7 5 TRICKS

w ith a

STRIPPER DECK
Compiled and Edited b y
AL STEVENSON

2 nd Edition * Completel y Re vi s e d
WIZARD BOOKS
2 2 - 1 4 FORTIETH AVENUE
LONG - ISLAND CITY 1
NEW YORK
Cop yright 1 9 6 2 b y WIZARD BOOKS

NDICE
NDICE.........................................................................................................................................................................2
PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION .......................................................................................................................9
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................1 0
THE TAPERED DECK ..........................................................................................................................................1 2
THE COINCIDENCE.........................................................................................................................................1 4
THE PERFECT COUNT ...................................................................................................................................1 4
THE SHUFFLED SETUP...................................................................................................................................1 4
MIXED UP MIRACLE.......................................................................................................................................1 4
ODDS AND EVENS..........................................................................................................................................1 5
A SIMPLE FORCE.............................................................................................................................................1 5
THE POKER HAND ..........................................................................................................................................1 5
READING THE DECK......................................................................................................................................1 5
COLOR SEPARATION.....................................................................................................................................1 5
THE INDIAN GIVER........................................................................................................................................1 6
AN ODDITY......................................................................................................................................................1 6
THE SMART SMELLER....................................................................................................................................1 6
POCKET LOCATION .......................................................................................................................................1 6
POCKET PUZZLER...........................................................................................................................................1 6
A WEIRD REVERSAL.......................................................................................................................................1 7
THE STABBED DECK......................................................................................................................................1 7
THE GAMBLER'S ACES...................................................................................................................................1 8
THE THUMB COUNT ......................................................................................................................................1 8
OUT OF THE HAT ...........................................................................................................................................1 8
ALL CALL IT.....................................................................................................................................................1 8
THE FOUR ROBBERS......................................................................................................................................1 8
THE NEXT ONE IS IT......................................................................................................................................1 9
WITHOUT THE REVERSE...............................................................................................................................1 9
AN EYE POPPER...............................................................................................................................................1 9
COIN - INCIDENCE...........................................................................................................................................1 9
THE PREDICTION ............................................................................................................................................2 0
THE GIMMICKED CASE..................................................................................................................................2 0
THE FLIP OVER REVELATION ......................................................................................................................2 0
ANY CARD OP ANY SUIT.............................................................................................................................2 1
USING A CONFEDERATE...............................................................................................................................2 1
ACE THE HARD WAY.....................................................................................................................................2 1
A GAG BIT.........................................................................................................................................................2 1
WHICH POCKET? ............................................................................................................................................2 2
IN TRIPLICATE.................................................................................................................................................2 2
LUCKY THIRTEEN...........................................................................................................................................2 2
TWO BLACK ACES..........................................................................................................................................2 2
LUCKY SEVEN..................................................................................................................................................2 3
KINGS AND QUEENS......................................................................................................................................2 3
THE LOST ACE.................................................................................................................................................2 3
THE EYES HAVE IT.........................................................................................................................................2 4
FINGERPRINTS.................................................................................................................................................2 4
FACE UP OR FACE DOWN............................................................................................................................2 4
MATHEMAGICAL............................................................................................................................................2 5
COLOR TELEPATHY.......................................................................................................................................2 5
PURELY MENTAL.............................................................................................................................................2 5

AN UNUSUAL VANISH...................................................................................................................................2 6
THE TRIPLE COINCIDENCE..........................................................................................................................2 6
THE MAD MAGICIAN.....................................................................................................................................2 7
THE ALLOWANCE...........................................................................................................................................2 7
THE STRANGER...............................................................................................................................................2 8
THE RELUCTANT CARDS.............................................................................................................................2 8
WORLD'S FASTEST COUNT ..........................................................................................................................2 8
JUST FOR LAUGHS.........................................................................................................................................2 9
SUPER STRIPPER..............................................................................................................................................2 9
END STRIPPERS...........................................................................................................................................2 9
BLANK STRIPPER........................................................................................................................................2 9
MAKING YOUR OWN.................................................................................................................................2 9
ALPHABET CARDS......................................................................................................................................3 0
ESP CARDS....................................................................................................................................................3 0
FOR THE CARD MEN ..........................................................................................................................................3 1
TAP IT OFF........................................................................................................................................................3 1
THE AUTOMATIC RISE..................................................................................................................................3 1
THE PAPER CLIP..............................................................................................................................................3 1
THE FLYING CARD .........................................................................................................................................3 1
ONE HAND LOCATION.................................................................................................................................3 2
THE BAD PENNY.............................................................................................................................................3 2
THREE CARD MONTE....................................................................................................................................3 2
PASSE PASSE.....................................................................................................................................................3 3
INKREDIBLE......................................................................................................................................................3 3
THE JACKS' PERSISTENCY...........................................................................................................................3 3
ELUSIVE CARD .................................................................................................................................................3 4
# 6 6 ......................................................................................................................................................................3 5
# 6 7 ......................................................................................................................................................................3 5
# 6 8 ......................................................................................................................................................................3 5
# 6 9 ......................................................................................................................................................................3 5
# 7 0 ......................................................................................................................................................................3 5
# 7 1 ......................................................................................................................................................................3 5
# 7 2 ......................................................................................................................................................................3 5
THE GIANT FAN..............................................................................................................................................3 6
BOOKED DECK DISCOVERY........................................................................................................................3 6
AGAIN THE BOOKED DECK.........................................................................................................................3 7
A SHORT STRIPPER ROUTINE........................................................................................................................3 7
PATTER & ROUTINE...........................................................................................................................................3 8

