Counts Cuts Moves and Subtlety a Book of Basic

COUNTS CUTS

MOVES

A Book of BASIC CARD TECHNIQUES by JERRY MENTZER

COUNTS CUTS

MOVES and Subtlety

A Book

of

CARD TECHNIQUES JERRY MENTZER

BASIC

by

SIXTH PRIN

Tl

NG

1981

COUNTS, CUTS, MOVES AND SUBTLETY Published by Jerry Mentzer

Copyright

No in

© 1977 by

Jerry Mentzer

part of this book, text, or illustrations

may

any form without permission of the publisher.

Graphics by CreaH-Graphics

Sixth Printing 1981

be reproduced

FOREWORD abound in card magic. Quite a number of these secret maneuvers are most applicable to the realm of "packet tricks." In this sort of trick with only a few cards in use instead of a full deck, the secret stuff comes into its Counts,

spreads,

moves,

secret

etc.

own. In this

used

in

book

is

an accumulation of

"packet tricks." The book

ence work for the beginner as for the magician

with

all

who

in

has

is

many

of the basic ''moves"

intended to serve as

a refer-

the field of "packet tricks" as well

some experience, but

the secret maneuvers packet tricks

may

is

not familiar

require.

accompanied with numerous illustrations to show just how the maneuvers are accomplished. Through careful reading and study of the illustrations, the reader should, with practice, be able to accomplish them Each item

is

described

in detail

and the text

all.

Jerry Mentzer

is

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

1

UNDERCUTS AND REVERSALS Double Undercut

3

Brave Reversal

5

Concealed Reversal

9

COUNTS, MOVES AND SUBTLETY TheBiddle Move Hamman Count Veeser Count Another Count Flushtration Move Haback Count Olram Subtlety Downs Change True or False

13 18

23

25 26 29 31

35 38

ELMSLEY, JORDAN, ETC. The Elmsley Count The Elmsley Count — Added Comnnent The Jordan Count The Siva Count Open Count Snnile Count Count The Spirit Count Pairs

41

45 45 48 51

54 55 56

SPREADS The Simple Spread The Back Spread Buckle Count Ascanio Spread

61

63 65 70

Digitized by the Internet Archive in

2010

http://www.archive.org/details/countscutsmovessOOment

INTRODUCTION It

in is

gives

me

great pleasure to say that

what you

are

about to read

the following pages are items that you can really count on. This a

magic book that

is

long overdue. There

isn't

one

trick

between

these covers, but with the information herein you will be able to

perform some of the greatest effects that have come along. Here

you

will find all

As an inventor I

the counts that are used

of

many packet

in

today's card miracles.

tricks that require various counts,

find that this textbook by Jerry to be an invaluable aid. After

finishing this book,

no longer

will

you have

to say, "E.G. for you,

deefeecult for me!!! " Cardagically yours,

Larry West

UNDERCUTS AND REVERSALS

DOUBLE UNDERCUT The "Double Undercut"

is

a useful

method

of either controlling

card to the top of the pack, or for cutting a small packet of cards from the top of the deck to the bottom. While a single cut would, in most cases, accomplish the same thing, the "Double Undercut" has the advantage of being more deceptive due to the fact the deck is quickly cut twice and it is harder for viewers to a specific

mentally comprehend how two cuts could accomplish anything specific. Thus the actions pass as a flourish. First, a procedure for controlling a chosen card to the top of the pack will be described. Then the application of the "Double Undercut" in shifting cards from the top to the bottom of the

deck will be covered. For purposes of the first explanation, assume that a spectator has chosen a card and that the card has been replaced near the center of the deck with a left fourth finger break held above the chosen card. To Perform: 1. With the right hand arched above the deck, grip the pack with the right thumbat the inner narrow end of the deck and the fingers at the outer end. The right first finger can be either at the outer end of the pack or curled atop the pack. As the right hand takes hand, the right thumb picks up the break previously held by the fourth finger of the left hand. From the performer's viewpoint, the pack appears as in Figure 1 2. Now with the left hand, cut off half of the cards that are below the break as shown in Figure 2. Transfer the small packet of

the pack from the

left

cards to the top of the deck.

Then, in a similar menner, the left hand cuts off all the cards that remain below the break and transfers them to the top of the deck. The top card of the pack following this second cut will be 3.

the spectator's selected card. Note that, if instead of holding

a break above the selected card below the selected card, the held were at the beginning, the break selected card would end up on the bottom of the deck. Should the performer wish to transfer a small quantity of cards from the top of the pack to the bottom, the procedure is similar, but at first does not seem the same. For explanation purposes

assume that the intent of the action will be to transfer four cards from the top of the deck to the bottom. To begin, obtain a break under the top four cards of the deck and assume this break with the right thumb as in Figure 3. Should the performer wish to

transfer only

one card fronn top to bottom, he would hold

break beneath only a single card.

a

To Perform: With the left hand, cut off half of the cards that are below the break and transfer thenn to the top of the pack. the break with 2. Then cut off the remainder of the cards below the left hand and transfer these to the top of the pack. The four cards that were at the top of the deck are now at the face of the 1.

deck.

BRAUE REVERSAL The "Braue Reversal" is a very easy and effective method of reversing one or more cards in the deck. The reversal of the card accomplished under cover of a showy-looking cut. The cut, while showy, does not look suspicious and it will be accepted as a flourish. Assume, for explanation purposes, that the card or cards which are to be reversed are face down at the top of the face down deck. or cards

is

To Perform: normal dealing position and obtain a left fourth finger break beneath the cards which are to be reversed. The break is exposed in Figure 1. 2. Then, with the right hand arched above the deck, grip the deck with the right thumb at the inner, narrow end of the deck and the right fingers at the outer end. As the right hand grips the deck, the right thumb picks up the break that was previously held 1.

Hold the deck

in

the

left

hand

in

by the left fourth finger. At this point the cards are held In the right hand as in Figure 2. Figure 2 shows an exposed view of the manner in which the thumb holds the break. 3. Now with the left hand, cut off the lower half of the pack and revolve it face up onto the portion of the pack still held in the right hand as shown in Figure 3. Square the half packs with one another, but maintain the right thumb break at the inner end of the pack.

Next the left hand again cuts off the lower portion of the deck and revolves it face up onto the portion held in the right hand as shown in Figure 4. This time, however, the left hand cuts off all the cards beneath the right thumb break and it is these cards that are turned face up. The two packets are then squared. 4.

6

the procedure has been done properly, the cards that were originally above the left fourth finger break will still be face down beneath the face up deck. If the pack were ribbon spread at this point, the cards would appear as in Figure 5,

At

this point,

if

though there might be a greater or fewer amount of reversed cards depending upon the number originally held above the break. Notes: Since most

with reversed cards require them to appear somewhere near the middle of the pack, the face up deck can be given an additional cut to get the reversed cards near the pack's center. As an alternative to an added cut, the reversed cards can be centralized in the pack by simply placing the second half of the deck face up beneath the right hand packet in Step 4 rather than face up above it as shown in Figure 4. tricks

CONCEALED REVERSAL One

objection to the standard "Braue Reversal" ing the reversal, the pack cannot be turned face

is

that, follow-

down without

exposing the reversed cards on the top of the deck. The normal procedure for concealing these reversed cards has been to double cut one or more cards from the face of the deck to the top before turning the deck face down. The double cut following upon the heels of the actual reversal results in too much cutting to pass as a casual gesture.

