Of all the card setups, this is the ONLY one of its kind that will permit a variety of games without any hesitation, and with but the one arrangement. It isn’t necessary for one to be an expert false shuffler or cutter, but it helps if you know at least one of each. It is perfect for the nightclub, and for close-up table work anywhere. Carry an extra deck in your pocket and always be ready. Or, write the setup on a card, and you can always take time out and set up one of the house decks.
Explain each game as you go along to make it interesting. Also save it for your last number and then quit after doing it. Don’t attempt to show how clever you are by second dealing and exposing. Some magicians run through a beautiful routine of tricks, and then start showing off how well they can do this sleight or that. The result is that, the audience who has given the performer up to now credit for enormous and superhuman skill, sits back with the thought that it must be accomplished by such sleights as are being shown, and that they look easy – for doesn’t each performer TRY to make the most difficult manipulations look easy ?
SETUP
(x marks can be any card) x-x-x-Spade-AH-8S-Spade-x-x-KH-x-8C-x-x-QH-x-x-8H-x-JH-x-10S-AD-Spade-10H-Spade-Spade-x-x-x-Spade-x-x-x-Spade-x-x-x-Spade-xxx-Spade-xxx-Spade-xxx-Spade-x.
ROUTINE
Personally I use the V type shuffle when doing floor work where I must deal the cards on an easel, as this type of shuffle lends itself admirably for the purpose. When close-up, at a table, I alternate between the V type and the pull through, and suggest studying Jack Merlin’s first manuscript of his series Master Manipulations for a deceptive pull through shuffle. Victor Farelli’s first Card Magic book is also valuable for the one who wants to get as much as possible out of this routine.
I use Bee back cards, 67 Club Special in the blue. I do a little ordinary work with a deck, and exchange it under some pretext or other for the cold deck. Now I mention casually that card tricks are very good for entertainment’s sake, but there are so many of them that I could continue all night without repeating one. I go on to say that probably they have seen many magicians do the same thing, but how many have actually witnessed a demonstration of gambler’s methods ?
“For instance, suppose I shuffle the deck a bit, and give it a cut. Now if you were sitting in a friendly game, say five of us playing, and you saw someone shuffle the deck as I did, pass it over to be cut also, you would think nothing of it. But that would be just where you would be making your mistake, because in the short time it takes to riffle the deck, I have located and placed into position a hand that would take everything on the board. See for yourselves !”
I now deal out five hands of poker, turning my cards face up as I deal. The other hands are face down. The punch of seeing a Royal Flush build up, bang bang fashion, knocks the suckers right off their seats. Then I announce the value of the hand, and state that a Royal Flush is fine to get when demonstrating, but would be practically useless for ordinary play because the players would become suspicious if anyone held such a high hand. Three of a kind is enough to win in most cases.
As I am making a spiel like that, I pick up, idly, two of the Hearts, and place them on top of the deck, immediately but slowly cutting three cards off the top to the bottom. I now place the three remaining cards from the Royal Flush on top of the deck, and pick up the other four hands, putting them on top of the deck in 4-3-2-1 order.
In case someone asks questions about the cut of three to the bottom, just say you are breaking up the Royal Flush combination. Now I riffle the deck, false of course, give it a false cut, and state again that three of a kind is enough to win. For instance, take Stud Poker, and suppose four are playing. Deal off four hole cards, the last to yourself. Deal off two rounds face up. Then show your hole card and drop on your face up cards. You will have received eights, and with a shrug of your shoulders say that that will give them an idea of what you are talking about. Return your hand to the top of the deck after showing. Then turn the face up cards of the other hands face down on their hole cards, and return all to deck in 3-2-1 order.
Now I riffle again and then explain the game of 21, or blackjack, telling them how it is one of the most popular gambling games, and how it is played. (Hoyle covers this thoroughly) I illustrate it by dealing out four hole cards, and three more face down to the other imaginary players, and my last card face up. I now show that I have a “natural”, an ace and a ten which counts 21, and the house wins. Drop the hole card on top of the exposed card when showing and return the two to the deck. Pick up the other hands 3-2-1 order and return also to the top.
For the concluding deal, and the big kick of the run, very impressively state that you are going to attempt the toughest feat in card table manipulation. It is the locating and placing of thirteen cards during the course of an ordinary table riffle or shuffle. Give them a false shuffle, and build the effect up by asking if you may have one more, as you think you missed one or two cards.
They will watch you pretty closely on the last shuffle so misdirect them by doing the pull through, and just as you are about to make the pull, look up and say “How many of you play bridge ?” For a moment they’ll be distracted, and the dirty work will take place. When they answer, say “Well, here goes for a grand slam !” Deal out four bridge hands, turning your cards face up as dealt. 13 Spades ! If you wish, on this last effect, allow them to cut, but peek at the bottom and make sure a Spade shows when you deal.
The real art is to make them think you expose when you don’t. Build up things by making it look tough, and then do it. It’s the only setup to give you such a routine, and all will be convinced by the demonstration that you can “clean up” any kind of card game.
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