7 5 TRICKS
w ith a

STRIPPER DECK
Compiled and Edited b y
AL STEVENSON

2 nd Edition * Completel y Re vi s e d
WIZARD BOOKS
2 2 - 1 4 FORTIETH AVENUE
LONG - ISLAND CITY 1
NEW YORK
Cop yright 1 9 6 2 b y WIZARD BOOKS

TO
m y frien d s of THE WIZARD'S SHOP
w ho h ave b o ug h t t h e Wizar d Deck a n d a re a nxiou s
t o d o o t he r t h a n t he ele m e n t a ry effect s
give n in t h e ins t r uctio n s.

PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION

The firs t e ditio n of t his b ooklet wa s p u blis he d in 1 9 5 7 s o d h a s h e ro n o t
of p ri n t for s o m e ti me.
Several frie n d s, inclu di ng m a gic d e aler s, h ave u rge d m e t o re - p ri n t it.
However, I felt t h a t t he o riginal versio n h a d ro o m for im p r ove m e n t a n d s o I
h ave revise d t h e e n tire m a n u scri p t, di sca r di ng s o m e effect s a n d a d di ng o t he r s.
It is m y h o p e t h a t m y effor t s will give m a ny h o u r s of plea s u re t o t h o s e
w h o like t o d o car d t ricks b u t h ave n eit her t he ti m e n o r t h e p a tie nce re q uire d
t o p r actice intricate sleigh s of h a n d. But: Do nt sell t h e s t ri p pe r s h o r t! Once yo u
lear n t o h a n dle it well, you m ay fin d t h e n eces s a ry ti m e a n d p a tience a n d
- co m bine d wit h sleigh s of h a n d - a s t ri p p e r d eck will m a ke it p o s sible for yo u
t o d o a p p a re n t mi racles.
ALWYN STENSON
New York, 1 9 6 2

INTRODUCTION
In t h e o pi nio n of t he a u t h o r, o ne of t he m o s t n eglecte d pieces of m agical
a p p a r a t u s is t h e t a pe re d, or "strip pe r," d eck. Pro pe rly u s e d, t his d eck ca n give

10

t h e im p r e s sio n of mi rac ulo u s sleight of h a n d a n d - eve n m o re im p o r t a n t p r o p e rly h a n dle d, t he s t ri p pe r ca n n o t be s p o t t e d a s being gi m micke d.

The p ri nci ple of t he s t ri p p e r is n o t a s co m m o nly k n ow n a s m o s t
m a gicia n s believe d e s pite t h e fact t h a t t h e t a p e re d d eck is m a ny year s ol d. It
h a s bee n s ai d m a ny ti m e s t h a t t o u s e t h e s t ri p p e r is "cheati ng," b u t t h e s t ri p p e r
ca n b e place d in t he s a m e category a s t h e s h o r t car d, forcing d eck, etc.
Gim micke d car d s a n d eve n e n tire t rick d eck s h ave bee n u s e d by m a ny car d
m e n. But it is t h e e n d res ult, t h e m a ki ng of a Mystery, t h a t co u n t s. The m e a n s
u s e d t o a t t ain t h a t e n d a re u ni m p o r t a n t.
This m a n u scri p t h a s bee n writte n wit h t he ex p re s s Pur p o se of m a king
t h o s e wh o s h u n t he s t ri p p e r, o r wh o a re n o t awa re of it's p o s sibilities, co m e t o
t h e realiza tio n of t h e fact t h a t as a n a dj u nc t t o sleigh t of h a n d, or by itself, if
n ee d b e, t h e p r o pe r u s e of t he s t ri p p e r ca n get t h e m t he a p p r o ba tio n a n d
a p pla u s e of t heir a u die nces w he never t h ey p e rfor m.
The s t rip p e r d eck h a s m a ny u s e s o t he r t h a n t he locatio n of a car d o r
gro u p of car d s a n d t h e following p ages will p r ove t o yo u t h a t, wit h it, you ca n
d o u n d r ea m e d of t hi ngs in car d m agic, crea te effect s im p o s sible wit h sleigh t of
h a n d. Tor n t o a ny p age in t his bo ok, rea d a ny o ne of t he n u m e r o u s ef fects, a n d
give yo u r self a plea sa n t s u r p rise. The t a p ere d d eck is a m a gical "tool' - a n d t h e
p r o p e r u s e of t his t o ol is t h e Pur p o s e of t his b ook.

