e t o h a n dle t h e d ec k w hile yo u a r e o u t o f
t h e r o o m, yo u ca n d o t h e s ee mi ngly i m p o s sible. You ca n b e a b s e n t, yo u r
co n f e d e r a te ca n h ave a ca r d s electe d a n d r ever s e t h e d ec k. You ca n t h e n e n t e r
t h e r o o m a n d fin d t h e s electe d car d. It is i m p o r t a n t t h a t n o o n e k n o w s yo u a r e
wo r ki ng wit h a n a s si s t a n t. Brief s o m e o n e in t h e a u die nce a s t o w h a t t o d o is
h a n dli ng t h e d ec k. Do n o t over d o t h e u s e of t h e a s si s t a n t.

# 3 1

ACE THE HARD WAY

Rever se a n ace in t h e d eck. Have t h e d ec k s h u ffle d a n d t h e n lai d o n t h e

t a ble, face d o w n. Place a silk over t h e d eck a n d c u t t h r o u g h t h e silk t o s h o w t h e
ace.

# 3 2

A GAG BIT

This is a co m e d y bit t h a t alway s get s a g o o d la ug h. Occa sio n ally s t ri p n o t

t h e s elec te d ca r d w hile yo n a r e s h u ffling a n d s ay, "Plea se d o n ' t f o rge t yo u r ca r d
w hile I a m s h u ffling." Show t h e ca r d, p u t it h ac k in t h e d ec k a n d g o o n wit h
w h a t ever effec t yo u h a d pl a n n e d.

# 3 3

2 1

WHICH POCKET?

Have a ca r d s electe d a n d r ever s e it in t h e d eck. Sh uffle. Ask a s p ec t a t o r

t o e m p ty b o t h lef t a n d rig h t jack e t p o c k e t s. Dr o p t h e d ec k in hi s lef t jacke t
p o c k e t m a ki ng s u r e t h a t t h e e d ge wit h t h e p r o t r u di n g ca r d is u p. Bring o u t h alf
t h e d ec k a n d p lace it in t h e s p ec t a t o r' s rig h t jacke t p o c k e t, m a ki ng s u r e t h e
r eve r s e d ca r d r e m ai n s in t h e left p o c k e t. Now a s k t h e s p ec t a t o r t o n a m e a
p o c k e t, rig h t o r lef t... If h e s ay s "rig h t," t ell hi m t o di sca r d t h e p o r tio n of t h e
d ec k in hi s rig h t p o ck e t a n d yo u r e ac h in t o t h e lef t a n d r e m ove s elec te d ca r d.

# 3 4

IN TRIPLICATE

Have a ca r d s electe d. Ask a s p ec t a t o r t o w rite hi s

initials o n t h e b ack of t h e ca r d. Rever se t h e d ec k a n d in s e r t
t h e car d. Sh uffle t h e d ec k, b ri ng t h e s electe d ca r d t o t h e
b o t t o m a n d q uickly t u r n t h e d ec k face d o w n in yo u r rig h t
h a n d. Hol d t h e d eck wit h fo u r fi nge r s c u rle d ove r o n e si d e
a n d t h e t h u m b ove r t h e o t h e r. See illu s t r a tio n. T he finge r s
p ull b ack t h e b o t t o m (initiale d) car d. Ask t h e s p ec t a t o r w h a t hi s n a m e is. As
yo u s p ell o u t hi s n a m e, k ee p h ol di ng b ack t h e b o t t o m ca r d. You alway s p ull o u t
o n e ca r d a bo ve t hi s car d. Whe n yo u co m e t o t h e las t let te r o f hi s n a m e; p ull o u t
t h e ca r d yo u h ave b ee n h ol di n g b ac k, t u r n it over a n d s h o w it is t h e o n e
initiale d by t h e s p ec t a t o r.

# 3 5

LUCKY THIRTEEN

Befo re h a n d h ave all t h e s p a d e s r ever s e d in t h e lowe r p o r tio n o f t h e d ec k.

Have a ca r d s electe d fr o m t h e t o p p o r tio n o f t h e d ec k, r eve r s e t h e d e ck a n d
h ave t h e s elec te d car d in se r te d. Re m a r k t o t h e s p ec t a t o r s t h a t yo u h ave a lucky
s ui t: s p a d e s a n d yo u als o h ave a lucky n u m b e r s: t hir te e n. Sh uffle t h e d ec k,
p lace it b e hi n d yo u r b ack a n d t ell t h e a u die nce yo u a r e g oi ng t o u s e yo u r lucky
s ui t a n d als o t h e lucky n u m b e r t o fin d t h e s elec te d car d. Co m e fo rw a r d wit h all
o f t h e s t ri p p e d car d s face d o w n. Co u n t t h e m o n t o t h e t a ble, face d o w n. The r e
will b e fo u r t e e n car d s. Tu r n t h e m ove r a n d s p r e a d t h e m o u t. Spec t a t o r will s ee
t h e t hir t ee n s p a d e s a n d t h e ca r d h e s elec te d.

# 3 6

TWO BLACK ACES

This t rick co n si s t o f a si m ple s e t u p o f t h e t o p eig h t ee n car d s in t h e d ec k.

Deck face d o w n, t h e s e t u p is a s f ollow s: t o p car d, a ny "six"; n ex t, a ny five
in differe n t ca r d s; t h e n, a black ace; n ex t, a ny "te n"; t h e n, ni n e in differ e n t car d s,
a n d t h e o t h e r black ace. Th e s e t o p eig h t ee n car d s a r e r eve r s e d. Tell t h e
s p ec t a t o r s t h a t yo u will loca te t h e t w o black ace s in a n u n u s u al m a n n e r.

2 2

Re m ove t h e p ac k f r o m t h e ca s e, riffle s h u ffle o n ce, face d o w n, a n d s t ri p t h e
eig h t ee n ca r d s t o t h e t o p of t h e d eck. Show t h e t o p ca r d, t h e "six." Co u n t d o w n
t o t h e six t h car d a n d t u r n it ove r. It will b e t h e fir s t ace. Show t h e n ex t ca r d, t h e
"te n." Co u n t d o w n t o t h e t e n t h ca r d, t u r n it over a n d s h o w it t o b e t h e s eco n d
black ace.

# 3 7

LUCKY SEVEN

Have t h e d ec k in yo u r pocket wit h t h e s eve n o f s p a d e s r eve r s e d. Talk

a b o u t s eve n b ei ng a m y s tic n u m b e r in m a gic. Re m a r k ag ai n t h a t s p a d e s a r e
yo u r lucky s oil a n d t a k e ca r d s o ut of yo u r pocket o ne a t a ti m e , a ca r d fo r eac h
let te r. As yo u wit h d r a w t h e car d s, s p ell n o t e "S - e - v - e - n o - f S - p - a - d - e - s" s h o w
t h a t t h e las t ca r d r e m ove d f r o m t h e p o ck e t is t h e Seve n o f Spa d e s. Place t hi s
face d o w n o n t h e ca r d s alrea d y o n t h e t a ble. Tak e t h e r e m ai n d e r o f t h e p ac k
o u t of yo u r p o c k e t a n d p lace it t o o n e si d e. Pick u p t h e "s p elle d o u t" car d s a n d
s h u ffle t h e m, face d o w n. T he Seve n of Spa d e s is s till r ever s e d. Place t hi s s m all
p ac k e t in yo u r p o ck e t. O nce ag ai n s p ell o u t "Seven o f Spa d e s." Agai n, t h e las t
ca r d r e m ove d is t h e Seve n of Spa d e s. Tu r n it face u p a s yo u t a k e it o u t of yo u r
p o c k e t.

