125 Tricks With Cards

(1)

(2)

W !LL ALMA

M.I.M.C. a O N D O N )

(3)

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 i t h th e assista n ce 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 ca n do one o r m ore c a 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 il it 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 s e n te d w it h confidence a n d su c 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 t r ia ls . N a t u 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 i c 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 t h 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 f t ly and w i t h as s m o o th a flo w o f m o tio n as p o ssib le . T h e a c tio n m u s t n o t be je r k y a n d 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 f o r c in g a re p e rh a p s th e b a ck b o n e o f th e c a rd t r i c k sequences. T hese 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 r d ly a n y m o re d i f 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 h e h is to r y o f c a rd t r ic k s goes b a c k to th e m id d le ages a n d f o r y e 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 r m som e 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 bo o k. H o w e v e r, th e s e c re 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 se ld o m 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 v e lo p a c o n tin u o u s lin e o f p a tte r , as th e s ta g e p e r fo rm e rs te rm I t , to keep u p th e I n t e r est o f th e a u 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 n c e f r 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 a ve to im i ta te th e v e n t r 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 au d ie nce w a tc h e s w it h r a p t in te r e s t th e m o ve m e n ts 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 c o 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 r e n tly a re co m in g o u t h is "s to o g e ’s’’ lip s . T h e b e g in n e r can r e s t assu re d o f one t h in g and t h a t is t h a t th e t r ic k s in t h is b o o k a re th o se used b y som e o f th e fo re m o s t m a s te rs . T he e x p e rts w h o w o r k 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 l l w e re re c o g n iz e d as a m o n g th e r e a l m a ste rs . T h e t r ic k s a re sound a n d w h e n p ro p e r ly p re s e n te d w i l l r e n d e r th e e ffe c ts d esired. T h e re a re m a n y t r ic k s w h ic h do n o t re q u ir e 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 t h is ty p e as p o ssib le . M o s t o f th e e q u ip m e n t r e q u ire d w it h som e 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 u ch o f i t ca n 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 p o s s ib ilit ie s . I n fa c t, m o s t o f th e m a s te rs w h o a p p ea re d f o r y e a rs on th e s ta g e a n d in p r iv 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 s t 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 s te 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 t o th e c o n s id e ra tio n o f these m o re in t r ic a t e p o s s ib ilitie s is e n t ir e ly u p to h im s e lf. T h e b o o k ab o un d s w i t h n u m e ro u s t r ic k s a n d s le ig h ts w h ic h can be m a s te re d w it h in a s h o rt p e rio d o f tim e a n d th e p u b lis h e rs c o n fid e n tly p r e d ic t t h a t once th e e a s ie r t r ic k s h a ve been m a s te re d th e d e s ire to p e rfo r m th e h a rd e r ones w i l l be h a rd to suppress. T h e re a re som e w h o c o n te n d t h a t c a rd t r ic k s r e a lly s ta rte d s h o r t ly a f t e r p la y in g ca rd s w e re in tro d u c e d i n t o E u ro p e a n d w e re w o r k e d o u t b y th e

(4)

2 125 TR IC K S W IT H CARDS OR SLE IG H T OP H A N D

w o r ld ’s f ir s t cheats in c a rd games. A s 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 y s w h e re b y cards co u ld be s w itc h e d to th e b e n e fit o f e ith e r one o r m ore in d iv id u a ls in th o se gam es w h e re w a g e rs and s ta k e 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 g a in e d c o n s id e ra b le rich es, a c c o rd in g to these h is to ria n s . H o w e ve r, i t w a s n o t lo n g b e fo re th e ir schemes w e re u n co vere d and became, to a c e rta in e x te n t, th e k n o w le d g e o f so m a n y t h 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 b e a t th is s itu a tio n th e cheats m e re ly c o n c e n tra te d on fin d in g n ew m eth o d s 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 l e b it ahead o f t h e ir p u rs u e rs . W h ile th e n a tu re o f c a rd t r ic k s is f a ir l y w e ll u n d e rsto o d th e m eth o d 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 re s p e c ta b le p e r sons a re a n n u a lly lu re d in to games b y p ro fe s s io n a l g a m b le rs w h o u n d e rs ta 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 c o m p e tin g . The a n n u a l t o ll ru n s in to m a n y h u n dre d s o f th o usa n d s and the p ro fe s s io n a l g a m b le r a l w a y s 'w il l fin d v ic tim s because so fe w persons u n d e r s ta n d w h a t can be done w it h a p a ck 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 it y o f ca rd t r ic k s t h 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 a re based on th e g re a t o p p o r tu 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 ris e fru rn the ta b le , f lu 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 f a c t so m a n y th in g s can be done t h a t s u g g e st s tr o n g ly o f b la c k m a g ic t h a t th e co n s cie n tio u s p e rfo rm e r can m a ke peoples’ h a ir lit e r a l ly s ta 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 d esire f o r v a r ie ty in p ro g ra m s and e n te rta in m e n ts b y th e o ld m aste rs. Once these m a s te rs had p e rfe c te d a ll k n o w n t r 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. T he 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 t h a t so m e tim e s 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 c a rd is to rn up b y th e a u d ience and th e n made to re a p p e a r w h o le , in a fra m e on th e stage, w it h the excep t io n o f a s in g le piece o f th e sup p ose d ly to r n c a rd m is s in g , a c tu a lly to o k y e a rs to w o r k ou t. 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 c o u ld do th e t r i c k t h a t i t w o u ld be done s m o o th ly and t h a t th e am aze m e n t o f th e a u dience a t se e in g th e t o r n c o rn e r re a p p e a r and fu rth e r m o r e to have one o f th e a udience f i t 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 - be lie ve a ble . S till, th is t r i c k can be w o rk e d o u t i f th e sp e c ia l e q u ip m e n t is ob taine d . O f g re a t v a lu e also is th e a b ilit y o f th e a m a te u r to a p p e a r e x c e e d in g ly n a tu r a l d u r in g th e p re s e n ta tio n o f w h a t tr ic k s he m a y have m astered. .Th e re sh o u ld be l i t t l e in h is a c tio n to in d ic a te t h a t he c o n sid e rs h im s e lf a fin is h e d m a g ic ia 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 ris h e s , excessive fa n fa re , etc., b y w h ic h he im presses h is a u dience o f th e g re a t d if f ic u lt y and s t r 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 tr ic 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 t r ic k s in a fa s h io n th a t m ake s i t a p p e a r t h a t i t re q u ire s a lm o s t no e ffo rt m akes his a u dience w o n d e r th e m ost. T he p a tte r can be casual and easy, ju s t as th o u g h i t w e re p a r t o f the o rd in a r y c o n ve rsa tio n . W h e n th e a udience sees th e cards do s tra n g e t r ic k s w it h a lm o s t no e ffo rt th e y become so im pressed t h a t th e re is a lw a y s th e dem and f o r m ore and a ls o 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 r e a tly in crea se th e re s p e c t f o r th e p e rfo rm e r. T he sp e c ia l e q u ip m e n t, o f course, does n o t f it in w it h th e p la n s ,o f th e p erson d e s irin g to p re s e n t c a rd t r ic k s as a ca su a l in te rlu d e in w h a t m ay be a c a rd p a r t y 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 t u r a lly th e p e rfo rm e r m u s t be c a re fu l to m a ke 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 s p e c ia l e q u ip m e n t.

