The Top and Bottom Production

In Effect.Four persons freely select two cards each. All are restored to the deck, which is thoroughlyshuffled. The top and bottom cards are now shown not to be any of those selected. The performer then causes the several pairs to instantly appear at top and bottom as called for.

Sleights.Two-Handed Shift,PalmandBlind Shuffle.

Execution and Patter."Ladies and Gentlemen: For the purpose of this experiment, I shall request severalindividuals in the company to each select two cards. I wish you to take particular note of those you draw so that you will know them again." (Allow four persons, whom we shall call A., B., C. and D., to freely select two cards each. When all are selected, take them back in the reverse order saying to D.) "Will you kindly place your two in the deck?" (When this is done, shift, palm off, and hand deck to be shuffled. Take back deck, replace palmed cards on top, turn to C.) "Please place your two in the middle." (Shift without closing two packets, appearing as a simple cut, and have C.'s cards now placed on D.'s. Again shift to top, and execute blind shuffle, jogging first card, and leaving selected cards in the middle. Now cut to, and include jog card, and have B.'s cards placed on first two pairs. Repeat the action taken last and have A.' cards replaced in same manner, then shift and blind shuffle, and run three extra cards on top of the four pairs which are now on top of the pack.)

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, we have had eight cards selected by four of you, and all have been thoroughly shuffled in the deck. It is needless to say that I do not know which cards were selected, or that I have no idea where they are. However, we shall look at those near the top and bottom to see if any are in that position.

(Turn deck over and show two or three of the bottom cards, turn deck back and take off top three in right hand, showing faces; then as replacing, push over next card with the left thumb so that left little finger may be inserted under it, and shift all four to the bottom. This will leave Al's two cards at top and bottom.)

"Were any of the selected cards among those I have just shown? No? Well, I am about to perform what under ordinary circumstances would be a very difficult feat indeed, but with this trained and perfectly educated deck, becomes ridiculously simple and easy. It is to cause the selected cards to appear at the top and bottom, in any order that you may desire." (To A.) "If you will tell me, sir, what cards you drew, I shall call upon them to appear instantly. You say they are the Seven of Diamonds and the Jack of

Spades? Well, now, Seven and Jack, come!"

(Hold deck in left hand, click with little finger, show bottom card, take off top and show with right hand, push next card over side when replacing and shift two to bottom. This leaves B's cards at top and bottom.)

"You see how willingly the cards obey me. Now, sir (to B.), let me know the cards you selected and we shall see if they are as active?"

(When names are given, produce as before. Now execute blind shuffle again, running three extra cards on top. Again show several at bottom, then show top three, and this time pass over two cards with left thumb when replacing top cards, and shift five to bottom. This leaves B's cards in position.)

"We have still another pair to find, and though they seem excessively modest in keeping away from the top and bottom, I have no doubt they will be in evidence when called upon. What two did you draw, sir?"

(to C. When names are given show as before, then shift two cards to bottom, leaving D's at top and bottom. Now affect to have forgotten about D.'s cards, and drop the deck on the table as though the trick were terminated. When reminded by the company that D.'s cards were not produced, show some slight embarrassment.)

"Yes, that is true. I had forgotten that all were not produced, and as the deck has been out of my possession, I cannot exact the same obedience from them. However, if you will tell me the names of the last two cards, I shall try to find them myself."

(When names are given, seize deck with right hand, toss it a yard or so straight upwards, retaining top and bottom cards in hand by friction, thrust hand among descending pack and apparently find the last two in the act.)

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The Three Aces

In Effect.The Ace of Diamonds, Ace of Clubs and Ace of Spades are shown to the company and laid facedown on the table. Then one is picked up and inserted in the middle of the deck, another is placed on the bottom, and the third is placed on the top. A single true cut is now made and the three Aces are found together.

Sleight.Prearrangement.

Execution.Secretly place the Ace of Diamonds on top of the deck.

Arrange the other three Aces in the left hand, fanwise, face up, the Ace of Hearts below the other two, and showing in the middle. The figure of the heart is inverted and shows at the angle made by the other cards, so that the part seen is diamond-shaped. The corner of the Ace on the left of the fan just covers the small heart figure of the index, but fully exposes the small letter AA." (See Fig. 101.) This arrangement can be made in a moment. The appearance is most innocent and surprisingly deceptive.

Turn the faces to the company, and then lay the three cards face down on the table, still in the same fan position, and with the same hand. Now take up the deck, and, if desired, execute a blind shuffle, retaining top Ace. Hold deck in left hand, pick up the top card of the fan, which is the Ace of Hearts, and insert it in middle of deck. Pick up next Ace, carelessly showing it, and place it on bottom. Show third card as it is placed on top.

Lay the deck on the table and request spectator to cut; and as the three

Aces, i. e., the two black Aces and Ace of Diamonds, were on top and bottom of deck, all will be found together.

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The Card and Hat

In Effect.A borrowed hat is placed upon the table A card is now freely selected and given to a secondspectator to hold. Attention is now drawn to the hat, which is shown to be empty, and it is again placed on the table, but crown up. The selected card is then restored to the deck; by the spectator, who is permitted to take the deck in his own hands. The performer now exercises very remarkable powers by first determining the name of the selected card, and then causing it to wing an invisible flight from the deck to a position beneath the hat on the table, where it is found by a spectator.

Sleights.Top ChangeandPalm.

Execution.Borrow the hat first and place it rim up on the table. Have a card selected by spectator on theleft. Take it from him with the right hand, and when turning to spectator on the right, make "Top Change," and request second spectator to hold the card between his two palms; which will prevent him from looking at it. Now palm top card in right hand and give deck to first spectator to hold. Step towards table, getting glimpse of palmed card, and pick up the hat with right hand, fingers well inside, thumb across rim, calling attention to the fact that it is empty, and showing the inside. Now turn the rim down and place the hat again upon the table, working the palmed card up along the inside with the fingers, and releasing it as the hat is laid down. Care must be taken to leave no crimp in the card.

Now take deck from first spectator, request second spectator to hold it in the hand that happens to be uppermost. Then take the card from his other hand and insert it in the deck, and have spectator shuffle thoroughly.

As the action is now complete, make by-play of determining the name of the drawn card, by tracing the very faint impression that it left on the palm of spectator who held it; and cause it to speed from the deck, under the hat, visibly if desired, expressing surprise that no one sees it going, and have spectator raise the hat to prove there is no hocus-pocus.

End of S.W. Erdnase's The Expert at the Card Table

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Date: 2016-04-22; view: 671