125 Tricks With Cards

W !LL ALMA M.I.M.C. a O N D O N )

125 Tricks With Cards Or Sleight of Hand Introductory

Ttie State Library of Victoria "A L M A CONJUIUM ® CO LLECTIO N ” O u t o f a ll ty p e s o f s le ig h t-o f-h a n d and o th e r k in d s o f tr ic k s , fe w a re so a ttr a c tiv e to th e a v e ra g e a m a te u r as those p e rfo rm e d w it h th e assistance o f a deck o f cards. I n n e a rly e v e ry g ro u p can be fo u n d a t le a s t one in d iv id u a l w h o can do one o r m ore ca rd s tr ic k s , b u t th e p e rso n w h o has a t h is fin g e r­ tip s th e a b ilit y to p re s e a t in th e c o r­ r e c t m a n n e r a f a i r l y c o n tin u o u s n u m ­ b e r is s t i l l ra re . T h e re fo re th e p e rso n w h o has th e p a tie n c e to m a s te r some o f th e b e t­ t e r t r ic k s to th e p o in t w h e re th e y can be p re se n te d w it h confidence and suc­ cess r e a lly is u n iq u e. T hese t r ic k s are n o t le a rn e d to th e p o in t o f p e rfe c tio n a t one o r tw o tr ia ls . N a tu r a lly , th e re a re some w h o can le a rn to u n d e rs ta n d a t r ic k w it h a fe w re a d in g s o f th e In s tru c tio n s , b u t th e re Is s o m e th in g else th a t a lso m u s t be s tu d ie d — th e c o rre c t m o v e m e n t o f th e fin g e rs. T he t r ic k s m u s t be p e rfo rm e d d e ft ly and w it h as sm o o th a flo w o f m o tio n as p o ssible. T h e a c tio n m u s t n o t be je r k y a nd in c o h e re n t o r th e e n tire e ffe c t is sp o ile d and u s u a lly th e s e c re t o f th e t r ic k g iv e n a w a y . P a lm in g , p a s s in g and fo r c in g a re p e rh a p s th e b a ckb on e o f th e c a rd t r ic k sequences. These In s tru c tio n s s h o u ld be s tu d ie d to th e p o in t w h e re th e y can be p e rfo rm e d w it h h a rd ly a n y m ore d if f ic u lt y th a n i t is to ra is e a f o r k to one’s lip s . T he h is to ry o f c a rd t r ic k s goes b a ck to th e m id d le ages and f o r ye a rs I t w a s re g a rd e d as g e n u in e m a g ic to be a b le to p e rfo rm some o f th e s tr a n g e r s le ig h ts , as a re o ffe re d in th is book. H o w e v e r, th e se cre ts a re so s im p le th a t once u n d e rs to o d th e y a re v e r y seldom fo rg o tto n . O f course, th e re Is m o re to c a rd t r ic k s th a n th e m e re p re s e n ta tio n o f th e m o tio n s . Y o u m u s t d e ve lo p a c o n ­ tin u o u s lin e o f p a tte r, as th e sta g e p e r­ fo rm e rs te rm It , to keep u p th e I n t e r ­ est o f th e au d ie nce and a lso to d ir e c t th e a tte n tio n o f th e a u d ie nce fr o m y o u r

fin g e rs w h e n a s le ig h t is a b o u t to be p e rfo rm e d . Y o u w i l l h ave to im i­ ta te th e v e n tr ilo q u is t and h is “ s p e a k ­ in g d u m m y ” w h o m he h o ld s on h is knees. T h e audience w a tch e s w it h r a p t in te re s t th e m ovem ents o f th e d u m m y, w h ic h is ju s t w h a t th e v e n tro lo q u is t w a n ts , f o r th e n . th e y w o n ’t see th e co rn e rs o f h is o w n m c u th m o v in g w h ile th e w o rd s a p p a re n tly a re co m ­ in g o u t h is "s to o g e ’s’’ lip s . T he b e g in n e r can re s t assured o f one th in g and th a t is th a t th e t r ic k s in th is b o o k a re th o se used b y some o f th e fo re m o s t m aste rs. T he e x p e rts w h o w o rk e d o u t th e c o rre c t p re s e n ta ­ t io n o f th e t r ic k s c o n ta in e d in th is b o o k a ll w e re re co g n ize d as a m o n g th e r e a l m aste rs. T h e t r ic k s a re sound a nd w h e n p ro p e r ly p re se n te d w i l l r e n ­ d e r th e e ffe cts desired. T h e re a re m a n y tr ic k s w h ic h do n o t re q u ire a n y e q u ip m e n t and i t f r a n k ly w a s th e in te n tio n o f fh e p u b lis h e rs to in c lu d e as m a n y o f th is ty p e as p o ssible. M o st o f th e e q u ip m e n t r e ­ q u ire d w it h some o f th e m o re e la b o ra te t r ic k s can e a s ily be o b ta in e d . M uch o f i t can be m ade b y th e p e rfo rm e r, i f he is g e n u in e ly in te re s te d in th e pos­ s ib ilitie s . In fa c t, m o s t o f th e m a ste rs w h o appeared f o r ye a rs on th e sta g e a nd in p riv a te m a n u fa c tu re d t h e ir o w n e q u ip m e n t. F r a n k ly , m o st o f th e e q u ip ­ m e n t on th e m a r k e t is copied fr o m p r o ­ d u c ts w h ic h th o se m a ste rs devised. W h e th e r th e re a d e r w a n ts to e n te r in to th e c o n s id e ra tio n o f these m ore in t r ic a t e p o s s ib ilitie s is e n tir e ly up to h im s e lf. T h e b o o k abounds w it h n u ­ m e ro u s t r ic k s and s le ig h ts w h ic h can be m a ste re d w it h in a s h o rt p e rio d o f tim e a nd th e p u b lis h e rs c o n fid e n tly p re d ic t th a t once th e e a sie r t r ic k s have been m a ste re d th e d e s ire to p e rfo rm th e h a rd e r ones w i l l be h a rd to suppress. T h e re a re some w h o co n te n d th a t c a rd t r ic k s r e a lly s ta rte d s h o r tly a f ­ t e r p la y in g ca rd s w e re in tro d u c e d in ­ t o E u ro p e a n d w e re w o rk e d o u t b y th e

2

125 T R IC K S W IT H CA RDS OR SL E IG H T OP H A N D

w o r ld ’s f ir s t cheats in ca rd games. As soon as th e craze f o r cards became g e n e ra l th e re w e re those w h o w o rk e d o u t a fe w o f th e s im p le r w a ys w h e re b y cards co u ld be s w itc h e d to th e b e n efit o f e ith e r one o r m ore in d iv id u a ls in those games w h e re w a g e rs and sta ke s w e re b e in g s o u g h t a fte r. N a tu ra lly , th e n u m b e r o f these e a rly cheats was s m a ll and u n t il t h e ir n e fa rio u s scheme w a s suspected th e y had gain e d co n sid ­ e ra b le riches, a c c o rd in g to these h is ­ to ria n s . H o w e ve r, i t w as n o t lo n g be­ fo re th e ir schemes w e re uncovered and became, to a c e rta in e x te n t, th e k n o w ­ ledge o f so m a n y th a t i t w a s im p ra c ­ tic a l to use them a t g a m in g ta b le s. T o be a t th is s itu a tio n th e cheats m e re ly co n ce n tra te d on fin d in g new m ethods a t p a lm in g cards, s w itc h in g cards, s ta c k in g th e decks, etc., etc., u s u a lly m a n a g in g to keep ju s t a l i t t le b it ahead o f th e ir p u rsu e rs. W h ile th e n a tu re o f ca rd tr ic k s is f a ir l y w e ll u n d ersto o d th e m ethod o f d o in g th e m is s t i l l m ore o r less a g e n e ra l m y s te ry . T h is is w h y so m a n y resp e cta b le p e r ­ sons are a n n u a lly lu re d in to games by p ro fe s s io n a l g a m b le rs w h o u n d e rsta n d c a rd t r ic k s and a g a in s t w h o m th e u n ­ s u s p e c tin g v ic tim has no chance o f co m p e tin g . The a n n u a l t o ll ru n s in to m a n y hu n dre d s o f thousands and the p ro fe s s io n a l g a m b le r a lw a y s 'w ill find v ic tim s because so fe w persons u n d e r­ sta n d w h a t can be done w it h a pack o f c a rd s / a f e r t ile m in d and d e ft fin g e rs. O f course, th e g re a t m a jo r ity o f card t r ic k s th a t have been handed d o w n th ro u g h g e n e ra tio n a fte r g e n e ra tio n are based on th e g re a t o p p o rtu n ity f o r e n te rta in m e n t w h ic h th e y o ffe r. C ards can be made to rise fru rn the ta b le , flu t t e r th ro u g h th e a ir, change th e ir Id e n titie s w h ile in f u l l v ie w o f e v e ry ­ one— in fa c t so m a n y th in g s can be done th a t s u g g est s tr o n g ly o f b la c k m a g ic th a t th e co n scie n tio u s p e rfo rm e r can m ake peoples’ h a ir lit e r a lly sta n d on end. E q u ip m e n t and accessories became th e r e s u lt o f a desire f o r v a rie ty in p ro g ra m s and e n te rta in m e n ts b y th e old m asters. Once these m aste rs had p e rfe c te d a ll k n o w n tr ic k s and s le ig h ts th e y im m e d ia te ly s o u g h t m ore. The n e w ones w e re th e r e s u lt o f e ffo rts

