Card School
by
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Illusion v Reality
Threesight
In Place
Central Reservations
Trans-verse Cards
Backfire Poker
Catalystic Collectors
The Future Packet
Bridge Club
The Mindreader's Vision
Stacking for Real
The Olde Waltonian Transpo.
On the Level
Farosation
Colour Fool
Range Rover
Spinning Yarns
Copyright © Peter Duffie October 1995 <> Electronic Edition © Peter Duffie 2001
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ILLUSION Versus REALITY
ILLUSION Versus REALITY
This is a direct and magical production of the four Aces,
with two of the Aces seemingly appearing in the hands of a
spectator.
The top three cards of your deck are; Any card (top) - AH - AC, the
bottom three cards are; AD - X CARD - AS (At the face).
1. Riffle shuffle the deck retaining the top and bottom stocks, then set
the deck face down on the table. Invite a spectator to cut off about half
the cards and to retain that section in his hands. You pick up the
balance and hold it face down in your hands.
2. Explain that you will demonstrate the difference between illusion
and reality. As you are talking, obtain a break above the bottom three
cards of your packet and cut them to the top.
The position is this: The top three cards of your section are red Ace -
Any card - Ace Spades. The top three cards of the spectator's section
are; any card - red Ace - Ace Clubs.
Now proceed though the following steps:
a) Execute a double lift and flip the double face up onto your packet,
retaining a flesh break below them. Ask the spectator to flip his top
card over. This displays two indifferent cards. To this you say, "Two
cards of little significance.... or are they? In fact this is an Illusion,
because you can only see the situation from your perspective. Let's
change that perspective."
b) Flip your top two cards face down again, and request the spectator
to do likewise with his face up card. Now exchange halves, you take
his portion and he takes yours.
c) Execute a double lift and flip the top two cards face up onto your
packet, retaining a flesh break below them. Ask the spectator to flip
over his top card. This displays two Aces, and is quite startling to the
observers. At this say, "We change the perspective and now we have
reality, in this case two Aces."
d) Take the spectator's Ace and place it still face up on top of your
packet, then lift off all three cards above the break and place them face
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ILLUSION Versus REALITY
up on the table in front of you.
4. Both you and the spectator retain the sections that you currently
are holding. Now repeat step 3 a) b) & c) as above to produce the
other two Aces, and using similar patter of illusion and then reality. At
the end of this sequence you again take his Ace and place it onto your
packet then lift off all three cards above the break - turn them face
down and place them on the bottom of your packet, at the same time
flipping the complete section face up into your hand.
Push off the two Aces and drop them onto the other Ace pile, then
pick up the five-card packet and place it back on the face of your
section. This loses the extra cards and leaves the four Aces at the face.
The effect of the forgoing on an audience is decidedly more
remarkable than the simple method used to achieve it as a trial will
prove.
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Threesight
THREESIGHT
A simple, but effective, prediction using the Gilbreath
Principle.
You need three pieces of white card about playing card size. On one
side of each card write the numbers 11, 8, and 14.
Now on the other sides write your predictions as follows:
On the reverse of the 11 write the word:
SIX
On the reverse of the 8 write the word:
FOUR
On the reverse of the 14 write the word:
SEVEN
Have the three predictions in your pocket along with a deck set in
strict red/black alternating sequence.
1. Bring out the the three prediction cards and lay them on the table
before three spectators, numeral sides up. For this explanation
spectator A has no.11, spectator B has no.8, and spectator C has no.14.
Take out the deck and casually cut It a few times then place it face
down on the table and invite one of the group to cut it a few times,
then give it a Riffle Shuffle, followed by a few cuts.
2. Take the deck and briefly spread it face up, ostensibly, to show that
the cards are mixed, however you quickly spot any pair of the same
colour together and cut them both to the rear then turn the deck face
down. Remember the colour of the pair now on top.
Hand the deck to spectator A and ask him to count off the same
number of cards from the top as the number showing on his card, so
he counts off 11 cards. The deck is passed to spectator B who counts
off 8 cards, then the deck is passed to spectator C who counts off 14
cards. The remainder of the deck is discarded.
3. Only packet A is of concern, both B and C work automatically.
Having remembered the colour of the pair that you cut to the top
earlier, you now force this colour as follows:
"OK, I want you each to pick up your piles of cards and hold them
spread just like in a game, so that only you can see the faces. I want
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Threesight
you to remove all the cards of one colour, oh, we haven't nominated
one yet, which colour will we remove?"