11

THE TAPERED DECK

The p rinciple of t h e t a p e re d d eck is a si m ple o ne: One e n d of t he d eck is
n a r r ower t h a n t h e o t h e r. Con se q u e n tly, wit h all t he car d s o ne way a n d o n e car d
rever se d in t h e d eck, t h e reverse d car d is ea sily loca te d a s t he n t h e wide e n d of
t h e car d is at t h e n a r row e n d of t he d eck a n d it p r o t r u d e s.
A cr u dely cut d eck is n o t p r actical. The t a pe r s h o ul d
be slight a n d s o gra d u al t h a t even t h e p e rfor m e r s h o ul d
h ave t o look closely t o n o tice it. You m ay, h owever, u s e a
cr u dely cut d eck t o initiate yo u int o t h e m y s te ries of t h e
s t rip p e r, t h e n u s e a finer cu t w he n yo u h ave beco m e
p r oficien t. Your s ucces s wit h t he s t ri p pe r d e pe n d s w h olly
u p o n you r h a n dling of t h e p ack, a n a t u r alnes s in wor ki ng
wit h it. You m u s t be a ble t o s t ri p car d s fro m t h e p ack
ea sily a n d swiftly, yet d o it a s if you were h a n dling
n o t hi ng m o r e t h a n a n o r di n ary p ack of car d s.
Do n o t r u n you r fingers alo ng t h e e dge of t he d eck
t o d e t ec t revers es car d s; ju s t lightly t o uc h t he si de s of t h e
d eck a t b o t h e n d s. Your h a n d s a re u n d e r co n s t a n t scr u tiny. Fu m bling t h e e dges
of t h e d eck is a s u re giveaway; it is a n u n n a t u r al m ove m e n t a n d will aro u s e
s u s picio n.
When a car d h a s bee n s electe d t he d eck m u s t h e rever se d, b u t t h e
rever s al s h o ul d n o t be o bviou s. Fan ning t he d eck a n d closing it is t he m o s t
p r ac tical way of rever si ng t h e d eck. Hol d t he d eck face d ow n in you r left h a n d,
t h u m b o n t o p, finger s be nea t h. The righ t forefinger hit s t h e t o p left h a n d e dge
of t h e p ack, m ove s fro m left t o right, s p rea di ng t h e car d s into a fa n. A car d is
s electe d, righ t forefinger close s t he fa n fro m left t o righ t reversing t he d eck.

The selecte d car d is re place d in t h e d eck a n d ca n be s t ri p p e d w he n d e sire d.

Note: In t h e p age s t h a t follow, t he te r m "reverse d" will be u s e d t o
d e sig n a te t he t u r ni ng of a car d (or t h e d eck) e n d for e n d.

12

To beco m e p r oficien t wit h t he s t ri p p e r it is m o s t im p o r t a n t t h a t yo u

d evelo p ea se in t h e h a n dling of t h e d eck. Practice, o p e ni ng a n d closing fa n s of
car d s, a n d s t ri p pi ng o ne o r m o re car d s t h a t h ave bee n revers e d in t he d eck.
Han dle t h e d eck lightly. You d o n o t n ee d s u p e r s e n sitive fingers t o h a n dle
t his d eck. It is easier t o locate a revers e d car d by u sing a ligh t t o uc h ra t he r t h a n
s q u ee zing t he si de s of t h e d eck. If s t ri p pi ng a rever se d car d fro m t he d eck
s ee m s o bviou s t o you a t firs t, s t ri p t h e car d or car d s n o t of t h e d eck wit h t h e
d eck b e hin d yo u r b ack. This will, in fact, a d d t o t he m y s te ry ins ofar as t h e
s p ec ta t o r is concer ne d.
Even t u ally yo u will a t t ai n t he a bility t o s t ri p n o t o ne or m o re car d s in f ull
view of t h e s p ecta t or a n d place t he m o n t o p o r bo t t o m of t he d eck wit ho u t it
b eing n o ticeable.
Make it a h a bit t o look directly a t t h e s p ecta t or w he n s t ri p pi ng a car d. In
t h e seco n d h e re t u r n s yo u r look you ca n h ave t h e car d o u t a n d o n t o p of t h e
d eck.
A little s t o ry wit h eac h effect is also d e sira ble for p a t te r is in itself
mi s directio n. Pick o u t, a h alf d o z e n of t he effect s in t his b ook, t ry t he m o n
s o m e o n e. You will n o t o nly s u r p rise t h e m, yo u will s u r p rise you r self.

******************

13

#1
THE COINCIDENCE
Have a car d s electe d a n d (witho u t allowing its face t o h e s ee n) initiale d
o n t h e b ack by a s p ect a t or. Reverse t he d eck a n d h ave t h e car d inser te d. Shuffle
a n d lay d eck face d ow n o n t h e t a ble. Cut t o rever se d car d, h ave t his p acke t
t u r n e d face o p a n d a s k t h e s p ec ta t o r t o m a r k t h e face - o p car d. He is, of co u r s e,
u n awar e t h a t it is t he s a m e o ne h e p reviou sly initiale d o n t h e back. Shuffle
again. Locate t he m a r ke d car d in a ny way yo u wis h, t he n s h ow t h e a m a zi ng
coincide nce of t h e s p ect a t o r m a r king t h e s a m e car d twice.
#2
THE PERFECT COUNT
Reverse t h e twe n ty sixt h car d in t he p ack. Re m a rk t o t he s p ecta to r s t h a t
yo u h ave, t h r o ug h years of ex pe rie nce, d evelo pe d t he a bility t o ju dge t h e
a m o u n t of car d s in a ny p acket by its t hick ne s s. Cut t h e d eck at t he rever s e d
car d a n d h a n d t h e p acke t you h ave re m ove d t o a s p ec ta t or t elling hi m t h a t yo n
h ave ju d ge d exactly h alf t h e p ack.
#3
THE SHUFFLED SETUP
Many effect s a re p o s sible wit h a p re - ar ra nge d d eck. Nat u rally, yo u
ca n n o t offer a s e t - u p d eck for s h uffling. However, if yo u h ave a s t ri p pe r s e t u p
in a cer tai n or de r si m ply reverse h alf t h e p ack a n d place it in t he car d ca se.
When rea dy t o p e rfor m, re m ove t h e p ack fro m t h e case a n d h a n d it t o t h e
s p ec ta t o r for o n e riffle s h uffle, t he n t ake t h e d eck a n d s t rip n o t t he rever s e d
car d s. You will n ow h ave t he s e t - u p in tw o p acket s. Place t he two p acket s
t oget h er in t heir p r o p e r or de r a n d t h e d eck is again s e t u p in t h e o riginal p r e a r r a nge d or de r.
#4
MIXED UP MIRACLE
Divide t he d eck int o tw o eq u al piles, rever se o ne pile a n d place t h e tw o
piles face t o face. Now, t h o r o ug hly s h uffle t h e d eck. Place t he d eck be hi n d yo u r
b ack, s t ri p t he e n tire d eck, t o r n o ne h alf over a n d place it u p o n t he o t he r h alf,
t h e n b ring t h e d eck forwar d. Ribbo n - s p re a d t he car d s a n d s h ow t h ey a re all
o n e way.
#5