and s tu d y in g th a t som etim es covered m a n y years. P o r in sta n ce, th e t r ic k in w h ic h a ca rd is to rn up b y th e a u d ­ ience and th e n made to rea p p e a r w h o le , in a fra m e on th e stage, w it h the excep­ tio n o f a s in g le piece o f th e supposedly to r n ca rd m issin g , a c tu a lly to o k ye a rs to w o r k out. B u t w h e n i t w as p e rfe c t­ ed th e o ld m a s te r k n e w w h e n he said he co u ld do th e t r ic k th a t i t w o u ld be done s m o o th ly and th a t th e am aze­ m e n t o f th e audience a t seeing th e to r n c o rn e r rea p p e a r and fu rth e r m o r e to have one o f th e audience f it in th e piece he re ta in e d w h e n th e c a rd w a s rip p e d to shreds w o u ld be a lm o s t u n believeable. S till, th is t r ic k can be w o rk e d o u t i f th e spe cia l e q u ip m e n t is obtained. O f g re a t va lu e also is th e a b ilit y o f th e a m a te u r to a p p ea r e xce e d in g ly n a tu r a l d u rin g th e p re s e n ta tio n o f w h a t tr ic k s he m ay have m astered. .There sh o u ld be li t t l e in h is a c tio n to in d ic a te th a t he considers h im s e lf a fin ish e d m a g icia n . T he m a g ic ia n u s u a l­ ly accom plishes h is fe a ts to th e accom ­ p a n im e n t o f v a s t flo u rish e s, excessive fa n fa re , etc., b y w h ic h he im presses h is a udience o f th e g re a t d if f ic u lt y and s tr a in c o in c id e n t w it h p re s e n ta tio n o f h is tric k s . T he a m a te u r w h o can p e r­ fo rm a sequence o f c a rd tr ic k s in a fa s h io n th a t m akes i t a p p ea r th a t i t re q u ire s a lm o s t no e ffo rt m akes his audience w o n d e r th e m ost. The p a tte r can be casual and easy, ju s t as th o u g h i t w ere p a rt o f the o rd in a ry co n ve rsa ­ tio n . W h e n th e audience sees th e cards do s tra n g e tr ic k s w it h a lm o s t no e ffo rt th e y become so im pressed th a t th e re is a lw a y s th e dem and f o r m ore and also a tte m p ts to im ita te , w h ic h n a t u r ­ a lly a lw a y s come to f a ilu r e and w h ic h g re a tly increase th e resp e ct f o r th e p e rfo rm e r. T he sp e cia l e q u ip m e n t, o f course, does n o t f it in w ith th e p la n s ,o f th e p erson d e s irin g to p re se n t ca rd tr ic k s as a casual in te rlu d e in w h a t m ay be a ca rd p a r ty o r a house p a rty . E q u ip ­ m e n t a lw a y s su g g ests c a re fu l p re p a ra ­ tio n and n a tu r a lly th e p e rfo rm e r m u s t be c a re fu l to m ake h is appearance, p a tte r, etc., a p p e a r in lin e w it h th e n a tu re o f h is sp e cia l e quipm ent.

125 Tricks with Cards Or Sleight of Hand

T o bo •» s u c c e s s f u l a r t i s t , it is e s s e n ­ t i a l t h a t th is, th e p a s s , be m a s t e r e d to th e p o in t w h e r e a b s o l u t e l y no c h a n c e o f f a i l u r e e x i s t s . T h e d e c k is h eld as in th e f ir st i l l u s t r a t i o n , w i t h

th e li ttl e fin ge r o f th e l e f t h a n d i n s e r t ­ ed o v e r th e c a r d to be b r o u g h t to the top. N ow c o v e r the d e c k w ith th e r i g h t har.d. G r a s p th e lo w e r p o r t i o n o f the d e c k l e n g t h w i s e b e t w e e n the se c o n d

f in g e r a t th e u p p e r , a n d th e t h u m b a t f h e lo w e r end, th e le f t t h u m b l y i n g s l i g h t l y be nt a c r o s s th e p a c k . P r e s s th e u p p e r e d g e o f the l o w e r p a c k e t ' ito th e f o r k of th e l e f t t h u m b so

t h a t th e tw o p a c k e t s w i ll b e in th e p o ­ s i t i o n d e p i c te d in th e se c o n d i l l u s t r a * tion. F i n g e r s o f th e le f t h a n d a r e now e x te n d e d , c a u s i n g th e u p p e r p o r t i o n o f th e d e c k to be d r a w n a w a y , a t th e

s a m e ti m e r a i s i n g ( w i t h th e r i g h t h a n d ) (he lo w e r e d g e o f th e u n d e r d e c k u n t i l the e d g e s o f th e p a c k e t s j u s t c l e a r e a c h o th er. H e r e r e f e r to th e th i r d i l ­ l u s t r a t i o n . W h en th e p a c k e t s a r e a t t h i s p o s i t io n by th e m e r e a c t o f c l o s ­ i n g the l e f t h a n d th ey w ill be b r o u g h t t o g e t h e r a s a t fir st e x c e p t t h a t th ey h a v e c h a n g e d p l a c e s a n d th e d e s i r e d c a r d w i ll now be on th e top. T h e l e t ­ t e r s A a n d B in the i l l u s t r a t i o n s w i l l m a k e t h i s cle a r. TH E FORCE T h i s t r i c k c o n s i s t s o f b e i n g a b l e \ic m a k e a s p e c t a t o r s e l e c t a c e r t a i n card, s o m e t h i n g w h ich is p o s i t i v e l y in d is p e n s i b l e in c e r t a i n tr i c k s . I t a l w a y s h a s p r o v e n d i ff i c u l t to t e a c h a novic e how to a c c o m p l i s h t h i s t r i c k in w r i t i n g , b u t a c t u a l e x p e r i ­ m e n t w i l l so o n s h o w r e s u l t s . T h e c a r d y o u w i s h s e l e c t e d is g e n e r a l l y a t the top or a t th e b o tto m o f th e d ec k , the p a s s is now beinpr m a d e (bringring the p a r t i c u l a r c a r d to th e m i d d l e ) a n d the d e c k is s p r e a d o u t fanw :s th e s e c o n d

I

rR IC K S W IT H CA ItDS OR SL E IG H T O F H A N D

fin ge r o f th e r i g h t h an d m e a n w h i le pr essing- on the b(Tttom o f the n e c e s ­ s a r y c a r d , a s the i l l u s t r a t i o n sh o w s. N o w a s p e c t a t o r is a s k e d to s e l e c t a c a r d f r o m the d ec k, the p e r f o r m e r m e a n t i m e r u n n i n g the c a r d s q u i c k ly f r o m h a n d to h a n d and, a s th e s p e c ­ t a t o r ’s fin g e r s a p p r o a c h th e d ec k, the se co n d f in g e r o f the r i g h t h an d l i t e r ­ a l l y p u s h e s the d e s i r e d c a r d in to h i s

