Another Stop!

It is with regret that I can’t insert the name of the originator of this effect, but the instructions were on a single sheet in my file and offhand I can’t remember the source as it wasn’t marked*. Being on the road has its difficulties and I’m unable to check back by letters. If the person will drop me a line, I’ll be only too glad to make good because I’ve used the effect a lot and have found it very effective to say the least.

Just try it out and see why, because of the directness in working, it is quite astounding, even to those who know something about cards and the various possible ways of locating them.

Riffling the cards behind his back, the performer asks a spectator to tell him when to stop. The spectator notes the card in view, and then takes the pack from the performer’s hands and shuffles them well. Although it was a rapid riffle and despite the fact that the performer has had no chance to do anything to the card, (it isn’t even removed) the performer knows its identity and can reveal it or prolong the trick to suit his wishes. I prefer having it noted and shuffled, finding it by having the cards spread and pretending it to be a muscle reading effect.

A short card and a very simple set up is needed but this last can be put into the deck in a few seconds. Use your favorite stack but only arrange ten cards. Have them arranged from face to back, put them on the bottom of the deck and then cover them with the short card on the bottom of all. First dovetail shuffle while leaving the eleven bottom cards intact. Then cut to the center. The deck goes behind your back, face down, in your left hand, the right hand on top, and the thumb at outer ends does the riffling. Let them go fairly rapid until you’re near the center, then slow down for the short card. As you pass it, take it easy and the thumb counts the cards. You won’t be allowed to go far because of already riffling a distance and when stopped among this group you can hand out the deck with confidence as you can quickly figure the card. You can also do this without the set up by letting the person cut the deck only, and then counting from the short card when you spread the deck out.