IF THEY CHOOSE RED, say, "Are you sure? Fine. Then I
want each of you to remove all the red cards you have and
place them on top of the prediction card in front of you."
The remaining blacks are discarded on top of the deck.
IF THEY CHOOSE BLACK, say, "Are you sure? Fine. Then
I want each of you to remove all the black cards that you
have and place them on top of the deck out of the way."
4. All that's left to do is have each spectator in turn count the number
of cards he is left with then turn over the card in front of him to
show-that-your prediction is 100% correct in every case.
NOTE: the odd packet is important as it helps to conceal the principle.
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In Place
IN PLACE
This simple trick is an ideal one to perform for anyone at a
moment's notice. It uses what is often referred to as the
Automatic Placement.
1. Remove the Queen of Diamonds from the pack and lay it face down
on the table without showing its face, saying, "This card is my
personal assistant who will be responsible for the ultimate success of
this experiment."
2. At this point you can have a spectator shuffle the pack. With the
pack back in your hands, casually push off 16 cards then place the
remainder to one side. Try not to appear to be counting as you take off
the 16 cards.
3. Give the packet to a spectator, saying, "We'll use a limited number
of cards for this one. Give these cards a mix." Once done, ask him to
place the cards on the table then to cut the packet into two uneven
heaps. Actually you will almost always be able to spot this without
having to instruct the spectator to do it.
Now ask him to pick up the smaller of the two piles and to count these
cards. You can turn your head to one side so that you cannot see this.
Tell him that this will be his secret number. Once done, ask him to
discard this packet by dropping it on top of the main pack.
4. Now ask him to pick up the remaining cards and to look at and
remember the card that lies at his secret number from the top. Again
you can turn away as he does this.
5. Draw attention to the card you placed on the table at the start. Turn
it over revealing the Queen of Diamonds. Say, "There she is...my
lovely assistant, the Queen of Diamonds. In order to find your card
that lies at your secret number, all we need to do is call her name. We
do this a letter at a time "
Tell the spectator to transfer a card from top to bottom for each letter
you call out. Spell as follows:
"Q - U - E - E - N - 0 - F - D - I - A - M - 0 - N - D - S."
Finally ask the spectator to name his card out loud, then ask him to
turn over the top card of the packet. He should be surprised to find
that it is his card.
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In Place
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Central Reservations
CENTRAL RESERVATIONS
This is essentially a small packet version of Paul Curry's
"Power of Thought," and a possible miracle single card
prediction.
You will require a piece of paper on which you will write the name of a
card, and of course a deck.
1. Have the deck shuffled then push off 15 cards from the top then
place the balance of the deck to one side as it is no longer required.
Any odd number can be used but 15 seems about right.
2. Spread the packet with the faces towards you and note the card that
lies exactly in the middle, then write the name of this card on the
paper and leave it writing side down on the table.
3. Give the packet a false mix, then hand it to a spectator and have
him hold it face down in readiness for dealing. Explain to him that he
is to slowly deal the cards one at a time into a face down pile on the
table and to stop whenever he feels the impulse. There are three
possible outcomes here and we will deal with the one that results in a
straight prediction first.
a) Silently count the cards as he deals. If he stops after having dealt 7
or 8 cards, build up the prediction because the card you have
predicted Is either on top of the dealt pile, or on top of the cards in his
hand. Ask him to turn over correct card then have the prediction
verified to finish.
Assuming that this is not the case, here is how it goes to set the cards
for the coincidence:
b) If he stops dealing before he reaches the central card, ask him to
look at the card on top of the tabled pile (last dealt), then to replace it.
He finally drops all the cards remaining in his hand on top of his card
to bury the card, and unify the pile.
c) If he deals past the central card, ask him to look at the top card of
those remaining In his hand, then to replace it. He now picks up all
the dealt cards and drops them on top of the selection to bury it and
unify the pile.
4. Take the packet and count off eight cards, reversing their order,
turn these cards face up and place them on the table, then set the
remaining seven cards face down beside them.
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Central Reservations
Have the prediction read out. Now start to remove cards
simultaneously from the top of each pile, and continue doing so until
the predicted card appears in the face up pile - it will always appear in
the face up pile. Stop here, and pick up the face down card from atop
the other pile.
Have the spectator name his card then turn over the face down card to
reveal - the 'predetermined coincidence.'
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Trans-verse Cards
TRANS-VERSE CARDS
In an attempt to cause two cards to transpose in the deck,
not only do they transpose, but they magically turn face up
as well.
Before starting secretly reverse the second from top card of the deck.
You might want to make the face card similar looking as the reversed
card will later take the place of the face card.