14

ODDS AND EVENS

Before ha n d h ave t h e d eck s e p a r a te d into two piles, o n e pile all t h e o d d
n u m b e r s, t h e o t he r pile, all eve n n u m b e r s. Revers e o ne pile a n d s h uffle in t h e
n o r m al m a n n e r. After s h uffling, s t ri p t h e e n tire d eck be hin d yo u r b ack a n d
s h ow yo u h ave s e p a r a te d o d d n u m b e r s fro m eve n n u m b e r s.
#6
A SIMPLE FORCE
Have t h e car d you wa n t t o force revers e d o n t he b o t t o m of t h e p ack.
Shuffle, place t h e d eck face d ow n o n t he t a ble a n d cas u ally cu t t o t h e rever se d
car d. Show it t o t h e s p ecta t o r. Do n o t give t h e im p re s sio n yon are cut ti ng t o a
cer tai n car d, cut t h e d eck ca s u ally.
#7
THE POKER HAND
Have a s t raigh t flus h reverse d in t h e d eck. Shuffle a n d s t rip t he flu s h t o
t h e t o p. Deal o u t five p o ke r h a n d s a ro u n d t h e t a ble (five car d s eac h). Pick u p
eac h h a n d, s h ow it b riefly, d o n o t dis t u r b its o r d e r, a n d place eac h h a n d b ack
o n t o p of t he d eck. Deal o u t five h a n d s again of five car d s eac h, t he n s h ow t h a t
yo u h ave d e alt you r self a s t raigh t flus h. Unk n ow n t o t he s p ecta t o r every fift h
car d o n t o p of t he d eck is p a r t of t h e flus h.
#8
READING THE DECK
Mem ori ze five car d s a n d rever se t he m in t he d eck. Tell t h e s pect a t or t h a t
yo u ca n rea d t h e back s of t he car d s. Shuffle a n d s t ri p t h e five m e m o ri ze d car d s
t o t h e t o p of t h e d eck. Re m ove t he t o p car d face d ow n, call n o t t h e n a m e of o n e
of t h e five yo u h ave m e m o ri ze d, a n d place it face d ow n n o t h e t a ble. Repea t
t his u n til you h ave t h e five t o p car d s face d ow n o n t h e t a ble. Mix t h e m u p, t h e n
t u r n t h e m over a n d s h ow you h ave calle d t he five car d s correctly.
#9
COLOR SEPARATION
This is a real eye p o p p e r. Before s ta r ting yo u r p e rfo r m a nce, se p a r a te t h e
re d s a n d blacks a n d reverse o n e color. To begin, s h uffle t h e e n tire d eck a n d
dis play t h e faces of t he car d s s h ow ing t h e m t o be t h o r o ug hly mixe d. Fan t h e
d eck wit h t h e backs t owa r d yo u a n d h ave a re d car d selecte d. Ask t h e s p ec ta t o r
t o r e m e m b e r his car d. Reverse t he d eck a n d h ave t h e car d re place d. Fan again
a n d h ave a black car d s electe d. Reverse a n d re place.
Now, s h uffle t h o r o ug hly. Put t h e d eck be hi n d you r b ack a n d co m pletely
s t rip o u t t he e n tire d eck. Bring h forwar d h ol di ng t h e two p acke t s a n d s h ow