The following procedure by

the author allows the deck to be turned face down immediately following the reversal move, yet the reversed cards are concealed. Essentially the reversal is the "Braue Reversal" with an addition.

To Perform: For explanation purposes assume that atop the pack are three selected cards that are to be reversed. 1. Hold the deck face down in the left hand dealing position and obtain a break under the top three cards. Take the deck into the right hand gripping it from above with the fingers at the outer narrow end and the right thumb at the inner end. The right thumb retains the break below the three top cards as shown in Figure

1

With the

hand cut off the lower half of the pack and face up onto the packet held by the right hand as in the "Braue Reversal." However, as the packet is revolved face up, slide the bottom card of the face up packet about one half inch to 2.

revolve

left

it

the right. See Figure

2.

10

As the

up packet

is pushed into line with the face down allow the protruding card to slide into the break being held by the right thumb. Figure 3 illustrates how the protruding card enters the break. This illustration shows a somewhat exaggerated protrusion of the one card but adequately conveys the idea. As the face up packet is squared up vyith the face down packet, the right thumb maintains a break below the projecting card and continues to hold the break as the pack is squared.

3.

face

half,

Without hesitation the left hand takes all cards below the break and revolves them face up onto the other cards. This time, however, no secret moves are made and the packet is simply 4.

turned face up.

11

12

COUNTS, MOVES AND SUBTLETY

THE BIDDLE MOVE

Elmer Biddle

"The Biddle Move" is a very useful sleight that was published number of years ago, and like many new moves, was a "fad" for a while and then faded from the spotlight. The move is one of the best methods for secretly removing one or more cards from a a

group as they are counted. It serves well in effects where a chosen card vanishes from a packet of cards only to later be revealed elsewhere. "The Biddle Move" is also perhaps one of the easiest of the "count type" secret moves to master. For explanation purposes, assume that the move is to be used to cause a selected card to vanish from a packet of five cards that will be counted from the face of the deck. The chosen card should be positioned second from the face of the deck. There are many the required position. One bring the chosen card to the top of the

ways to position the selected card of the easiest

Is

to

first

in

deck by means of an overhand shuffle and then to "Double Undercut" two cards from the top of the deck to the bottom. The "Double Undercut" is described elsewhere in this book. To Perform: 1. Turn the pack face up and grip it in the right hand with the thumb at the inner narrow end and the right second, third and fourth fingers at the outer end of the pack. The right first finger is curled on top of the deck. Figure 1 shows the correct hand position. The position is actually a very natural way in which to grip a pack of cards. With the pack held in this manner in the right hand, the left hand will next count off five cards from the face of the deck. During the count the spectator's selected card will be secretly removed from the group of cards so that only four cards actually remain. 2.

With the

and with the

left left

the

left fingers as

the

left

hand approach the deck

thumb shown

as

shown

pull the face card of the in

Figure

3.

As

this card

in

Figure 2

pack off onto is pulled onto

becomes visible at case the chosen card would be the

fingers the spectator's selected card

the face of the deck. In this

King of Hearts.

hand moves back to the pack to pull the King of Hearts off the face of the pack onto the first card that was pulled off the deck. Figure 4 shows the left thumb beginning to pull the King from the face of the deck. Note that the first card is below the pack at this point. 3.

Next the

left

13

14

15

As

pulled free of the deck onto the card held in the left hand, the left fourth finger holds a break between the King and the first card. Figure 5 shows an exposed view of the left fourth finger break. the King

is

hand then moves back to the deck once again to pull the third card from the face of the deck. As the left thumb prepares to pull the next card from the deck, the King of Hearts and the other card go beneath the deck in the same manner as 4.

The

shown

in

left

Figure 4.

and the two cards are beneath the deck, the King of Hearts by its the right narrow ends squarely beneath the pack and retain it below the pack as the left hand pulls the face card of the pack and the other single card from below the pack to the left. Due to the fact that the left hand was holding a fourth finger break, it is a simple matter for the right hand to grip the King of Hearts quickly and surely between the tips of the right fingers and thumb. There will be a small break between the King of Hearts and the remainder of the pack after the King is secretly stolen beneath the deck. This break held by the right thumb, is shown in While the

left fingers

thumb and

fingertips grip

Figure 6.

16

Following the steal of the King beneath the pack, count two more cards fronn the face of the deck into the left hand. Each card should be pulled from the face of the deck as were the first 5.

three cards.

At

should believe that there are five cards in the left hand, one of which is the chosen card. Actually only four cards are in the left hand. The chosen card is face up beneath the pack. this point the spectators

Notes:

"The

Move"

most deceptive, it is essential that the counting action that accompanies the secret move be done at an even pace. There should be no change of the counting rhythm as the secret move is made. It is also a good idea for the performer to count aloud as each card is pulled into the For

a)

left

Biddle

to

be

hand.

b)

"The Biddle Move" has applications beyond the vanish

single card 1.

2.

from

a

of a

packet as described above.

By actions very similar to those described above, "The Biddle Move" can be used to vanish two or more known cards from a packet of cards. By using the count with the cards face down, unknown cards can be removed from a packet of cards. Again the move can be used for one or more cards. 17

3.

"The Biddle Move" can be used as a false count and is particularly good for counting a quantity of cards as more cards than are actually present in a small packet of cards. For example, a packet of five face down cards can be

by using the move to steal away two cards. The two cards are then re-counted as the sixth and seventh card. This application is best used with face down cards or cards with identical faces.

counted

4.

as seven cards

The move

is

also useful

in

altering the position of cards

within a small group of cards by stealing one or more cards from the left hand as the cards are being counted. These cards are then re-deposited as a single card with the last card of the group as it is placed at the face of the packet.

HAMMAN COUNT

Brother John

Hamman

Brother Hamman has developed many unusual card ideas among which are some "moves" which have been widely applied to card tricks. The "Hamman Count" is one of these, and while similar in many respects to "The Biddle Move" the purpose is different and there are differences in handling. The basic use to which the "Hamman Count" is most frequent'\ plijd, is to switch one packet of cards for another during the action of counting them. Perhaps the most common application of the "Hamman Count" is in the well-known effect, "Wild Card." For explanation purposes, assume that the count will be used for the "Wild Card" effect with the intention of showing eight Fives of Hearts and one Joker prior to changing all the cards to Jokers. To accomplish this, the cards must be arranged as shown in Figure 1. In the "Wild Card" effect, the four Fives of Hearts at the face of the spread would be double faced cards backed up with Jokers. To Perform: 1. Hold the packet of nine cards, squared in the right hand as in Figure 2. This position is the same as for "The Biddle Move." 2. With the left thumb, pull the Five from the face of the packet off onto the left fingers to the position shown in Figure 3. The outer left corner of the card should rest on the inner joint of the left first finger. The left thumb holds the card in position by the outer left corner. This position is very important in an action that recurs later in the count. 18

19

20

Using identical hand actions pull three more cards one at a time onto the first card so that each lines up with the first card. At this point the left hand will be holding four cards which the spectators have seen are Fives of Hearts. The right hand contains 3.

five Jokers.