# 3 8

KINGS AND QUEENS

In a dv a nce, p u t t h e fo u r king s o n t o p of t h e d ec k. To b egi n yo u r

p e r f o r m a n ce, r e m ove t h e fo u r q u e e n s a n d r ever s e t h e d eck. Pat t e r a b o u t t h e
fo u r la die s w h o wa n t e d e sco r t s fo r a d a n ce a n d visite d a n e sco r t b u r e a u (the
d ec k). Ins e r t t h e q u e e n s h a p h a z a r dly in t o t h e d ec k a n d riffle s h u ffle t h o r o u g hly
b u t m a ki ng s u r e t h a t t h e f o u r ki ng s r e m ai n a t t h e t o p. Stri p t h e q u e e n s t o t h e
t o p of t h e d ec k. Re m ove t h e t o p eig h t car d s (th e ki ng 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. Hol d t h e p ac k e t face d o w n in o n e h a n d, t h u m b b e n t u n d e r o n e lo n g
e d ge, t h e f o u r finge r s c u rle d u n d e r t h e o t h e r e d ge. Now, wit h t h e t h u m p of t h e
o t h e r h a n d o n lo p a n d t h e finge r s b e n e a t h, p u ll o u t t o g e t h e r o n e ca r d fr o m t h e
t o p a n d o n e fr o m t h e b o t t o m of t h e p ac k e t a n d place b o t h ca r d s - s till
t o g e t h e r - f ace d o w n o n yo u r t a ble. Do t hi s t h r e e ti m e s leaving tw o o r t h r e e
inc h e s of s p a ce b e twee n p air s. Whe n yo u h ave o nly tw o ca r d s left in yo u r h a n d,
t u r n t h e m ove r s h o wi ng t h a t a t lea s t o ne la dy fo u n d a n e sc o r t. Pat t e ri ng o n,
t u r n t h e ca r d s o n t h e t a ble over - o n e p ai r a t a ti m e - a n d r e m a r k t h a t all t h e
la dies h a d b ee n lucky a n d wer e n o w r eco m m e n di ng t h e e sco r t b u r e a u t o all
t h eir f rie n d s. If yo u h ave f ollowe d t h e di r ectio n s co r r ectly, yo n s h o ul d h ave t h e
fo u r q u e e n s p air e d u p wit h t h e ki ng s.

# 3 9

THE LOST ACE

Stat e t h a t t h e ace s h ave a n affinity fo r eac h o t h e r - w hic h yo u will p r ove.

Ru n t h r o u g h t h e d ec k, r e m ove t h e fo u r ace s a n d pl ace t h e m face u p o n yo u r

2 3

t a ble. Ask a s p ec t a t o r t o c h o o s e a ny o n e o f t h e ace s a n d in se r t it b ac k in t o t h e
d ec k (which - a s yo n p a t t e r - yo n h ave r eve r s e d). Sh uffle. Tell t h e s p ec t a t o r t h a t
t h e o t h e r t h r ee ace s a r e goi ng t o fin d t h e lo s t o n e. Pick u p t h e t h r e e t a ble d ace s,
in s e r t t h e m in t h e d ec k a n d s h u ffle. Now s t ri p t h e fo u r ace s t o t h e t o p, c u t t h e
d ec k a n d co m ple te t h e c u t. Spre a d t h e d eck face o p a n d s h o w t h e fo u r ace s a r e
t o g e t h e r.

# 4 0

THE EYES HAVE IT

Have a ca r d s electe d a n d p o t h ac k in t o t h e r eve r s e d d ec k. Sh uffle t h e

d ec k a n d, if p o s sible, co n t r ol t h e r ever se d ca r d t o eig h t h o r t e n t h f r o m t h e t o p.
However, it is n o t a b s ol u t ely e s s e n tial t h a t t h e s elec te d ca r d b e n e a r t h e t o p;
b u t t h e effect will b e m o r e of a "q uickie" if t h e s electe d ca r d is in t h e
u p p e r m o s t p o r tio n o f t h e d ec k. Hol d t h e d ec k face d o w n in yo u r rig h t h a n d,
wit h t h e p r o t r u di ng e d g e of r eve r s e d car d forw a r d . The rig h t t h u m b a n d
m i d dle fing er ti p s ge n tly t o u c hi n g b o t h fo rw a r d si d e s o f t h e d ec k a n d feeling
t h e p r o t r u di ng, s elec te d ca r d. Tell t h e s p ec t a t o r s t h a t t h eir eye s will give t h e m
away o n t his o n e. Re m ove t h e t o p car d f r o m t h e face - d o w n p ac k a n d h ol d it
face t o wa r d s t h e s p ec t a t o r s. Tell t h e m n o t t o give a ny sig n w h e n t h ey s e e t h eir
ca r d. Re m ove ca r d s fr o m t h e t o p of t h e d ec k, o n e a t a ti m e. You r rig h t t h u m b
a n d m i d d le finge r ti p s will t ell yo u w h e n yo u a r e s h o wi ng t h e s elect e d ca r d.
Sto p t h e r e, loo k in t e n tly a t t h e s p ec t a t o r s' eyes (as yo u h ave b ee n d oi ng wit h all
p r evio u sly s h o w n ca r d s), t h e n d eclar e t h a t t h ey did give t h e m s elve s aw ay a n d
t h e ca r d yo u a r e n o w h ol di n g is t h e s electe d car d.

# 4 1

FINGERPRINTS

Fan t h e d ec k a n d h ave a r e d car d s electe d. Rever s e t h e d ec k a n d h ave t h e

r e d car d r e place d. Ask t h e s p ec t a t o r t o pick a black ca r d a n d r ever s e t h e d eck
ag ai n b ef o r e t h e ca r d is r e pl ace d. Now, s h u ffle t h e d ec k, give it t o hi m, a n d t ell
hi m t o r e m ove o n e of t h e t w o s electe d car d s, eit h e r t h e black o r t h e r e d. He is
t o d o t hi s wit h hi s b ack t o w a r d s yo u. Take t h e d ec k b ack, s t ri p t h e o n e r ever s e d
ca r d t o t h e t o p. Fan t h e d ec k face t o w a r d s yo u a n d t alk a b o u t loo king fo r
finge r p ri n t s. Nat u r ally, yo u will s ee t h e colo r of t h e t o p car d. You t h e n n a m e
t h e colo r h e r e m ove d, t h e o p p o si te colo r t o t h e t o p ca r d.

# 4 2

FACE UP OR FACE DOWN

Have a ca r d s electe d. Rever s e t h e p ac k a n d h ave t h e car d r e t u r n e d t o t h e

p ac k. Hol d t h e d ec k b e hi n d yo u r b ack, r e m o ve t h e s elect e d ca r d a n d r e place it
in t h e d ec k, b u t t u r n e d over. Ask t h e s p ec t a t o r if h e wo ul d like hi s ca r d face u p
o r face d o w n. If h e s ay s, "face u p," b ri n g t h e d ec k fo rw a r d a n d s p r e a d it o n t h e
t a ble wit h all t h e ca r d s face do w n . If h e s ay s h e wa n t s t h e s elec te d ca r d face

2 4

d o w n, s p r e a d t h e d eck face u p . Eit h e r way hi s s elec tio n s h o w s u p i m m e dia t ely
a s yo u h ave t u r n e d t h e s elect e d ca r d wit h its face in t h e o p p o site d ir ec tio n t o
t h e r e s t of t h e d ec k.

# 4 3

MATHEMAGICAL

Rever se a ny t we n ty ca r d s in t h e d eck. Sh uffle. Stri p t h e tw e n ty t o t h e t o p

o f t h e d ec k. Ha n d t h e d eck, face d o w n, t o a s p ec t a t o r a n d a s k hi m t o co u n t off
a s m a n y ca r d s a s h e wis h e s, u p t o 2 0, a n d p u t t h e m in his p o c k e t. Sh uffle t h e
d ec k ag ain, p lace it b e hi n d yo u r b ack a n d s t ri p o u t t h e r e m ai ni ng r e ver s e d
ca r d s. Co u n t t h e s e car d s b e hi n d yo u r b ack, s u b t r ac t t h e n u m b e r t h u s o b t ai n e d
f r o m twe n ty. An n o u n ce t h e r e s ul t. It s ho uld b e t h e n u m b e r o f ca r d s t h e
s p ec t a t o r h a s in hi s p o c k e t.

# 4 4

COLOR TELEPATHY

In a dv a nce, s e p a r a t e t h e r e d a n d black car d s, r eve r s e all t h e ca r d s o f o n e

colo r a n d s h u f fle t h e e n tire d ec k t o ge t h e r. Place t h e d e ck in it s ca se. To
p e r f o r m, r e m ove t h e d eck fr o m t h e ca se a n d h ave it t h o r o u g hly s h u ffle d. The n,
q uickly, s t ri p t h e w h ole d eck s o t h a t yo u h ave t h e t o p h alf e n tir ely o n e colo r
a n d t h e b o t t o m h alf t h e o t h e r. Hol d t h e d ec k face d o w n a n d s p r e a d o u t t h e top
h alf of t h e d ec k fo r t w o ca r d s t o b e s electe d. Riffle t h e d ec k a n d a s k t h a t t h e
tw o ca r d s b e r e t u r n e d, b u t m a k e o n ce t h e tw o ca r d s a r e p lace d in t h e botto m
h alf of t h e d ec k. Break t h e d eck a t t h e r ever s e d car d s, h a n d o n e h alf of t h e d eck
t o a s p ec t a t o r t o s h u ffle. You s h u ffle t h e o t h e r h alf. If t h e car d s a r e r e d, t h ey
will b e in t h e black p a r t of t h e d ec k. Afte r b o t h h alves h ave b ee n s h u ffle d, pl ace
t h e m t o g e t h e r, fa n t h e d ec k f ace t o w a r d yo u, a n d lo o k ove r t h e car d s. Ask t h e
s p ec t a t o r t o co n ce n t r a te o n t h e tw o ca r d s h e s elec te d. You will b e a ble t o loca te
t h e m b ec a u s e t h ey a r e t h e o p p o si te colo r o f t h e car d s o n eac h si d e of t h e m. Do
t hi s effect slowly t o give t h e i m p r e s sio n of g re a t co n ce n t r a tio n o n yo u r p a r t.