(5)

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 this, 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 is 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 it h th e little 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 the lo w e r p o r t io 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 he lo w e r end, the le f t t h u m b l y i n g s l i g h t l y bent 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 lo w e r p a c k e t ' ito th e f o r k of the le f t t h u m b so

t h a t the tw o p a c k e t s w ill b e in the p o s it io n d e p ic 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 the 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 the u p p e r p o r t io n o f the d e c k to be d r a w n a w a y , a t th e s a m e tim 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 il the e d g e s o f the 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 ir d i l l u s t r a t i o n . W h en the p a c k e t s a r e a t t h i s p o s it io n by th e m e r e a c t o f c l o s i n g the le 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 they 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 ill now be on the 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 ill m a k e t h is cle ar. T H E F O R C E 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 iv e l y in d is p e n s i b l e in c e r t a i n tr ic k s . I t a l w a y s h a s p r o v e n d iff ic u lt to t e a c h a novic e how to a c c o m p l i s h t h is t r i c k in w r it i n g , b u t a c t u a l e x p e r i m e n t w ill 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 is h s e le 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 dec 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 id d le ) 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

(6)

I

rR IC K S W IT H CAItDS OR SLEIG H T OF H A N D

fin ge r o f the r i g h t h an d m e a n w h ile 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 im e r u n n i n g the c a r d s q u ic k ly f r o m h a n d to h a n d and, a s the s p e c t a t o r ’s fin g e r s a p p r o a c h the 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 ir e d c a r d in to h is

t -i< a s in d icated in th e s e c o n d il- : -ii which s h o w s how the c a r d 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 s u r e o f su cc ess * the c a r d to be f o rc e d sh o u ld be a bit m o r e e x p o s e d th a n the oth e r s. T h is , h o w e v e r, is- j n e r e l y the o u tlin e o f th e t r i c k , a n d t o be

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 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 es t a s s e t s w hen the t r ic k is offered.

H o w e v e r , th ^r e is a n e s c a p e sh o u ld tho. s p e c t a t o r d ec lin e to t a k e the s u g - ; g e s t e d card. S h o u ld t h i s h appen , m e r e 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 the dec k a n y w h e r e , p u t the little fin g e r on it, m a k e the p a s s b r i n g i n g it to the top, f r o m w hich p o sit io n it c a n be p a lm e d off, or th e t r ic k finish ed a s 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 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 p erson . T H E D IV IN IN G C A R D P r o v id e a p a c k in whic^i t h e r e is a lo n g c a r d ; open it a t t h a t p a r t w h e r e the lo n g c a r d is, a n d p r e s e n t the p a c k to a p e r s o n in s u c h a m a n n e r th a t he 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 tell him to p u t it into one p a r t o f the p a c k , a n d s h u f f l e th e ca rd3. Y o u

tak-e a p a c k a n d offer the s a m e c a r d s in lik e m a n n e r to the 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 do n o t s t a n d n e a r e n o u g h to see the card 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 car d . Y ou th en sh u ff le a l l the c a r d s to g e t h e r , c u t t i n g them 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 ard. Y ou t h en p u t it in the 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 the 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 t h is r e c r e a t i o n w i t h o u t the l o n g c a r d in the following- m a n n e r :

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 la 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 offer th a t c a r d to th e s e c o n d p e r s o n th a t he m a y d r a w it a n d p u t it in the i m id d le of the p a c k . Y ou m a k e the p a s s

a n d sh u ff le the c a r d s the se c o n d tim e in the s a m e m an n e r, an d offer the c a r d 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.

D E C E P T I V E S H U F F L E S T h e r e a r e th r e e k in 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 it upon th e p a c k , th en t a k e it in the r ig 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 it h the th u m b of t h is l a s t hand, s lip 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 is 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 un d in y o u r r i g h t hand. B y th is m e a n s the r e s e r v e d c a r d w ill be fo un d a t the b o ttom , an 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 the le f t h an d e x c e p t i n g only the u p p e r m o s t c ard, you c a n p a s s s u c c e s s i v e l y a ll the c a r d s f r o m th e le f t to the r i g h t hand, t h r o u g h p l a c i n g the c a r d s a l t e r n a t e l y a b o v e an d b e lo w the 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 til you r e a c h the r e s e r v e d c ard, which y o u p u t on th e top, o r the b o ttom , a s c i r c u m s t a n c e s r equ ire.