From this point onward in the count, the objective is to count only one Joker and to then count four more Fives of Hearts. This is done by switching packets from hand to hand as the count continues. 4. Again the left hand approaches the right hand so the left thumb can apparently count off another card. As it does, however, the left hand moves a bit further than it did previously, but only a quarter inch or so further. At this point, the two packets of cards are as shown in Figure 4 with the upper Joker packet slightly overlapping the lower packet In Figure 4, the left thumb has been moved out show the packet position. In actual performance the hands would appear as in Figure 5.

toward the

left.

of position to

5.

Now

by

a slight shift of

the

left

thumb, the extreme outer

corner of the upper packet of cards, the Jokers, is gripped between the ball of the left thumb and the fleshy pad at the base of the left first finger. left

21

Simultaneously the right third finger shifts its grip to the outer right corner of the lower packet. The hands then seperate in a normal counting motion. The positions of the packets is shown in "stop motion" in Figure 6. Due to the switch of packets, the right hand will now contain the four Fives of Hearts and the five Jokers will be in the left hand.

With cards one 6.

a

at

motion count the remaining four time from the right hand into the left hand. If

similar counting a

properly done, the spectators will have seen eight Fives of Hearts and only one Joker.

Note: As with

most

"Hamman Count"

counts

that

involve

secret

moves,

the

most deceptive if the count proceeds without any changes in tempo. The switch of the packets described in Steps 4 and 5 should be done at the same tempo as single cards are counted into the left hand. Some practice is required to accomplish the required smoothness of action, but unless the action is smooth, the count is not deceptive. is

22

VEESER COUNT

Bob Veeser

This versatile count has appeared in print in a number of publi cations, instruction sheets, etc. It is very useful in tricks with small packets of cards since it can be used to accomplish the same sort of objective as the "Elmsley Count." The hand positions during the "Veeser Count" are perhaps more natural for most performers than those required for the "Elmsley Count" and the "Veeser Count" is easier to learn. Both counts have their strengths and applications.

To begin the "Veeser Count" have four cards in a small packet with three cards face down and the third card from the top of the packet face up. The arrangement of the cards is the same as at the start of the

"Elmsley Count."

To Perform: With the

hand arched above the apparently face down packet, hold the packet as for the "Biddle Move" with the right thumb at the inner narrow end of the packet and the fingers at the outer end. 1.

right

With the left hand approach the packet to of the packet off into the left hand with the 2.

action

is

the same as the "Biddle

Move"

23

pull the top card left

to this point.

thumb. This

3.

As the

left

fingers pass beneath

the packet the fingertips

press against the bottonn card of the packet and slide

about one quarter inch to the right. Figure 1 shows an exposed view of the way the card is pushed to the right. Note, however, that in the illustration the amount the card is pushed to the right is greatly it

exaggerated for ease in illustration. The right hand arched above the packet screens the side jogged card from the spectators' view. 4. With the left thumb pull the top card of the packet off onto the left fingers as for the "Biddle Move." 5. Then move the left hand and the single card back to the packet in preparation for pulling off a second card onto the one in the left hand. As the left fingers and the card go beneath the packet, however, the left hand carries Its card beneath the packet so the card lines up with the bottom card of the right hand packet which is the card that was previously pushed to the right. As the left hand card lines up with the lower card of the right hand packet, the right fingers and thumb grip the card by its narrow ends so it is retained squarely beneath the side jogged card. At the same time, the two cards that now protrude to the left are pinched between the base of the left first finger and the left thumb. This action is shown in Figure 2. The hand position and positions of the cards is somewhat exaggerated for clarity.

24

6. The left hand then carries the two cards to the left in a continuation of the counting motion. Then using the left thumb, the remaining two cards are counted singly from the right hand onto

those in the left hand. At the conclusion of the count, the face-up card will be at the bottom of the four card packet.

ANOTHER COUNT This count utilizes the "Hamman Count" idea with a packet of four cards. The counting action conceals the bottom card of the packet of four cards as the cards are counted from hand to hand. In as much as it conceals the bottom card of four, the count is similar to the ''Jordan Count." However, this count and the

"Jordan Count" differ in the final arrangement of the cards in the packet at the conclusion of the count. For explanation purposes, assume that the packet consists of three face down cards and a single face up card at the bottom of the packet.

To Perform

:

1. Grip the packet of cards with the right hand arched above the packet and the right thumb at the inner narrow end of the packet and the right fingers at the outer end. This grip is the same as for the "Biddle Move." 2. With the left thumb pull the top card of the packet off onto the left fingers as in the counting action described with the "Biddie Move." Then count the second card off atop the first one. 3. Move the left hand back to the right hand packet of cards as if to take the next card into the left hand. As the hands come together the switch action of the "Hamman Count" occurs and the left hand takes the two cards that remain in the right hand. Simultaneously with the right fingers and thumb, a la the "Biddle Move," re-grip the two cards that are held in the left hand. All these actions occur as the third card is apparently taken into the left hand in a counting action. At this point the left hand holds two cards, the lower of which is face up. The right hand holds two face down cards that are squared with one another. 4. As the final action of the count, the left hand moves back to the right and takes both of the remaining cards on top of the Cards in the left hand as if they were a single card.

25

At the conclusion of the count, the cards

are arranged with

down cards at the top of the packet and one face up the bottom. If need be, the count can be immediately card at repeated and if the count is repeated, the cards will be back In three face

their original order.

FLUSHTRATION MOVE The

title

of this

move

Brother John results

Hamman

from the use of the move by

Hamman

in a marketed trick called "Flushtration." used to apparently show the backs and faces of several cards while in fact the backs of all but one card remains hidden. For example, assume that a four card packet is to be shown to have Aviator backs while in fact three of the cards have a different back pattern. The cards should be arranged as in Figure 1. To Perform: Hold the packet face up in the right hand as shown in Figure 1 2 with the right fingers at the outer narrow end of the cards and

Brother

The move

is

thumb at the inner end. 2. To show the back of the

the

first card, rotate the right wrist so the back of the packet is revealed to the spectators as in Figure 3. After momentarily displaying the back, rotate the right wrist back to the position shown in Figure 2.