tak-e a p a c k a n d offe r the s a m e c a r d s in li k e m a n n e r to th e s e c o n d a n d th ir d p e r so n , t a k i n g c a r e t h a t th ey d o n o t s t a n d n e a r e n o u g h to see th e ca rd e ac h o t h e r d r a w s . You th en d r a w s e v e r a l c a r d s y o u r ­ se lf, a m o n g w h ich i s th e l o n g c ard , a n d a s k eac h o f the p a r t i e s if h is c a r d be a m o n g th o s e c a r d s ; he w ill n a t u r a l l y s a y y es, a s th ey h a v e a ll d r a w n the s a m e ca r d . Y ou th en sh u ff le a l l th e c a r d s to g e t h e r , c u t t i n g th em a t the l o n g c a r d ; you hold it b e f o r e the fir st p e r s o n s o t h a t o t h e r s m a y not s e e it a n d telJ him t h a t it is h is c a rd . Y ou t h en p u t it in th e p a c k , sh u ff le it, a n d c u t it a g a i n a t the s a m e c a r d , a n d hold it to th e s e c o n d p e r so n , a n d so to the r est. Y ou c a n p e r f o r m this recreation w i t h o u t the l o n g c a r d in the followingm anner: L e t a n y p e r s o n d r a w a car d , a n d r e ­ p l a c e it in the p a c k . Y ou th en m a k e th e p a s s , a n d b r i n g t h a t c a m to the top o f the p a c k a n d sh u ff le th em w i t h ­ o u t l o s i n g s i g h t o f t h a t card. You then t -i< a s in d ica ted in th e s e c o n d iloffer th a t c a r d to th e s e c o n d p e r s o n : -ii which s h o w s h ow the c a r d th a t he m a y d r a w it a n d p u t it in the is p u sh e d f o r w a r d . T o be a b s o l u t e l y i m id d le of the p a c k . Y ou m a k e the p a s s s u r e o f su cc ess * the c a r d to be f o rc e d a n d sh u ff le the c a r d s th e se c o n d ti m e sh o u ld be a bit m o r e e x p o s e d th a n in the s a m e m an n e r, an d offe r th e c a r d the oth e r s. T h is , h o w e v e r, is- j n e r e l y to the th ir d p e r so n , s o a g a i n to the f o u r t h o r fifth. the o u tl i n e o f th e t r i c k , a n d t o be D EC EPTIV E SH U FF L E S T h e r e a r e th r e e k i n d s. T h e fi^st ia to m i x all the c a r d s e x c e p t i n g one, ot’ w h ic h you n e v e r l o s e s i g h t . To do tha^, y o u m u s t in the fir st p la c e p u t i t upon th e p a c k , th en t a k e it in the r i g h t h and , r e t a i n i n g th e b a l a n c e o f the p a c k in th e l e f t ; w i t h the th u m b of t h i s l a s t hand, s li p into th e r i g h t hand five or s i x o th e r c a r d s upon t h i s r e ­ v e r s e d c ard , a n d u p o n t h e s e l a s t five or s i x a g a i n , a n d s o on u n til a l l the p a c k is fo u n d in y o u r r i g h t hand. B y th i s m e a n s th e r e s e r v e d c a r d w ill be fo u n d a t the b o ttom , a n d if a t th e m o ­ m e n t you r e t u r n the w h o le p a c k into s u c c e s s f u l it m u s t b e tr ie d a g a i n a n d i the le f t h an d e x c e p t i n g only th e u p ­ a g a i n . In d if fe re n c e is one o f th e g r e a t , i p e r m o s t c a rd , you c a n p a s s s u c c e s ­ es t a s s e t s w h en th e t r i c k is offered. s i v e l y a ll the c a r d s f r o m th e l e f t to H o w e v e r , th ^r e is a n e s c a p e sh o u ld th e r i g h t hand, t h r o u g h p l a c i n g the tho. s p e c t a t o r d ec lin e to t a k e the s u g - ; c a r d s a l t e r n a t e l y a b o v e a n d b e l o w the g e s t e d card. S h o u ld t h i s h a ppen , m e r e ­ a f o r e s a i d u p p e r m o s t r e s e r v e d c ard , u n ­ ly s u g g e s t t h a t he r e p l a c e the c a r d in til you r e a c h the r e s e r v e d c ard , which the d ec k a n y w h e r e , p u t the li ttl e fin­ y o u p u t on th e top, o r th e b o ttom , a s g e r on it, m a k e the p a s s b r i n g i n g it c i r c u m s t a n c e s r equ ire. to the top, f r o m w h ich p o si t io n it c a n T h e se co n d d e c e p t i v e sh u ff le c o n s i s t s be p a lm e d off, or th e t r i c k finish ed a s in t a k i n g f r o m the r i g h t hand, the t h e f a n c y d i c t a t e s . T h e c a r d is now u p p e r m o s t h a l f o f a p a c k held in th e f o r c e d on s o m e m o r e a c c o m o d a t i n g left, in m o v i n g a d r o i t l y the a n n u l a r p erson . f in ge r o f the r i g h t , to a l l o w the r a r d s to s lip w i t h o u t d e r a n g i n g th e i r o r d e r ; T H E D IV IN IN G C A R D a n d n o t ic e : 1st. T h a t a f t e r h a v i n g m o v . P r o v i d e a p a c k in whic^i t h e r e is a ed the c a r d s o f a p a c k w i th the a n n u ­ lo n g c a r d ; open it a t t h a t p a r t w h e r e l a r fin ge r o f th e r i g h t h a n d a s w© h a v e the lo n g c a r d is, a n d p r e s e n t th e p a c k s a i d , it is n e c e s s a r y to p la c e b e n e a t h to a p e r s o n in s u c h a m a n n e r th a t he t h e p a c k in the r i g h t h an d a card, w ill n a t u r a l l y d r a w t h a t c a r d . T h e n a n d one or tw o o t h e r s ’m m e d i a t e l v f o l ­ tell him to p u t it into one p a r t o f th e l o w i n g it, to m a k e p r e t e n c e o f l e a v ­ p a c k , a n d s h u f f l e th e ca rd3. You i n g s o m e w h olly u n d e r n e a th . T h e se ,

125 TR IC K S W IT H CA R D S OR SL E IG H T OF H A N D h o w e v e r m u s t be b r o u g h t b a c k u n d e r th e p a c k a g e in th e le f t han d. 2d. T h a t th e p a c k a g e in th e l e f t h and , w h ic h w a s in th e fir st i n s t a n c e b e n e a th , a n d w h ic h is a c t u a l l y a b o v e o u g h t to be t a k e n into th e r i g h t h a n d to be r e t u r n ­ ed s l o w l y to i t s f ir st pla c e. T h e th i r d d e c e p t i v e sh u ff le c o n s i s t s in m a k i n g the p a s s to r e t a i n the c a r d s in th e r i g h t hand, a n d to d i v i d e th e in f e r i o r p o r ti o n into th r ee o th e r li ttle p a c k a g e s , of w h ich th e fir st f a l l s upon t h e ta b le , th e s e c o n d to th e r i g h t , a n d th e th ird to the le ft. T h e u p p e r h a l f is th en p la c e d in the m id d le ; s h o u l d y o u t r a n s p o r t u pon th is h a l f the p a c k a g e s o f th e r i g h t a n d the left, w h i le f o l l o w ­ i n g th e s a m e order, a n d e m p l o y i n g a l ­ t e r n a t e l y the r i g h t h a n d a n d th e le f t f o r g r e a t e r q u i c k n e s s , a n d to c a u s e it l a p p e a r t h a t you sh u ff le b y c h a n c e nd w ’ t h o u t p r e m e d i t a t i o n . T h e c a r d s , ' ■ a p p e a r i n g to c o m m i n g le , w ill he Y* . n e v e r to h a v e c h a n g e d p l a c e s . TO S M U G G L E A C A R D To s m u g g l e a c ard , it is n e c e s s a r y , fi r s t to held it b e tw e e n the ind ex a n d m i d ­ d le fin ge r o f th e r i g h t h a nd , a n d to h o ld t h e r e s t o f th e d e c k in th e l e f t h a nd , b e tw e e n th e f in g e r a n d th u m b o f th at hand. T h e u p p e r c a r d , w h i c h y o u d e s i r e to s u b s t i t u t e , o u g h t to be a l i t t l e a d v a n c e d t o w a r d th e r i g h t hand. In t h i s p o s i t io n the m iddle , a n n u l a r , a n d l i t t le f in g e r s o f th e le f t h a n d a r e p e r f e c t l y fre e , a n d it is w i t h t h e s e f i n g e r s t h a t y o u m u s t t a k e the c a r d w h ich is in th e r i g h t h and a n d w h en t h a t is b r o u g h t n e a r th e l e f t hand, in th e t w i n k l i n g o f a n eye t a k e f r o m it th e u p p e r m o s t c a r d w h i c h y o ” . w i s h to su b stitu te. TO S L I P A C A R D To s li p a c a r d it is n e c e s s a r y , fir st to h o ld th e d e c k in th e r i g h t h an d , a n d s h o w th e s p e c t a t o r the u n d e r m o s t c a r d . | w h ich w e w i ll s u p p o s e to be th e Ace o f D i a m o n d s , se cond , tu r n the p a c k u p s i d e dow n, u n d e r p r e t e n c e o f t a k i n g t h i s A c e o f D i a m o n d s ; th ird , t a k e i n ­ s t e a d o f the A c e o f D i a m o n d s , th e c a r d i m m e d i a t e l y f o l l o w i n g it, in c a u s ­ i n g th i s A ce o f D i a m o n d s to s li p b e ­ h ind w ith th e a n n u l a r a n d l i t t l e fin g e r s o f th e r i g h t h and , w h ich y ou h a v e dam pened a m om ent be fore w ith som e s a l i v a . T h e f in g e r o f th e l e f t h and , w ith w h ich is d r a w n th e se co n d c a r d i n s t e a d o f th e fir st b e l o w it. s h o u l d be lik e w is e m oistened w ith saliva. TO C A R R Y A W A Y A C A R D To c a r r y a w a y one o r m o r e c a r d s , it *.s n e c e s s a r y : 1. To hold in th e le f t h a n d the c a r d s you d e s i g n to c a r r y a w a y , p o i s e d d i a g o n a l l y o v e r th e o th e r s, a n d a l i t t l e a d v a n c e d t o w a r d th e r i g h t han d. 2. T a k e t h e s e c a r d s w i t h th e l e f t h and , p r e s s i n g th e m s l i g h t l y b e t w e e n th e l i t t le f in g e r a n d th u m b.