# 4 5

PURELY MENTAL

This m e n t al effec t wit h t h e s t ri p p e r is a s t u n n e r. It is ea sy in exec u tio n a n d
b affling t o t h e lay m a n. Have t h e t o p t h r e e ca r d s r ever s e d o n t o p of t h e face -
d o w n d ec k. Let u s s ay t h a t t h ey a r e t h e King of Hea r t s, t h e Ace of Clu b s, a n d
t h e Th r ee of Dia m o n d s. Dis play t h e t o p t h r e e ca r d s fa n n e d in yo u r h a n d a n d
a s k a s p ec t a t o r t o co n ce n t r a t e o n o n e o f t h e m. Do n o t di s t u r b t h eir o r d e r w hic h
we will p r e s u m e t o b e: ki ng, ace, t h r ee. Whe n a ca r d h a s b ee n m e n t ally s electe d,
p lace t h e t h r ee car d s h a ck o n t o p of t h e face - d o w n d e ck a n d give t h e d ec k o n e
t h o r o u g h riffle s h u ffle. Place t h e d ec k b e hi n d yo u r b ack, s t ri p o u t t h e t h r e e
ca r d s t o ge t h e r a n d r e place t h e m o n t o p o f t h e d eck. You will s till h ave t h e ki ng,
ace a n d t h r ee in t h a t o r d e r. Pu t t h e t o p ca r d (the ki ng) in yo u r r e a r t r o u s e r

2 5

p o c k e t, t h e n ex t car d (t he ace) o n t h e b o t t o m of t h e d ec k a n d, t h e r e m ai ni ng
ca r d (th e t h r ee), o n t o p of t h e d ec k. Bring t h e d ec k fo rw a r d a n d p lace it face
d o w n o n yo u r t a ble. Ask t h e s p ec t a t o r t o n a m e hi s t h o u g h t - o f ca r d. If h e
n a m e s t h e ki ng, slowly t u r n a r o u n d a n d h ave hi m r e m ove t h e ca r d f r o m yo u r
p o c k e t. If h e n a m e s t h e ace, si m ply t u r n ove r t h e d ec k o n t h e t a ble o r, b e t t e r
s till: h ave hi m t u r n it over. Th e ace will b e r eveale d o n t h e b o t t o m of t h e d eck.
If h e m e n tio n s t h e t h r ee a s t h e t h o u g h t - o f ca r d, t ell hi m t o t u r n ove r t h e t o p
ca r d o f t h e p ac k o n t h e t a ble. Pu t a lit tle p r e s e n t a tio n in t o t hi s a n d it ca n b e
b uilt u p in t o a s t r o n g m e n t al effect. T he s p ec t a t o r will n eve r b e aw a r e of t h e
fac t t h a t w hic h ever of t h e t h r ee car d s h e n a m e s is of n o i m p o r t a n ce: You h ave
a r r a n g e d a p lace f o r eac h ca r d a n d s o t h e r e a r e t h r ee p lace s w h e r e t h e t h o u g h t -
o f ca r d co uld b e!

# 4 6

AN UNUSUAL VANISH

Have n ca r d s elec te d a n d r eve r s e t h e d ec k. Have t h e s electe d ca r d

r e t u r n e d t o t h e d ec k. While s h u ffling, b ri n g t h e s elect e d car d t o t h e t o p of t h e
d ec k. Place t h e d ec k face d o w n o n t h e t a ble. While t alki ng o r by u s e of s o m e
m i s di rectio n, m oi s t e n t h e b ack of yo u r rig h t h a n d wit h yo u r lip s o r t o n g u e. Tell
t h e s p ec t a t o r yo u a r e g oi ng t o s h o w h o w t o m a k e a ca r d va ni s h. Place yo u r
rig h t h a n d b ac k d o w n, o n t o p of t h e t o p car d of t h e p ac k. Do t hi s t o illu s t r a t e
t o t h e s p ec t a t o r w h a t is yo u wa n t hi m t o d o. Whe n yo u t a k e yo u r h a n d aw ay
f r o m t h e p a ck, t h e t o p (selecte d) car d s h o ul d b e s ticking t o it d u e t o t h e
m oi s t u r e o n its b ack. Get t h a t h a n d b elow t a ble level q uickly. Th e s p ec t a t o r will
d u p licat e yo u r actio n s. Th e n r e q u e s t t h a t h e lo o k t h r o u g h t h e d ec k fo r hi s ca r d.
It will h e go n e! By t h e n yo u will h ave h a d a m ple ti m e t o ge t t h e ca r d in t o yo u r
p o c k e t o r w h e r ever yo u wa n t it t o a p p e a r.

# 4 7

THE TRIPLE COINCIDENCE

In a dv a nce, r ever s e t h e Ace of Spa d e s o n t o p o f t h e face d o w n d ec k. Tell t h e
s p ec t a t o r s yo u a r e g oi ng t o co n d u c t in ex p e ri m e n t in coi nci d e n ce. A t ri ple
coi nci d e n ce. In s t r u c t o n e o f t h e m t o co u n t off - wit h o u t loo ki ng a t t h e m - a ny
n u m b e r o f ca r d s b e twee n eig h t a n d twe n ty a fter yo u lea ve t h e roo m . He is t o
d e al off t h e car d s face d o w n o n t h e t a ble. Tell hi m, al s o, t h a t t h e Ace o f Spa d e s
is going t o p lay a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t in t h e t ri ple coinci d e n ce. He is t o pick u p t h e
p ac k e t of car d s h e d e al t off a n d r e place it, face d o w n, o n t h e face - d o w n d ec k,
r e m e m b e ri n g t h e n u m b e r of ca r d s h e co u n t e d. O n yo u r r e t u r n, t a k e t h e d ec k
a n d b r e a k off t h e t o p p o r tio n (at t h e r ever se d ace, n a t u r ally!) b e hi n d yo u r b ac k.
This will give yo u t h e a m o u n t of car d s d e alt o u t. Now, t a k e t h e r ever s e d ace
a n d in s e r t it b ac k in t o t h e s a m e p ac k e t, b u t wit h face in t h e di r ec tio n o p p o si te
t o t h e r e s t of t h e car d s. Bring t hi s s m all p ac k e t f o rw a r d a n d a s k h o w m a n y
ca r d s wer e co u n t e d. Show t h a t t h e p a ck e t yo u a r e h ol di n g o u t h a s t h e s a m e
a m o u n t. Coinci d e n ce # 2: Th e ace yo u m e n tio n e d is in t hi s p ac k e t. Coinci d e n ce
# 3: Th e ace is face u p, t h e r e s t of t h e ca r d s face d o w n.

2 6

# 4 8

THE MAD MAGICIAN

Pre - a r r a n ge yo u r d ec k wit h all t h e r e d ca r d s r eve r s e d. Sp rea d it, face u p,

o n t h e t a ble b u t d o n o t co m m e n t o n colo r. Ju s t m e n tio n t h a t t h e d ec k h a s b ee n
t h o r o u g hly s h u ffle d.

Pick u p t h e ca r d s a n d s t ri p t h e m s o t h e t o p h alf of t h e d ec k is black a n d

t h e lowe r h alf, r e d.

Relate t h e following s t o ry:
"Once u p o n a ti m e t h e r e wa s a m a d m a n w h o t h o u g h t h r wa s a m a gicia n -

o r a m a gicia n w h o t h o u g h t h e wa s a m a d m a n ... I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r w hic h.
However, let' s j u s t s ay t h a t all m a gicia n s a r e m a d... o r all m a d m e n a r e
m a gicia n s. Anyh o w, t h e r e a s o n h e wa s d rive n m a d wa s t h a t every ti m e h e t o o k
a car d fr o m t h e d eck it wa s a r e d ca r d." Re m ove a n d s h o w a ca r d fr o m t h e
b o t t o m h alf of t h e d eck yo u a r e h ol di n g face d o w n. Replace t h e ca r d.