With the left thumb, pull the face card of the packet off into the left palm as shown in Figure 4. If the reader will carefully consider the actions that have just been described, a discrepancy will be evident. The performer has shown the back of the bottom 3.

card of the packet, yet has pulled the face card off into the left hand. While this might seem very obvious, the discrepancy is not something that spectators will notice. This is particularly true if, as the backs are being shown, the performer names the face value of each card as it is drawn into the left hand.

To complete

the actions with the four card packet, simply repeat Steps 2 and 3 three more times. Each time the card that is pulled from the face of the right hand packet goes on top of 4.

those that are already in the left hand. When the actions are done with confidence and at a reasonable pace, the spectators will believe they saw four cards all with the Aviatof back pattern. 26

27

28

Note: a)

Should

the

performer

be

performing

a

trick

in

which

he desires to show the faces of the cards all the same when they are in fact different, the same move can be done with the cards held face down in the right hand. b) In the description the packet is assumed to have three similar back patterns and one that differs from the other three. The back patterns could be all different from one another if the trick necessitated.

HABACK COUNT

Phil Goldstein

This count by Phil Goldstein combines two counts of Brother John Hamman: "The Hamman Count" and the "Flushtration Move," also known as the "Back Count." The purpose of the count is to show five cards on both front and back as five cards. In the process,

some

surfaces are concealed.

Assume, for explanation, that the stack of

five cards

from the

face of the packet

is: red-backed King of Hearts, blue-backed King of Clubs, blue-backed Ace of Spades, blue-backed indifferent card, and red-backed indifferent card. What the count will accomplish is to show these cards as four Kings with an Ace in the center, all with red backs. To Perform: 1. Hold the packet of cards face up in the right hand in "Biddle Move" position with the right fingers at the outer narrow end of the packet and the thumb at the inner end. Rotate the right wrist to reveal the back of the packet as shown in Figure 1, then

return the hand to 2.

Next use the

its

original

left

thumb

palm-down

position.

to pull the face card of the packet,

palm as shown in Figure 2. 3. Now rotate the right wrist once again to show a red back, and after showing the back, return the hand to a palm down position. With the left thumb draw the second card, the King of Clubs, into the left hand onto the card that is already there. 4. Rotate the right wrist to show a red back once again and return the hand to its palm-down position. Then seemingly draw the face card of the packet, the Ace, off onto the cards already the King of Hearts, into the

in

left

the left hand. Actually execute the switch action of the "Hamdescribed elsewhere in this book. The switch results the three cards that were being held in the right hand being

man Count" in

29

taken into the left hand and the two cards that were held left hand being re-gripped in the right hand.

30

in

the

At

this point the left

packet:

Ace

hand should contain from the face of the

of Spades, blue-backed indifferent card, red-backed

indifferent card.

The

right

hand contains the two Kings with the

King of Clubs visible at the face of the pair. 5. Rotate the right wrist to yet again display a red back, then return the hand to a palm-down position and with the left thumb pull the King of Clubs off onto the cards in the left hand. 6. Finally rotate the right wrist once more to show the red back of the King of Hearts and place this card at the face of the left

hand packet. While apparently five cards have been shown, front and back, two faces and three backs have been concealed. Worth noting is that the cards end up in the same order in which they started. Note:

The count can be modified

to

show

six

cards as five and

thus conceal seven surfaces. Six cards can also be used to display seven — thus concealing two faces and four backs. If used to show seven cards as seven, three faces and five backs will be concealed. Eight cards shown as seven will conceal ten surfaces and so forth.

OLRAM SUBTLETY By use

method of displaying, several more of them is concealed.

of this

while one or

Assume

Ed Mario

that a packet of five cards

faced cards while

in fact

is

to be

c jrds

can be shown

shown

as five blank-

two of the cards have normal printed

faces.

To

prepare for the necessary actions arrange the cards so the faces alternate as shown in Figure 1 The backs of the cards should all match one another. To Perform: Hold the packet of cards face down in the left hand as shown 1 in Figure 2. Note that about half the length of the cards project beyond the left first finger. 2. With the left thumb push the top card of the packet to the right and take the card into the right hand-in a manner similar to the way the left hand holds its cards. Figure 3 shows the way the .

hands and cards should appear at this point. 3. Then rotate both hands to the position shown in Figure 4 so the face of the card in the right hand and the face card of the left hand packet are toward the spectator. 31

32

After showing the cards briefly, rotate the hands back to the position shown in Figure 3. Then with the left thumb deal the top card of the packet to the table to the left. At the sanne tinne the right hand drops its card to the table at the performer's right. The discrepancy of showing the face card of the left hand packet, then dealing the top card to the table, is well obscured by the 4.

combined action

of the hands.

Repeat Steps 2, 3 and 4 and after showing the cards, drop one card on top of each of the cards that lie on the table. 5.

show the fifth card in the same manner that the previous cards were shown and drop it on top of the right hand stack 6. Finally

the cards were turned face up, they would appear to the performer as in Figure 5 with three blank faced cards in the right hand group and two cards with faces on of cards.

the

At

this

point,

if

left side.

Note: Application

"Olram Subtlety" to packet tricks will depend to a great extent on the specific effect that is to be accomplished. There is, however, one specific application that is of use in many tricks and that involves using the "Olram Subtlety" in conjunction with an "Elmsley Count" or other count. of

the

34

At the completion of the "Elmsley Count" the last card should be placed beneath the packet rather than on top of it. With the packet face up this results in the card that was hidden being the third card

from the face of the packet.

then turned face down in the left hand and the actions of Steps 2, 3 and 4 described above are repeated twice, the card that was hidden during the "Elmsley Count" will remain hidden. If

the packet

is

DOWNS CHANGE

T. Nelson

Downs

This change of one card for another is a useful sleight and one that has been applied to tricks with small packets of cards. For explanation purposes it will be assumed that one card is to be switched for another in the act of placing the card face down

on the

table.

To Perform: With the right fingers and thumb, lift two cards as one from the deck or packet and place the cards so they overlap the packet toward the performer's right as shown in Figure 1. In the illustration the packet itself is face down, but depending upon the trick with which the "Down's Change" is used, the packet could be face 1.

up. 2. In a continuing motion the left hand moves forward and at the same time rotates at the wrist in a clockwise rotation to bring the hand and cards to the position shown in Figure 2 as the card is being placed on the table.

Actually, during the rotation of the pulls the face card of the

left wrist,

two projecting cards so

the

left

thumb

that the card

is

square with the other cards of the packet. Figure 3 shows an exposed view of the lower card at the point where it is almost square with the bulk of the packet. The left fingers extend slightly during the wrist rotation to push the projecting card free of the packet and lying on the table. Figure 4 shows the left hand position immediately after the card has been deposited on the table. It is essential to keep the face of the packet toward the spectators at this point, otherwise they will see the reversed card at the back of the packet in the left hand. This completes the actions of the change and all that remains is to reveal that the card on the table has changed as the routine dictates.

35

36

37

TRUE OR FALSE

Jack Chanin

This false count method book. Card Cavalcade II.

