Effect: Four cards are freely drawn from the spectator’s deck previously shuffled and cut, and which the cards are in spectator’s hands. The performer does not touch the deck and the cards are drawn face down on the table so no one knows what they are. While the performer is blindfolded, in another room, or has his back turned at a distance, one of the cards is drawn to the edge of the table, still face down, and an identifying mark placed upon its face. Then it is mixed with the other three, so that its identity and position are unknown even to the one who selects and does the marking. Removing the blindfold, or returning to the table, the performer deals the cards separately on the table, places several more cards on each one, shuffles the piles, so he cannot look at the bottom cards, and then, by some unknown power, causes the spectator to unerringly select the pile in which the mark card is lying.

Patter: I have long been engaged in the study of the obscure manifestations of the mind. My dealings with and studies of the human brain long ago convinced me that the subconscious mind possesses a power not ordinarily recognized even by the medical fraternity. If I were to tell you that the subconscious keeps accurate track of every minute detail of your life, you would hardly believe it – yes, it even goes further – it penetrates into such depths as to border on the mysterious. This I will demonstrate to you in a manner easily followed by you by using a deck of playing cards. (Ask for loan of deck) Kindly shuffle them well, spread them face down on the table, and draw out any four cards face downward. Now place a mark on the under (face) side of one card in such a manner that you do not know what card you are marking, but can identify it later.

After you have marked the card, shuffle the four, still face down (while he does this, square the deck on the table) so you do not know where your card is, and then place them on the deck (Turn back, be blindfolded, or leave while this is done). You have carried out the instructions ? We shall proceed (Deal top four in a face down row again). Do you know which of these is your marked card ? It’s important that consciously you do not. Some people think that I look at the cards some way, so I’ll deal a few cards on each and have you mix each of the piles by itself.

The marked card now lies near the center, probably, of one of these piles. Your ordinary, or conscious mind, has lost all track of it, but your subconscious mind has followed every movement, a sixth sense, if you will, and knows exactly where the marked card is ! Just make your mind as blank as possible and simply indicate the first pile your subconscious mind dictates (The pile is now revealed as containing the selected card).

Secret: I never present this effect as a trick, and have never yet failed to mystify and entertain a group with it. They invariably attribute it to some psychological power and give the performer credit for a lot of “it”. It seems as if the more educated and erudite the onlookers, the harder they fall.

Most of the readers will already have recognized an old friend of all magicians, the four ace trick in a really new dress. Simply have three extra cards palmed off to pocket before starting the effect. Upon your return, palm them onto the deck. Deal off the first four. Pause and patter. Don’t be in a hurry. Then deal the next three on the last card dealt. Three more go on each of the others. Have the piles shuffled separately and keep your eye on the correct one. By having him “indicate” a pile instead of “select” you are free to use the old “take or leave” way of forcing. Or put the pile second from one end and use the “between one and four” method of selection.