15

t h a t yo u h ave n o t o nly co m ple tely se p a r a te d re d s fro m blacks b u t t h e re d

s electe d car d is a m o ng t h e black, a n d t he black selecte d cart! a m o ng t h e re d.
#10
THE INDIAN GIVER
Break t he d eck into two piles. Give o ne t o a s p ec ta t o r, reversi ng his pile
a s yo u h a n d it t o hi m. Ask hi m t o look a t a ny car d in his pile a n d inser t it face
d o w n in to yo ur pile. Shuffle yo u r pile, s t ri p o u t t he car d h e gave yon a n d place
it face d o w n in his pile. Ask hi m t o n a m e his car d. Show it is n o t in yo u r pile a s
h e t h o ug h t. Tell hi m h e is a n "India n Giver" a n d influe nce d yo u into giving hi m
b ack t h e s a m e car d h e gave von.
#11
AN ODDITY
Separa te t he reel fro m t he black car d s into two piles. Reverse o n e pile
a n d t h e n m a ke a si ngle pile by alter n a ting re d a n d black. Hold t he d eck wit h
b o t h h a n d s by t h e e dge s a n d s t ri p t h e e n tire d eck ju s t t h e slighte s t fractio n. If
yo u n ow riffle t he car d s in o ne directio n, you will s ee o nly re d car d s; riffle in
t h e o t h er directio n a n d you will s ee o nly black car d s.
#12
THE SMART SMELLER
Lay seve n car d s in a r ow o n t h e t a ble, t h e mi d dle car d reverse d. Have a
s p ec ta t o r write t h e a ro m a s yo u call o u t, o ne eac h, o n t h e b ack s of t he car d s,
left t o rig h t. Tur n yo u r back if yo u wis h. Call o u t, Rose, Violet, Jas mine, Lillies,
Pine, He mlock, Ce dar. The rever se d car d will be Lillies, t h e fo u r t h car d calle d.
Have t h e car d s mixe d a n d h a n d e d t o you; s t ri p Lillies t o t o p. Smell eac h car d,
face t owar d yo u, re m a r king t h a t yo u will fin d you r favorite aro m a: Lillies. You
m ay d o t his wit h d ri nk s o r s pices.
#13
POCKET LOCATION
The selecte d car d is reverse d in t he d eck a n d t h e d eck is s h uffle d. Dro p
t h e d eck into a s pecta to r' s s hirt p ocke t The e n d of t he d eck fro m w hic h t h e
rever se d car d p r o t r u d e s s h o ul d be u p, t h a t is: n e are s t t o t h e e dge of t he p ocke t.
Tor n yo u r h e a d a si de, reac h into p ocket wit h t h u m b a n d m i d dle finger a n d
re m ove s electe d car d.
#14
POCKET PUZZLER
Have selecte d car d rever se d in t he d eck. Shuffle. Dro p d eck, p r o t r u di ng
e n d of selecte d car d u p p e r m o s t, int o s p ect a t o r' s s hirt p ocke t. Ask for a n u m b e r

16

b e twee n 1 a n d 2 0. Reach int o s pect a t or' s p ocke t a n d re m ove a n d s h ow car d s

o n e a t a ti m e. We will p r e s u m e t he n u m b e r calle d wa s 1 4. Re move 1 3 car d s
fro m t h e t o p o r t h e b o t t o m of t h e d eck; s h ow t h e fo u r tee n t h (the reverse d) car d
t o be t h e o ne selecte d by s p ecta t o r. Use t h u m b a n d mi d dle finger w he n
reac hing into t h e s p ect a t o r' s p ocket.
#15
A WEIRD REVERSAL
Take all t he car d s of o ne s uit (s pa de s, for exa m ple), reverse t h e m, inser t
t h e m in t h e d eck, s h uffle t h o r o ug hly a n d place t h e d eck h ack in its case. Whe n
yo u a re going t o p e rfor m, re m ove t he p ack fro m you r p ocket a n d offer it t o be
s h u ffle d. As t h e d eck is being s h uffle d p a t t er t o t he effect t h a t t hirtee n is yo u r
lucky n u m b e r a n d you are going t o t ry a n ex peri me n t wit h t h a t n u m b e r. Take
t h e d eck fro m t h e s p ect a t o r a n d place it be hi n d yo ur b ack. Strip n o t t h e
t hir tee n s p a d e s, t u r n t h e m over a n d inser t t h e m t oge t h er back into t h e p ack.
Bring t h e d eck forwar d, face u p; s p rea d t he d eck a n d s h ow t h a t t h e re a re
t hir tee n car d s face d ow n, t oget he r, a re m a r ka ble coincide nce. Now, s q u a re t h e
p ack, m e n it face clow n, s p rea d t he car d s a n d - a n o t he r coincide nce h a s
occ u r re d: t h e t hirtee n car d s are all s p a d e s!
#16
THE STABBED DECK
This is a re m a rk a ble effect a n d n ever fails
t o m y s tify. Have a car d s electe d a n d inse rte d
again in t he revers e d d eck. Show a n or di na ry
p a p e r n a p ki n. Wra p t he d eck in t h e n a p ki n b u t,
te s t e d a s yon s ta r t t o wra p, p ull o u t t h e reverse d
car d slig htly - a q u a r te r of a n inc h will d o.
Hol d t he d eck fir mly a s you wra p s o t h a t
t h e p r o t r u di ng car d d oe s n o t slide b ack into t he
d eck wit h t h e h a n dling.
When t he d eck is wra p p e d, t uck u n d e r t h e e n d s of t h e n a p ki n, again
b eing caref ul n o t t o m ove t he p r o t r u di ng car d. Hold t h e wra p p e d d eck face u p
in yo u r righ t h a n d a n d, wit h t h e left, p u s h t h e ti p of a k nife bla de int o t h e
n a p ki n at t h e e n d of t h e d eck w here t h e car d is p a r tly s t ri p p e d o u t. Pus h k nife
bla d e int o t h e n a p ki n fro m a slightly a ngle d p o sitio n, d ow nwa r d, s o t h a t t h e ti p
of t h e k nife hit s p r o t r u di ng car d; t h e n, level t h e k nife a n d p u s h it all t h e way in.
The k nife bla de is n ow re s ting o n t he s t ri p pe d car d. Pus h t he k nife int o t h e
d eck u p t o t he h a n dle, t h e re by p u s hi ng t h e s t ri p p e d car d back into t he d eck
a n d eve n wit h t h e ot h er s. Ask t h a t t h e selecte d car d be n a m e d. Leave t h e k nife
in place a n d ri p off t he n a p kin s h owing t he k nife re s ting o n t he selecte d car d.
This is n o t a n effect in be d o ne h u r rie dly. Make a big t hi ng of it a n d, w h e n
a b o u t t o reveal t h a t t he k nife is re s ti ng o n t he s electe d ease!, d o it slowly.

