In the January issue I published a letter received from Vincent Dalban of London in regards to an effect for which he wanted a method of working. I offered a year’s subscription for the best method and sat back to await results. Fourteen different contributions came in much to my gratification and I turned them over to Stuart Robson, a much too avid amateur for his own good, to select the best of the lot. Charles W. Nyquist of 1405 Fairmount Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota was selected as having sent in the most practical method so The Jinx is certain of one reader for twelve copies to come. Follows a resume of the effect and the method.

EFFECT

A member of the audience shuffles a pack of cards and then, while the performer’s back is turned, he deals the cards slowly face up on the table, each time calling aloud the name of the card dealt. Occasionally as he deals a card he calls the name of another but whenever he does this, the performer pulls him up at once. The performer seems to know when the man is telling a lie!

METHOD

For the working of this novel effect use a set up deck. It may be either the well known Si Stebbins system of three ahead or the equally much used Eight Kings Threatened To Save, etc. stack. On a small card the performer has written in one column the 52 cards in their proper order according to the system of stacking in use. This is in a vest pocket. First the performer may false shuffle the deck if he is able and genuinely cutting it hands it to the spectator with the request that he gives the deck a dovetail shuffle. This is genuine on the spectator’s part which makes the effect so very strong. Only one shuffle is given the deck though by spectator and then a cut. Now the performer explains what is to be done as described in the effect above. Turning his back, the performer walks away, securing the card from pocket. The spectator turns over a card from top of the face down pack and calls it aloud. When this card is called the performer places his left thumb at that point on the list. When the next card is called it will either be the next card or one about 26 cards away. Locate the beginning of the second series with the right thumb. The cards turned up will then fit into either one of these two series and always be in order.

With proper instructions the spectator will tell the truth for the first few cards while the performer is getting started. When the man ‘tells a lie’, make him tell the truth before going on. This not only increases the effect but aids the performer in following his list. As this is a mental experiment, a mistake will be excusable but with care a mistake is unnecessary. After catching him in three or four lies it is best to stop. The audience is convinced of your ability and repetition will become monotonous. If carried too far he may think of dealing from the bottom and catch you. The theme can either be mental or strictly as lie detection through the sound of the voice. This latter is more novel and convincing.