1. Turn the deck face up and spread - ask spectator 'A' to remove any
low valued card, then ask spectator 'B' to remove any high valued
card.
2. Turn the deck face down and comment on the difference in the two
card values - as you speak secretly reverse all the cards below the top
card of the deck. I use a regular Half Pass but as I complete the
reversal, I rap the lower long edge of the deck against the table top to
square it. The face of the deck is towards the audience as you do this
and the card that was originally reversed second from the top now
shows at the face.
3. Hold the deck face down in dealing position. In fact only the top
and bottom cards are face down. Take the low valued card and insert
It face down near the bottom. Now take the high valued card and
insert It face clown near the top, saying, "The low value goes low down
In the deck...the high value goes high up In the deck." Leave both
cards outjogged so that you can raise the deck and show the positions.
This also emphasizes that everything Is as It should be(?).
4. Push the cards flush, saying, "I will now cause the cards to change
places...your low card will move to the high position...and your high
card will sink to the low position."
Make a mystical gesture under which you carry out another Half Pass,
reversing all the cards below the top card, then say, "That's It...your
cards have changed places...you don't look too convinced...but they
really have...and so you can instantly see that I am telling you the
truth I have made then turn over."
Slowly start to spread the deck on the table, the deck, spreading from
the bottom so that the lower card appears first this will indeed be the
high card. As soon as it appears, say, "There you are!...your high card
has sunk to the lowest position."
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Trans-verse Cards
Continue to spread until you have just passed the second face up card
near the top - this will be the low card, at which point you stop so that
the top two cards don't spread, as you comment, "...and there's your
low card...now riding high in the deck...but don't ask me how they
turned face up!"
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Trans-verse Cards
BACKFIRE POKER
This is a variation of Jim Steinmeyer's 'The Ten Boys Poker
Deal' which appeared in the December issue of Magic.
There is some added entertainment value, and a twist at the
end.
Set the following ten cards on top of the deck - Ten on top.
10 Spot - J - QD ~ 7 spot - 10D - 7 spot- JD - KD - 7 spot - AD
NOTE: You start each step with the same "shuffle" which is:
Run 3 - throw balance on top - Run 3 - throw
balance on top.
1. Cut the stack into the middle and secure a break above it. Riffle
force to the break and cut the deck at that point. Deal off the top ten
cards into a face down pile on the table, reversing the order as you do
so. Place the deck aside and pick up the ten cards and spread them
briefly to show the faces, commenting, "You've picked some good
cards here...I']] show a method of cheating which a gambler revealed
to me...it only uses ten cards, so there's not a lot of leeway."
2. "Shuffle" then deal two hands. Show spectator's hand to contain
ONE PAIR OF SEVENS, then drop this hand face down on the table.
Show your hand to contain one pair also, but better - A PAIR OF
TENS. You win. Drop your hand face down on top of the spectator's
hand and pick up the packet.
3. "Shuffle" then deal two hands. Show the spectator's hand to contain
a higher pair this time - TWO JACKS, then drop the hand face down
on the table. Show your hand to contains TWO PAIRS OF SEVENS
AND TENS. Again you win. Drop your hand on top of the spectator's
and pick up the packet.
4. "Shuffle" and deal two hands. This time show that the spectator has
improved again with his hand containing TWO PAIRS OF JACKS
AND TENS, then drop the hand face down on the table. Show that
your hand contains THREE OF KIND - SEVENS. You win again. Drop
your hand on top of the spectator's and pick up the packet.
5. "Shuffle" then hand the packet to the spectator, saying, "This is the
clincher because I now let YOU deal and if the Three of a Kind is the
best hand available, I want it again!"
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Trans-verse Cards
He now deals two hands. Turn your hand over to reveal the same
Three of a Kind again (Sevens). Appear smug and satisfied and act as
if the demonstration is over.
Finally, start to turn his five cards face up one at a time to gradually
reveal the 'table turning' Royal Flush in Diamonds, saying, "I've heard
of a twist in the tale, but this is ridiculous...which school of card
cheating did YOU go to?"
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Catalystic Collectors
CATALYSTIC COLLECTORS
The following rendition of Roy Walton's "The Collectors" is
fairly true to the original effect in that only three kings are
used to collect two selections.
Before commencing secretly reverse the third card from the top of the
deck. There should be no Kings among the top four cards.
1. Spread through the deck and upjog the four Kings as you come to
them then close up the spread. Flip the deck face down and secure a
little finger break below the top three cards then strip out the four
Kings and turn them face up on top of the deck.