17

#17
THE GAMBLER'S ACES
Have t he fo u r aces rever se d in t h e d eck. Tell t h o s e watc hing t h a t you ar e
going t o p r ove t h a t it is n o t s m a r t t o play car d s wit h s t r a nger s. Shuffle t h e
d eck, place it face d ow n o n t h e t a ble a n d cut t o a n ace. Do n o t s h ow t h e ace b u t
re m ove it fro m t he p acket a n d place it face d ow n t o o ne si de. Do t his t h r ee
m o r e ti m e s u n til yo u h ave cu t a n d re m ove d all of t h e aces. Tur n over t h e fo u r
car d s a n d s h ow t h a t yo u cu t t o a n ace eac h ti m e.
#18
THE THUMB COUNT
Re m a rk t h a t you h ave s u p e r s e n sitive fingers a n d ca n cou n t car d s w hile
riffling t h e m wit h you r t h u m b. Before h a n d, h ave t h e fiftee n t h car d reverse d in
t h e d eck. Be s o re t h a t yo u riffle t h e cor ne r of t h e d eck w he re t he revers e d car d
p r o t r u d e s. Riffle t his cor ne r o nce or twice, b reak t he d eck a t t he rever se d car d
a n d h a n d t h e p acke t t o t h e s p ect at o r t o be co u n t e d. You, of co u r se, h ave s t a te d
in a dva nce h ow m a ny car d s you are going t o t h u m b co u n t,
#19
OUT OF THE HAT
Selecte d car d is s t ri p pe d t o t o p of d eck, Borrow a felt h a t, crea se t he t o p
a n d h ol d h a t hig h. Dro p t he d eck int o t he h a t, d eck o n o ne si de of t h e crea se,
s t rip p e d car d o n t he o t he r. Sna p t h e o u t si de b o t t o m of t h e h a t, below s t ri p p e d
car d. It will ju m p o u t of t he h a t.
#20
ALL CALL IT
Have a car d revers e d in t he d eck, King of Spa de s, for exa m ple. Shuffle,
cu t t o t h e king a n d s h ow it t o o ne p e r s o n p re se n t o nly. Res h uffle, d o t he s a m e
t o a n o t h e r p e r s o n. Do t his fo u r ti m e s, eac h ti m e s h owing t he s a m e car d b u t
wit h o u t let ting a ny of t h e fo u r s p ecta t o r s k n ow t h a t t h ey h ave all looke d a t t h e
King of Spa de s. Tell t he fo u r s pecta t o r s t o call o u t t heir car d w he n you co u n t t o
t h r ee. They will look a n d feel r a t h e r foolis h w he n t hey all call o u t "King of
Spa d e s."
#21
THE FOUR ROBBERS
Re m ove t he lone aces fro m t he d eck a n d lay t h e m lace d ow n o n t h e t a ble.
Rever se t h e d eck a n d lay it o n t h e t a ble. Tell t he s t o ry of fo u r r o b ber s inte n t
u p o n r o b bing a h o u se. Insert o ne ace low in t he p ack, face d ow n; t his ro b b e r is
in t h e cellar. Anot he r ace is inserte d a bit hig he r in t he p ack, t h e firs t floo r; a

18

t hir d ace s till higher in t he p ack, t he s eco n d floor, a n d t he last ace n e ar t h e t o p

of t h e p ack. As yo u n ow s h uffle t he p ack re m a rk t h a t o ne of t he r o b be r s looke d
o u t of t h e win d ow a n d s aw t he p olice a p p r oac hi ng. The o nly way of esca pe wa s
t h r o ug h t he r oof. Strip t he ace s t o t he t o p, place t he d eck face d ow n o n t h e
t a ble a n d slowly re m ove t he fo u r t o p car d s, o ne a t a ti me. The fo u r ro b be r s ar e
all o n t h e ro of.
#22
THE NEXT ONE IS IT
Have a car d selecte d a n d re place d in t h e rever se d d eck. Hold t he d eck in
yo u r left h a n d, lightly feeling t h e s electe d car d. Deal o u t o ne car d a t a ti me
fro m t h e face - d ow n p ack, s h owing t h e car d eac h ti m e, a n d m a ki ng a n ea t pile
face d o w n o n t h e t a ble. Con ti n ue d e aling p a s t t he cho s e n car d, t h e n re m a r k
t h a t t h e n ext car d yo u s h ow will h e t he selecte d car d. Sur p rise t he m all by n o t
s h owing t h e n ext car d t o be d e alt b u t by cu t ti ng t o t h e reverse d car d t o b e in
t h e pile o n t he t a ble.
#23
WITHOUT THE REVERSE
This will fool a m agicia n. Have t he e n tire lower h alf of t h e d eck rever se d.
Ask s o m e o ne t o s elect a car d fro m t he u p per h alf of t h e d eck. Slowly riffle t h e
car d s s o t h a t t h e cho se n car d is inser te d in t h e lower h alf of t he d eck. Break t h e
d eck a t t h e ce n ter a n d give t he t o p h alf t o t h e s p ect a t or for s h uffling. Shuffle
t h e b o t t o m h alf you r self. You ca n n ow s t ri p o u t t he selecte d car d in yo ur h alf.

