The spectator fans a deck he has shuffled, thinks of a number between 5 and 10, notes and remembers the card at that position from the top of the deck. The performer takes the deck and slowly counts cards onto the spectator’s hand until a few more than the number thought of have been put into the pile. An elastic band is put around the group and they are placed into the spectator’s pocket by himself.
The magician then counts off a second pile of cards — the same number of cards. Fanning these he picks out one himself, shows it to several of the audience, excepting the first spectator. This group is encircled also with a rubber band and placed in the pocket of another onlooker. The magus commands the two cards to change places. The first man opens his pile, but is unable to find his card. The audience calls out the name of the magician’s card and it is found therein. Then the spectator names his card and it is found by the second spectator in the wonder-worker’s pile.
When you hand the deck to the first spectator, you palm off three cards — one of which is a duplicate of the card you later are going to select, say the King of Diamonds. After he has made his selection and returned the deck you add the palmed cards to the top of the deck. Ask him the number he selected and proceed to count off that number plus two upon his hand. This leaves the selected card on top of the deck. He cuts his pile once, slips a band around it and pockets the bunch. Then he writes the name of his card on a card or paper and hands it to someone else just for a checkup.
In the meantime you are counting off the same number of cards from the pack. At least that’s what you say you’re doing, but actually you miscount so your pile contains one extra card, including the duplicate King of Diamonds. Fan these, draw out the King of Diamonds, show it to several of the audience, and put on top of your pile or bring there with a shuffle. Palm it in right hand and reach for an elastic band. The card is left behind. The packet is banded and pocketed by a spectator.
The trick is over. The first spectator’s card has left his packet to be found in the other one — and likewise, the card you have shown to the audience has traveled over to his. It is all a variation of the ancient “Card to Pocket” trick, but proves to be of more interest because more of the audience are included in its presentation.
Paul Curry’s new Stamp-it trick suggests a further detail. When you have made your selection and shown it to the audience, stick a postage stamp to its face. When found later in the spectator’s pile it still bears the stamp. It is necessary only to have a stamp previously affixed to the duplicate. However, be sure to have the spectator (first) count his cards face down after unwrapping, otherwise the climax will be reached too soon.
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