Once in a while a really good effect pops up and is found to be different in its psychological appearance to an audience. There isn't any definite part of this that is new or original except for the dress. Dr Jacob Daley first told me of the general effect using playing cards for both spectators used. Al Baker then came along with the idea of illustrating to one person how the slip should be torn for burning, and getting information in this ingeniously ordinary way. Finally, after using the stunt for a dozen or more times as an impromptu item,…
Most of the tricks along this line use only one spectator and the performer. Now it is possible to use two spectators for a double effect. Two ordinary decks are needed. The working will suffice to make clear the effect itself. Hand one deck to one spectator and have him shuffle. As he finishes this, hand the second deck to the other person to mix also. While he shuffles, take back the first deck and give it a further mixing while obviously waiting for the second person to finish. You note both the top and bottom cards of your pack.…
Both this trick and the one to follow, make use of new angles with a two kind force deck. I say that now for those who may not wish to go further. I've used both, before magical gatherings, at one time or another, and it's only because they puzzled that I'm sold on them. As to the propriety of using such decks, I won't argue. In the first effect, you advance on the unsuspecting spectators, and have someone cut the deck anywhere they like and remove the top card of lower half. A person near them is asked to take…
Editor's note: I can't offer any apologies for bringing out again what I have considered one of the best combination trick decks extant. Nearly 15 years ago it could be obtained for $3.50, and I have reason to believe that not many were released. Today it is unknown, in no book, and an excellent routine has been dormant long enough. A Super-Clever Creation in Cardology is this, and it allows the following experiments to be performed without skill, practice, or long study. Nothing but the cards are needed, there are no duplicates, no markings, no pasted cards, no sleights, the…
Ever since magicians started their attempts to pass a thought of card from one spot to another, Dr. Lyons has desired such an effect which would be absolutely impromptu. It appears that he has solved the problem. A member of the audience comes forward and may be seated before a small table. He brings a pack of his own, and two envelopes. He mixes the cards and gives them to the performer, who counts off ten cards and puts them on the table. The spectator is asked to spread them face down, and while the performer's back is turned, to…
Whenever I read about the magician sitting down and showing how expert he is at the card table, it invariably is at Poker. I have seen only one manuscript that dealt with the game of Bridge. I don't know the exact reason for the amount of Poker tricks, but I do know that the following test of one's skill (?) at Rhummy has been very well received whenever the chance has come for me to use it. You explain that you will demonstrate how a rhummy player can win his game. Asking for a representative player from the assembled guests,…
Only with prepared cards, has this effect heretofore been performed. Standing with your right side to the audience, hold twelve cards in your right hand. Fan them with their faces to the audience, and slowly turn your hand to show the backs as well as the fronts. Close the fan and place the cards in your left hand, with faces outward. Now rapidly count the cards from left hand to the right, as follows: Push the first card forward with the left thumb, pull it away with the right thumb, then grip it at the ends between the right first…
Back in the March, 1935 issue of The Jinx ( #6 ) there appeared a billet reading method of great value. The test, in that case, used a newspaper and on a torn out piece a word was encircled. I have found that many are not in a position to read the stolen paper, and this variation in a slightly different dress, will make for greater ease in the reading. In your left coat pocket have a deck of cards and a match or two. Give the pack to a person with the request that he look them over well…
If you have one of the P&L metal card boxes sitting around, this makes an excellent effect as an after dinner or parlor trick. Any card box that locks though, can be used. In short, the spectator writes the name of some dead person on a small card which you give them, and it is placed writing side down and covered with a Queen from the deck. You then put the Queen to your ear, leaving the card with the dead name on the table, but she says nothing. You try again, but still no result. Then, with the remark…
One of the many variations in card spelling, but with a different twist, is the following. Set your deck by having all cards that spell with twelve letters on top. There are 14 of them in all: the 4-5-9-J-K of Hearts and Spades, and the 3-7-8-Q of Clubs. Above these put four indifferent cards. Hand the deck to a spectator with the request that while your back is turned he is to count off any number, say up to a dozen, in one pile. You direct him to pocket these for the moment and deal another pile of the same…