#24
AN EYE POPPER
Have t h e d eck in t he case wit h all t h e re d car d s reverse d. Re m ove t h e
d eck fro m t he case a n d s h uffle t h o r o ug hly. Strip t h e d eck co m ple tely a n d p u t
t h e tw o p acket s t oge t he r. You n ow h ave tics d eck h alf re d a n d h alf black. Hold
t h e d eck face d ow n in you r righ t h a n d, left t h u m b co m e s over t o t h e t o p of t h e
d eck, left fingers u n d e r nea t h t he d eck. With you r left h a n d, re m ove t h e t o p a n d
b o t t o m car d s of t h e d eck t oget he r, placing t he tw o car d s face d ow n o n t h e
t a ble. Co ntin u e d oi ng t his u n til t h e e n tire p ack is o n t he t a ble, face d ow n. Tu r n
t h e car d s over, s p rea d t h e m, a n d s h ow a p e rfect alter n a tio n of re d a n d black
t h r o ug h o u t t h e d eck.
#25
COIN - INCIDENCE
Reverse a d e uce, t rey, fo u r a n d ni ne in yo u r d eck. Before h a n d gat he r a n d

19

p u t in you r t r o u s e r p ocket a q u a n tity of coins, all of differe n t d a t e s, b u t all

d a t e s t o t aling eightee n (1935, 1 9 2 6, 1 9 0 8, 1 9 4 4, 1 9 5 3, etc.). Cut d eck a t t h e
fo u r r everse d car d s, m a king fo u r piles, wit h o ne of t h e rever se d car d s a t t h e
b o t t o m of each pile, t h e fo u r piles face d ow n o n t he t a ble. Cas u ally re m ove t h e
coin s fro m yo ur p ocke t a n d h ave o ne selecte d. Ask t h e s p ecta t o r t o t o tal t h e
fo u r digits o n his selecte d coin. Whe n h e a n n o u nce s t he t o t al (which m o s t be
eig h tee n), t u r n over eac h pile o n t he t a ble a n d s h ow t h a t t h e fo u r car d s you cu t
t o also t o t al eightee n.
#26
THE PREDICTION
Before p e rfor mi ng, revers e a n d n o te t h ree car d s in yo u r d eck. Tell yo u r
a u die nce t h a t yo u are feeling p a r ticularly clairvoya n t a n d you wo ul d like t h e m
t o h el p you in te s ting t h e validity of yo u r feelings. Take a piece of p a p e r a n d o n
it write t he n a m e s of t h e t h ree car d s you h ave p r eviou sly re verse d in yo u r
s t rip p e r d eck. Re m a rking t h a t yo n h ave m a d e a p re dictio n, fold t h e p a p e r a n d
place it in a s p ect at o r's p ocke t. Shuffle yo u r d eck a n d place it in yo u r, o r
a n o t h e r s p ec ta t o r's p ocke t. Tell you r a u die nce t h a t yo n are going t o re m ove
car d s, o n e a t a ti me, fro m t he p ack a n d t h a t a nyo ne s h o ul d call o u t "Now!"
w hile yo u r h a n d is s till in t h e p ocke t. Procee d t o t a ke car d s o u t a s d e sc ribe d
placing t h e m in a face - o p pile t o o ne si de. Whenever s o m e o ne calls "Now!" s t ri p
o n e of t h e reverse d car d s a n d p o t it face d ow n o n t he o t he r si de of t he t a ble.
Co n tin u e u n til yo u h ave s t ri p p e d o u t t he t h ree car d s you h ave "pre dicte d." Ask
t h e Specta t or in w ho s e p ocket you h ave place d yo u r p re dictio n t o rea d it alo u d.
Tu r n over t he t h ree car d s you h ave place d singly a n d face d ow n t o o ne si de of
yo u r t a ble. Pick t h e m u p, o ne a t a ti me, a n d call t h eir n a m e s d r a m a tically
h ol ding t he m o p for all t o s ee t h a t you r feelings di d n o t d eceive you.
NOTE: Whe n placing t he deck in t he p acket be sure t h at t he en d w here t he cards protr u de
is u p.

