With pack in hand, note the bottom card – then request a spectator to deal three cards from the top of the pack onto the table, thus : (1) (2) (3), about three inches apart. Do this yourself by way of illustration. Now gather up the cards and shuffle the pack, bringing the bottom card, which you had previously noted (we shall call it the six of clubs) to second from the top. Now hand the pack to the spectator who you have chosen to carry out your instructions, and request him to deal the three top cards in the manner you have chosen.
When he has done so you remark “I will now turn my back to you, and I want you to augment these three cards with as many more as you please. In other words, I want you to make three heaps of equal number, not less than four in each heap, but as many more as you like. When you have done so, I will, with my back towards you and without asking a single question, reduce the total number of cards to any small number you may suggest, and after you have put a number of cards in your pocket, I will tell you how many you have put there. I will now turn my back, and please deal the cards softly, so that it will be impossible for me to know the number of cards you have on the table.” (Turn your back.)
When your instructions have thus far been carried out, remark “You have a number of cards on the table, and it is, you will admit, utterly impossible for me to know how many there are. Tell me to what small number you would like me to reduce them to.”
We will suppose you are requested to reduce them to two. Proceed with your instructions, as follows :- “Take three cards from each of the two outside heaps and place them on the middle heap. Thanks. Now count the number of cards in one of the outside heaps, and take that number of cards from the middle heap and put them in the pack.”
When that has been done request him to put the two outside heaps in the pack also. Then remark : – “You have now got one heap of cards on the table. I don’t know how many cards there are. (But, of course, you do know, because when the above instructions are carried out it always leaves nine cards in the remaining heap, no matter what number of cards there may have been at the commencement. This is the secret of the trick.) I want you to put the top half of those cards in your pocket. If there happens to be an odd number, please put the larger half from the top into your pocket.”
Carrying out your instructions he, of course, places five cards into his pocket. You continue, “You requested me to reduce the number of cards on the table to two, so take two more cards from the heap on the table and place them into the pack. Thank you. I have now fulfilled my predictions. You have two cards on the table and five cards in your pocket. I think you will admit that I’m correct. I will make one more prediction. Take the top card of the two on the table and put it back into the pack. Thanks. There is but one card on the table, and I can visualize only the six of clubs. Please look at it.”
Note : It matters not what number you are asked to deal with. It is in your own hands when you have got one heap of nine. For instance, if you were asked to reduce the number of cards to four, the thing is done when you have requested your assistant to take the larger half from the top and put them in his pocket.
For three he is instructed to take one card from the heap on the table and return it to the pack. For two he does as already shown. For one, take three from the heap and return to pack. For a higher number – six, for instance, request your assistant to retake two from the pack and add them to these on the table.
The trick can be repeated. When you do so it is better to vary the operation to take the SMALLER half from the top to be put into his pocket. The last feature – the naming of the card on the table – can be retained or omitted at the option of the performer.
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