T h e se co n d d e c e p t iv e sh u ff le c o n s i s t s in t a k i n g f r o m the r i g h t hand, the u p p e r m o s t h a l f o f a p a c k held in th e left, in m o v i n g a d r o i t l y the a n n u l a r f in ge r o f the r ig h t , to a l l o w the r a r d s to s lip w it h o u t d e r a n g i n g th e ir o r d e r ; 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 . ed the c a r d s o f a p a c k w ith the a n n u 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 s a id , it is n e c e s s a r y to p la c e b e n e a t h t h e p a c k in the r i g h t h an d a card, 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 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 i n g s o m e w holly u n d e r n e a th . T h e se ,

(7)

125 TR IC K S W IT H CARDS OR SLE IG H T OF H A N D

5

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 the 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 in 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 the 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 plac e. T h e th ir d d e c e p t iv 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 iv id e the in f e r io r p o r tio n into th r ee o th e r little p a c k a g e s , of w h ich the fir st f a l l s upon t h e ta b le , th e s e c o n d to the r i g h t , a n d the third 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 ld 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 ile 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 the 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 in 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 , fir s t to held it b e tw e e n the index a n d m i d d le fin ge r o f the r i g h t h and, 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 and, b e tw e e n the 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 ic 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 it io n the m iddle , a n n u l a r , a n d l it 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 in g e r s t h a t y o u m u s t t a k e the c a r d which is in th e r i g h t h and a n d w hen t h a t is b r o u g h t n e a r the 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 ic h y o ” . w i s h to s u b s t i t u t e . TO S L I P A C A R D To s lip a c a r d it is n e c e s s a r y , fir st to ho ld the 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 ill s u p p o s e to be th e Ace o f D ia m o n d s , se cond, tu r n the p a c k u p s id e down, 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 ; third, t a k e i n s t e a d o f the A c e o f D ia m o n d s , the c a r d im 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 is A ce o f D i a m o n d s to s lip b e hind w ith th e a n n u l a r a n d l it t le fin g e r s o f the r i g h t h and, w h ich y ou h a v e d a m p e n e d a m o m e n t b e f o r e w it h s o m 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 hich is d r a w n the se co n d c a r d in s t e a d o f th e fir st b e lo w it. s h o u ld be l i k e w i s e m o i s t e n e d w it h s a l i v a . 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 the 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 is e d d i a g o n a l l y o v e r the 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 it h th e l e f t hand, 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 lit t le f in g e r a n d thum b. 3. L e a n y o u r r i g h t h a n d c a r e l e s s l y upon the e d g e o f a t a b l e to c o n c e a l th© f r a u 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 la 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 ith the l it t le fin ger, a s if to i n d ic 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 in v ite him to p u t th e h and. B y t h i s m e a n s he w ill n o t p a y a t t e n t i o n to the 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 is 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 C H A N G E A c a r d held in the h an 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 diff 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 the 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 an d , the p a c k b e i n g h eld in the left, w it h the 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 , an d , a s i t p a s s e s the 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 it h the 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 in ae te c.tab le e x e c u tio 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 llu s io n c a n be c r e a t e d . I f th e bo dy 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, it w i l l g r e a t l y f a c i l i t a t e the de 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 A R D S H E I N G 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 I C H E A C H H A S C H O S E N A s it is n e c e s s a r y t h a t the 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 ll the fir st A, th e s e c o n d B, a n d th e t h ir 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 ic 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 ,

(8)

x25 TRICK S W IT H CARDS OR SLE 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 ir 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 the c o u n t e r s o f th e p e r s o n w ho h a s c h o s e n the* c a r d A, th e third o f th o se o f the p e r s o n who h a s ‘c hosen 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 ho h a s chosen C, a n d a s k the sum , 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 llo w in g 1 t a b le ; F i r s t . Second. Third. S u m s. 12 2 1 36 A B C 23 A C B 24 B A C 25 C A B 27 B C A 28 C B A 29 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 the c a r d A, an d the th ir d the 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 the c a r d B, the s e c ond the c a r d C, and the th ir d the 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 the 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 an 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 ith the 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 ig 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 upon it. T h i s c a u s e s the c a r d to be tilte 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 hen 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 the c a r d is p a lm e d , a l l o w th e ■). nd to h a n g do w n in a c a r e l e s s p o s it io 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 ld 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 ig h t s , a s w hen he is p r o fi cie n t i n n u m e r a b le n ew t r i c k s an 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 PR O D U C E A P A R T IC U L A R C A R 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 it h th e c o r n e r s c u t off. P l a c e them a l l one w ay , 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 ile 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 the 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 will 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 behind y o u r b a c k . Y ou can f eel the p r o j e c t i n g c a r d — d r a w it out, an d s h o w it. TO C A L L F O R A N Y C A R D JIN T H E P A C K T h i s is a v e r y s im p le 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 ie 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 the 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 is t a n c e . T a k e the p a c k o f c a r d s a s it u s u a l l y lies, 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 in g to sh u ff le th e c a r d s , p la c e the 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 in g th e c a r d s f ir m ly by the 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 an d the 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 out, 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 ic 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 the 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 the 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 the o th e r sid e o f the p a c k , h a n d l i n g the 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 the 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 the 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 them 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 E A B L E A C E T a k e the A c e o f D ia 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 ur se , y o u s lid 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 le , y o u bid h im c o v e r it w it h h is 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 the A c e o f D ia m o n d s .

