This is one of those rare effects wherein the performer does it all and never requires the taking of a card. It is simple, the sleights are nil, and the routine, while not astounding, is neat and gives the impression of great skill with the pasteboards. It is impromptu and uses only eight aces at any time. Remove the aces from two decks, and while the backs of all should be alike, in a pinch backs of the same color will do. If a pinochle deck is handy, take the eight aces from it. Routine : The eight aces are…
Performing with a one-way deck has a drawback that doesn't seem to have been appreciated by performers in general. This point, however, makes itself apparent to the watchers after a trick or two and I'm surprised that the idea I'm writing of hasn't popped up before. To offset my various bad faults when working I have one good trait I am always certain about. I am able to judge an effect upon an audience and visualize myself in their position. I can always figure close to what will be going through their minds in following the actions of a performer…
If one can use a clever force of a specific card with the appearance of a genuine selection, this is it. Two cards can be forced at the same time with no more effort. Suppose, for instance, you are going to force a deuce. Put the three other 2 spots on top of the deck and have near the center the one to be selected. To locate this from the back, it is best to dot the upper left and lower right corners. Fan the deck near the center and have 1 or 2 spectators take out three or four…
This effect, while a complete number in itself, makes possible two things heretofore considered impossible. Using a P&L metal card box you can actually change one or two cards and leave the rest unchanged. Secondly you can change cards that have been initialed. Two decks are used in the effect. One has a red back and the other is blue. Taking the blue deck the performer removes a card which he openly shows and has a spectator initial. Picking up a metal card box, the performer places the card face up within where it is fairly seen by all. Now…
Historical is the trick wherein the spectator is apparently made to name a card placed face down by the performer and in answer to his queries as to colors, suits and values. The main fault of course, is the constant variance in using or discarding the selection made each time. The layout I'm using for these presentations came to light through Walter B. Gibson except for the handling of the third layout of three which I think original. I included it in my compilation of Forces but it is not a very good force method because it is a long…
In The Jinx #5 for February 1935 there appeared two methods for performing an effect popularly labeled The Lie Detective. A spectator would read through a genuinely shuffled deck, lying at any time instead of calling the card correctly, whereupon the performer, at a distance and with back turn, would wax furious at such deception. Mr Christ approached me later with what he considers a better presentation and climax in the eyes of the audience. I quite agree that this present effect will hold attention to the finish whereas in the former case (it's still a good one) there was…
I have a nice version of the sympathetic cards that allows it being performed before a goodly sized audience. It has enough flash to it in the working to interest the ones not participating and certainly the selection of the cards from their decks (especially the second) couldn't be fairer in appearance. It all boils down to two forces - of the same card - from two decks. When at a private party or club it may be possible to borrow one of the two decks, all of which helps in the build-up and after effect. Using a small stand…
Should I merely say "force" a card anymore when describing a trick, guns would roar and moans be heard for a long time (that's because I suffer easily and to excess). Not satisfied with my head bending efforts when I put together 202 Methods of Forcing the customers wreck vengeance upon me everytime I mention 'force' and do not include a variation or new twist to those that have gone before. With that trite excuse I reveal an honest-to-goodness pet of mine and one that I've used constantly for nearly three years. It's only a combination of two known principles…
This effect is totally new from the audience's point of view and that is something to be looked for in this day when effects are pretty difficult to evolve. The performer states that very few people have a retentive mind and remember what they actually see. He states that in every accident case, there are contradictory stories about what actually happened. To prove his point he takes a deck from its case and shuffles. Passing to a spectator and holding the deck very openly and fairly on his left hand he asks this party to lift up the corner and…
For those who want a clean and showy method for doing the four ace trick in front of audiences I offer my conception of the age old problem that never seems to die. Duplicates of three of the aces are used and these are long cards. Have them in the right coat pocket with a rubber band. The deck is unprepared and can be used for anything else. Start by handing deck to a spectator with the request that he take out the four aces and mark them. While he is thus occupied, palm out the three duplicates and add…