Without fear of successful contradiction I can assert myself in the claim that here is a new and different way of revealing a number of chosen cards. Methods are legion, I know, but this effect lends itself to an interesting angle of patter.

Three cards are selected and returned. I have always said that one repetition is enough, but after trying it out a number of times, I can say that three times for this effect is correct. The performer stands at the front and remarks that tricksters usually find cards by exercising a strange power which enables them to have the cards appear at any position in the deck. The common position, of course, is at the top. However, the performer turns over the top card to show that it is not one of those chosen. Turning it over, he asks a spectator to name his card. Snapping the top of the deck, the card is turned again and the selected card is there! Turning it back, the performer says that had he asked another one of the three persons first, the result would have been the same. Another is asked for his card, and on snapping the back and turning the card, again it is the one named. This is repeated with the last person, whereupon the performer finishes by remarking that had no one named a card, the original pasteboard would have remained. Turning the top card again, the first one shown is there, and the deck may be used for further mysteries.

Most of the twenty-cent decks at Woolworth stores now have an extra Joker which is the same as the regular Joker. It is necessary only to have a duplicate card and I prefer an outstanding one such as the Joker. Have them on the top of the deck together, and have the top one trimmed as a short card. Shuffle the deck, leaving these two in place, and have three cards removed by three spectators. Undercut about half of the deck, have the first card replaced on the top half upon which the lower half is dropped and the deck squared in passing to the next. Riffle to the short card break and have the next card replaced on top of the short card which puts it just below the first card replaced. Repeat this with the last card. Now, as you return to the front of the audience, cut the deck several times, the first time at the short card again and then cut three cards from the bottom to the top. This leaves you with the three cards selected on top in correct order as replaced, followed by the two Jokers. At this point, cut off about fifteen of the top cards, laying the rest aside, saying you will only need a few to make clear your example of power.

As you say this, the left thumb pushes a little to the right the four top cards (to get the correct number) under cover of the right hand, and you make practically the common two-handed pass with the exception that the four cards in passing to the bottom are reversed and left there with faces against the face of the deck. With the cards in hand and in making the ordinary movements for the pass, it will be found almost as simple to have them face up as face down. This leaves only one of the Jokers on top, and the right hand as usual has covered the move.

Now hold the deck with backs out (real backs) in the left hand with the fingers at the lower end and the thumb at the upper end. The deck is standing up and the backs are towards the audience. Turn over the back card by sliding it off towards you with the right fingers and replacing it on the deck with its face out. It is the Joker. (Go back and follow the general line of talk as suggested) In making the same move to turn this card back again, it is pulled off about a quarter of an inch when the right thumb at the back of the deck also pulls off the card there behind the front one, and both are turned together and placed on the front of the deck. To the audience you have turned the front card face out and then back again. The first person names the card, you snap back, and turn the top card only over. It’s the one. As you mention about the possibility of asking someone else for their card first, repeat the move of turning the card back again and another is stolen from the back and left on the front. This is the second card, and after this is turned back, the third card is in place. Finally, in turning the third card back, the last of your reversed cards on the back of the deck is brought to the front. Now you say that if no one had named a card, the original pasteboard would have remained there and you turn it over to prove. The deck is all one way now for anything else you want to do.