(9)

125 TR IC K S W IT H CARDS Ol-

■*xAl'iL>

H E C O N V E R T IB L E ACES TIi.’ j t r ic k is s im ila r to the 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 yo u 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 y o u p lace 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 ca rd s 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 it 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 the J a c k o f S p a d e s , u n d e r w h ic h p l a c e the 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, the T e n o f C lub s. On th e to p o f the 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 ic h a r e p a i n t e d d iff e r e n t o b je c t s , viz.: F i r s t C a r d ...A B ird. S e c o n d C a r d . . . A S e v e n o f D ia m o n d s . T h i r d C a r d . . . .A F l o w e r . F o u r t h C a r d . . A n o t h e r 7 o f D ia m o n d s . 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. S e v e n t h C a r d . . A F l o w e r . 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 in d iff e r e n t c a r d s , the J a c k o f S p a d e s , w h ic h is the w ide c ard, the 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 the r e s t a n y in d i f f e r e n t c a r d s . 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 id 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 the 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 id e end, a s y o u op en a bo ok, a n d t e l l the 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 them , i n s t a n t l y b r i n g th e c a r d w h ic h i s a t top, a n d on w h ic h a b ir d is p a in 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 is 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 ith w h ich y ou a r e to b r i n g the c a r d to the m id d le o f the p a c k . Y o u then bid the p e r s o n l o o k a t h is c ard, a n d w h en he h a s r e m a r k e d on the c h a n g e , to p la c e it w h e r e it 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, an d b r i n g i n g th e S e v e n o f D i a m on ds, w hich is a t the 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 is c a r d a g a i n , w h e n h e w ill s e e it is t h a t w h ich he d re w . Y o u m a y do the s a m e w ith a l l th e o t h e r p a i n t e d c a r d s , e it h e r w it h th e s a m e p e r s o n o r w it h him w h o d r e w th e T e n o f C lu b s. T he w h o le a r tific e c o n s is ts 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 c k go o u t o f y o u r h a n ^s T H E G A T ; ..<G OF T H E CLANzi H a ve in rea d in e ss a p a c k o f cards, a ll th e ca rd s o f w h ic h are a rra n g e d in successive o rd e r— t h a t is to say, i f i t c o n sists o f f if t y - t w o cards, e v e ry t h i r teen m u s t be r e g u la r ly a rra n g e d , w i t h o u t a d u p lic a te o f a n y one o f them . A f t e r th e y have been c u t (do n o t s u f f e r th e m to be s h u ffle d ) as m a n y tim e s as a person m a y choose, fo rm th e n in to th ir te e n heaps o f fo u r ca rd s each, w it h th e c o lo re d faces d o w n w a rd , and p u t th e m c a r e fu lly to g e th e r a g a in . W hen th is is done, th e fo u r k in g s , th e fo u r ja c k s , th e fo u r queens, and so on, m u s t n e c e s s a rily be to g e th e r.

TO T E L L T H E N U M B E R OF CAR DS BY T H E W E IG H T

T a k e a p a r c e l o f c a r d s — s a y f o r t y — a n d p r i v a t e l y i n s e r t a m o n g them tw o l o n g c a r d s ; le t the fir st be, f o r e x a m p l e , the fif tee n th , a n d th e o t h e r th e t w e n t y - s i x t h , f r o m the top. S e e m to sh u ff le t h e c a r d s , a n d c u t th e m a t th e fir st l o n g c a r d ; p o is e t h o s e y o u h a v e t a k e n off in y o u r hand, an d s a y , “ T h e r e m u s t be fif tee n c a r d s h e r e ; ” then cu t th em a t th e s e c o n d l o n g c ard, a n d sa y , “ T h e r e a r e b u t e le v e n h e r e ; ” a n d p o i s i n g the r e m a in d e r , e x c la im , “ An d here a r e f o u r t e e n c a r d s . ” On c o u n t i n g them , the s p e c t a t o r s w ill find y o u r c a l c u l a t i o n s co rr e ct . T H E CO N TIN U O U S F R O N T A N D B A C K H A N D P A L M A N D T R IC K S N C O N N E C TIO N T H E R E W IT H . W e w ill fir st o f a ll d e s c r i b e t h e m e t h o d o f w o r k i n g t h is t r i c k w it h one c ard. T o b e g i n w ith , th e c a r d is held b e t w e e n the t i p s o f the m id d le f in g e r a n d th u m b , a s il l u s t r a t e d . T h e f ir s t a n d l i t t l e f in g e r s n o w g r i p th e c ard. T h e tw o m id d le f in g e r s a r e n e x t be n t a n d b r o u g h t d o w n u n d e r the c a r d s an d r o u n d to th e f r o n t o f s a m e , th e r e b y c a u s i n g the c a r d to r e v o l v e b e tw e e n th e fir st a n d f o u r t h f in g e r s , a s t h o u g h on a n a x i s , a n d a s s u m e th e p o s i t io n on th e b a c k o f th e h a n d c lip p e d b e tw e e n th e f i r s t a n d s e c o n d a n ^ th ir d an d f o u r t h fin ge rs.

(10)

125 THICKS W IT H CARDS OIl SLE IG H T OP H A N D

A f t e r c o n s i d e r a b l e p r a c t i c e ' t w ill b e fo u n d t h a t a ll the m o v e m e n t s w ill be c o m e p r a c t i c a l l y one{ a n d the c a r d w i l l a p p a r e n t l y v a n i s h f r o m th e h an d i n g a g l i m p s e o f the c a r d s a s th e y a r e b r o u g h t f r o m th e b a c k to th e f r o n t o f the h and, o r v ice v e r s a . T h i s can, ho w e v e r, be s u r m o u n t e d by p r a c t i s i n g

b e f o r e a m ir r o r , a s y o u w ill th en be a b l e to a s c e r t a i n th e e x a c t a n g l e a t w h ic h the m o v e m e n t c a n be in d e c te t- a b l y a c c o m p lis h e d .

T o f u r t h e r h e ig h t e n the e ffe ct o f the s l e i g h t w h e n the c a r d i s in p o s it io n w it h the b a c k o f the h and, o f co ur se, f a c i n g the a u d ie n c e , p u s h the c a r d d o w n into the p a l m a s sh ow n . T h i s m o v e m e n t, w h ich is a b s o l u t e l y i m p o s s i b l e to d e s c r i b e in w r it i n g , w ill be c o m e a p p a r e n t to th e l e a r n e r a f t e r a f e w t r i a l s .