"Even w h e n h r c u t t h e d ec k h r alway s go t a r e d car d." Cu t t h e d eck in t o

t h e r e d h alf. "He eve n t o o k a ca r d fr o m b e hi n d hi s b ack a n d, s u r e e n o u g h, it
wa s a r e d ca r d!" Place t h e d ec k b e hi n d yo u r b ack a n d t a k e a car d fr o m t h e
lower (re d) h alf.

"Ou r m a gicia n t rie d p u t ti n g t h e ca r d s in hi s p o c k e t a n d - g u e s s w h a t?...

Sure e n o u g h, h e co ul d o nly p ull o u t a r e d ca r d! It eve n b eca m e co n t agio u s...
Whe n hi s frie n d s t o u c h e d o n e of hi s car d s it t u r n e d r e d!" Have s o m e o n e t o u c h
t h e b ack o f a (re d) ca r d a n d t h e n s h o w it.

"Finally, in d e s p e r a tio n, o u r m a d m a gicia n d eci d e d t h e r e wa s o nly o n e

t hi n g t o d o..." Sh uffle t h e d eck a n d s t ri p it o n ce m o r e s o yo u ag ai n h ave all
black o n t o p a n d all r e d s o n t h e b o t t o m. "...He wa s n o t s o d u m b. He cleverly
d e d u c e d t h a t if h e s e p a r a t e d h alf t h e p ac k a n d t o u c h e d it it wo ul d b e all r e d ..."
Divide t h e d ec k in t o tw o pile s a n d place t h e m wi dely s e p a r a t e d o n t h e t a ble.
"...a n d s u r e e n o u g h, all r e d…” Sprea d t h e r e d h alf face u p o n t h e t a ble. "Ou r n o -
lo nge r - m a d m a gicia n fin ally fo u n d a way t o ge t a black ca r d - j u s t t u r n over
t h e o t h e r h alf of t h e d ec k." T u r n ove r t h e s eco n d h alf of yo u r d ec k a n d s h o w it
co n sis t s o f all black ca r d s.

A n excelle nt g a g h ere is to h a v e a red Kin g of Spa des ~ o b t ai n a ble f ro m yo u r m a gic de aler - in

yo u r poc ket, re a d y to b e h a n d e d o u t to be to uc he d.

# 4 9

THE ALLOWANCE

"Once u p o n a ti m e, a m a gicia n h a d a s t u pi d wife - in fac t, a n y wo m a n w h o

wo ul d m a r ry a m a gicia n is s t u pi d. However, t h a t' s b e si d e t h e p oi n t. He h a d h e r
b elieving t h a t pl aying ca r d s wer e m o n ey a n d h e alway s gave h e r a n allow a nce
o f 6 5 ce n t s a week. Here is h o w h e d i d it." Th e m a gicia n t h r o w s a b u n c h of
ca r d s o n t h e t a ble, t h ey a r e t u r n e d face u p a n d t h e t o t al o f t h e s p o t s e q u als 6 5.

2 7

Met h o d: Rever s e tw o t e n s, t h r ee fives, o n e fo u r, t w o sixe s, o n e t r ey, o n e

d e u ce, o n e eig h t a n d o n e ace. Stri 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 ble face
d o w n.

# 5 0

THE STRANGER

In t hi s effec t o n e o f t h e car d s in yo u r d eck is of t h e o p p o si te colo r; let u s

s ay yo u h ave a bl u e - b acke d ca r d in a r e d - b ac k e d d eck. Rever s e d, o f co u r s e.

Sp rea d t h e d eck face 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 in

p ac ki ng t h e d ec k. p r o p e r tie s. Now, u si ng t h e s t ri p p e r p ri nci ple yo u ca n c u t t o
t hi s "str a n g e r" car d, o r fi n d it b e hi n d yo u r b ac k, d o t h e s t a b b e d d eck t rick wit h
t h e k nife bla d e fin di n g t h e o d d ca r d, e tc.

For a fi nis h, d r o p t h e d eck in t o yo u r co a t p o ck e t a n d b ri n g o u t a d ec k of

bl u e - b ack e d ca r d s in t o w hic h yo u h ave in s e r t e d t h e r ever s e d r e d - b ack
d u p licat e o f t h e o n e yo u've b ee n u si ng. Bring t h e d ec k o u t face u p a n d s p r e a d it
o n t h e t a ble. Pat t e r a bit a b o u t t h e m y s t e ries o f colo r a n d s p r e a d t h e d ec k face
d o w n t o s h o w t h e s t r a n g e r car d h a s t u r n e d colo r a n d s o h a s t h e r e s t o f t h e
p ac k.

# 5 1

THE RELUCTANT CARDS

EFFECT: Th r ee ca r d s a r e s electe d, r e place d in t h e d eck a n d t h e d eck

s h u ffle d t h o r o u g hly. Perf o r m e r t a k e s t h e d ec k a n d d r o p s it in t o t h e o p e n e n d
o f a wo o d e n ca se. Th e s electe d car d r ef u s e t o d r o p in wit h t h e o t h e r s.

You will n e e d a ca se t o h ol d yo u r d e ck b u t t a p e r e d j u s t a s t h e ca r d s a r e.

It ca n b e ea sily co n s t r u c t e d fr o m h e avy ca r d b o a r d o r cigar - b ox wo o d. T he
b r o a d e n d o f t h e ca se is left o p e n. Whe n d r o p pi n g t h e s h u ffle d d eck b ac k in t o
t h e ca s e, b e s u r e t o d o s o wit h t he ta pere d e n d do w n . Th e s electe d ca r d s will b e
fo rce d u p by t h e t a p e ri n g of t h e ca s e. Pat t e r a b o u t h o w s o m e car d s a r e
r el uc t a n t t o m i n gle wit h t h e o t h e r s.

# 5 2

WORLD'S FASTEST COUNT

Set u p yo u r s t ri p p e r d ec k a s follow s:
Abo u t t e n ca r d s f r o m t h e t o p of t h e d ec k, r ever s e t h e n ex t six. Abo u t t e n

ca r d s fr o m t h e b o t t o m of t h e d eck, r ever s e t h e n ex t t e n. So yo u will h ave a d ec k
wit h t o p car d s n o r m al, six r e ver s e d, m o r e n o r m al car d s a n d t h e n t e n r ever s e d.

Place a jo k e r b e tw ee n t h e 2 7 t h a n d t h e 2 8 t h ca r d s a n d t h e o t h e r jo 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 of t h e d ec k.
Whe n a b o u t t o p e r f o r m t a k e t h e d ec k o u t o f its cas e a n d, s ayi ng t h a t yo u wo n ' t
u s e t h e jo k e r s fo r t hi s effect, t a k e t h e m o u t a n d lay t h e n o n t h e t a ble. However,
it is i m p o r t a n t t h a t yo u h ol d t h e pl ace w h e r e t h e jo ke r wa s m a r ki n g off t h e
2 7 t h a n d t h e 2 8 t h ca r d s. Break t h e d ec k a t t h a t p oi n t, h a n d t h e t o p h alf

2 8

(co n t ai ni ng 2 7 car d s, 6 of w hic h a r e r ever s e d) t o o n e s p ec t a t o r a n d t h e b o t t o m
h alf (wit h 2 5 car d s, 1 0 r eve r s e d) t o a n o t h e r. Ask eac h t o s h u ffle t h eir h alf
t h o r o u g hly.

Now, t a k e t h e h alf w hic h wa s o rigi n ally a t t h e t o p a n d p u t it b e hi n d yo u r

b ack. Im m e dia t ely, b ri ng yo u r h a n d s fo r wa r d e ac h h ol di ng a pile a n d s ay: "I
h ave 2 1 ca r d s in o n e h a n d a n d six in t h e o t h e r." Th e n, t a k e t h e s ec o n d h alf of
t h e d ec k a n d r e p e a t t h e s a m e p r o ce d u r e b u t - wit h t his h alf - s ay: "I h ave 1 5
ca r d s in o n e h a n d a n d t e n in t h e o t h e r."

Whe n t h e fo u r pile s a r e co u n t e d, it will a p p e a r a s if yo u h ave d o n e a

lig h t ni n g co u n t b e hi n d yo u r b ack.