The

method

to a

title refers

first

was published

in

the author's

of false counting cards which looks

and sounds the same as a fair count. It's quite easy to learn and amazingly deceptive despite the simple method. The count is a favorite method of Chanin's for false counting cards. To Perform: Imagine a trick were to be done in which seven cards were supposedly used, but in actual fact ten cards were in use. Here is how the ten cards can be counted as seven. Hold the packet of ten cards face down in the left hand deal1 .

The

thumb should be

corner of the cards as in Figure 1. With the left thumb push off the top card of the packet so that it projects over the right side of the packet exactly as if cards were being dealt. Take the projecting card into the right hand between the right thumb on top of the card and the right first and second fingers beneath. Then place the card on the table face down. Continue dealing cards one at a time in this manner until five cards have been dealt onto the table with ing position.

a

left

uniform rhythm.

38

near the outer

left

^^S^trflYi^iSe^

preparation for dealing the sixth card to the table, the left thumb moves to the extreme outer left corner of the remaining cards. The tip of the thumb should actually be lying against the edge of the remaining cards as in Figure 2. With the left thumb push all the cards except the bottom card to the right. This block 2. In

of four cards will appear

shown

more

or less as a single card as

was

pre-

not This pushoff of several cards difficult and the performer who is not already familiar with multiple push offs will need only a few tries to master it. Note that the alignment of the cards during the pushoff need

viously

in

Figure

is

1.

not be perfect. The normal dealing motions will cover any slight misalignment. Also the rhythm of the deal aids in concealing the multiple push off.

Once the block

of cards has been pushed off by the left

thumb,

the right hand grips the block of cards as if it were a single card and deals it atop the others on the table. No change in dealing

rhythm should occur as the block of cards is dealt. 3. Finally count the single remaining card onto the table. Ten cards have been convincingly counted as seven. The move works well if no more than three or four extra cards are in the packet to be false counted. With the proper rhythm which

is

not too fast and not too slow the count 39

is

deceptive

under extreme close up conditions. Properly done no one will suspect the extra cards. For what it's worth the false count works equally well with the cards face up. Potential uses are many. The count could be used in effects where one or more chosen cards travel from one packet of cards to

could be used in a three cards across effect. Jack Chanin suggests that the performer might palm the extra cards onto a packet of cards which the spectator has just counted. Then using the false count the performer counts the same number as the spectator did. This would be all done as if double checking another.

It

the count.

40

ELMSLEY, JORDAN, ETC.

THE ELMSLEY COUNT

Alex Elmsley

the secret counts, this is the one that is nnost widely used in present day card magic. Known variously as "Counting Four as Four," "The Ghost Count," and as "The Elmsley Count," this special count has gained wide acceptance by card men over the last ten or fifteen years. Myriad tricks have been devised that use this count, son^'^ rood son e bad. Despite its misuse in some effects, the secret count itself, when properly done is excellent. "The Elmsley Count" is useful in any trick where four cards are to be openly counted from hand to hand and shown while secret-

Of

all

concealing something unusual about the cards. The "something unusual" might be that one of the four cards is face up, or it might have an odd-colored back. The objective of "The Elmsley Count" is to count the cards showing four cards and at the same time ly

conceal the presence of a reversed card or an odd-colored card. The "Elmsley Count" was first described in print by Alex

Elmsley to

it

move

as in

Four Card Trick published years ago. He referred the "Ghost Count." Later Lewis Ganson described the Dai Vernon's More Inner Secrets of Card Magic in con-

in

his

junction with the effect "Twisting the Aces."

many To

Since that time printed descriptions of the count have been published. explain, assume that the performer holds a packet of four

them are face down while one of them is The description which follows permits four backs to be

cards and that three of face up.

counted without revealing the face up card. To Perform: 1. To execute "The Elmsley Count" the face up card must be in the position third from the top of the packet. Two face down cards will thus be above the face up card and one face down card below it. 2. Hold the face down packet of cards at the left fingertips with the left thumb on the back of the cards at the center of the left long edge. Figure 1 shows the manner in which the cards should be gripped. 3. With the right thumb and fingertips grip the center of the right long edge of the cards as shown in Figure 2 and slide off the top card of the packet by means of a pinching action of the right fingers and thumb. Figure 2 shows how the card is pinched by the right fingertips and thumb. 4. With the right hand carry the single top card of the packet to the right until the card is clear of the cards still held by the left hand, move the right hand back toward the left so that the right hand card goes beneath the cards held in the left hand. 41

42

the right hand card were pushed completely square with the other cards, the single card would strike the fingertips of the left If

hand. Continue to slide the right hand card beneath those in the left hand until just before the single card touches the left fingertips. Just before the card touches the left fingertips, however, the left thumb which is at the extreme left edge of the cards, pushes the top two cards of the left hand packet slightly to the right, a distance of not

more than one-quarter

inch.

The two cards are thumb and

pushed to the right by a pinching action of the left fingertips.

With practice the two cards

will stay in

perfect align-

ment. card held by the right hand strikes the left fingers, the card held by the right hand is gripped against the face of the packet with the left fingers. Simultaneous with the left fingers gripping the single card, the right thumb and fingers 5.

As the

single

two cards which were pushed off by the left thumb. 6. The right hand then carries the two cards to the right and clear of the packet. The left thumb then pushes to the right the

grip

the

top card of the pair that remains

7.

The

right

in

the

left

hand moves back to the

hand.

left

and allows both the

holds to go beneath the two held in the left hand. The right thumb and fingertips then take away the top card of the pair

cards

it

43

held in the

left

hand by

sliding the center of its right long

under the right thunnb. The right hand moves to the in

Figure 3 carrying the three cards

it

right as

holds clear of the

edge

shown

left

hand

card.

The

hand then moves back to the left with the right going under the single card that remains in the left hand cards hand and this last card is taken atop the right hand cards. At the conclusion of the count the cards will all be in the right 8.

right

hand with the top three cards being face down and the bottom card face up. This position of the cards is that necessary to do a "Jordan Count" and by following "The Elmsley Count" with the "Jordan Count" the cards can be shown immediately once more as four face down cards. Note:

When counting

from

left hand into the hands to respectively right, there is a tendency for the performer's move to the left and right away from the center of the performer's body. The motion of both hands away from the center should be avoided. The left hand should remain stationary during the count and the right hand should remove each card with a definite counting motion from the left hand toward the right. Properly performed, the count should appear as if four cards were counted one at a time at an even speed from the left hand to the right. a)

the

cards

44

the

Some performers

b) left is

hand

to grip the packet deeper in the Figure 4 as the count is begun. This position

shown in more like the

as

actually

will prefer

natural position

counting cards and seems more casual

someone would use

in

in use.