W ith the c a r d in t h is p o sit io n , o f c o u r se , th e f in g e r s a n d t h u m b c a n be s p r e a d w id e a p a r t .

W hen m a n i p u l a t i n g m o r e th a n one c a r d , the a b o v e m o v e m e n t s a ll hold g o o d w i t h th e e x c e p t io n of b r i n g i n g the c a r d s f r o m the b a c k o f the h a n d to the front. I n s t e a d o f th e th u m b p u l l i n g 1 t h e c a r d s r o u n d to th e f r o n t , w hich ■ w o u ld p r a c t i c a l l y be im p o s s ib le , it sim_ j p ly p r e s s e s upon th em , w h ile th e first ! f in g e r m o v e s to the o t h e r en d o f the c a r d s , a n d p u s h e s t h e m down. T h e f o r e g o i n g i s th e c o r r e c t m e th o d o f e x e c u t i n g th e c o n t in u o u s f r o n t a n d b a c k h a n d p a lm . T O M A K E A C A R D PASS F R O M O N E H A N D IN T O T H E O T H E R T a k e tw o A c es, th e one o f S p a d e s an d the o t h e r o f H e a r t s ; th en p u t on t h a t o f s p a d e s th e m a r k of H e a r t s , arithoT .it the m o s t a s t u t e s p e c t a t o r h a v -

n g th e f a i n t e s t id ea w h e r e , e s p e c i a l l y f the m a n i p u l a t i o n is a c c o m p l i s h e d v i t h a s w e e p i n g m otion, a s t h o u g h th e c a r d w e r e t h r o w n in th e air. N ow to r e v e r s e the c a r d to the f r o n t o f the h a n d a g a i n , so a s to e n a b le the b a c k o f th e h a n d to b e s h o w n to the au d ien ce .

T o a c c o m p l i s h th is, the f in g e r s bend f o r w a r d so t h a t th e th u m b c a n p r e s s on the m id d le o f th e f a c e o f the card, a n d pull it s h a r p l y r o u n d to the f r o n t o f the hand, w h e r e it is h eld b e tw e e n th e fin ge rs, a s sh ow n.

Th e p r in c ip a l d i f f i c u l t y e n c o u n t e r e d by v t u l e n t s w hen l e a r n i n g th is s l e i g h t vc. o r e v e n t the a u d ie n c e f r o m c a t c h

(11)

