Apparently there are innumerable versions extant of the spelling trick in which the performer spells through a packet of thirteen cards, permitting a spectator to try his hand occasionally only to invariably turn up the wrong card, usually a Joker. I devised this routine three years ago, adding to the effect several features of real magic and a good deal of comic by-play that greatly lessens the usual monotony of the trick.
The set-up is as follows, from top to bottom:
3-Joker-8-Ace-7-Jack-6-2-5-Queen-10-9-4.
I shall give the routine card by card. In each case remember that after the spelling has terminated it is the next card that is turned over.
ACE : Spell “Ace”, turn over ace and discard.
TWO : Spell “Two” the same way.
THREE : Spell “Three” likewise.
FOUR : Hand the deck to a spectator and ask him to try four. He does so and gets the SIX instead. Say “No, no, like this.” Take the packet (leaving the six on bottom) and spell out the four, discarding it.
FIVE : Ask him to try five. Again he gets the six. If he is at all intelligent, at this point he will surmise that you have so arranged the cards that after he has spelled through them incorrectly, they will be set correctly for you. He will probably ask you to let him try again.
Look embarrassed and finally consent to it. Of course if he does not wish to try again, suggest that he do so. This time he gets neither the six nor the five, but the Joker. Say “See what you get for being skeptical.”
Take the packet (Joker on bottom) and spell “five” discarding it.
SIX : Let him try six and he gets the Joker. Take the cards (Joker on bottom) and spell “six” correctly. Remark that you do not even have to spell the six correctly. Place it on the bottom and spell “pshyixe” and turn it up again. Discard.
SEVEN : Spell seven correctly and discard.
EIGHT : Remark that you will turn up the eight by either spelling eight, seven or Joker. This gets a laugh because they soon perceive that the three cards spell with the same number of letters. Spell the eight and discard.
NINE : Let him try the nine and he gets the Joker. Place it on the bottom and ask him to try again. Same result. Place Joker on bottom and let someone else try. Same results. This last time leave the Joker on top (you are getting laughs and this is not noticed). Spell the nine out yourself but peek at the card before you turn it over. Perform a double lift when you do this. Look chagrined and state that you seem to have missed it yourself. Show the two cards as one (exhibiting the Joker). Replace them and slide the top card to the table remarking that with the Joker out of the way someone should be able to spell the nine. Let spectator try again, but he gets the Joker! He dives for the card on table which turns out to be the elusive nine. In the meantime you have left the Joker on top.
TEN : Spell the ten and discard.
JACK : Spell the Jack and discard.
QUEEN : Ask him to try the Queen. While he does so, pick up the pack in the left hand as though the trick were about over. On top of the deck you have previously placed a king. The spectator produces the Joker again. Take back the two cards, Joker on top, and spell the queen. The deck is still held in the left hand. Instead of showing the queen, place it face down on the table and ask him to turn it over. This directs their attention to the table and allows you to make a top change of the Joker for the King.
KING : Hand him the king and ask him to spell the last card. He will probably laugh and pass it from hand to hand spelling out the King. When he turns it over it IS the king.
If anyone asks you where the Joker is, say “What Joker?“
Leave a Reply