THE ELMSLEY COUNT - ADDED COMMENT While the basic "Elmsley Count" is usually employed to hide one card of four that are shown, it can be used as a small packet false count to count three cards as four, or to count five or six cards as four. In

the

first

case of counting three cards as four, the count

could be applied to a packet of cards from which a card has been secretly removed, but which fact the performer does not yet wish to disclose. In this case the performer simply grips the three cards as described under the description of 'The Elmsley Count" and counts them in exactly the same manner as described with one exception. In Step 4 of the description for the basic "Elmsley Count" the left thumb is to push off two cards. When counting three cards as four, the left thumb pushes off only one card. Other than that the actions of the count are identical. Should the performer wish to count five or six cards as four, the procedure is again the same as for the basic "Elmsley Count" except for Step 4. When counting more than four cards as four, the left thumb instead of pushing over two cards, pushes over ail but one card of those that remain in the left hand. With that exception the count proceeds as described in the basic description.

THE JORDAN COUNT

Charles T. Jordan

This count was first published by Charles T. Jordan in 1919 book. Thirty Card Mysteries. The count attracted little

in his fine

attention until recent years when the popularity of the "Elmsley Count" directed new attention to the "Jordan Count." In motive the /'Jordan Count" is similar to the "Elmsley Count" in that one card of four

is

concealed as the four cards are counted from hand

to hand.

The two counts

neatly supplement one another

conclusion of the "Elmsley Count" the cards are 45

in in

that at the

position to

"Jordan Count" and vice versa. This fact considerable part in some of the more complicated packet

immediately begin plays

a

a

tricks of the present day.

Assume, that as with the "Elmsley Count," the objective is to count four cards from hand to hand showing four backs while concealing the fact that one of the cards is actually face up.

To Perform: At the beginning of the "Jordan Count" the face up card should be at the bottom of the four card packet with three face down cards above it. 2. Hold the packet of cards at the center of its left long side. The left thumb is against the back of the top card and the left fingertips are beneath the packet of cards. The proper hand posi1.

tion

3.

is

shown

With the

in

Figure

right

1.

thumb and

fingertips, grip the right long

edge

by means of a pinching action of the right cause the top card of the packet to slide slighly to the right as in Figure 2 where the right thumb and fingers can grip it. 4. With the right hand, carry the single card to the right until its left edge clears the packet that is still held at the left fingerof the packet, and

thumb and

fingers,

tips.

46

as the card clears the packet, move the riqht hand left so that the single card held in the right hand goes the back to beneath the packet and also beneath the tips of the left fingers 5.

as

As soon

shown

in

Figure 3.

47

6.

The

remain that

is

in

thumb then pinches

right

the

left

below

hand and

off the top card of those that

carries this top card as well as the

one

the left fingertips to the right until the cards are

clear of the packet.

hand then moves back to the left so both right hand cards go beneath the left hand cards, and so that both cards slip inbetween the face card of the left hand pair and the left fingertips. Momentarily the packet has been re-squared. 8. As soon as the right hand cards are square with the left hand cards, the left thumb pushes off the top three cards of the resultant packet, and these three cards are taken by the right thumb and fingers and are carried to the right. One card remains in the left hand. This last card is counted onto the three cards held by the right hand. As with the "Elmsley Count," smoothness of action coupled with a definite counting action makes the "Jordan Count" as 7.

The

right

deceptive as possible.

THE SIVA COUNT

Jack Avis

count which has not yet attracted widespread interest. The count was first described in Epilogue number eleven published by Karl Fulves. This count is designed to conceal the center card of a five card packet. During the count only four cards are seen, but the spectators see the faces of four different cards. One obvious application of the count would be to show four cards such as the four Aces after already having added a previously selected card to the packet. Then after showing the selected card gone from the deck, the chosen card would be revealed among the Aces. Here

is

another

utility

To Perform: fan and place any other card face down into the center of the fan as in Figure 1. Close up the fan and hold the packet with the Aces still face up by its left 1

.

Hold the four Aces face up

long edge at the tips of the Figure 2.

in a

left

fingers as

shown

in

is now set to count four Aces one at a time into the hand showing each and every one, but concealing the revers-

The packet right

thumb and

ed card. 48

49

With the right thumb and fingertips approach the right long edge of the packet and with a pinching action of the right thunnb and fingers pull the face card of the packet to the right as in Figure 3. The card is gripped between the right thunnb and fingertips and it is then moved to the right until the card in the right hand is clear of the packet that remains in the left hand. As the card is counted into the right hand, the name of the Ace should be spoken aloud. 3. The right hand then moves back to the left hand packet to remove the next Ace. During this action the first Ace taken passes below the left hand packet and the first Ace is gripped and held against the bottom of the left hand packet by the left fingertips. Just before the right hand card is fully beneath the left hand cards, the left thumb pushes the top three cards of the four cards it holds approximately one quarter inch to the right. As the single right hand cards is retained beneath the packet by the left fingertips, the right fingers and thumb grip the three card block that was just pushed off and these cards are carried to the right as the Ace at the face of the group is named. 4. When the right hand cards clear the left hand packet, the right hand moves back to the left and slides its cards beneath those still held by the left hand. The cards are squared with one another 2.

and then without a noticeable pause, the left thumb pushes all four cards above the bottom card slightly to the right and the left hand grips these and carries them to the right. At the same time the Ace at the face of the right hand packet is named. 5. The card that remains in the left hand is then counted atop the right hand packet and it is also called by name as it is counted. At the conclusion of the count, if the cards were spread they would appear as in Figure 4. During the count each of the Aces has been shown yet at the same time the face down card was concealed from view.

OPEN COUNT

John Murray

John Murray uses a count that is very open and fair looking and which seems to be just a showy method of counting cards. In fact it accomplishes the same objective as the "Elmsley Count," namely concealing the third card from the top of the packet as a four card packet is counted from hand to hand. Assume that the card to be concealed is face up in the third position in the packet. The other three cards are face down. 51

To Perform: I.With the

hand take the cards

right

in

the "Biddle

Move"

on top of the packet of grip. The cards. Then with the right thumb and fingers, exert pressure on the ends of the cards so the center of the packet bends downward as shown in Figure 1 This bend in the cards makes later actions a right first

finger should be curled

.

accomplish. 2. Allow the cards to return to their normal condition, and then with the right first finger pick up the outer end of the top card of the packet as in Figure 2 and then swing the card to the left as in Figure 3. The left hand then takes the card as shown in Figure 3 and carries it away to the left a few inches. 3. The right first finger then picks up the outer end of the top two cards of the three that remain in the right hand and swivels the outer of these to the left as was done with the first card. 4. The left hand approaches the right hand as if intending to take the swivelled card on top of the card in the left hand. This bit easier to

action

is

shown

in

Figure

single card in the left

remains

in

the right

4.

As the hands reach

hand should be beneath the

hand. The

single card that

up the single and carries away the

right fingers then pick

hand as the left hand double card that was swivelled off.

card from the

this position, the

left

52

grips

53

5.

Then with

a similar swivel action,

the right

first

finger counts

each of the cards that remain in the right hand into the left hand. Each of these cards is taken atop those already in the left hand. This count, when done smoothly and a bit slower than the normal "Elmsley" or "Jordan Count" counting action, is mighty deceptive. To viewers it seems as if the exaggerated counting action is intended to make everything as fair as possible. Yet despite the apparent fairness a false count is made.