-125 TR IC K S W IT H CARDS OR SLE IG H T O F H A N D

17 d e r w ill i n d i c a t e th e s p o t s o f the c a r d wh ich h a s be en d r a w n : i f th e r e m a i n d e r is 11, it h a s be e n a j a c k , if 12 a q u een , b u t if n o t h i n g r e m a i n s it h a s be en a king:. T h e c o lo r o f the k i n g m a y be k n o w n by e x a m i n i n g w h ich one a m o n g the c a r d s is w a n t i n g . T h e t r i c k m a y t h u s be e x p la in e d . In the d e c k o f c a r d s t h e r e a r e 13 o f e a c h s u i t e ; th e s u m o f a l l the s p o t s o f e a c h su ite , c a l l i n g th e j a c k 11, th e q u e e n 12, a n d the k i n g 13, is s e v e n t i m e s 13, or 91, w h ic h is a m u l t i p l e o f 12; c o n s e q u e n t ly , th e q u a d r u p l e o f t h is s u m is a m u l t i p l e o f 13 a l s o ; i f th e s p o t s th en o f a l l the c a r d s be a d d e d to g e t h e r , a l w a y s r e j e c t i n g 13, w e m u s t a t l a s t find the r e m a i n d e r e q u a l to n o t h in g . I f a c a r d the s p o t s o f w h ic h a r e l e s s th a n 13, h a s be e n d r a w n f r o m th e dec k, th e d iff e r e n c e b e t w e e n t h e s e s p o t s a n d 13 A v i l l be w h a t i s w a n t i n g to c o m p l e t e t h a t n u m b e r ; i f a t the end, then, i n s t e a d o f r e c e iv in g 12, w e re&ch o n ly 10, f o r e x a m p l e , it is e v i d e n t t h a t the c a r d w a n t i n g i s a three, an d if w e r e a c h 13, i t i s a l s o e v id e n t t h a t th e c a r d w a n t i n g i s e q u i v a l e n t to 13, o r a k i n g . TO C H A N G E A P A C K OF CAR D S IN T O V A R IO U S P IC T U R E S T a k e a p a c k o f c a r d s a n d p a i n t th e b a c k s o f o n e - h a l f o f the p a c k w it h w h a t f ig u r e s y o u t h i n k fit— a s m en, b ir d s, w o m e n , flo w ers, etc. A l s o p a i n t th e f a c e s o f th e o th e r h a l f o f the c a r d s in th e s a m e m a n n e r ; t h u s y o u w ill h a v e a c o m p l e t e p a c k o f odd p i c t u r e s , a n d m a y , b y s h o w i n g th e f a c e s o f t h a t p a r t o f th e p a c k w h o s e b a c k s only h a v e be en p a i n t e d , a n d th e n b y a m o m e n t a r y s h u f f l e , a p p a r e n t l y t r a n s f o r m th em into a s e t o f g r o t e s q u e fig-ures p r o d u c e m u c h a m u s e m e n t . E X P E R T C A R D M A N IP U L A T IO N S e v e n o r e i g h t c a r d s a r e s e le c t e d ( n o t f o r c e d ) in a b u n c h f r o m a p r e v i o u s l y s h u f f l e d p a c k . T h e p e r f o r m e r c a n 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 . Th e a r t i s t f ir s t s h u f f l i n g th e p a c k , a s p e c t a t o r i s th en a s k e d to n a m e a n y ca r d , w h e r e u p o n the p e r f o r m e r s t a t e s it s c o r r e c t p o s i t io n in the p a c k , a n d to j o r r o b o r a t e h is a s s e r t i o n , im m e d i a t e l y proceeds to c u t th e p a c k a t th e d e s i r e d ca rd. T h r e e c a r d s a r e s e l e c t e d b y a m e m b e r o f th e a u d ie n c e , and, w i t h o u t l o o k i n g a t s a m e , a r e p la c e d by h i m s e l f in h is p o c k e t. T h e p e r f o r m e r n o w c a l l s o u t the n a m e o f a c e r t a i n c a r d , w h ich w e w ill s u p p o s e i s th e e i g h t o f d i a m onds, a n d r e q u e s t s th e s p e c t a t o r to t a k e one of th e t h r e e c a r d s f r o m h is p o c k e t , w h ic h upon e x a m i n a t i o n , is sh o w n to be the e i g h t o f d ia m o n d s . T h i s is r e p e a t e d w it h th e r e m a i n i n g tw o c a r d s . T h e f o r e g o i n g a r e b u t a f e w o f the m a n y b r i l l i a n t a n d b e w i l d e r i n g t r i c k s p o s s i b l e o f p e r f o r m a n c e b y th e m e th o d 've a r e a b o u t to d e sc rib e . M a n y h a v e f o r s o m e tim e p a s t be e n a c c u s t o m e d to p r e s e n t t h is s e r i e s o f t r i c k s a t a l l p r i v a t e e n g a g e m e n t s , a n d can , w i t h o u t h e s i t a t i o n , e m p h a t i c a l l y s t a t e t h a t f o r p a r l o r o r d r a w i n g r oom w o r k t h e r e a r e no b e t t e r c a r d - t r i c k s e x t a n t . T h e p r i n c i p a l s e c r e t o f the w h o le o f the t r i c k s h e r e in e x p l a i n e d l ie s in th e n o v e l p r e a r r a n g e m e n t o f the p a c k o f c a r d s used. T h e c a r d s s h o u ld , in the f ir st p la c e , be l a id o u t on the t a b l e in th e o r d e r a s sh ow n . T h e s e c o n d c a r d ( th e f o u r o f s p a d e s ) s h o u l d n o w be p l a c e d on ( t h e a c e o f c l u b s ) , th en th e th ir d one ( t h e s e v e n o f h e a r t s ) , a n d so on to th e end. I t w ill be o b s e r v e d 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 th e one i m m e d i a t e l y b e h in d it, th e a r r a n g e m e n t o f th e s u i t e s b e i n g : C lub s, s p a d e s , h e a r t s , d i a m o n d s. T h e p r e c i s e a r r a n g e m e n t o f the s u i t s is p r a c t i c a l l y i m m a t e r i a l , a n d it would , p e r h a p s , be a s w e ll f o r th e s t u d e n t to a d o p t a s y s t e m o f h i s ow n. T h e a r r a n g e m e n t o f the C o u r t c a r d s i s : J a c k — 11, q u e e n — 12, Jungr— 13, s o t h a t s u p p o s i n g the b o t t o m c a r d o f th e p a c k w a s th e j a c k o f c lu b s , the p e r f o r m e r w o u ld i n s t a n t l y k n o w t h a t th e n e x t c a r d b e g i n n i n g a t th e top o f t h e p a c k is th e a c e o f s p a d e s . T h e p e r f o r m e r sh o u ld , b y m e a n s o f h is p o c k e t o r o t h e r w i s e , e x c h a n g e the p a c k he h a s be e n p r e v i o u s l y using-, f o r a s i m i l a r p a c k , p r e p a r e d a s j u s t d e s cr ib e d . F o r s t a g e or d r a w i n g - r o o m p u r p o s e s , a v e r y i n g e n i o u s li t t l e p ie c e o f a p p a r a -. t u s h a s r e c e n t l y be en d e v i s e d to e n a b l e th e a r t i s t e to i n d e t e c t a b l y c h a n g e one p a c k f o r a n o t h e r , a n d as i t w o u ld b© m o s t u s e f u l in t h i s case, w e t h i n k w e c a n n o t do b e t t e r th a n g iv e r e a d e r s a d e s c rip tio n o f it .

The principal part of this piece of

a p p a r a t u s c o n s i s t s o f a m e t a l r in g , 6 o r 8 in c h e s in d ia m e t e r , to w h ic h is a t t a c h e d a b l a c k c lo th b a g . T o the r i n g is s o l d e r e d a flat s t r i p o f m e ta l, h a v i n g r iv e t e d to it a s p r i n g clip. B y m e a n s o f a s h a r p p o i n t p r o t r u d i n g f r o m the r e a r , th e a p p a r a t u s c a n be e a s i l y an d q u i c k l y a t t a c h e d to th e b a c k o f a c h a i r

(12)