5

3. L e an your righ t hand ca re le ssly upon the e d g e o f a t a b l e to c o n c e a l th© frau d . TO P L A C E A C A R D U p on o t h e r c a r d s hold in th e It,.', h a n d the i n s t a n t y o u a s k the s p e c t a t o r to p l a c e h i s h a n d u pon the p ack . T h e i n s t a n t y o u h a v e p la c e d the c a r d r e m o v e s l i g h t l y th e r i g h t f r o m th e l e f t hand, in s u c h a m a n n e r t h a t y o u a l m o s t to u ch the c a r d s w i th the l i t t l e fin ger, a s if to i n d i c a t e to the s p e c t a ­ t o r the p la c e w h e r e y o u i n v ite hi m to p u t th e h and . B y t h i s m e a n s he w i ll n o t p a y a t t e n t i o n to th e f a c t th a t the h a n d s a r e b r o u g h t t o w a r d one a n o t h e r to o p e r a t e a s l i g h t c h a n g e , a n d he h o n e s t l y p l a c e s h i s h a n d w h e n to o l a t e to p r e v e n t one. T H E CHANGE A c a r d held in th e h a n d m y s t e r i o u s ­ ly c h a n g e s to a n e n t i r e l y d iff e r e n t one. T h e c a r d to b e c h a n g e d is held b e ­ t w e e n th e f ir st a n d s e c o n d f in g e r o f t h e r i g h t h a n d , th e p a c k b e i n g h eld in th e left, w i t h th e c a r d f o r w h ic h th e fir st is to be c h a n g e d s l i g h t l y p r o j e c t ­ i n g f r o m the top. T h e r i g h " h a n d now m a k e s a s w e e p i n g m o tio n , a n d , a s i t

p a s s e s th e p a c k l e a v e s t h e c a r d a t th e b o t t o m a n d b r i n g s a w a y , w i t h th e t h u m b a n d fir st f in g e r th e to p one. T h i s m a y a p p e a r to t h e n e o p h y t e t o be i m ­ p o s s i b l e o f i n ae te c.ta b le e x e c u ti o n , b u t w i t h e v e n a l i t t l e p r a c t i c e it w ill be f o u n d * t h a t a p e r f e c t i l lu s i o n c a n be c r e a t e d . I f th e bo d y m a k e s a h a l f t u r n f r o m r i g h t t o le f t, i t w i l l g r e a t l y f a ­ c i l i t a t e th e d e c e p tio n , or if d on e in th o ar*t o f a d d r e s s i n g a s p e c t a t o r , a n d s l i g h t l y b e n d i n g f o r w a r d a t th e s a m e tim e. T H R E E C ARD S HEING P R E S E N T E D TO T H R E E P E R S O N S , T O G U E S S W H IC H E A C H H A S CHOSEN A s it is n e c e s s a r y t h a t th e card™ p r e s e n t e d to the th r e e p e r s o n s s h o u ld be d i s t i n g u i s h e d , w e s h a l l c a l l the fir st A, th e s e c o n d B, a n d th e t h i r d C ; b u t th e t h r e e p e r s o n s m a y be a t li b e r t y to c h o o s e a n y o f th e m th ey p l e a s e . T h i s choice, w h i c h is s u s c e p t i b l e o f s i x d i f ­ f e r e n t v a r i e t i e s , h a v i n g be en m a d e ,

x25 T R IC K S W IT H CA RDS OR SL E IG H T OF H A N D g « v t ■ i ' fir st p e r s o n 12 c o u n t e r s, to the se co n d 24, a n d to th e th ir d 36; th en d e s i r e the fir st p e r s o n to ad d t o ­ g e t h e r the h a l f o f th e c o u n t e r s o f th e p e r s o n w h o h a s c h o s e n the* c a r d A, th e th ird o f th o se o f the p e r s o n who h a s ‘c h osen B, a n d the f o u r t h p a r t o f th o s e o f the p e r s o n w h o h a s ch osen C, a n d a s k the su m , which m u s t be e ith e r 23 or 24; 25 or 27; 28 o r 29, a s j n the f o ll o w i n g 1 t a b l e ; F irst. Second. Third. S u m s. 12 21 36 A B C 23 24 A C B B A 25 C 27 C A B 28 B C A 29 C B A T h is t a b l e s h o w s t h a t i f the s u m 25, f o r e x a m p le , th e f ir st p e r s o n m u s t h a v e ch o s en the c a r d B, the se co n d th e c a r d A, a n d th e th ir d th e c a r d C; a n d t h a t if it b e 28, th e f ir s t p e r s o n m u s t h a v e c h o s en th e c a r d B, th e s e c ­ ond th e c a r d C, and th e th ir d th e c a r d A ; a n d s o o f th e r e st. T H E O R D IN A R Y P A L M It is o f t e n n e c e s s a r y to p a l m or c o n ­ c e a l a c a r d in the p a l m o f th e hand. S u p p o s e , f o r i n st a n c e , a c a r d is c h o s en ’rom th e p a c k a n d r e p la c e d . T h e “ p a s s ” is then m a d e a n d the c a r d b r o u g h t to e top. T h e p a c k is now held in the l e f t hand, the r i g h t h an d a p p r o a c h e s th e s a m e , a n d w i th th e se c o n d fin ge r p u s h e s f o r w a r d the top c a r d a n e i g h th o f a n inch o r more, a t the s a m e tim e e x e r t i n g a s l i g h t p r e s s u r e u pon it. T h i s c a u s e s the c a r d to be ti lte d into the p a l m o f the r i g h t hand, w h ich f o r t h w i t h g r a s p s th e p a c k b e t w e e n th e fir st fin ­ g e r an d th um b. T h e p a c k c a n n ow s a f e l y be h a n d e d to a n o t h e r s p e c t a t o r to t h o r o u g h ly s h u f f l e , and, w h en r e tu rn e d , the p e r ­ f o r m e r h a s no d i f f i c u l t y in s e c r e t l y replacing- th e p a l m e d c a r d on top.

v ,rhile th e c a r d is p a lm e d , a l l o w th e ■). nd to h a n g d o w n in a c a r e l e s s p o ­ s i t i o n , a n d nev er, u n d e r a n y c i r c u m ­ stan ces, even g l a n c e a t it. T h e b e g i n n e r s h o u l d d e v o t e a s m u ch ti m e a s p o s s i b l e to th e p r a c t i c e o f the