SMILE COUNT

Larry West

was first described in a trick by Larry West called "Smile." The count bears similarity to the "Elmsley Count" and the "Spirit" count described elsewhere in this book, but is different than these counts. This count conceals three card surfaces as four cards are apparently shown on both sides. One surface on one side of the cards is concealed and two surfaces on the other side. For explanation purposes, assume that the cards to be counted

The

title

of this count arises

are arranged face

backed

regular

down

face,

from the

as follows:

red-backed

blank face. 54

fact

it

blue-backed blank face, redblank face, and blue-backed

To Perform: Hold the cards face up in the left hand as if the cards were to "Elmsley be Counted." 2. With the right hand pinch off the face card of the packet as in the regular "Elmsley Count." Then turn the right hand to show the back of the card. As the back is shown, count aloud, "One." Then turn the hand so the card is again face up. 3. Next turn the left hand so the back of the packet of cards held in that hand is revealed to the spectators. Count, "Two," as the back is shown. Then turn the left hand so the cards are face up again. As soon as the cards are face up, approach the cards with the right hand, with the card held in the right hand going beneath those in the left hand. Just as the right hand card is nearly square with the left hand cards, the left thunrib squeezes the top two cards of the packet to the right as in the standard "Elmsley Count." The right hand takes the two cards that have been pushed off and the left fingers re-grip the single card beneath the left hand cards. Move the right hand and its cards to the right. Two blue-backed cards now remain in the left hand. 4. Turn the left hand so the backs of the cards are toward the spectators and spread these so the backs can be seen. As the backs are shown, count, "Three." Then turn the left hand so the cards are face up and take the face card of the pair onto the cards held 1.

in

the right hand. 5.

Finally

sides saying,

packet held

The

show the remaining card in the left hand on both "Four." Then place this last card at the face of the in

the right hand.

maneuver in this count is the same as in the standard "Elmsley Count," but by turning the hands between actual secret

counts as described, three surfaces are concealed.

PAIRS COUNT

Larry West

This count utilizes the same moves as the "Smile Count," but in some tricks the logic of counting the cards in pairs is better than counting four cards one at a time. For example, assume the cards are as described in the "Smile Count." To Perform:

With the cards held face up in the left hand, go through the motions described in Steps 1 2 and 3 of "Smiles Count." 2. After counting "Two," lay the two right hand cards on the table, and say, "One pair." 1.

,

55

in the left hand count "One" as and back with the right hand. Show the card's this is done. Then turn the right hand so the card is face up once

3.

Then take the top card

of the

two remaining

again.

Then turn the left hand card to show its back, and count, "Two." Then turn the card face up and take it on top of the 4.

right

hand card. Lay the

pair of cards

on the table and

say,

"A

second pair."

Showing the cards as pairs makes the actions used to show each pair seem to be the same and adds to the deceptiveness of the count. In some routines there may be other advantages to showing the cards as pairs instead of as four separate cards.

THE SPIRIT COUNT

Gene

Castillon

This useful count first appeared in the bound edition of Kabbala, published by Louis Tannen Inc. Reprinted by permission of Louis Tannen Inc. Commentary: This count deals with a four card packet consisting of a "two and two" situation rather than a "three and one" situation as found in the "Elmsiey Count." Assume that the packet consists of four cards from an ESP deck, two with circle designs and two with star designs. By using the "Spirit Count" the packet can be made to appear as four circles or as four stars. Although the maneuvers involved seem to be bold when they are

understood, the discrepancy involved

is

a natural-looking

one that

and artless. Working: At the beginning of the count, the cards should be arranged in the following sequence reading from the face of the packet: star, star, circle, circle. Whatever two cards compose the upper half of the packet will be the ones that appear as all four cards. In this case the circle will appear as each card is counted. 2. Hold the squared packet of cards face down in the left hand with the left thumb and fingers grasping the center of the left is

direct

long side of the packet as

shown

in

Figure

1.

This grip

is

similar to

that normally used for the "Elmsiey Count."

With the right thumb and fingers grasp the right long edge of the packet and with the right hand peel off the top card of the packet and slide it off and to the right. Once the card is clear of the packet, the right hand turns palm downward as shown in 3.

56

Figure

2.

This action occurs on the count of "One," and the spec

tators see the face of the right

hand

card.

hand then rotates so the card is face down once again and then returns to the left hand packet of cards to take the 4.

The

right

next card beneath the card already held in the right hand. This action is shown in Figure 3. Once the next card is taken beneath the right hand card, both cards are slid off to the right and turned face up as already explained in Step 3. As the pair of cards is shown the two cards may be squared or slightly spread. 5. Next comes a very important action. With the right hand return to the left hand ostensibly to take the next or third card, both of the right hand cards are replaced under the left hand pair as shown in Figure 4. This action should be a fluid "swooping" replacement.

hand cards are beneath the left hand cards they are jammed between the cards held in the left hand and the left fingertips. Once the cards have been gripped by the left 6.

As soon

fingertips the

cards of the

as the right

thumb immejdiately pushes off the top three packet as shown in Figure 5. The right hand grasps left

these three cards by their right long edge and carries them far enough to the right so they clear the card that remains in the left hand. The three cards are then turned face up momentarily as

was done with previous cards.

58

59

hand cards are returned to the left hand card which is taken beneath the three cards and slightly jogged to the left. All four cards are now flashed face up to show the fourth card. Four cards have been shown, Each appeared to have a circle design on its face. 7.

Finally the

three

right

Notes:

The

in Steps 1 of actions described sequence through 7 should be smooth and natural. The eyes of the audience tend to concentrate on the faces of the cards as they are lifted upward for display. They pay little attention to the replacements of the right hand packet. While the first replacement may be noticed, the spectators are unlikely to pay close attention at the key replacement during Step 5. The discrepant action will go unnoticed. Practice the count until it becomes slowly rhythmic with no

entire

snags or hangups.

60

SPREADS

THE SIMPLE SPREAD Often

with small packets of cards there is a need to cards while keeping one or more cards concealed spread the beneath the last card spread. This need occurs in many tricks in in tricks

which more cards are

in

use than the spectator sees at any one

time.

Suppose, for example, that the packet of cards in use consists of five cards, but the spectators are only aware of four cards. The idea of the simple spread is to spread the cards into a fan yet keep the extra card concealed.

To Perform: Hold the packet of cards in the left hand in dealing position but deeper in the hand than normal. The left thumb should rest on the back of the cards near the right outer corner of the cards. The left second finger projects past the outer corner. 2. With the left thumb tip press against the center of the top card near its outer end. Then push the card to the right using only the pressure of the left thumb against the back of the card. As the card is pushed to the right the tip of the left second finger serves as a stop and prevents all the other cards from moving too. In a sense, the second fingertip "meters off" the cards allowing only one to be pushed to the right. The position of the left hand and cards after the one card is pushed to the right is shown in Figure 1. 3. With the right thumb and fingers take the single card and 1.

retain

it

in

the right hand.

card and this one

shown

in

Figure

is

The

left

thumb then pushes

taken beneath the

first

one

in

off another

the right hand as

2.