125 TR IC K S W IT H CARDS OR SLE IG H T O F H A N D

b y p u s h in g th e p o in t in to th e w o o d w o r k . I n th e c lip is in s e rte d a p a c k o f c a rd s a rra n g e d in th e o rd e r I have e x p la in e d , w h ic h th e p e rfo rm e r m u s t s u b s t it u t e f o r an o rd in a r y p a c k b y m eans o f th e f o llo w in g ruse : W it h th e p a c k in the r ig h t hand, he ta k e s h o ld o f th e c h a ir in such a m a n n e r t h a t th e th u m b o n ly is v is ib le to th e audience, th e p a c k and th e fin g e rs b e in g h id d e n b y th e b a c k o f th e c h a ir. T h e l e f t h an d n o w t a k e s hold o f th e s e a t o f th e c h air , w h ic h i s s e t on one sid e , a s i f it w e r e in th e w a y . D u r i n g t h i s o p e r a t i o n th e p a c k o f c a r d s is d r o p p e d f r o m th e r i g h t h a n d in to th e b a g , a n d th e d u p l i c a t e p a c k r e m o v e d f r o m the clip. I f t h is is d o n e n e a t l y a n d w i t h o u t u n d u e h a s t e , th e a u d ie n c e w i l l n e v e r s u s p e c t t h a t a c h a n g e h a s b e e n a c c o m p lish e d . A m o r e s i m p l e c h a n g e , b u t w h ic h w i l } a n s w e r th e p u r p o s e q u it e a s w ell, e s p e c i a l l y f o r a n i m p r o m p t u p e r f o r m a n c e, is to s i m p l y p l a c e th e p a c k w h ic h y o u h a v e be en u s i n g in y o u r c o a t p o c k et, a n d a n i n s t a n t l a t e r t a k e o u t f r o m t h e s a m e p o c k e t th e p r e p a r e d p a c k . T h e p e r f o r m e r n e x t p r o c e e d s to m a k e w h a t is k n o w n a s a f a l s e s h u f f l e w ith th e p r e p a r e d p a c k . A s t h i s i s a m o s t u s e f u l a d j u n c t to m a n y b e a u t i f u l e x p e r i m e n t s w ith c a r d s , w e w i l l d e s c r i b e tw o o f th e m e t h o d s e m p lo y e d in its e x e c u tio n . F i r s t M ethod T h is is one o f th e v e r y m a n y d e c e p t i v e s l e i g h t s o r i g i n a t e d by the c e l e b r a t e d P r o f e s s o r C h a r lie r , a n d is u n d o u b t e d l y th e b e s t f a l s e s h u f f l e in e x iste n c e , b u t o w i n g to t h e g r e a t a m o u n t o f p r a c t i c e r e q u i r e d f o r i t s s u c c e s s f u l a c c o m p lis h m e n t , it is r a r e l y m a d e u s e ©f e x c e p t b y p r o f e s s i o n a l s , b u t i f t h o r o u g h l y m a s t e r e d th e p e r f o r m e r c a n d e c e iv e e x p e r t s . T h e p a c k i s h eld in th e l e f t hand, a n d th r ee or f o u r o f th e to p c a r d s a r e p a s s e d into th e r i g h t . N o w p a s s th e r e m a i n i n g c a r d s in s m a l l p a r c e l s a l t e r n a t e l y a b o v e a n d b e lo w t h e s e b u t the c a r d s t h a t a r e p a s s e d b e lo w a r e t a k e n f r o m th e top o f th e le f t - h a n d p a c k e t , a n d th e c a r d s t h a t a r e p la c e d a b o v e a r e p a s s e d f r o m th e b o t t o m o f the le f t- h a n d p a c k e t , t h is b e i n g e x a c t l y th e r e v e r s e o f the o r d i n a r y m o v e m e n t. T o p a s s th e c a r d s f r o m th e to p o f th e l e f t - h a n d p a c k e t to th e b o t t o m o f th e r i g h t - h a n d p a c k e t is f a i r l y ea s y , th e y b e i n g p u s h e d f o r w a r d w ith th e l e f t th u m b , b u t it i s the r e v e r s e m o v e m e n t t h a t i s d if f ic u lt . W e recom m end th is s ty le o f fa ls e s h u ffle to th e lo v e r o f d e ce ptive s le ig h ts , b u t f o r those w h o do n o t c a r e to devote s u ffic ie n t tim e f o r its inde- te c ta b le e x e c u tio n we h e re w ith d e s c rib e a v e ry easy, b u t a t th e same tim e e ffe c tiv e fa ls e s h u ffle o rig in a te d b y ttte a u th o r. S e co n d M eth od T he p a c k Is h e ld in b o th hands, a s s h o w n . T h e lo w e r h a l f o f the p a c k is n o w r e m o v e d w ith th e r i g h t han d, b u t In d o i n g s o a f e w o f th e h i n d e r m o s t c a r d s o f th e p a c k in the le f t h an d a r e l e f t s l i g h t l y p r o t r u d i n g a s in th e i l l u s t r a t i o n . T h e p a r c e l In th e r i g h t hand is now r e p l a c e d on th e f r o n t o f the p a c k . I f t h i s i s r e p e a t e d w it h r a p i d i t y , the e f f e c t to the a u d ie n c e w i l l b e t h a t the c a r d s a r e t h o r o u g h l y m ix e d , w h e r e a s in r e a l i t y t h e y a r e o n ly cut. T O L E T T W E N T Y PERSONS D R A W T W E N T Y CAR DS A N D M A K E E A C H D R A W T H E S A M E L e t a n y p e r s o n d r a w a c a r d a n d p u t it b a c k into th e d e c k a g a i n , b u t w h e r e y o u k n o w w h e r e to find it; s h u f f l e th e c a r d s a s b e fo r e d i r e c t e d ; th en le t a n o t h e r p e r s o n d r a w a c ard, a n d be s u r e he t a k e s the s a m e th e o th e r d id ; p r o c e e d in th e s a m e w a y w it h a l l the p e r s o n s b u t the one w h o m a y be l a s t w h o is to d r a w a n o t h e r c a r d , w h ic h a l s o r e t u r n to th e p a c k , a n d s h u f f l e , t ill y o u h a v e b r o u g h t b o th th e c a r d s t o g e t h e r . T he n s h o w in g th e la s t card to th e com pany, th e o th e r w i l l show th e tr ic k .