f o r e g o i n g s l e i g h t s , a s w h en he is p r o fi­ cie n t i n n u m e r a b l e n ew t r i c k s a n d c o m ­ b i n a t i o n s w ill s u g g e s t t h e m s e l v e s to h is mind. TO PRO DU CE A P A R T IC U L A R C AR D W IT H O U T S E E IN G T H E P A C K T a k e a d e c k o f c a r d s w i t h th e c o r ­ n e r s c u t off. P l a c e th em a l l one w a y , a n d a s k a p e r s o n to d r a w a c a r d ; w h e n he h a s d on e so , w h i le he is l o o k ­ i n g a t it, r e v e r s e the p a c k , s o t h a t w hen he r e t u r n s the c a r d to th e p a c k , th e c o r n e r o f it w ill p r o j e c t f r o m the r e s t ; let him s h u f f l e t h e m ; he w ill n^ve r o b s e r v e th e p r o j e c t i n g c ard . H old th em beh ind y o u r b a c k . Y ou can f eel th e p r o j e c t i n g c a r d — d r a w it out, a n d s h o w it. TO C A L L FO R A N Y C A R D JIN T H E PACK T h i s is a v e r y s i m p l e tr ick , bu t wil g r e a t l y a s t o n i s h a n a u d i e n c e 1 0 whon. it is n o t kn ow n . S e a t y o u r s e l f a t a t a b l e so a s to h a v e the w h o le o f th e c o m p a n y a s m u c h a s p o s s i b l e in f r o n t o f you a n d a t s o m e d i s t a n c e . T a k e th e p a c k o f c a r d s a s it u s u a l l y li es, and , in p a s s i n g it u n d e r the t a b l e o r be h in d 'ou. g l a n c e a t the c a r d w h ich h a p p e n s to be e x p o s e d ; then, p r e t e n d i n g to sh u ff le th e c a r d s , p la c e th e one y o u h a v e se e n b a c k to b a c k on th e o t h e r s i d e o f the p a c k , a n d h o ld i n g th e c a r d s f ir m ly by th e e d g e s , r a i s e y o u r h an d b e t w e e n y o u a n d th e c o m p a n y , a n d t how the c a r d you h a v e se en, c a l l i n g ou t, a t th e s a m e tim e, w h a t it is. O b s e r v e w h i c h c a r d i s f a c i n g you, ( f o r you h a v e n o w th e w h o le p a c k f a c i n g you, e x c e p t th e one c a r d w h ich is sh o w n to th e s p e c t a t o r s , ) p a s s t h e m u n d e r th e t a b l e a g a i n , a n d t r a n s f e r th e c a r d y o u h a v e j u s t s e e n to th e o th e r si d e o f the p a c k , h a n d l i n g th e c a r d s a s if s h u f f l i n g t h e m ; a g a i n e x ­ hibit, a n d c r y ou t th e n a m e o f th e c a r d tu r n e d to the c o m p a n y , t a k i n g c a r e to n o t ic e the c a r d t h a t f a c e s y o u r s e l f , w h ich c h a n g e a s b e f o r e an d so on. B y t h i s m e a n s you m a y g o o v e r th e w h o le p a c k , t e l l i n g eac h c a r d a s it is e x p o se d , w i t h o u t l o o k i n g a t th e c a r d s , e x c e p t w h e n th ey a r e held b e tw e e n you an d th e s p e c t a t o r s , a n d w h e n th e y a r e a n x i o u s l y l o o k i n g a t th em t h e m s e l v e s to s e e w h e t h e r y o u a r e r i g h t or not. T H E C H A N G EAB LE ACE T a k e the A c e o f D i a m o n d s , an d p la c e o v e r it w ith p a s t e or s o a p s > a s to s l i p e a s ily , a clu b c u t o u t o f th in p a p e r , s o a s to e n t i r e l y c o n c e a l it. A f t e r s h o w , i n g a p e r s o n the card, y o u le t him hold one en d o f it, a n d y o u hold th e other , a n d w h ile y o u a m u s e him w ith d i s ­ c o u r se , y o u s l i d e off the club. T h e n l a y ­ i n g th e c a r d on th e ta b l e , y o u bid h im c o v e r it w i t h h i s h a n d ; y o u then k n o c k u n d e r th e tab le, a n d c o m m a n d th e c lu 1 to t u r n into th e A c e o f D i a m o n d s .

125 TR IC K S W IT H CA R D S OlH E C O N V E R T IB L E ACES TIi.’j t r ic k is s im ila r to th e fo re ­ g o in g . On th e A ce o f Spades fix a H e a rt i ad on th e Ace o f H e a rts , a Spade, in th e m a n n e r a lre a d y described. S how these tw o Aces to th e co m p a n y; th e n, t a k in g the Ace o f Spades, you d e sire a person to p u t h is fo o t upon it, and as you place i t on th e g ro u n d d ra w a w a y th e Spade. In lik e m a n n e r yo u place th e s e e m i n g Ace of H e a r t s u n d e r the fo o t o f a n o th e r person. Y ou th e n com m and th e tw o cards to change t h e ir places. T H E M E T A M O R P H O S E D CARDS In the m id d le o f a p a c k p l a c e a c a r d t h a t is a l i t t le w i d e r t h a n the r est, w h ich we w ill s u p p o s e to be th e J a c k o f S p a d e s , u n d e r w h i c h p l a c e th e S e v e n o f D i a m o n d s , a n d u n d e r th a t, th e T e n o f C lub s. On th e to p o f th e p a c k p u t c a r d s s i m i l a r to t h e s e a n d o t h e r s on w h i c h a r e p a i n t e d d i ff e r e n t o b je c t s , viz.: F i r s t C a r d .........A B ird . Second C a r d . . . A Seven of D iam onds. T h i r d C a r d . . . .A F l o w e r . F o u rt h C a r d . . A n o th e r 7 of D iam on ds. F i f t h C a r d ___ A B ir d . S i x t h C a r d . . . . A T e n o f C lub s. Seventh C a r d . . A Flow er. E i g h t h C a r d . . .A n o th e r T e n o f C lu b s. T h e n s e v e n o r e i g h t i n d i ff e r e n t c a r d s , th e J a c k o f S p a d e s , w h i c h is th e w id e c ard , th e S e v e n of D i a m o n d s , t h e * T e r o f C lu b s, a n d th e r e s t a n y i n d i f f e r e n t cards. T w o p e r s o n s a r e to d r a w th e t w o c a r d s t h a t a r e u n d e r th e w i d e c a r d , w h ich a r e th e S e v e n o f D i a m o n d s an d th e T e n o f C lu b s. Y o u t a k e th e p a c k in y o u r le f t h and , a n d o p en it a t th e w i d e end, a s y o u op en a bo ok, a n d t e l l th e p e r s o n w h o d r e w th e S e v e n o f D i a m o n d s to p la c e it in t h a t op e n in g . Y o u th en b lo w on th e c a r d s , a n d w i t h ­ o u t c l o s i n g th em , i n s t a n t l y b r i n g th e c a r d w h i c h i s a t top, a n d on w h i c h a b ir d is p a i n t e d , o v e r t h a t S e v e n o f D i a ­ m o n d s. T o do t h i s d e x t e r o u s l y , y o u m u s t w e t th e m i d d le f in g e r o f y o u r l e f t han d, w i th w h ich y ou a r e to b r i n g th e c a r d to th e m i d d le o f th e p a c k . Y o u then bid th e p e r s o n l o o k a t h i s c ard , a n d w h en he h a s r e m a r k e d on th e c h a n g e , to p la c e it w h e r e i t w a s b e ­ fo re. T h e n b lo w on th e c a r d s a s e c o n d tim e, a n d b r i n g i n g th e S e v e n o f D i a ­ m on d s, w h ich is a t th e to p o f th e p a c k , to the o p e n in g , y o u bid him lo o k a t h i s c a r d a g a i n , w h e n h e w i ll s e e it is t h a t w h ich he d re w . Y o u m a y do th e s a m e w i th a l l th e o t h e r p a i n t e d c a r d s , e i t h e r w i t h th e s a m e p e r s o n o r w i t h h im w h o d r e w th e T e n o f C lu b s. The w h o le a rtific e c o n sists in b r in g ­ in g th e c a rd a t th e to p o f th e p a c k to th e o p e n in g in th e m id d le , b y th e w e t fin g e r, w h ic h re q u ire s no g re a t p ra c tic e . Do n o t le t th e p a ck go o u t o f y o u r h an^s

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T H E GAT; .. CHOSEN T h e p a c k is s p r e a d ou t f a n w i s e to & s p e c t a t o r w i t h a r e q u e s t f o r h im t o

s e l e c t a c a r d . W h e n t h i s i s d o n e th e c a r d s a t th e p o i n t w h e r e th e ch o s en c a r d w a s rem o v ed , t h e r e b y b r i n g i n g th e c a r d t h a t w a s n e x t a b o v e th e s e l-

125 T R IC K S W IT H CA RDS OR SL E IG H T OF H A N D e c te d o n e to th e bc/ttom o f th e p a c k , and th e a rtis te has s im p ly to c a t c h a g lim p s e o f th e b o tto m c ard , w h ich te l ls h im th e nam e o f th e c h o s e n one. F o r in sta n ce, s u p p o s e the b o tto m c a r d w a s th e s ix o f s p a d e s , the p e r f o r m e r k n o w s t h a t th e s e le c t e d c a r d m u s t be th e nine o f h e a r t s , b e c a u s e h e a r t s f o ll o w s p a d e s and, th e r e f o r e , th e n e x t c a r d ( th e one d r a w n ) i& a h e a r t, an d it w i ll be r e ­ m e m b e r e d in th e a r r a n g e m e n t o f th e p a c k t h a t e a c h c a r d is t h r e e h i g h e r t h a n the p r e c e d i n g one. T h e r e f o r e , if the b o tto m c a r d is th e s i x o f s p a d e s , th e s e le c t e d c a r d w i ll be t h e n ine o f hearts.

a r e f o llo w e d j u s t a s s t a t e d be low , th e s t u d e n t w i ll so o n c o m p r e h e n d th e idea. To b e g i n w ith , th e c a r d is n a m e d by the a u d ie n c e , th e p e r f o r m e r s o h o ld in g th e p a c k a s to se e a t a g la n c e , a n d no te th e l a s t f o u r c a r d s , a s se en. T h e s e la st four ca r d s are : Ten of hearts, k ing o f d i a m o n d s , th r e e o f c lu b s, a n d s i x o f spades.