Spread the four Kings and ask a spectator to select one which will later
act as a catalyst. Once one has been withdrawn, close up the
remaining three Kings, injogging the lower one, then flip over all the
cards above the break, turning the packet sideways. Without pause,
the right thumb presses down on the injog and the upper three cards
are lifted off and placed on the table.
2. Give the deck a couple of cuts, double cutting the top card to the
bottom. Now spread the deck between the hands and have two cards
touched, which you outjog. Close up the spread and obtain a break
below the top card, then strip out the two selections and pivot them
face up on top of the deck.
Lift off all three cards above the break in a Biddle grip with the right
hand, then peel off the upper card onto the deck using the left thumb,
then place the remaining double on top. As you do this have both
cards remembered by the audience. You apparently cut the two face
up selections into the deck, in fact you carry out a reverse double
undercut to bring the bottom card back to the top.
Ask the spectator to get ready to activate his catalyst (fourth King), as
you quietly obtain a break below the top FIVE cards.
3. With the right hand pick up the supposed three Kings packet from
the table, keeping it square, and holding it from above in a Biddle
grip. Hold the packet towards the spectator who is holding the fourth
King and ask him to wave it over the packet.
Now the right hand places the packet square onto the deck then
immediately lifts off all the cards above the break and flips them all
over on to the deck.
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Catalystic Collectors
Immediately spread over the top five cards to reveal the three face up
Kings with two face down cards interlaced between them. Because of
the initial set-up, you now have the added luxury of being able to
spread an additional card without exposing any unwelcome face up
cards.
Conclude by having the two selections named and then reveal that the
two face down cards are those very cards.
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The Future Packet
THE FUTURE PACKET
The following effective prediction was inspired by Roy
Walton's "Palmist's Prophesy" from The Complete Walton,
Volume 2.
An arrangement of the deck is necessary according to card value only
as follows, reading from the top to bottom:
5 cards - A -2 - A - A - 2 - 3 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 3 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 4 - 4 - 5 -
6 - 5 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 6 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 7 - 7 - 8 - 9- 8 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 9 - 9 - 10 -
J - 10 - 10 - rest of deck.
Finally reverse the bottom card of the deck.
The sequence is quite easy to remember if you think of it in groups of
four, and with each group systematically increasing.
1. Give the deck a few false cuts then riffle off the bottom four cards
and place this packet carefully to one side on the table, after which
you place the deck face down on the table in front of a spectator,
saying, "I have removed four cards whose face values might prove
interesting later."
2. Ask the spectator to cut off a portion of the deck and to place the
packet under his hand out of your view. Now say, "At this moment, it
would be impossible for me to know how many cards you have below
your hand." As you are talking, pick up the balance of the deck and
place it face down into dealing position In the left hand, then
continue, "I could count these cards that you left behind and subtract
the total from fifty-two .... but that wouldn't be much of a trick."
As you are speaking, casually spread the packet to emphasize your
words then close the spread obtaining a little finger break below the
top FOUR cards.
3. Direct the attention of the audience towards the prediction packet
as you pick it up from above with the right hand, saying, "But I don't
need to count any cards because I made a prediction, and if you
remember what I said the values of these four cards would prove
interesting, so let's see just how interesting they are, by adding them
together?"
As you are speaking, bring the packet over the deck, then as you say
the final words of the sentence, flip over all eight cards above the
break onto the deck.
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The Future Packet
Immediately deal the top four face up cards onto the table one at a
time, calling out their values as you add them together. Once you deal
the fourth card, a face down card will appear on top of the deck as
expected. The three face up cards hidden below the top card can be
righted at an opportune moment later.
Announce the grand total of the four cards one more time then ask the
spectator to pick up the cards from below his hand and count them
one by one onto the table. He will reach the same total as your
prediction, at which point you can take your bow!
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Bridge Club
BRIDGE CLUB
Some time ago I set myself certain conditions for a
proposed bridge demonstration where all thirteen of one
suit is dealt to one hand. The conditions were:
1) The suit would be freely named by the audience.
2) The deck would be shuffled, cut, then dealt once, without any
preliminary. Any more than one deal would surely send any audience
to sleep?
3) The three other hands must consist of mixed suits.
If the first condition regarding the free choice of suit was to be
adhered to, then the only way I could see forward was to use a stack,
as I don't consider the secret culling of thirteen cards to be an elegant
solution. The shuffle is false. This left only the problem of the random
dispersion of the remaining three suits throughout the other three
hands. Here's how.