(13)

i2 5 T R IC K S W IT H CARD S OR S L E IG H T

O F

H A N D

10

T O M A K E A C A R D J U M P O UT OF T H E P A C K A N D R U N ON T H E T A B L E T h i s f e a t , i f w e ll m a n a g e d , w ill a p p e a r m a r v e l o u s . H a v i n g f o r c e d a c a r d u p o n one o f th e c o m p a n y , a fte r s h u f flin g it up w it h th e r e s t o f the p a c k , y o u w ill k n o w th e c a r d by f e e lin g . Y o u th en t a k e a p ie c e o f w a x a n d p u t it u n d e r the t h u m b n a il o f y o u r r i g h t hand, a n d by t h is w a x you f a s t e n a n end o f a h a i r to y o u r th u m b , an d the o th e r to the c h o s e n c a r d ; s p r e a d the 3a r d s upon the tab le, a n d m a k e u s e o f afome m a g i c w o r d s, w hen, by d r a w ing*' a b o u t y o u r r i g h t hand, the c h o s e n

^ ,r d is c o n d u c fe d r o u n d the tab le.

r O T E L L A L L T H E CAR D S W IT H O U T

S E E IN G T H E M

T h i s tr ick , w h ich is f o u n d e d on the s c i e n c e o f n u m b e r s , e n a b l e s y o u to te l l e v e r y c a r d a f t e r th e y h a v e be en c u t a s o f t e n a s y o u r a u d i e n c e p l e a s e s , a l t h o u g h y o u only s e e th e b a c k s o f them . I t is t h u s p e r f o r m e d : A p a c k o f c a r d s a r e d i s t r i b u t e d f a c e u p p e r m o s t on the ta b le , a n d you p i c k th e m up in the f o l l o w i n g m a n n e r — 6, 4, 1, 7, 5, k in g , 8, 10, 3, j a c k , 9, 2, queen . Go t h r o u g h t h i s s e r i e s u n til y o u h a v e p ic k e d up the w h o le o f th e p a c k . I t is not n e c e s s a r y t h a t y o u s h o u ld t a k e up the w hole o f one s u i t b e f o r e c o m m e n c i n g a n o t h e r. In o r d e r t h a t th e a b o v e o r d e r m a y n o t be f o r g o t t e n , the f o l l o w i n g w o r d s s h o u ld be c o m m it t e d to m e m o r y : 6 4 1 T h e s i x t y - f o u r t h r e g i m e n t b e a t s th e 7 5 k i n g s e v e n t y - f i f t h ; up s t a r t s the kin°r, w it h 8 10 3 j a c k e i g h t t h o u s a n d a n d th r e e m en a n d 9 2 q u e e n n i n e t y - t w o w om en. T h e c a r d s b e i n g t h u s a r r a n g e d , the c a r d s m u s t be h a n d e d to th e c o m p a n y to c u t ; th e y m a y c u t th e c a r d s a s o f t e n a s th e y like, b u t it m u s t be u n d e r s t o o d t h a t th ey do it in b r i d g e f a s h i o n — t h a t is, by t a k i n g off a p o r tio n o f th e c a r d s , a n d p l a c i n g the lo w e r d iv is io n on w h a t w a s f o r m e r l y the u p p e r one. Y ou then t a k e the p a c k in y o u r h and, a n d w i t h o u t l e t t i n g y o u r a u d i e n c e p e r c e iv e , c a s t a g l a n c e a t the b o t t o m c a r d . H a v i n g don e t h is — w h ich y o u m a y do w i t h o u t a n y a p p a r e n t e f f o r t — y o u h a v e the k ey o f the w h o le tr ick . Y o u th en d e a l o u t th e c a r d s in th e o r d i n a r y w a y in 13 d iff e r e n t s e t s , p u t t i n g f o u r c a r d s to e a c h s e t — in o th e r w o r d s, y o u d e a l o u t th e fir st c a r d s s i n g l y a n d s e p a r a t e l y , a n d th en p l a c e the f o u r t e e n t h c a r d a b o v e th e f ir s t se t, the n e x t u pon th e se c o n d se t, a n d so on t h r o u g h o u t , u n til y o u h a v e e x h a u s t e d the w h o le p a c k .

Y ou m a y be (certain now t h a t eac h one o f t h e s e t h i r t e e n s e t s w ill c o n t a i n f o u r c a r d s o f the s a m e d e n o m i n a t i o n — th u s, the f o u r e i g h t s w i l l be to g e t h e r , a n d s o w i t h th e f o u r q u e e n s, a n d e v e r y o t h e r d e n o m in a tio n . T h e t h ir t e e n t h or l a s t s e t w ill be o f th e s a m e d e n o m i n a t i o n a s the c a r d at' th e b o ttom , w h ich y o u c o n t r iv e d to se e, a n d a s th ey w ill be p la c e d in e x a c t l y the r e v e r s e o r d e r o f t h a t in w h ich y o u f ir st o f a ll p ic k e d th e m up, y o u m a y w i t h o u t d iff ic u lty c a l c u l a t e o f w h a t d e n o m in a t io n e a c h of the s e t s c o n s i s t s . F o r e x a m p le , s u p p o s e a n e i g h t w a s the b o t t o m c ard, you w o u ld find a f t e r a l i t t l e c a l c u l a t i o n , t h a t a f t e r b e i n g d e a l t o u t in the m a n n e r a b o v e d e s c r ib e d , th e y w ou ld be p l a c e d in the f o l l o w i n g o r d e r : K i n g , 5, 7, 1, 4, 6, Queen, 2, 9, j a c k , 3, 10, 8; a n d r e p e a t i n g in y o u r ow n ipind the w o r d s w hich y o u h a v e c o m m it t e d to m e m o r y , a n d r e c k o n i n g th e c a r d s b a c k w a r d , y ou w o u ld s a y — 8 10 3 j a c k E i g h t t h o u s a n d a n d th r e e m en a n d 9 2 6 4 n i n e t y - t w o w o m e n ; s i x t y - f o u r t h r e g i - 1 7 5 m e n t b e a t s th e s e v e n t y - f i f t h ; u p s t a r t s k i n g th e k i n g w ith , etc. T O IN S T A N T L Y N A M E A N Y CA> 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 the c a r d s a t th e p o in 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 the c a r d t h a t w a s n e x t a b o v e th e s e