’’O T E L L T H E N A M E S O F A N Y N U M ­ B E R OF CARD S CHOSEN A s p e c t a t o r is a s k e d to t a k e o u t a * e w c a r d s in a b u n c h — e i g h t or nine, or in f a c t a s m a n y a s he li k e s . T h e c u t is now m ad e, a n d th e b o tto m c a r d noted, a n d th e p e r f o r m e r is a b l e to i n s t a n t l y n a m e th e c h o s e n c a r d s . W h en t h i s h a s be en done, if th e c a r d s a r e r e ­ p l a c e d on the b o tto m o f th e p a « k one by one in th e o r d e r ch o s en , th e p a c k S a y th e c a r d n a m e d is th e t h r e e o f w ill s t i l l be in th e c o r r e c t co n d itio n s p a d e s . Now , a c c o r d i n g to t a b l e No. 1, I’or f a r t h e r tr i c k s . y o u s u b t r a c t th e g i v e n c a r d ( t h r e e o f W h en n a m i n g th e c a r d s s e l e c te d , so s p a d e s f r o m th e f ir st c a r d o f th e s u i t a s n o t to g i v e a n y a s t u t e m e m b e r o f ( s i x o f s p a d e s ) , w h ich l e a v e s th ree. the a u d i e n c e a c h a n c e to o b s e r v e t h a t N ext m u ltip ly by fo u r— tw elve; th ere­ eac h c a r d is t h r e e s p o t s h i g h e r th a n fo re, the th r ee o f s p a d e s is th e t w e l f t h th e p r e c e d i n g one, it i s a d v i s a b l e not c a r d f r o m th e top. N o w c u t the c a r d s to c a ll th en o u t in t h e i r e x a c t or der. a s n e a r a s p o s s i b l e to w h a t you th in k S u p p o s i n g th e c a r d s se l e c t e d w e r e is tw e lv e . S h o u ld y o u c u t a t th e e l e v ­ th e j a c k o f s p a d e s , a c e o f h e a r t s , f o u r e n t h c a r d — w h ich w o u ld be the k i n g of o f d ia m o n d s , s e v e n o f c lu b s, ten o f c l u b s — y o u i m m e d i a t e l y k n o w the c a r d spades, k in g of hearts, three of d ia ­ f o l l o w i n g a clu b is a sp a d e , an d if you monds, a n d s i x o f clu b s, th e p e r f o r m e r c u t a t the k i n g o f c lu b s, th e n e x t c a r d •ould n a m e t h e m in th e f o l l o w i n g m a n ­ i s th r e e s p o t s h i g h e r — th e th r e e o f ner, th e r e b y e l i m i n a t i n g a ll s u s p i c i o n s p a d e s — s o y o u open a t th e n e x t card. of prearrangem en t: Or, s h o u l d y o u c u t the p a c k a t th e t h i r ­ J a c k o f s p a d e s , a c e o f h e a r t s , th en t e e n t h c a r d , w h i c h in t h i s c a s e w ou ld p a s s the f o u r o f d i a m o n d s a n d c a l l th e be th e s i x o f h e a r t s , y o u k n o w a h e a r t s e v e n o f c lu b s, th en c a l l th e f o u r of i s p r e c e d e d b y a sp a d e , xa n d if you h a v e d i a m o n d s . B u t in p l a c i n g th e f o u r o f t h e s i x o f h e a r t s , th e c a r d b e f o r e it is d i a m o n d s on the b o t t o m o f th e p a c k , ■he th r e e o f s p a d e s . be s u r e to g e t it u n d e r th e s e v e n o f c l u b s s o a s n o t to u p s e t th e o r d e r o f T a b le No. 1 a r r a n g e m e n t . T h e p e r f o r m e r w i l l n ow T h e f o l l o w i n g t a b l e s h o u ld be th h a v e th e s e v e n o f c l u b s on th e b o ttom , o u g h l y le a r n e d a n d m em oriz ed . s o w i l l i n s t a n t l y k n o w t h a t th e ten W e w i ll s u p p o s e the p e r f o r m e r h a s o f s p a d e s is th e n e x t c a r d to be call ed . effectex* th e c h a n g e o f p a c k s , a n d is In p e r f o r m i n g t h i s t r i c k g e n e r a l l y r e a d y to find a n y g i v e n c a r d in th e a&k t h r e e o r f o u r m e m b e r s o f th e a u d i ­ p a c k , t h e r e f o r e he p r o c e e d s a s f o l l o w s : ence to s e l e c t a n u m b e r o f c a r d s — all S u b t r a c t th e g i v e n c a r d f r o m in b u n c h e s — f r o m th e to p o f th e p o r ­ fir st c a r d o f s u i t f r o m th e b o tto m tio n o f c a r d s held in th e le f t hand. o f p ack . N o w m u l t i p l y it by four, I t is w ell to a s k th o se w h o h a v e a n d d e d u c t th e n u m b e r o f c a r d s se le c t e d c a r d s to m i x th e m b e f o r e f o l l o w i n g th e fir st c a r d o f su it. s t a r t i n g to c a ll o u t t h e i r n a m e s , a s . W e w ill r e f e r a g a i n to i l l u s t r a t i o n * t h i s d i s a r r a n g e s th e o r d e r o f the c a r d s S a y the g i v e n c a r d i s th e five o f th ey hold. o t h e r w i s e th e y m i g h t n ote h e a r t s , s u b t r a c t five f r o m th e f ir st c a r d .h e c a r d s in th e i r p o s s e s s i o n w e r e c a l l ­ o f su it, w h ich is th e ten o f h e a r t s , five. ed in th e o r d e r th ey held tfcem. N o w m u l t i p l y by f o u r — tw e n ty , l e s s th e n u m b e r o f c a r d s b e f o r e th e fir st x’O T E L L T H E E X A C T P O S ITIO N IN c a r d o f s u i t e f r o m th e b o tto m , w h ic h T H E P A C K OF A N Y C A R D N A M ­ is th ree, w h ich , d e d u c t e d f r o m t w e n t y E D B Y T H E A U D IE N C E l e a v e s se v e n te e n . T h e r e f o r e , th e five The fo llo w in g e x p la n a tio n w i l l re o f h e a r t s i s th e s e v e n t e e n t h c a r d f r o m u ire a l i t t l e stu d y , b u t i f th e ru le s th e top.

125 T R IC K S W IT H CA RO S OR SL E IG H T O F H A N D T a b le No. 2 I f t h e c a rd nam ed is h ig h e r th a n th e f ir s t c a rd o f s u it fro m th e b o t­ to m , s u b tra c t th e g iv e n c a rd fr o m th irte e n . N o w a d d th e n u m b e r o f f i r s t c a r d o f su i t , t h e n m u l t i p l y b y f o u r , l e s s th e n u m b e r o f c a r d s f o l l o w i n g t h e first c ard o f suit, and you w ill h a v e th e e x a c t n u m b e r o f th e g i v e n c a r d fr o m th e to p o f t h e p a c k . In th e illu str a tio n th e l a s t f o u r c a r d s a r e t h e te n o f h e a r t s , k i n g o f d i a ­ m o n d s,, t h r e e o f c l u b s , a n d s i x o f spades. W e w i l l s a y t h e five o f c l u b s i s nam ed, the three o f clu b s b e in g the f ir s t c a r d o f su i t . A s i t i s i m p o s s i b l e t o s u b t r a c t five fro m three, y ou dedu ct it fro m th irteen ( a s e x p l a i n e d in t a b l e N o. 2 ), w h i c h l e a v e s e i g h t. N o w a d d t h e n u m b e r o f f ir s t c a r d o f s u i t , w h i c h i s t h r e e — e l e v ­ en; m u ltiply by fo u r— fo rty -fo u r, le ss the nu m b e r o f c a r d s fo llo w in g the first card o f s u it (w hich is o n e )— fo r ty th r e e . Y o u w i l l u p o n e x a m i n a t i o n n o w find t h a t th e f o r t y - t h i r d c a r d i s th e five o f c lu b s . W i th a l i t t l e c a r e f u l p r a c t i c e t h e stu d e n t w ill soon becom e f a m ilia r w ith th e a r r a n g e m e n t , a n d t h a t w h i c h n o w ap p e a rs so m e w h at difficu lt w ill be­ com e very sim p le an d easy. W e c a n , w i t h i n th e s p a c e o f t h r e e seconds, c u t the p a c k to a n y g iv e n

card.