Set the deck so that the four suits rotate in an cycling suit rotation
from top to bottom, e.g., C-H-S-D-C-H-S-D-C-H-S-D etc.
1. False shuffle the deck then present it to a spectator for straight
cutting. Take back the deck glimpsing the suit at the bottom, as you
ask the spectator to name any suit. Because you know the suit order
you will be able to quickly assess the position of the first card of the
chosen suit from the top by running through the suit cycle in your
head.
2. Table the deck and carry out a Push-Through Shuffle (or any other
false shuffle), stating that you are stacking the deck, then carry out a
couple of false cuts, during which you transfer the required number of
cards from bottom to top (or visa versa depending which is the most
efficient) so that the first card of the target suit becomes fourth from
the top. If it is already at this position, then simply make the cuts
completely false.
3. If you were now to deal out four hands, you would receive all
thirteen of the named suit, however, each of the other three hands
would receive a full suit as well. So the Second Deal is used to displace
certain cards. The rules are simple. Here are the options.
a) Deal the round fairly
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Bridge Club
b) Deal one second on hand no.1
c) Deal one second on hand no.2
d) Deal consecutive seconds on hands no.1 and no.2
NOTE: Always deal fairly to hands no.3 and no.4.
I suggest that you carry out step a) for the first round only, then carry
out b) through d) three times in rotation.
Conclude by turning over each of the other three hands to show that
they are of mixed suits, then turn your hand over to reveal all thirteen
of the named suit.
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The Mindreader's Vision
THE MINDREADER'S VISION
Here is a method for the Hummer 'Mindreader's Dream' but
without a complex stack or any static key cards. The cards
are however preset, but the arrangement is a simple one.
Set the deck so the reds and blacks are alternating.
1. False shuffle to retain the colour alternation then hand the deck to a
spectator and ask him to give the a few complete cuts as you turn your
back on the proceedings.
Tell him to think of any card in the deck. You now instruct him
concentrate on the value and to deal off twice that many cards into a
face down pile on the table then drop the balance on top.
Next he considers the suit - he spells the suit singular (no letter "S" at
the end), dealing one card for each letter into a face down pile on the
table, then the balance Is dropped on top.
2. Turn round, take the deck, and carry any shuffle which does not
disturb the bottom half, then spread the deck with the faces towards
you. You are now able to remove the card that the spectator is merely
thinking of by the following rules:
TO DETERMINE THE SUIT:
As you start to spread from the face, you count the cards and stop
when you reach the first pair of the same colour, the count ceasing on
the first card of the pair:
HEARTS/SPADES = 5 cards and DIAMONDS = 7 cards. If no pair is
evident within the first seven cards the suit is CLUBS.
TO DETERMINE THE VALUE:
You continue to spread starting a new count on the second card of the
pair, if it clubs you start the count on the fifth card. Cease counting
once you reach the next pair of cards of the same colour, stopping on
the first card of the pair. This will always be an even number, so half it
to give you the value.
Immediately locate the card and pull it out. In the case of it being a
Heart or a Spade, a simple question regarding the colour is all that is
needed, or use the following Marlo ploy:
Up-jog one of the two possibilities, say the Heart, and say, "You are
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The Mindreader's Vision
merely thinking of a card, and amazingly I have It right here the Six of
Spades (naming the other option)."
There is a fifty-fifty chance that you are correct, and If so, accept the
applause as you push the card back into the spread. If he says no, then
pull the card out and say, "I didn't think so," as you turn the card
round with a wry smile.
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Stacking for Real
STACKING FOR REAL
This is a simplification of Peter Kane's "Acestack" which
appeared in his booklet A Further Card Session. It is not
intended as an improvement but it is less intense (for me) in
appearance. Instead of one shuffle, two shuffles are used.
The description will stack four Aces to fall to the dealer in a
five handed deal.
1. As you run through and remove the Aces, crimp the corner of the
card that lies at the same position from the face as the number of
hands to be dealt. In this case we want five hands, so crimp the inner
corner of the FIFTH card from the face.
2. Place the deck face down on the table in readiness for a riffle
shuffle. Place the Aces face down on top and cut the top Ace to the
bottom. This cut can be eliminated If you simply add the upper Ace to
the face of the lower section by cutting the lower half to the top
(momentarily) before setting it on the table to the right in readiness
for the shuffle. Anyway, assuming that you have three Aces on top and
one on the bottom, proceed as follows:
FIRST SHUFFLE
Cut the upper half to the left. Shuffle by first leaving four cards on the
table with the left thumb as a bed, then release about half a dozen
from the right thumb (the crimp must fall), then shuffle the rest
together - hold back four with the right thumb, and load them under
the top two cards of the left section. Push the packets square.
