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