# 5 4

JUST FOR LAUGHS

Have a For t u n e Telling Deck s t ri p p e d. Rever s e t h e car d s yo u wis h t o jibe

wit h a fo r t u n e yo u will p r e dict fo r s o m e o n e. Ask s o m e o n e t o s h u ffle t h e d eck
fo r yo u. Tak e it b ack a n d b ri n g t h e r ever s e d car d s t o t h e t o p. Tu r n t h e m over
a n d s h o w t h a t t h e fo r t u n e yo u h ave p r e dic te d in a dv a nce, by r e a di n g (?) t h e
s p ec t a t o r’s p al m, is co n fir m e d by t h e ca r d s.

# 5 3

SUPER STRIPPER

Tak e tw o s t ri p p e r d eck s, o n e bl u e - b ac k e d a n d o n e r e d - b ack e d. Fro m

t h e s e tw o d ec k s yo u ca n m a k e t w o u n u s u al d ec k s - wit h infinite p o s si bilities.
Make tw o s t ri p p e r s t h a t co n sis t of h alf r e d - b ac k e d a n d h alf bl u e - b ac ke d car d s.
Not o nly ca n yo u u s e t hi s a s a r eg ula r s t ri p p e r d ec k, yo u ca n n o w d o effect s
involving colo r. For ex a m ple: Sep a r a ti n g r e d - b acke d f r o m bl u e - b ac k e d ca r d s by
r eve r si ng o n e colo r; c u t ti n g t o a d e si re d colo r b ack wit h t h e d ec k face d o w n o n
t h e t a ble (selecte d colo r r eve r s e d), e tc.

END STRIPPERS

You ca n p u r c h a s e ca r d s s t ri p p e d a t t h e e n d s in s t e a d of t h e si d e s of t h e

d ec k. Th e se, t o o, h ave m a n y u s e s a n d will fo ol eve n t h e fellow w h o is fa miliar
wit h t h e Stri p p e r p ri nci ple. However, m a n y m o r e effec t s a r e p o s sible wit h si d e
s t ri p p e r s t h a n wit h e n d s t ri p p e r s, s o t hi s b o o k is d ev o t e d s olely t o t h e si d e
s t ri p p e r.

BLANK STRIPPER

Have yo u r favo rite m a gic d e aler s t ri p a d eck of bla n k ca r d s fo r yo u. Wit h

t hi s d eck, yo u ca n d o a m a zi n g "living a n d d e a d" t e s t s a n d m a n y o t h e r "me n t o r'
r o u ti n e s.

MAKING YOUR OWN

Cla m p a n o r di n a ry d eck in a vise a n d, wit h fin e s a n d p a p e r, yo u ca n wea r

away o n e co r n e r of t h e e n tir e d ec k. Howeve r, p r o fe s sio n ally s t ri p p e d d ec k s a r e

2 9

s o ea sily a n d eco n o mically availa ble fr o m a ny m a gic s h o p t h a t it is i m p r ac tical
t o go t o t h a t m u c h t r o u ble.

ALPHABET CARDS

Many effec t s a r e p o s sible wit h a s t ri p p e d d ec k o f Alp h a b e t Car d s. You

m a y p u r c h a s e t h e s e car d s f r o m a ny m a gic d e aler a n d h e will al s o s t ri p t h e m fo r
yo u.

ESP CARDS

A d ec k of Extr a Sen s o ry Perce p tio n ca r d s h a s sy m b ol s, in s t e a d of s uit s

a n d n u m b e r s, o n t h e face s. T he se sy m b ol s a re Tria ngle s, Sq u a r e s, Circles e tc.,
s u c h a s a r e u s e d in t ele p a t hy ex p e ri m e n t s. A s t ri p p e d d ec k of s u c h sy m b ol s
o ffer s m a n y p o s sibilities f o r p s e u d o m i n d r ea di ng effec t s.

3 0

FOR THE CARD MEN

For t h o s e wit h a go o d wo r ki ng k n o wle d g e of sleig h t of h a n d t h e s t ri p p e r

ca n p r ove inval u a ble in m a n y effect s. Th o s e list e d b elow a r e a few yo u ca n u s e
in co nj u n c tio n wit h s t a n d a r d effect s.

# 5 5

TAP IT OFF

This is a weir d effect. Have tw o ca r d s r e ver s e d in t h e d ec k.

Sh uffle a n d b ri ng t h e m t o t h e t o p. Hol d t h e d ec k face d o w n in
yo u r lef t h a n d. Wit h yo u r rig h t t h u m b a n d m i d dle finge r, lig h tly
p ick u p t h e tw o t o p ca r d s by t h e p r o t r u di ng e d g e s a n d s h o w t h e
tw o ca r d s a s o n e ca r d. Re place t h e tw o ca r d s o n t o p of t h e d eck.
Ask a s p ec t a t o r t o t a p t h e b ack of t h e t o p ca r d o n t h e p ac k.
Show it. Beca 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 ca r d w hic h
wa s s h o w n hi m, h e will b e a m a z e d w h e n yo u t u r n t h e ca r d ove r a n d it p r ove s t o
h ave c h a n g e d t o a diffe r e n t o n e.

# 5 6

THE AUTOMATIC RISE

As in t h e p r evio u s effect r eve r s e t w o ca r d s, s t ri p t h e m a n d b ri n g t h e m t o

t h e t o p. Wit h yo u r rig h t t h u m b a n d m i d dle fin ger s h o w t h e t w o t o p ca r d s a s
o n e. Place t h e d o u ble b ac k o n t o p o f t h e d ec k. Hol d t h e d ec k face d o w n a n d
b u ry t h e t o p ca r d in t h e d ec k. Ta p t h e t o p o f t h e d ec k a n d s h o w t h a t t h e car d
yo u "b u rie d" h a s r e t u r n e d t o t h e t o p.

# 5 7

THE PAPER CLIP

Have t w o car d s r ever s e d in t h e d e ck. Sh uffle. Stri p t h e tw o r eve r s e d ca r d s

t o t h e t o p a n d s h o w a s o n e ca r d. Re place t h e t w o car d s o n t o p of t h e d ec k a n d
fa s t e n a p a p e r clip t o t h e t o p car d. T he s p ec t a t o r will p r e s u m e t h a t t h e clip is
o n t h e ca r d yo u s h o we d hi m. Lay t h e t h r ee t o p ca r d s face d o w n o n t h e t a ble
a n d t ell t h e s p ec t a t o r t o n a m e t h e car d wit h t h e clip o n it. Of co u r s e, h e wo n' t!

# 5 8

THE FLYING CARD

Rever se tw o ace s in t h e d ec k. Let u s u s e t h e Ace o f Spa d e s a n d t h e Ace of

3 1

Dia m o n d s fo r illu s t r a tio n. Sh uffle t h e d ec k a n d s t ri p t h e tw o ace s t o t h e t o p.
Gra s p t h e p r o t r u di ng e d g e s o f t h e r ever s e d car d s a n d s h o w t h e d o u ble ca r d a s
o n e ca r d. Let u s s ay t h e s p ec t a t o r s s ee t h e Ace o f Spa d e s (th e Ace of Dia m o n d s
is hi d d e n b e hi n d it). Place t h e tw o ca r d s b ack o n t o p of t h e d ec k, r e m ove t h e
face - d o w n t o p ca r d a n d lay it o n t h e t a ble. T he s p ec t a t o r will p r e s u m e t hi s
ca r d t o b e t h e Ace of Spa d e s. Re m ove t h e s ec o n d ace f r o m t h e t o p o f t h e d ec k
a n d h ol d it face d o w n over t h e ca r d o n t h e t a ble. Th e ace in yo u r h a n d (Ace o f
Spa d e s) is h el d a b o u t a fo o t ove r t h e face - d o w n ca r d o n t h e t a ble. Ta p t h e b ack
o f t h e faced o w n ca r d in yo u r h a n d a n d s h o w it t o b e t h e Ace o f Spa d e s, t u r n
over t h e ca r d o n t h e t a ble a n d s h o w it t o b e t h e Ace of Dia m o n d s.

# 5 9

ONE HAND LOCATION

Req u e s t t h a t a car d b e s electe d. Rever se t h e d ec k, a s k t h a t t h e car d b e

r e place d a n d t h e n t h a t t h e d ec k b e s h u ffle d. Rem a r ki n g t h a t, "The h a n d is
q uicke r t h a n t h e eye," s h o w t h a t t h e s elec te d ca r d is 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 eck. Hol d t h e d ec k in t h e rig h t h a n d in p o sitio n fo r t h e o n e
h a n d c u t. Whe n yo u r rig h t t h u m b feels t h e r eve r s e d car d, allow t h e ca r d s b elow
it t o f all in t o yo u r rig h t p al m; co m ple te t h e c u t, t h e n s h o w t h a t t h e s electe d
ca r d is o n t h e b o t t o m o f t h e d ec k.

