Each time this has been done, there have been people to talk afterwards
of how possible it is for one to read either the mind or the involuntary
muscular reactions of another. Granted that this may be so, you’ve done
only another trick, which appears to be a genuine test.
The method used for the third and last card was devised by Al Baker
many years ago, and it tops off the first two selections and locations.
From start to finish, the action is carefully worked out, and the problem is
presented directly, simply, and without sleights or manipulations to give
the impression that you are tricking them.
Three people select a card each, without any forcing, note, and return their
cards in a new manner which allows of no suspicion as to its irregularity.
The deck is handed to the performer who spreads it face up across the
table. The first card is found by holding the person’s wrist and passing
their hand over the pasteboards. The second card is found in the same way.
Lastly the third, selected in a different manner from the others, is named
by the performer keeping his fingertips on the forehead of the selector.
Two decks are used. One is a common deck ad the other a single force
deck with all cards alike. Arrange the common deck in the familiar Si
Stebbin’s system. Put the force deck in your right coat pocket. Have the
first two cards selected in this manner. Fan the deck freely and allow any
card to be removed. Cut the deck at this point which brings the key card
to the bottom. BUT DON’T LOOK AT IT !! Pass to a second person and
have another removed. As it is taken, carelessly drop the card above it to
the floor. Close the deck and pick up the card, dropping it on TOP of the
deck WHETHER YOU SEE IT OR NOT.
Now hand the deck directly to the first person who still holds his card, and
ask him to push his card anywhere into the deck. He then gives the deck
to a second person, and this spectator pushes his card into the deck at any
place. To the spectator and audience this method of handling the cards
appears more than fair. And yet, despite the fact that he didn’t force a card,
doesn’t know where the selected cards are, and as yet need not have seen
the face of a single card, the performer knows that the key for the first is
on the bottom, and the key for the second is on the top.
11
The deck is spread face up across the table. The first spectator comes
forward and his card is found by apparent muscle reading. There is ample
time for you to note the bottom card, count one ahead in the system and
then look for that card. The same thing is done with the second person,
noting the top key card to determine the identity of his chosen pasteboard.
Now state that you have carried such work to the last degree possible
and ask for a third volunteer. Pick up the deck and shuffle. Explain that
the spectator is to put it in his pocket. Then he is to take any card from
the deck he wishes, note it, and put it in his opposite side pocket. As you
explain this, you do it, dropping the deck in your side pocket alongside
the single force cards. Take one card from the force deck, keeping it with
the back towards the audience, glance at it, and then put it in opposite
pocket. Having thusly made it all clear, take out the force deck from your
pocket, drop on it the card you passed across, and deliberately put the
deck into the spectator’s side coat pocket. Turn your back and walk away
while he transfers the card. Step back, ask if he is concentrating upon the
color, suit, and value of what he has chosen, and say that under the strict
conditions imposed, the only possible way to learn the card’s identity is
by thought vibration, and that he alone can help by thinking intently of it
while you first name the colors, then the suits, and finally the values.
As you explain this, you put your right fingertips against his forehead,
and at the same time with your left hand you take the remainder of the
deck from his pocket and drop it into yours, next to the other deck. Then
proceed to name the card correctly, have the spectator show it, and tell
him to keep it as a souvenir of the occasion.
Seldom, if ever, will anyone want to look at the cards. They were seen
and handled freely at the start, and the last test makes a great finale and
impression. However, if you follow this test with another requiring cards,
bring the fair deck from pocket and proceed.
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