SECOND SHUFFLE
Cut top half to the left. This time leave a bed with the right thumb,
which includes the crimp, then shuffle together - hold back FOUR
with the right thumb (ensuring you don't shuffle into the upper stack
of the left section) and load these four cards under the top card of the
left section. Push square.
Finally give the deck the customary cut, cutting the crimp to the
bottom, then deal out five hands of cards to receive the Aces.
You adjust the quantities depending on the number of required hands
using the following simple rules:
a) Always crimp the card that lies at the same position from the face of
the deck as the number of hands.
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Stacking for Real
b) Always leave an initial bed of cards equal to one less than the
number of hands.
c) Always hold back a number of cards one less than the number of
hands.
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The Olde Waltonian Transposition
THE OLDE WALTONIAN TRANSPOSITION
The following is based on an effect of Roy Walton's which
appeared in Stan Allen's Magic. Here the effect has been
altered to a straight transposition.
1. The deck can be shuffled after which you hold it with the faces
towards you and divide it into halves which you set face down on the
table side by side - all you have to arrange is that the second from top
card in one pile is a high spot card, and the second from top card in
the other pile is a low spot card.
2. Let's say the 2nd card in the left pile is a TEN spot, and the 2nd top
card in the right pile is a FOUR spot. Pick up the left pile and execute
a double lift and draw attention to the value of the card - a Ten - then
turn the double down again and deal the top card onto the table to
your left. Now deal ten cards one at a time into a pile in front of the
assumed ten spot, saying, "I will mark the ten with ten cards." Ask
spectator A to remember the number 10. The ten is really at the
bottom of the pile. Place the balance of this half out of the way to one
side.
3. Pick up the other pile and execute a double lift to show the Four
spot. Again draw attention to the value then turn the double face
down and deal the top card onto the table to your right, then deal a
pile of four cards onto the table in front of the assumed four and ask
spectator B to remember the number 4.
4. Recap the situation by spreading briefly the piles saying, "A TEN
and TEN cards and a FOUR and FOUR cards." This should be
accompanied by you highlighting the pile then the card in each case.
5. Pick up the piles and slowly and deliberately swap them over, then
place each on top of the single card in front of it, saying, "If I put the
TEN cards on your FOUR...and the FOUR cards on your TEN...we
have a wrong situation."
6. Pick up either pile and count the cards one at a time onto the table,
bottom dealing once at any point during the count, and holding the
last card face down. If you counted the FIVE packet you would say,
"So here are Five cards on your TEN..." Place the card cross-wise on
top of the dealt cards.
7. Repeat with the other pile, again bottom dealing once during the
count, and saying, "...and here are TEN cards on your FIVE."
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The Olde Waltonian Transposition
Conclude by turning the two cards over to show that they have
transposed in order to correct the situation and 'make it right again.'
Go to Next Trick
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On the Level
On THE LEVEL
(Nothing to do with Freemasonary!)
You show five Alphabet (Lexicon) cards which obviously
spell the word LE-V-E-L. The cards are dealt face down on
the table in a straight line, this represents the word "level"
as the cards are level. You now push the cards into a
diagonal sloping line, so they are no longer LEVEL. On
turning the cards over, they now spell S-L-O-P-E!
You require six letter cards in the order E-L-S-O-P-V so that when
they are face up the letter "V" Is at the face and the letter "E" at the
rear. Apply a small amount of non-permanent adhesive to the face of
the letter "V" card. Alternatively use a small amount of wax.
1. Introduce the packet face down, saying, "Tonight I want to prove to
you that I am on the level with you, and in fact to emphasise this point
I have brought along these five cards which spell out that very word."
As you are speaking, spread the cards to show only five by holding the
bottom two together as one, then close up the spread.
2. Turn the packet face up, and as if you have noticed that the cards
are not in order, transfer the lower two cards to the face, without
changing their order, and retain a break below these two cards as you
place them on the face. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MUST THE
STICKY FACE OF THE "V" CARD COME INTO CONTACT WITH
THE BACK OF THE CARD ABOVE IT. Make sure that the letters are
oriented for the audience to read and not for yourself to read.
3. Take the packet into Biddle grip In the right hand, the thumb takes
over the break and maintains the essential separation.
Carry out a Hamman Count, switching on the count of three, as you
spell out loud the word L-E-V-E-L. As you count, retain a left little
finger break after the count of THREE, that is Immediately after the
switch and before you count the fourth card.