TO T E L l A CARD THO UG HT OP AN D ^ N A M E IT S P O S IT IO N IN J T H E DECK Y o u t a k e the deck, an d p r e se n t to on e o f t h e a u d i e n c e , d e s i r i n g h im t o s h u f f l e t h e c a r d s w e ll, a n d a l s o i f vie c h o o s e s , t o g i v e t h e m to a n o t h e r p e r s o n t o s h u f f l e t h e s e c o n d ti m e . Y o u i h e n c a u s e t h e p a c k t o be c u t b y s e v ­ e ra l persons, a f t e r w hich you se lect one out of the co m p an y w hom you r e ­ q u e s t to t a k e th e p a c k , t h i n k o f a c a r d , a n d f ix in h i s m e m o r y , n o t o n ly th e c a r d he h a s t h o u g h t of, b u t a l s o i t s p o s i t i o n i n t h e d e c k , b y c o u n t i n g 1, 2, 3, 4, a n d s o on f r o m th e b o t t o m o f t h e p a c k , a s f a r a s , a n d i n c lu d i n g , th e c a r d t h o u g h t of. Y o u m a y o f fe r to g o into a n o th e r room w hile th is is b e in g d on e, o r r e m a i n w i t h y o u r e y e s b a n d ­ a g e d , a s s u r i n g th e c o m p a n y th a t , i f t h e y d e s i r e it, y o u w i l l a n n o u n c e b e ­ f o r e h a n d t h e n u m b e r a t w h i c h th e c a r d t h o u g h t o f w i l l b e f o u n d . N ow , s u p p o s ­ i n g th e p e r s o n s e l e c t i n g t h e c a r d s t o p s a t No. 13 f r o m t h e b o tto m , a n d t h a t t h i s 13th c a r d i s th e Q u e e n o f H e a r t s , a n d s u p p o s in g a ls o th a t the nu m ber y ou h a v e p u t d o w n b e f o r e h a n d i s 24, y o u w i l l r e t u r n t o th e r o o m o r r e m o v e y o u r h a n d k e r c h i e f , a s th e c a s e m a y be, a n d w it h o u t p u t t in g a n y q u e s t i o n t o th e p e rso n w h o has th o u g h t o f a ca rd , yo u ■»sk f o r th e p a c k , and re s t y o u r n o a «

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u pon it , as i f y o u w o u ld And o u t th e s e c r e t b y s m e l l i n g . T hen, p u t tin g y o u r h a n d s b e h in d y o u r b a c k o r u n d e r th e t a b l e so th a t th e y ca n n o t be seen, you ta k e aw ay fr o m th e b o t­ to m o f th e p a c k 28 ca rd s— th a t is one fe w e r th a n th e n u m b e r y o u m a rke d d o w n b e f o r e h a n d — a n d p l a c e th e m on t h e top, t a k i n g g r e a t c a r e n o t to p u t one m o r e o r l e s s , a s I n a c c u r a c y in t h i s r e s p e c t w o u l d c e r t a i n l y c a u s e th e t r i c k t o f a i l . Y o u t h e n r e t u r n th e p a c k to th e person w ho th o u g h t o f a card, r e ­ q u e s t i n g h im t o c o u n t th e c a r d s f r o m t h e to p , b e g i n n i n g f r o m t h e n u m b e r o f t h e c a r d he t h o u g h t of. T h u s i f t h a t c a r d w e r e th e t h i r t e e n t h , h e w i l l c o m ­ m e n c e c o u n t i n g f o u r t e e n , a n d s o on. W h e n he h a s c a l l e d t w e n t y - t h r e e s to p him te llin g him th a t the n u m b e r y ou m a r k e d d o w n w a s t w e n t y - f o u r ; an d t h a t the tw e n ty -fo u rt h card, w hich he is a b o u t to tak e u p Is th e Queen o f H e a r t s ; w hich he w ilt find t o b e c o r r e c t . B e su r e an d h av e the n u m b e r you n a m e g r e a t e r th a n t h a t o f the first p o s i t i o n o f th e c a r d in t h e p a c k ; f o r in stan ce, tw e n ty -fo u r is g r e a t e r th an thirteen . ON T H E SPOT S e c r e t l y n o t e th e b o t t o m c a r d o f the d e c k . F a n th e d e c k o u t a s in F i g . 2 a n d a llo w anyone to choose a . ca r d and co n ceal it s iden tity fro m you. Then c u t t h e c a r d s i n t o t w o p i le s , p l a c i n g th e c a r d t h e y s e l e c t o n t h e t o p p ile . T h e p i l e w i t h y o u r s e c r e t c a r d on b o t t o m

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s h o u ld th e n be p la ce d o n th e B y g o in g th ro u g h th e de ck, r e a d ily p ic k o u t th e se le cte d Is th e one im m e d ia te ly b e lo w c r e t card.

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T R IC K S W IT H CA R D S OR SL E IG H T OF H A N D

TO C H A N G E T H E CARDS B Y W O R D OF COM MAND Y o u m u s t h a v e tw o c a r d s o f th e s a m e s o r t in the p a c k , f o r e x a m p l e a d u p l i c a t e King: of S p a d e s . P l a c e one n e x t to th e b o tto m ca r d , a n d one a t the top. S h u f f l e the c a r d s w i t h o u t d i s ­ p l a c i n g th o se th ree, a n d sh o w a p e r s o n t h a t th e b o tto m c a r d is the S e v e n of H e a r t s . T h i s c a r d y ou d e x t e r o u s l y s lip a s i d e w i th y o u r finge r, w h ich you h a v e p r e v i o u s l y w etted , a n d t a k i n g the k i n g o f S p a d e s f ro m the b o ttom , w h ich the p e r s o n s u p p o s e s to be the S e v e n o f H e a r t s , la y it on the tab le, t e l l i n g him to c o v e r it w i th his hand. S h u f f l e th e c a r d s w i th o u t d i s p l a c i n g the fir st a n d l a s t c a rd , a n d s h i f t i n g the o th e r K i n g o f S p a d e s f r o m th e to p to the b o tto m s h o w it to a n o t h e r p e r so n . Y ou th en d r a w t h a t p r i v a t e l y a w a y , an d t a k i n g th e b o tto m c a r d w h ich w ill th en be the S e v e n o f H e a r t s , you la y t h a t on the ta o le , an d te ll the se co n d p e r s o n (w h o b e l i e v e s it to be th e K i n g o f S p a d e s ) t j c o v e r it w i th h is hand. Yo\I then c o m m a n d the c a r d s to c h a n g e p lac e s, nd w hen the tw o p a r t i e s t a k e off th eir viands a n d tu r n up th e i r c a r d s , th ey w i ll see, to th e ir g r e a t a s t o .’ s h m en t, t h a t y o u r c o m m a n d s a r e obe.-ed “ T W IN -C A R D ” T R IC K A n o th e r t r i c k p e r f o r m e d by m e a n s of “ t w in ," o r d u p l i c a t e c a r d s , a s in the p r e v i o u s ca s e , is to s h o w the s a m e c a r d a p p a r e n t l y on the b o tto m a n d a t the to p o f th e p a c k . One o f th e s e d u p l i c a t e c a r d s m a y be easily, o b ta in ed . In fa ct, th e p a t t e r n c a r d w h ich a c c o m p a n i e s •every d e c k m a y be m a d e a v a i l a b l e for t h a t p u rp o se . L e t u s su p p o s e , then, for a m o m e n t t h a t y ou h a v e a d u p li c a t e o f the Q ueen o f C lub s. Y o u p la c e bo th o f th em a t the b o tto m o f the deck, a n d m a k e b e lie v e to s h u f f l e th em , t a k i n g ca r e, h o w ev e r, t h a t t h e s e tw o k e e p t h e i r p lac e s. T h e n la y th e p a c k upon th e tab le , d r a w ou t the b o t t o m card, s h o w it, a n d p la c e it on th e top. Yo u th en c o m m a n d th e top c a r d to p a s s to th e bottom , a n d on the p a c k b e i n g tu r n e d up th e q o m p a n y w i ll s e e w ith s u r p r i s e t h a t the c a r d w h ich th e y had j u s t se e n p la c e d u pon th e to p i s now a t th e bottom . T E N CARDS B E IN G A R R A N G E D IN A C IR C L E TO T E L L T H A T W H IC H A N Y O N E T H O U G H T OF P l a c e th e fir st ten c a r d s o f a n y s u i t e in a c i r c u l a r f orm , a s i l l u s t r a t e d , the A c e b e i n g c o u n t e d a s one. R e q u e s t a p e r s o n to th in k o f a n u m b e r or a ca r d , a n d to tou ch a l s o a n y o th e r n u m b e r o r c a r d ; d e s i r e him to a d d to th e n u m . "ber o f the c a r d he to u ch e d th e n u m b e r •of the c a r d s la i d o u t— t h a t is, ten ; th en bid him co u n t t h a t s u m b a c k w a r d , b e ­ g i n n i n g a t th e cn rd he tou ched, a n d r e c k o n i n g t h a t c a r d a t the n u m b e r he