# 6 0

THE BAD PENNY

Rever se t h r e e ace s in t h e d ec k a n d s h u ffle. Stri p t h e ace s t o t h e t o p.

Execu te a t ri ple lift (s h owi ng t h e t h r ee car d s a s o n e). Let u s s ay t h a t w h e n yo u
s h o w t h e s p ec t a t o r s t h e (a p p a r e n tly o n e) ca r d, t h ey s e e t h e Ace of Hear t s.
Re m a r k t h a t t h e Ace o f Hea r t s is a b a d p e n ny a n d alway s k ee p s t u r ni ng u p. Lay
t h e t h r e e ca r d s face d o w n o n t o p of t h e d ec k. Re m ove t h e t o p ca r d a n d p lace it
in t h e ce n te r of t h e d eck, face d o w n. Th e s p ec t a t o r s will p r e s u m e t h a t yo u h ave
b u rie d t h e Ace of Hea r t s. Now, d o a d o u ble lift wit h t h e t w o car d s o n t o p of t h e
d ec k a n d s h o w t h a t t h e Ace of Hea r t s h a s r e t u r n e d t o t h e t o p. Place t h e t w o
ca r d s face d o w n o n t o p of t h e d ec k a n d, ag ain, b u ry t h e t o p ca r d. Once ag ai n
s h o w t h e t o p car d, T he Ace of Hea r t s is b ack! T h r ow u p yo u r h a n d s in d i sg u s t
a n d r e m a r k yo u give u p.

# 6 1

THREE CARD MONTE

A go o d s u c k e r effec t., Have t w o car d s p r evio u sly r eve r s e d in t h e d eck.

Sh uffle a n d b ri ng t h e m t o t h e t o p. Lift t h e tw o ca r d s a s in effec t # 5 5, a n d s h o w
t o t h e s p ec t a t o r s. Place t h e tw o ca r d s b ack o n t o p of t h e d ec k, t h e n b e n d b ack
t h e co r n e r o f t h e t o p ca r d a n d pl ace it face d o w n o n t h e t a ble. The s p ec t a t o r s
will p r e s u m e t h a t t h e ca r d wit h t h e b e n t co r n e r is t h e s a m e o n e yo u h ave
s h o w n. Lay t w o m o r e ca r d s face d o w n alo n g si d e t h e b e n t o n e. Do n ot sho w t h e

3 2

f aces. Move t h e t h r ee ca r d s a r o u n d. Ask t h e s p ec t a t o r t o pick o u t t h e ca r d fir s t
s h o w n hi m, h e will o f co u r s e t u r n over - t h e ca r d wit h b e n t co r n e r.

# 6 2

PASSE PASSE

Procee d ex ac tly a s in effect # 5 8 (Flying Car d) u n til af t e r yo u s h o w t h e

d o u ble ca r d a n d r e place t h e tw o o n t o p of t h e d eck. Th e n o p e nly t a k e t h e t o p
ca r d a n d p l ace it face u n s ee n, in a s p ec t a t o r' s p o c k e t. Th e ace lef t o n t o p of t h e
d ec k is s h u ffle d in t o t h e d ec k. Now, "co m m a n d" t h e tw o ace s t o c h a n g e p lace s.
Th e s p ec t a t o r will fin d t h a t t h e ace in hi s p o c k e t is t h e o n e h e p r e s u m e d t o b e
in t h e d ec k a n d t h e o n e in t h e d ec k t h e ace h e t h o u g h t yo u h a d give n hi m.

# 6 3

INKREDIBLE

Pre p a r e a n o r di n a ry, u n strip p ed , Ace o f Hea r t s by p u t ti n g a d r o p of bl u e

in k n e a r t h e ce n t e r of t h e large pi p a n d allow it t o d ry. In se r t t his p r e p a r e d ace
in yo u r s t ri p p e r.
Force t h e u n p r e p a r e d , strip pe d , Ace o f Hea r t s fr o m yo u r s t ri p p e r o n a
s p ec t a t o r; o r, c u t t o it a n d s h o w it t o yo u r a u d ie n ce b u t d o n ' t loo k a t it
yo u r s elf. Sh uffle t h e d ec k a n d p al m o u t t hi s t a p e r e d ace (leaving, o f co u r s e, t h e
p r e p a r e d u n p r e p a r e d ace in t h e p ac k). Ins er t t h e d ec k face d o w n in t o its ca s e.

Pat te r a b o u t m a gicia n s' blo o d h avi ng m a gical p r o p e r tie s a n d - a s every

m a gicia n h a s m a gic in hi s vein s - hi s blo o d ca n loca te t h e d e si re d car d.

Fro m yo u r p o ck e t, t a k e o u t a fo u n t ai n p e n w hic h yo u h ave fille d wit h

va ni s hi n g in k

a n d r e m a r k t h a t t hi s effect r e q ui re s blo o d, bl u e m a gicia n s' blo n d

a n d yo u h ave fille d t h e p e n wit h yo u r o w n. Let o n e d r o p of in k fall o n t h e
o u t si d e of t h e ca r d - cas e, n e a r t h e ce n t e r. Wit h yo u r fo refi nger, ge n tly r u b t h e
d r o p o f in k. It will va nis h co m ple t ely in a s eco n d o r tw o. Rem ov e t h e d eck fr o m
t h e ca se, s p r e a d it face u p a n d s h o w t h e s electe d ca r d h a s a n in k s p o t o n it.

T his in k is sold at m o st n o velt y a n d m a gic s hops.

# 6 4

THE JACKS' PERSISTENCY

(Origin ally p u blis h e d in H ug a r d ' s MAGIC Mon t hly)

EFFECT: Magicia n rib b o n s p r e a d s a d ec k o f ca r d s, face s u p, a n d sli d e s t h e

fo u r jack s clea r o f t h e s p r e a d. Leaving t h e jack s face u p o n t h e t a ble, h e ga t h e r s
u p t h e d ec k, s q u a r e s it a n d in vite s a ny s p ec t a t o r t o s h u ffle it. Taki ng t h e d ec k
b ack h e a s k s f o u r differ e n t s p ec t a t o r s e ac h t o in s e r t o n e of t h e jack s a t a ny
p oi n t t h ey p le a s e in t h e d eck. Whe n t hi s h a s b e e n d o n e, p e r fo r m e r ag ai n
r e q u e s t s s o m e o n e t o s h u ffle t h e ca r d s t h o r o u g hly. Perf o r m e r t h e n t a k e s t h e
d ec k a n d m a k e s it in t o fo u r s e p a r a t e piles o n t h e t a ble b ef o r e hi m. Whe n t o p
ca r d o f eac h pile is t u r n e d over, s p ec t a t o r s a r e s u r p ri s e d t o fi n d t h a t all t h e

3 3

jack s h ave rise n t o t h e t o p.

METHOD: Whe n d ec k is r e t u r n e d, riffle s h u ffle o n ce, s t ri p t h e jack s t o t h e

t o p a n d riffle s h u ffle o n ce m o r e r e t ai ni ng t h e jack s in p o si tio n.

Now:
1. Hol d d ec k in yo u r left h a n d, rig h t e d ge p a r allel t o floo r a n d r e s ti ng o n

t h e lowe r joi n t s of m i d dle, ri ng a n d lit tle finge r s wit h t h u m b lying ac r o s s lef t
e d ge a n d fo r efi nge r c u rle d ag ai n s t face of b o t t o m car d.

2. Wit h ti p of lef t t h u m b, riffle u p p e r lef t co r n e r of d e ck u n til yo u h ave

a b o u t ¼ of t h e d ec k lef t t o g o.

3. Gras p t h e t o p 3 / 4 p o r tio n o f t h e d ec k b e tw ee n yo u r rig h t t h u m b a t t h e

in n e r e n d a n d yo u r finge r s a t t h e o u t e r e n d a n d lift p ac k e t clea r of b o t t o m
p o r tio n. A t t h e sa m e ti m e , lef t m i d dle, ri ng a n d lit tle fi nge r s c u rl u p a n d p r e s s
ag ai n s t t o p car d (jack) r e t ai ni ng it ag ai n s t t o p o f b o t t o m p ac k e t r e m ai ni ng in
lef t h a n d.