This allows you to repeat the count again spelling out loud the same
word, which I think is a good thing, because it hammers home the
word and the fact that you only have the five cards.
4. Turn the packet face down and press the cards to cause the letter
"E" to stick to the face of the letter "V". The letter "V" has therefore
been eliminated. Now deal the cards one at a time into a right-to-left
row, again spelling the word L-E-V-E-L out loud.
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On the Level
Looking at the cards, say, "So the cards, like myself, are completely on
the level...I wonder what happens If I upset that scenario?" At this,
slowly push the cards Into a diagonal line.
Finally, say, "Now the cards are no longer on the level, they are in a
SLOPE." Turn over the cards to reveal the word S-L-O-P-E.
Go to Next Trick
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Farosation
FAROSATION
In effect, the four Aces are buried at four different positions
in the pack. After two shuffles you spell the name of the
leader: T-H-E A-C-E O-F C-L-U-B-S forming four piles. The
top card of each pile proves to be an Ace. Two perfect Faros
do all the work.
1. Remove the four Aces and lay them in a face up row on the table in
order from left to right:
CLUBS <> HEARTS <> DIAMONDS <> SPADES
You might like to note and remember the top card of the deck for a
Faro check later.
2. Point out that each Ace has a different name and that you will bury
each Ace in the deck according to their name. With the deck face
down in dealing position, say, "First we have the Ace of Clubs -
A-C-EO-F-C-L-U-B-S. " As you spell the name of the cards, rapidly
count off one card for each letter into your right hand. At this point,
say, "The Ace of Clubs is a natural born leader and he will lead this
trick to its successful conclusion."
3. Drop the packet of cards in front of the Ace of Clubs then turn the
Ace face down on top of the packet. Repeat this with each of the three
remaining Aces. You will be left holding three odd cards. Drop these
on top of the Ace of Clubs then pick this packet up and drop it on top
of the pile immediately to its right and continue gathering the piles in
this manner i.e., Clubs onto Hearts onto Diamonds onto Spades =
completes the deck.
4. Give the deck two perfect Out Faros (top & bottom cards remain in
place). To check that you have 26 cards each time: the Ace of
Diamonds is the top card of the lower half prior to the first shuffle,
and the card you remembered at the start is the top card of the lower
half prior to the second shuffle.
5. Now remind the audience that the Ace of Clubs is a natural born
leader then spell its name starting with "THE "and forming four piles.
Finally repeat the name of the card, saying, ''The Ace of Clubs. " At the
same time turn over the top card of each pile to match your words
revealing the four Aces, turning Clubs last.
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Farosation
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Colour Fool
COLOUR FOOL
A simple red black alternating stack can be a very potent
weapon. The following multiple card location is an example
of how this simple set-up can be used to good effect. 1
Before commencing, set your pack with the colours alternating
throughout. You will require four spectators for this.
1. You can give the pack an Overhand Shuffle by running even
numbers of cards and throwing the balance on top. Now give the pack
to a spectator and tell him to give it a few straight cuts, then turn your
back for a moment. Ask him to deal four hands of cards as if he were
dealing in a game of cards. There is no limit to the number of cards he
deals to each hand, but each hand must be equal.
2. Turn to face the front again. Ask each spectator to pick up a packet
and shuffle it. The reason I suggest you face the front now is to
prevent anyone looking at their cards. Once the cards have been
shuffled, ask each spectator to look at and remember the bottom card
of their packet. Finally ask that one of them gather the four packets
together - assembling them in any order. As an afterthought, say, "Oh,
you had better give the cards a few cuts to lose the bottom card as that
will be a selection." Now take the packet.
3. You can now instantly remove all four selections. Spread the packet
with the faces of the cards towards you. the packet will be in one of
two conditions:
a) You will see four alternating colour groups - i.e. four quarters.
b) You will see two colour groups - half and half.
If a), simply remove the face card of each colour group. Place the rest
of the cards onto the pack.
If b), quickly count the number of cards in either colour group then
divide by two. So if you count 10 red cards - you remember 5. The face
card of each group is a selection. The other two selections are the 5th
cards counting from the back to the front of each colour group. So
remove the four selections and place the rest of the cards onto the
pack.
Conclude by holding the four cards in a fan in front of you with the
backs to the audience. Ask each spectator in turn to name "the card he
is thinking of." Reveal each card as it is named.
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Colour Fool
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Range Rover
RANGE ROVER
This is a simple elaboration of Roy Walton's "School Daze "
that appeared in Profile magazine. The underlying principle
was based on a Henry Christ concept.