Repeat the above actions until two cards remain in the left hand. Take both of these cards as one beneath the cards held in 4.

The spectators see a four card fan in the performer's right hand. The lower card of the group is actually two cards squared and aligned as one. the right hand.

Note:

More than two cards can be held squared and placed one beneath the right hand fan. For example six cards could be shown as four by keeping three cards aligned as the last card. b)Also there is no need to restrict the spread to four visible cards. The spread can be used with virtually any number of visible cards. Just push off the cards so the proper number is visible and retain the other cards squared beneath the last visible card. For example, the five cards in the description above could be shown as three by keeping three cards squared as one and taking a)

as

the block of three cards as the third visible card. 61

62

THE BACK SPREAD This method of spreading a packet of cards conceals one or more cards beneath the top card of the packet. For purposes of description, assume that there are six cards in a packet of cards and that the cards are to be spread so they appear as four cards only.

To Perform: Hold the packet of cards from above with the right fingers at the outer narrow end of the packet and the right thumb at the inner narrow end. The right hand is arched above the cards. 2. With the left fingers, reach beneath the packet and press the tips of the left second and third fingers lightly against the bottom cards. By pulling the left fingers to the left the bottom cards is pulled out slightly as shown in Figure 1 3. Next move the left fingers further beneath the packet so the fingertips can contact the card second from the bottom of the packet. By moving the left fingers to the left pull the second 1.

card to the

left

so the cards appear as

in

Figure

2.

manner pull the third card to the left so a spread of four cards results as shown in Figure 3. The card at the top of the spread is actually a block of three cards. The extra cards below the top card could be reversed cards, cards with odd colors, or simply extra cards depending upon the trick in question. 4. In a similar

63

64

BUCKLE COUNT The "Buckle Count"

is

a

fan and concealing one or

method of showing several cards in a more cards. Suppose, in explanation,

that the performer has a packet of six cards which he wants to

show

as only four cards. In actual use, the

two cards

that are con-

cealed might simply be extra cards, or they might be reversed cards, cards with

odd colored backs, or cards that

are in

some

other manner special. In the description that follows the cards that are to be concealed are shown with odd back patterns. They are located in the fourth and fifth position in the packet as shown in Figure 1 To Perform: To fully understand the count, it is essential for the reader to understand how the "buckle," for which the count is named,

takes place. Place the cards

Figure

2.

in

The outer

the performer's

first

the

left

hand

in

dealing position as

right corner of the

packet should

or second fingertip.

try the following actions using

The reader

lie is

shown

in

either on

advised to

both fingers and determine which

finger produces the best results.

65

66

To cause the "buckle/ press the left thumb downward on the outer right corner of the packet so it applies pressure against the finger underneath. Then move the finger diagonally inward toward the inner left corner of the packet at the same time pressing against the

bottom

ca'-d

of the packet.

The

direction of the finger

movement is shown by the arrow in Figure 3. A movement of about one-jixteenth inch by the finger will cause the inner right corner of the bottom card to "buckle" downward as exposed in Figure 4. The break above the buckled card provides a space into which the right fingertips will later be inserted.

Now 1.

in

for a description of the entire count.

Hold the packet of cards face down

Figure

in

the

left

hand

as

shown

2.

With the left thumb push the top card of the packet to the right and take it into the right hand with the right thumb on the back of the card and the fingers against the face of the card. 2.

67

Push off the next card with the left thumb and with the right hand take the second card beneath the one already in the right hand and fanned to the left as shown in Figure 5. 4. Now with the left first or second finger, "buckle the bottom card of those that remain in the left hand. With the right hand and its two fanned cards, move back to the left hand and place the two fanned cards on top of the left packet as shown in Figure 6. The right second and third fingertips enter the break above the "buckled" card as shown in Figure 7. These fingers press the three cards above the break against the fan of two cards and the block of three cards is carried away beneath the fan as if it were a single card. Figure 8 shows the block of three cards as the lowest card in the right hand fan. 5. Finally, take the remaining card from the left hand beneath 3.

the fan of cards and display the four cards

hand.

The two extra cards

in a

fan

in

the right

are not seen.

With practice, the "Buckle Count" can be done casually and at the same speed the performer would normally transfer cards from hand to hand.

69

ASCANIO SPREAD The "Ascanio Spread"

Arturo de Ascanio is

a utility

move

applicable to

many

card

necessary to conceal one or more cards while showing several others. A printed description of the move first effects in

which

it

is

Hamman

Folio published by Karl Fulves. The handling which follows differs from that which was printed in

appeared the

in

Hamman

the

Folio.

The description which follows assumes that the performer wishes to spread and show four cards while keeping a fifth card hidden. The reader should note, however, that the basic spread and modifications can be applied to packets which contain any reasonable number of cards. Packets consisting of as few as three or as many as eight or ten visible cards could be handled using a similar technique.

To

assume that it is desired to show four face up cards and conceal one additional face down card as the four cards are shown. To learn the "Ascanio Spread" hold five cards in a face up fan. Then turn the third card in the fan face down as in Figure

1.

describe,

This "starting position"

is

70

for explanatory purposes only

and in actual use the spectators are not permitted to see the performer reverse the card. Square up the packet. The cards are now in the proper arrangement to do the "Ascanio Spread."

To Perform

:

Grip the packet of cards from above in the right hand. The right thumb should be at the inner narrow end of the packet, the second and third fingers at the outer end, and the right first finger curled at the top of the packet. 2. With the base of the left first finger press against the bottom card of the packet. Then with the right hand, pull all the other cards to the right and inward to the position shown in Figure 2. 3. With the left thumb press against the top card of the packet the right fingers are holding. With the right hand pull the packet of cards, with the exception of the top card, forward and to the right so the packet is beside the first card as shown in Figure 3. The left thumb holds the top card of the packet in position. 4. Next the tips of the left second and third fingers are pressed against the bottom card of the block of three still held by the right hand. The right hand then moves the top two cards of the packet to the right to the position shown in Figure 4. The reversed card will be hidden under the face up card at the extreme right 1.

of the spread. 71

72

All actions of the spread should be

unduly slow pace. The spreading

done

at a relaxed

actions should

more than two or three seconds. The move can be put to good use

but not

consume no

such as "Twisting the Aces." In such an application the cards would be rearranged during handling to bring the Aces in succession to the center position where they would be hidden when the spread is made. The single face down card in the spread would be mistaken by the spectators to be the concealed Ace. The cards would then be rearranged to bring a different Ace to the center position. Then when the spread is made, the different Ace would be concealed and the face down card would seem to be that Ace. In a similar manner all four Aces seemingly reverse themselves in the spread one at a time.

73

in effects