4. Place t hi s p ac k e t o n t h e t a ble a n d r e p e a t s t e p s 2 a n d 3 u n til yo u h ave

fo u r p a c k e t s o n t h e t a ble eac h wit h a jack o n So p.
SUGGESTED PRESENTATION AND PATTER: Idly s h u ffling yo u r d ec k, a s k: "Have
a ny of yo u ever n o tice d h o w s o m e d ec k s h ave ca r d s w hic h a r e r e ally
o b n oxio u s?.., No m a t t e r w h e r e yo u p u t t h e m, t h ey k ee p t u r ni ng u p!... I'll s h o w
yo u w h a t I m e a n - .. In t hi s p a r tic ula r d eck, t h e jack s a r e t h e s o cial cli m b e r s.
Let' s t a k e t h e m o u t.,," (Ribb o n s p r e a d t h e d ec k a n d slid e jack s o u t; pick u p t h e
s p r e a d, s q u a r e it u p, s h u ffle.)

..So m e o f yo u m ay t hi n k t h a t t h e jack s t u r n u p o nly f o r m e... t h a t t h ey

h ave a n 'affi nity' fo r m e.., Well I'll a s k fo u r of yo u ge n tle m e n t o pick u p o n e
jack e ac h a n d in s e r t it w h e r ever yo u like in t h e d ec k… Now, sir, will yo u ple a s e
s h u ffle t h e d eck? T h a n k yo u... While o u r co o p e r a tive frie n d m a k e s s u r e t h a t t h e
jack s a r e r eally b u rie d, let' s r eview w h a t h a s h a p p e n e d..." (Use in d ex finge r s of
rig h t h a n d t o co u n t o ff lef t fi nge r s t h u s ca s u ally s h o wi ng yo u r h a n d s a r e clea n.)

O n e, we s e p a r a t e d t h e jack s fr o m t h e r e s t of t h e ca r d s a n d lef t t h e m face

u p o n t h e t a ble in o r d e r t o m a k e cer t ai n t h a t t h ey we r e n o t in s o m e s o r t of p e e -
a r r a n g e d s e q u e n ce. Two, fo u r differ e n t p e r s o n s r e place d a jack a t a dif fe r e n t
s p o t in t h e d ec k. Th r ee, a n o t h e r p e r s o n is n o w s h u ffling t h e d ec k - ,. Will yo u,
sir," (to t h e s h u ffle r) "plea s e m a k e s u r e t h a t t h e r e a r e n o jack s a t t h e t o p o r
b o t t o m o f t h e d ec k a n d t h e n give it b ack t o m e? T h a n k yo u - - - Let u s n o w
s q u a r e t h e d e ck.,, divi d e it in t o fo u r p a r t s … like s o…. a n d n o w… we t u r n ove r
t h e t o p ca r d of eac h pile ...a n d… we fin d… t h a t yo u ca n' t k ee p t h e jack s d o w n.
No m a t t e r w h ere yo u p u t t h e m, t h ey p e r sis t in cli m bi ng t o t h e t o p!"

WAR NING: Do n't let m o r e t h a n o ne spect ator at a ti m e pick u p a jack a n d kee p yo u r eyes

o n hi m! He m a y in a d v erte n tly t ur n his jack e n d for e n d.

# 6 5

ELUSIVE CARD

An el u sive ca r d r o u ti n e is alway s e n t e r t ai ni ng a n d m y s tifying. However,

3 4

by h avi ng a car d p r evio u sly r eve r s e d in t h e d ec k yo u ca n a d d a g rea t d e al t o t h e
effect, fo r d u ri n g t h e r o u ti n e yo u ca n h ave a s p ec t a t o r s h u ffle t h e ca r d s a n d
i m m e d ia t ely go in t o t h e el u sive ca r d agai n.

# 6 6

If a car d is p r o t r u di ng a t e n d "a" of t h e d ec k, t h a t s a m e car d will b e

in d e n t e d a t e n d “b” of t h e d eck. T his in d e n t a tio n m ay b e u s e d a s a s h o r t car d.
Th e r e is a d efi nite click w h e n t h e d ec k is riffle d a t t his e n d.

# 6 7

Use t h e r ever se d ca r d a s a "key" ca r d. You ca n c u t t o t h e r eve r s e d ca r d

ea sily af te r e ac h s h u ffle a n d h ave t h e s electe d car d p lace d n ex t t o it.

# 6 8

Car d o n ceiling, u si ng t h e s t ri p p e r t o b ri n g t h e s electe d ca r d t o p o sitio n.

# 6 9

If yo u d o "Ou t Of This Worl d" - a n d yo u p r o b a bly d o - u si ng t h e s t ri p p e r

m a k e s

it all t h e m o r e of a m i r acle. Sim ply h ave t h e ca r d s s e t u p its t h e ca s e

wit h o n e colo r r ever s e d, h a n d t h e d ec k t o t h e s p ec t a t o r t o b e s h u ffle d, q uickly
s e p a r a t e sit e colo r s a n d yo u a r e s e t t o p e r f o r m.

# 7 0

For a ga m bli ng r o u ti n e yo u ca n h ave site d e sire d ca r d s r ever s e d, t h e n

s h u ffle, a n d b ri ng t h e e n tire s e t u p t o site t o p o f t h e d ec k.

# 7 1

Nee dle s s t o s ay, b ri ngi ng a ca r d t o t h e t o p f o r p al mi ng is a n ea sy m a t t e r

wit h t h e s t ri p p e r. Afte r site ca r d is p al m e d a n d t h e d eck s h u ffle d yo u ca n a d d
t h e p al m e d car d t o t h e d eck, s till r eve r s e d, a n d b e a ble t o d o m a n y u n u s u al
effect s.

# 7 2

You will fin d t h a t, wit h a little ex p e ri m e n t a tio n, t h e s t ri p p e r ca n b e very

u s ef ul in yo u r wo r k. For ex a m ple: wit h o u t a ny fals e s h u f fle s o r p a s s e s yo u ca n
fo rce t h e s a m e car d s ever al ti m e s, si m ply by b ri n gi ng t h e s t ri p p e d car d yo u a r e
fo rci ng t o t h e t o p o f t h e d ec k.

# 7 3

3 5

THE GIANT FAN

If every o t h e r ca r d in t h e d ec k is r ever s e d, it is a n ea sy m a t t e r t o ge t in t o

p o si tio n fo r t h e gia n t fa n wit h o u t in te r weaving t h e t w o h alve s of t h e d eck.
Sim ply s t ri p o u t h alf t h e car d s al m o s t t o t h eir f ull le ng t h, giving t h e p a ck
n e a rly d o u ble t h e leng t h a n d t h e n go rig h t in t o t h e fa n, T he s t ri p pi ng s h o ul d b e
d o n e q uickly a n d s m o o t hly.

***********

Th e tw o effect s w hic h follow we re d evise d by m y go o d f rie n d, Jo h n V, Ho p e. A
p a s t p r e si d e n t of New York's F.A.M.E., Mr. Ho p e is a ver s a tile m a gicia n wit h a
p a r tic ula r b e n t fo r coin m a gic. However, t h e following s a m p le s will p r ove t h a t
h e is n o "slo uc h" wit h car d s!

# 7 4

BOOKED DECK DISCOVERY

EFFECT: A ca r d is s electe d a n d r e t u r n e d t o t h e d ec k. Du ri n g t h e s h u ffle,

s o m e ca r d s b ec o m e r ever s e d in t h e d ec k. O n s p r e a di n g t h e ca r d s it is s ee n t h a t
t h e d ec k is p r e t ty well m ixe d u p wit h car d s f ace u p a n d face d o w n. The d ec k is
s h u ffle d s o m e m o r e a n d c u t o n ce. Spre a di n g t h e ca r d s ag ai n it is s ee n t h a t t h ey
h ave all rig h t e d t h e m s elve s, exce p t fo r t h e s electe d ca r d.

METHOD: Have a car d s electe d a n d r e t u r n e d a s yo u u s u ally d o fo r

co n t r olling t h e car d. Star t s h u ffling a n d, af te r o n e o r tw o r eg ular s h u ffle s,
r eve r s e o ne h alf t h e d ec k a n d t u r n it face u p. Co n ti n u e s h u ffling. This will give
yo u w h a t ga m ble r s call a "bo o k e d" d ec k, t h a t is: a d ec k wit h t h e car d s m ixe s
face u p a n d face d o w n. This t u r ni ng of t h e ca r d s face u p is i m p o r t a n t. The
si m ple s t way is t o o p e n t h e d ec k like a b o o k, u si n g o n e o f t h e e n d s a s a n
i m agin a ry hi ng e. Co n ti n u e o p e ni ng t hi s i m agi n a ry b o o k u n til b o t h p ac k e t s
t o u c h t h e t a ble. You n o w h ave o n e p ac k e t face u p a n d o n e face d o w n. Wit h o u t
c h a n gi ng t h e r elatio n s hi p of t h e p a ck e t s, s h u ffle t h e m in t o eac h o t h e r. Show
t h e ca r d s t o b e all m e s s e d u p.