1. Place a shuffled pack on the table on the table and ask someone to
cut it into two halves. Both you and the spectator pick up a half If his
cut is uneven make sure you take the larger half.
Ask the spectator to remove three cards - a low value, a medium value
and a high value. Explain that to keep things simple court cards will
count as ten. Meanwhile, you hold your section faces towards you and
note the second card from the face - let's say it's the Ace of Spades.
Count this card as ONE and continue to count until you reach 20. Cut
the packet at this point to place the AS at the 20th position from the
top of the packet. Write the name of this card on a piece of paper
which you give to someone to hold. Meanwhile, retain the packet in
your hands.
2. The spectator will have removed three cards. There is a very strong
chance that one will be a Ten/court card. If so, place your packet on
the table. If not, note the value of the highest card. It will probably be
a Nine, or at the very least an Eight. Whatever the value, mentally
double it. If it is a Nine: 9 x 2 = 18. If it is an Eight: 8 x 2 = 16. It will
not be lower than a Seven: 7 x 2 = 14.
Your predicted card is currently 20th in your packet. If the highest
card is not a Ten/Court card you need to lose a few cards from the top
to set the card at the position you just calculated. This can be done by
a quick Jog Shuffle, or a Double Undercut, after which you place the
packet on the table.
3. Ask the spectator to point to any one of his three cards. Let's say
these are a THREE - SIX - NINE. If he points to any card other than
the Nine, discard that one and use the remaining two. If he points to
the Nine, slide it out as his first choice, then allow him to select one of
the remaining two - the other being discarded. In other words - of the
two cards you finally use, the highest card MUST be one. We will
assume the final two cards to be the SIX and the NINE.
4. Tell him to pick up your half of the pack.
Ask him to add together the values of the two cards: 6 + 9
= 15. He now deals off that many cards from the top of the
packet.
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Range Rover
Now ask him to subtract the smaller from the larger: 9 - 6
= 3. he deals off three more cards. These are dealt into
one face down pile.
Finally ask for your prediction to be read out - "Ace of Spades. " Ask
the spectator to turn over the final card he dealt - top of the heap - to
reveal the Ace of Spades!
Go to Next Trick
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Spinning Yarns
SPINNING YARNS
A coincidence and a discovery using Alex Elmsley's
"Penelope's Principle."
1. Secretly reverse the bottom few cards (2 or 3 will suffice) of your
pack. Now have a card selected and controlled to the bottom below
the reversed cards. The Kelly/Ovette Move is ideal for this. Or, simply
have the card placed on top of the pack then Double Cut it to the
bottom.
Explain that the card just selected will become important later so it's
vital that the spectator remembers it.
2. Give the pack to a second spectator and ask him to deal two equal
piles of cards. There is no limit to the number in each pile but it's best
to suggest roughly a dozen or so. Once he has done this tell him to
place the pack to one side on the table. He can now shuffle both piles
if he wants.
3. Tell him to look at and remember the top card of either pile and
leave it there. Now tell him to pick up the other pile and drop a few
cards from it onto his selection. Once he does this, say, "Now, nobody
could know the whereabouts of your card at its new random position."
4. Pick up the packet, saying, "I'll mix these up a bit to further confuse
the issue. " Here you carry out a Klondike Shuffle - simply pull off top
& bottom cards together and drop them on the table, then repeat,
forming a single pile on the table, until you are left with one or two
cards which you drop on top of all.
5. Now reach out with your right hand and take the remaining cards
from the spectator. At the same time pick up the pack with your left
hand - palm down - so that when you bring the hand up the pack will
reverse. As your left hand turns palm upwards, your right hand
immediately places the cards it holds on top, thus masking any flash
of the face card as it comes into view.
Having apparently simply picked up the pack to place the discards on
top, you replace it on the table next to the other pile of cards.
6. Everything is set for the double-barrel finish. Ask the first spectator
to name his card. Now tell him to watch closely, as he might see
something remarkable. With both hands you lift off the top card from
each pile and place them on the table in front of their respective piles.
Continue doing this until the face up selection appears on top of the
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Spinning Yarns
main pile. Allow this to register because it is unexpected, and
effective.
Finally ask the second spectator to name his card. Then, say, "Not
only has this card (referring to the face up card) the power to reverse
itself it also moved to a particular point in the pack. In fact if you turn
over that card (here you point to the top card of the smaller pile) you
will see what I mean." When he turns the card over he should be
surprised to find his selection.
Thank you for reading Card
School. I
hope you found some items of
interest.
Best Wishes
Peter Duffie
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