t h o u g h * o f ; w h en he w ill t h u s en d it a s the c a r d or n u m b e r he fir st t h o u g h t of, a n d th e r e b y e n a b l e y o u to a s c e r ­ ta i n w h a t t h a t w a s . F o r e x a m p l e , s u p ­ p o s e he t h o u g h t o f th e n u m b e r three, a n d to u ch e d th e s i x t h c ard , if ten be a d d e d to s i x it w i ll o f c o u r s e m a k e s i x t e e n ; a n d if he co u n t e d t h a t n u m b e r f r o m th e s i x t h c a r d , th e one tou ch e d , in a r e t r o g r a d e order, r e c k o n i n g th r e e on the si x t h , f o u r on the fifth, five on th e f o u r th , s i x on the th ir d c a r d s , a n d so on, it w i l l be f o u n d to t e r m i n a t e on th e th ir d c a rd , w h ic h w ill t h e r e f o r e s h o w y o u th e n u m b e r th e p e r s o n t h o u g h t of. W h en th e p e r s o n is c o u n t ­ i n g th e n u m b e r s , he s h o u l d not, of c o u r se , c a ll th em o u t alo u d . T R IC K Y CARDS H o ld the d e c k a s s h o w n b e lo w , p r e ­

v i o u s l y n o t i n g th e b o t t o m ca r d . S l i r th e c a r d s b a c k w a r d u n ti l s o m e o n e t e l l r y o u to sto p . S lip th e to p c a r d s f r o m th e r-.-st o f th e d ec k, a l s o s li p oiit th e b o t ­ to m c a r d w i th y o u r th u m b , a n d w i t h ­ o u t l o o k i n g , n a m e it a s th e c a r d a t w h ic h y o u w e r e to ld to st o p. TO PR O D U C E A C A R D F R O M A N U T OR C H E R R Y STONE B u r n a hole t h r o u g h th e s h e ll o f a n u t or c h e r r y s t o n e a n d a l s o t h r o u g h th e k e r n e l, w i th a hot iron, or bo re it w i t h a n a w l, a n d w i t h a n ee d le p i c k ou t th e k er n e l, s o t h a t th e hole in it m a y be a s w i d e a s th e h ole o f the s h e ll ; then w r it e th e n a m e o f a c a r d on a p iec e o f fine p a p e r , ro ll it u p h ar d , p u t it into th e nut o r c h e r r y sto n e, s t o p th e h ole u p w i t h s o m e b e e s w a x , a n d r u b it o v e r w i t h a l i t t le d u s t a n d it Will not be p e r c e i v e d ; th en , w h i le s o m e b y sta n d e r d ra w s a card, observe, “It is no m a t t e r w h a t c a r d y o u d r a w ; ” a n d if you u s e c a r d s w ell, you w ill offe r h im a n d he w ill r e c e iv e a s i m i l a r c a r d to t h a t you h a v e r o lle d up in th e nut. Give him th e n u t a n d a p a i r o f c r a c k ­ ers, a n d he w i ll find th e n a m e o f the c a r d he d r e w r o l le d u p in th e k e r n e l.

125 T R IC K S W IT H CA R D S OR SL E IG H T OF H A N D TO K N O C K A C AR D T H R O U G H TH E TABLE To k n o c k a c a rd th ro u g h a ta b le , ■ e c re tly m o is te n th e b a c k o f y o u r hand.

S t r i k e it s h a r p l y on th e d e c k . T h e n tu i c k l y s lip y o u r h a n d u n d e r th e t a b l e a n d p r o d u c e th e c a rd . TO

BURN A CARD, A N D A F T E R W A R I) F IN D I T IN A W A T C H T h i s is a t r i c k o u t o f w h ich th e p r o ­ f e s s o r s o f th e a r t o f l e g e r d e m a i n m a k e m u ch c a p i t a l . In o r d e r to c a r r y it o u t s u c c e s s f u l l y , it is n e c e s s a r y to o b s e r v e the f o l l o w i n g d i r e c t i o n s : Y o u, in th e fir st pla c e , b o r r o w f r o m th e j j p e c t a t o r s th r e e w a t c h e s , w h i c h a r e p l a c e d hi b o x e s r e s e m b l i n g d ice b o x e s , a n d th en la id u pon a t a b l e a n d c o v e r e d w i t h a n a p k i n . Y o u th e n h a n d a p a c k o f c a r d s to one o f th e c o m p a n y , a n d he s e l e c t s one a t r a n d o m , a n d it is t h e r e u p o n e n ­ t i r e ly b u r n e d , a n d th e a s h e s p u t into a box. S h o r t l y a f t e r w a r d th e b o x is open ed, a n d th e s p e c t a t o r s a r e p u z z le d to find t h a t th e a s h e s a r e n o t th er e. The three w a tc h e s a r e then b r o u g h t o u t a n d p u t on a p l a t e , a n d one o f the c o m p a n y , a t y o u r r e q u e s t , s e l e c t s one an d o p e n s i t; a n d th e s p e c t a t o r s p e r ­ ce ive t h a t a p o r t i o n o f th e b u r n e d c a r d is b e lo w th e g l a s s o f th e w a tc h , a n d t h a t in th e w a t c h - c a s e u n d e r n e a t h th e w a t c h is a m i n i a t u r e f a c s i m i l e o f th e card destroyed. A n d n o w w e tell y o u th e m o d u s o p e r a n d i by w h ich t h i s e n t e r t a i n i n g trick, is p e r f o r m e d . H a v i n g i n f o r m e d y o u r c o n f e d e r a t e — f o r it is n e c e s s a r y t h a t y o u s h o u l d h a v e one o f th e c o m ­ p a n y in y o u r co nfid en ce— o f th e s u i t e a n d d e n o m i n a t i o n o f th e c a r d ch osen , he s t r e t c h e s f o r w a r d h i s a r m a n d t a k e s one o f the w a t c h e s f r o m th e t a b le , a n d u n o b s e r v e d b y th e r e s t o f th e c o m p a n y d e p o s i t s in it w h a t is n e c e s s a r y . T h e n a p k i n w h ich c o v e r s th e w a t c h e s m u s t be s u p p o r t e d b y b o t t l e s o r a r t i c l e s o f a sim ilar shape, oth erw ise your c o n ­ f e d e r a t e w o u l d n o t be a b l e to t a k a a w a y the w a t c h w i t h o u t b e i n g seen. T h e a s h e s o f th e b u r n e d c a r d a r e m a d e to d i s a p p e a r f r o m th e b o x by h a v i n g a d o u b l e lid, s o a r r a n g e d t h a t w h e n the b o x is c lo s e d th e u p p e r lid w i ll f a l l u p o n th e a s h e s ; a n d a s it 'fils c l o s e ly to th e b o tto m , th e deceived

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s p e c t a t o r w i ll th i n k t h a t th e a s h e s h a v e r e a l l y v a n i s h e d , a n d t h a t th e r e m n a n t s a r e in p r o c e s s o f b e i n g f o r m ­ ed a f r e s h into th e m i n i a t u r e c a r d w h i c h is d i s c o v e r e d in tho w a tc h . T H E C A R D IN T H E EGG B e fo re co m m e n cin g th is trick, you m u s t p r o v i d e y o u r s e l f w ith a h ollow s t i c k a b o u t ten in c h e s l o n g a n d th reeq u a r t e r s o f a n inch in d i a m e t e r . You m u st also have a n o th e r round stick to fit t h i s h ollow , a n d s l i d e in it e a s il y , w i th a k n o b to p r e v e n t i t s g o i n g t h r o u g h th e tu be, w h i c h m u s t be open a t bo th en ds. T h e s t i c k w h i c h fits the tu b e m u s t be o f th e f u l l l e n g t h o f the tube , e x c l u s i v e of th e knob . H a v i n g st e e p e d a c a r d in w a t e r f o r t w e n t y m i n u t e s , y o u o ee l off th e l a c e o f it, an d d o u b le it u p tw ice , s o t h a t it b e c o m e s j u s t o n e - m i a r t e r the s ' a e o f a n o r d i n a r y c a r d . T h e n roll it nr> t i g h t l y , a n d t h r u s t it up th e t u b e In i it b e c o m e s eve n w i th th e bo tto m . Yo u t h e n t h r u s t in the s t i c k liii it j u s t t o u c h e s th e card. Y o u now t a k e a. d e c k o f c a r d s , a n d r e q u e s t one o f th e c o m p a n y 1 0 ui.iv/ o n e ; b u t be s u r e to le t it be a s i m i l a r o n e to t h a t you h a v e in th e s t i c k . Y ou c a n do t h i s by f o r c i n g . A s so on a s it is r e t u r n e d to th e p a c k y o u s h i u r J e t h e c a r d s , an d w h ile y o u a r e shutili n