A new and original version of the card and balloon trick is this effect of Josef Bauer’s taken from Magi, of Denmark. It is easily constructed, and has the advantage over other tricks inasmuch as it does not need preparation or setting.

The illustrations tell practically the whole story. A card is chosen, marked if desired, and shuffled back into the deck. A balloon is now blown up and inserted between the wire loop holders on stand. The deck is placed into the hole in the holder, the lower end of pack resting on the balloon. The wire loops, being fastened onto a tight fitting slide, can be pushed up to the right position as deck is put in place.

The selected card is named. With a cigarette tip, or a dart gun, the balloon is exploded. The deck drops and scatters, the selected card being left suspended in the holder, facing the spectators.

The holder for the deck is made of wood and about three-eighths of an inch thick. The opening is just a trifle wider than the deck, and just a bit deeper than the thickness of the cards. The surface of the rear edge of opening is well coated with an adhesive wax, such as diachylon plaster. Another idea is to glue into place a piece of standard adhesive tape. The selected card is marked, replaced, and brought to the top of deck. The performer now dovetail shuffles openly, keeping the top card in place, and asks that he be told when to stop the mixing. The balloon is blown up as much as it will stand to make a loud report, put into place, and the deck inserted face out. As it is rested on balloon, it is pressed firmly against the wax, and top card is secured. The deck drops free, the selected card is left in view, and it is removed and tossed out.