During the summer I met a bartender who told me about a trick he had seen years ago and done by some transient bum who had been in his place. As he related it to me, the fellow had taken the house deck and asked for a tray. A card was selected, replaced and shuffled. The tray was placed on the floor bottom side up, the deck dropped upon it from a standing position, and upon turning the tray over, the card was found beneath.

I realized that the working could be very simple but the bare bones of the effect itself rather intrigued me as it had the elements of effect which stand out in an onlooker’s mind. I played around with it a little and since then have used it quite a number of times, especially when someone has taken me to such a place.

First, have two cards chosen and returned to the deck. It is necessary to have one on top and one on the bottom after this and I know that as usual, each will have his own pet way. For those who use a pass, have them returned together and split them. But remember which is which.

Hold the deck in the left hand by the side with the thumb at the face of the deck and fingers across the top. Have the deck well into the thumb and first finger crotch. Ask for the tray and take it with the right hand, fingers underneath on the upper side of the tray and thumb on the upper side which is the bottom. Step back a little as if looking for a good spot on the floor and the tray covers the left hand which turns the deck face up and the thumb slides the face card off under the fingers on the underside of the tray.

Finding an apparently good spot, drop the tray flat down from a standing position letting the card go with it. If you just let it go, you have nothing to worry about. And it is a very disarming bit of business. Explain at this point that you use a metal tray because it will work only on metal and not on a wooden floor or surface. Ask the person whose card is still on top of the deck to name it. Drop the deck onto the tray and the named card flips face up. This is merely the age old trick of sliding the top card sideways about half an inch to flip it over in the drop. Many know it but it is a build up to the finish.

Pick up the cards and ask the name of the second card. Drop them again but this time nothing happens. Try the second time and then hand the deck to the spectator and ask him to take out his card. He can’t find it and as a climax you have him lift up the tray and his card is looking right at him.

By this time no one even remembers you put the tray down and I’ve had them swear they put it down themselves. And the wise ones who know the air current flip over are given something to worry about when the finish comes.