Coincido

Effect : The performer mentions that two is his lucky number and to
illustrate introduces a pack of cards and two envelopes, these later being
stood in a prominent position against a book or candlestick. The cards are
then brought to a spectator who is requested to deal two heaps, choose
one and then shuffle the cards he has chosen. After this he is requested to
deal the cards slowly one at a time face downwards onto a table or chair,
and another spectator is requested to tell him to stop dealing whenever he
wishes. When this point of the effect arrives, the card is turned over and
proves to be, say the Ace of Diamonds. The performer remarks “Quite
a coincidence, because in this envelope I placed an Ace.” Here he takes
one envelope, slits it open, and allows a card which is an Ace to fall out,
tearing the envelope across and tossing aside. Continuing “And in the other
envelope I placed a Diamond card.” The other envelope is opened and the
card dumped out in the same manner.

Requirements : Two decks of cards with similar backs, four double faced
cards, two opaque envelopes large enough to hold two playing cards side
by side (the size I use are 4 x 5 ½). The double faced cards are easily
made up by glueing them back to back. The stiffness does not detract from
the working for they are only shown by performer and not handled by
anyone else. I suggest the following combinations : Ace of Clubs backed
by Three of Diamonds – Jack of Hearts backed by Four of Spades – Ten of
Clubs backed by Seven of Diamonds – Nine of Spades backed by Queen
of Hearts.

Preparation : The Ace of Clubs backed by the Three of Diamonds is placed
in one end of one envelope and the Jack of Hearts backed by the Four of
Spades is placed at the other end. The remaining two double faced cards are
placed similarly in the other envelope and the flaps of both sealed down.
Very lightly in pencil, but so as to be readily readable by the performer, the
names of the eight cards represented by the four double facers should be
put on the outsides of the envelope directly over the card and on the side
which it faces.

The following cards are now taken from the two packs.

• Ace of Diamonds, Hearts, Spades
• Three of Clubs, Hearts, Spades
• Four of Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts
• Seven of Clubs, Hearts, Spades
• Nine of Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts
• Ten of Diamonds, Hearts, Spades
• Jack of Clubs, Diamonds, Spades
• Queen of Clubs, Diamonds, Spades

Each set of 24 cards is shuffled well and amalgamated by dealing one card
at a time from each into a final pack of 48 cards.

In his side coat pocket the performer puts the remainder (28 cards) of one
of the packs from which the 24 cards were taken.

The fake deck, two prepared envelopes, and packet in pocket set the
stage for the use of the mystery at any time during the show. Subsequent
performances require only two new envelopes each.

Presentation : The performer shows the two envelopes, states they contain
information which will prove of interest, and places them in full view. The
prepared deck is removed from the case and carelessly shuffled (false) as a
spectator is asked to assist. He is given the deck, told to cut them, and then
deal, a card at a time, the pack into two face down piles. This separates
the two sets of 24 cards. Given a perfectly free selection of one heap, the
spectator is told to shuffle it well, the performer asking another spectator
to stand, and at the same time picks up the remaining unchosen pile and
pockets it alongside packet in pocket.

The spectator now deals the cards slowly and the second person stops him
whenever desired. This part should be made impressive so that there can
be no suspicion that the cards are not completely under the control of the
spectators.

Now, no matter which of the 24 cards is selected, the cards in the envelopes
will reveal it as having been prophecied. This is the part which the performer
should practice until he knows his positions and can handle the envelopes
easily, carelessly, and without any show of concentration or indecision.

He holds the envelope each time in left hand, paper knife in right, and with
the end of the envelope containing the card to be shown a few inches above
the table. The envelope is, of course, also facing so as to show the correct
face of the card at that end. As he finishes cutting, the envelope is lowered
until the card slips out of the envelope, resting in an upright position on the
table held only at one corner by the slit envelope. The fingers of hand are
holding the other card in its place. When the exposed card is at this point
the left hand carries the envelope back slowly which allows the card to
drop on the table right side up. The envelope is then torn across the center
which leaves the other card uninjured. The action is repeated with the other
to give suit of the chosen card. The 28 card packet is then given to the
spectator which makes the deck complete for use.

Note by Annemann : This is a very nice club idea. I might suggest a slightly
slanted easel for the display of the envelopes. The performer picks up each
envelope in turn, saying that inside he previously put a card representing so
and so. That allows him to get set for cutting. Envelope is held so that the
card falls out against the easel. Should be O.K. with giant cards.