Afte r s h o wi ng t h e car d s t o b e h o p eles sly m ixe d, s t ri p o u t all p r o jec ti ng

ca r d s a n d pl ace t h e m o n t o p of t h e d ec k. Whe n all t h e p r o jecti ng ca r d s a r e o n
t o p of t h e d ec k, t u r n t h e s e ca r d s ove r s o t h a t b o t h p a ck e t s a r e faci ng t h e s a m e
way. Sprea d t h e car d s a n d all of t h e m will b e facing t h e s a m e way exce p t t h e
s electe d ca r d.

NOTE: If t he d ec k h as bee n us ed a bit, spre a d it o ut f ace u p. T h ere is a te n de nc y for t he

re versed car d to stick to t h e ot h ers a n d n ot s ho w itself. If t his h a p p e ns, do n't sa y a n yt hi n g a bo ut
t h e selecte d car d. Sq u a re t he d eck a n d m a k e a m a gical g est ur e to w a r ds it. No w, sprea d t he car ds
f ace do w n a n d t he selected car d will b e t he o nly o ne f ace u p.

# 7 5

3 6

AGAIN THE BOOKED DECK

EFFECT: Th e d ec k is s h u ffle d wit h a b o u t h alf t h e ca r d s face u p a n d h alf

face d o w n. Sprea di ng t h e ca r d s in yo u r h a n d s, ex plai n t o a s p ec t a t o r: "Ru n
t h r o u g h t h e ca r d s a s I' m d oi n g a n d if yo u s ee a ca r d yo u d o n ' t like, t u r n it face
d o w n, if yo u s ee a car d t h a t is face d o w n a n d yo u wa n t t o k n o w w h a t ca r d it is,
t u r n it face u p. Re m e m b e r w hic h ca r d s yo u t u r n eit h e r face u p o r face d o w n."
Afte r t h e s p ec t a t o r h a s d o n e t hi s, t a k e t h e d eck fr o m hi m, s h u ffle it a n d c u t it a
few ti m e s. Spr ea d t h e d eck a n d s h o w t h a t all t h e car d s h ave rig h t e d t h e m s elves,
exce p t t h e car d s r eve r s e d by t h e s p ec t a t o r.

METHOD: Sh uffle a b o u t h alf t h e d eck face u p in t o t h e o t h e r face - d o w n

h alf a s ex plain e d in t h e p r evio u s effect. Exp lai n t o t h e s p ec t a t o r, w h a t yo u wa n t
hi m t o d o, illu s t r a ti n g wit h t h e ca r d s in yo u r h a n d s. Whe n t u r ni ng car d s face u p
o r face d o w n, d o s o wit h a rig h t t o lef t o r vice ver s a m o tio n. Do n ot reverse
t he m b y t u r nin g t h e car ds over e n d for e n d . Ret u r n a ny ca r d s t h a t yo u r ever s e
t o t h eir o rigin al p o sitio n, i m p r e s s u p o n yo u r s p ec t a t o r t h a t yo u wa n t hi m t o
t u r n hi s ca r d s over a s yo u di d, t h e n h a n d hi m t h e d eck. Afte r h e h a s r ever s e d
hi s s electe d ca r d s, t a k e t h e d ec k fr o m hi m a n d s h u ffle a bi t. Stri p all t h e face
u p o r face d o w n car d s t o t h e t o p of t h e p ac k. By r eve r si ng o r t u r ni n g t hi s
p ac k e t s o t h a t t h e ca r d s in it a r e facing in t h e s a m e di r ec tio n a s t h e face s o f t h e
o t h e r p ac k e t, yo u h ave a r r a n g e d t h e d ec k s o t h a t all t h e ca r d s h ave rig h te d
t h e m s elves except t he spectator's car ds.

****************

A SHORT STRIPPER ROUTINE

A r o u ti n e, o r "act" wit h t h e s t ri p p e r s h o ul d n o t b e o f lo ng d u r a tio n, f o r

eve n g o o d ca r d t rick s ca n b eco m e b o ri ng. If yo u u s e t hi s r o u ti n e, p r ac tice it
over a n d over ag ai n. Know t h e s e q u e n c e of t h e t rick s s o well t h a t yo u al m o s t
a u t o m a tically go fr o m o n e effec t t o t h e n ex t. Mos t i m p o r t a n t o f all: Be s u r e yo u

3 7

k n o w h o w t o "ha n dle" t h e s t ri p p e r p r o p e rly s o t h a t it is n o t a p p a r e n t t h a t yo u
a r e u si n g a t rick d eck. Whe n s e a t e d wit h a g r o u p of s p ec t a t o r s s t a r t o u t by
h avi ng t h e d ec k s h u ffle d by s ever al p e r s o n s. Watc h f o r t h e o n e w h o s h u ffles
t h e d ec k p r o p e rly, i.e.: n o r ever s al s a s h e s h u ffle s. Whe n yo u h ave n o tice d t h o s e
t h a t s h u ffle "yo u r" way, pick o n t he m w h e n t h e effect yo u wa n t t o p r e s e n t
r e q uir e s t h a t t h e d ec k b e s h u ffle d by a s p ec t a t o r.

PATTER & ROUTINE

"Ladies a n d Gen tle m e n: Th e s ecr e t of ca r d m a ni p ula tio n is co n t r ol. By

co ntrol I m e a n t h e s h u ffling of t h e d eck a n d a p p a r e n tly lo sing of t h e s elect e d
ca r d o r car d s d u ri n g t h e s h u ffle w h e n ac t u ally t h e p e r f o r m e r h a s co n t r ol of t h e
s electe d ca r d s w h e n eve r h e wis h e s. I wo ul d like t o give yo u s o m e exa m ple s of
ca r d co n t r ol. Firs t, t h e si m p le s t: co n t r ol of a si ngle ca r d."

Have a ca r d s electe d, r eve r s e t h e d ec k, h ave car d in se r te d in t h e d ec k a n d

t h e n loca te d q uickly by yo u.

"Now, fo r a m u l ti ple co n t r ol. We s h all h ave f o u r p e r s o n s s elect a ca r d a n d

e n d e avo r t o loca te all fo u r of t h e m."

Have fo u r ca r d s s elec te d a n d in s e r t e d in t h e r eve r s e d d ec k. Sh uffle a n d

fin d t h e fo u r ca r d s, p r efe r a bly by b ri n gi ng t h e m t o t h e t o p.

"Now I wis h t o s h o w yo u tw o o f t h e m o s t d ifficult ty p e s of ca r d loca tio n."
Fin d tw o s electe d ca r d s, o n e b e hi n d yo u r b ack, t h e o t h e r u n d e r a silk.
"Now, h e r e is a n exa m p le of a s p ec t a t o r u n wit ti ngly co n t r olling hi s ow n

ca r d."

Perf o r m "The Coinci d e n ce" (#1).
"An d n o w f o r t h e i m p o s sible! T he m o s t u n u s u al ca r d t rick yo u h ave ever

s ee n…a n d d o n ' t t ry t o fig u r e it o u t - it is i m p o s si ble."

Finis h u p by p e r f o r mi n g "The In dia n Giver" (#1 0).
It is wise t o lea r n a few si m ple ca r d t rick s t h a t yo u ca n d o wit h o u t u si ng

t h e s t ri p p e r p ri n ci ple. You r m a gic d e aler h a s a vas t n u m b e r of b o o k s o n si m ple
ca r d t rick s a n d sleig h t of h a n d. It is al s o a g o o d id ea t o h ave in yo u r p o c k e t, a n
o r d i n a ry d ec k of ca r d s, wit h b ac k s t o m a t c h t h e s t ri p p e r yo u a r e u si n g. Whe n
finis h e d wit h t h e s t ri p p e r r o u ti n e, d r o p t h e t rick d eck in t o yo u r p o ck e t t h e n, a s
a n af te r t h o u g h t, b ri n g o u t t h e o r di n a ry d eck a n d s h o w a few si m ple ca r d t rick s.
This is t h e ea sies t of "switc h e s."

3 8

3 9

Document Outline

75 TRICKS
STRIPPER DECK
ÍNDICE
- 75 TRICKS
- STRIPPER DECK
PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION
INTRODUCTION
THE TAPERED DECK
FOR THE CARD MEN
A SHORT STRIPPER ROUTINE
PATTER & ROUTINE

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