#27
THE GIMMICKED CASE
In a n ol d effect u s e d wit h t h e s t ri p pe r d eck t he car d case is s a n d p a p e r e d
t hi n a t eac h si de, n ea r t he bo t t o m. When t h e d eck, wit h t he p r o t r u di ng car d o r
car d s d o w n, is inser te d int o t h e ca se t he fingers ca n feel t h e se car d s t h r o ug h
t h e t hin, s a n d p a p e re d si de s of t he case. Hol d t h e case o pe n e n d d ow n a n d
allow all t he car d s exce p t t h e rever se d o ne s t o fall o u t.
#28
THE FLIP OVER REVELATION
Bring rever se d car d t o t o p. Pus h t o p car d s o t h a t it p r oject s a n inc h t o
o n e si de of t h e p ack. Dro p e n tire p ack fro m a bo u t a foot over yo u r t a ble. The
t o p car d will flip over face u p, d u e t o t h e d r aft hit ti ng t he p r ojecting e dge of

20

t h e car d.
#29
ANY CARD OP ANY SUIT
In a dva nce of you r p e rfor m a nce, t a ke a n e n tire s uit - s ay, t h e h e a r t s - o u t
of yo u r d eck. Put t h e m in o r d e r fro m ace t o king, revers e t h e p acke t, p u t it b ack
o n t h e t o p of you r d eck a n d p u t t h e d eck in its ca se. When yo u s t a r t t o
p e rf o r m, s ay t h a t yo u h ave a n affinity for h e a r t s a n d you wo ul d like t o p r ove it.
Take t he d eck o u t of its case a n d riffle s h uffle o nce. Put t he d eck be hin d
yo u r b ack a n d a s k s o m e o n e t o call a ny car d of t h e h e ar t s uit. As yo u p a t t er a n d
w hile yo u wait for t h e s election, s t ri p o u t t h e e n tire s oil (it will s till be in o r d e r)
a n d p o t t he p acke t o n t o p of t he d eck. It is, of cou r se, a n easy m a t te r for yo u t o
co u n t d o w n t o wha tever car d is calle d for a n d t h u s p r ove yo u a re "in t u n e" wit h
t h e h e a r t s.
Depe n di ng o n yo ur m e m o ry - a n d a bility - yo u m ay re pe a t wills o n e o r
tw o o t h e r car d s. But d o n' t d o m o re t h a n t h ree. One co ul d be a n accide n t, tw o
mig h t b e coincide nce, t h ree is inco n t rovertible p r o of, fo u r is b o re d o m.
#30
USING A CONFEDERATE
Many a p p a re n t car d miracles ca n be acco m plis he d wit h t h e u s e of a n
a s sis ta n t for, if yo u h ave a co nfe der a te t o h a n dle t he d eck w hile you are o u t of
t h e r o o m, you ca n d o t he s ee mi ngly im p o s sible. You ca n be a b s e n t, yo u r
co nfe d er a te ca n h ave a car d selecte d a n d revers e t he d eck. You ca n t h e n e n te r
t h e r o o m a n d fin d t he selecte d car d. It is im p o r t a n t t h a t n o o ne k n ow s you ar e
wo r king wit h a n a s sis ta n t. Brief s o m e o n e in t h e a u die nce a s t o wha t t o d o is
h a n dling t he d eck. Do n o t over d o t h e u s e of t he a s sis ta n t.
#31
ACE THE HARD WAY
Reverse a n ace in t he d eck. Have t he d eck s h uffle d a n d t he n laid o n t h e
t a ble, face d ow n. Place a silk over t h e d eck a n d cu t t h r o ug h t h e silk t o s h ow t h e
ace.
#32
A GAG BIT
This is a co m e dy bit t h a t always get s a goo d laug h. Occasio nally s t ri p n o t
t h e selecte d car d w hile yo n are s h uffling a n d s ay, "Please d o n' t forge t yo ur car d
w hile I a m s h uffling." Show t he car d, p u t it h ack in t h e d eck a n d go o n wit h
w h a tever effect yo u h a d pla n n e d.
#33

21

WHICH POCKET?
Have a car d selecte d a n d reverse it in t h e d eck. Shuffle. Ask a s p ec ta t o r
t o e m p ty b o t h left a n d righ t jacket p ocket s. Dro p t h e d eck in his left jacke t
p ocke t m a ki ng s u re t h a t t he e dge wit h t he p r o t r u di ng car d is u p. Bring o u t h alf
t h e d eck a n d place it in t h e s p ec ta t or' s right jacke t p ocket, m a ki ng s u re t h e
rever se d car d re m ai n s in t he left p ocke t. Now a s k t he s p ect a t o r t o n a m e a
p ocke t, righ t o r left... If h e s ays "right," tell hi m t o discar d t he p o r tio n of t h e
d eck in his righ t p ocke t a n d you reac h into t he left a n d re m ove selecte d car d.
#34
IN TRIPLICATE
Have a car d s electe d. Ask a s p ecta t or t o write his
initials o n t h e back of t he car d. Reverse t h e d eck a n d inser t
t h e car d. Shuffle t he d eck, b ring t he s electe d car d t o t he
b o t t o m a n d q uickly t u r n t h e d eck face d ow n in you r righ t
h a n d. Hol d t he d eck wit h fo u r fingers curle d over o ne si de
a n d t h e t h u m b over t he o t h e r. See illus t ra tio n. The finger s
p ull b ack t he b o t t o m (initiale d) car d. Ask t h e s p ec ta t o r w ha t his n a m e is. As
yo u s p ell o u t his n a m e, kee p h ol di ng b ack t h e b o t t o m car d. You always p ull o u t
o n e car d above t his car d. When you co m e t o t h e las t let ter of his n a m e; p ull o u t
t h e car d you h ave bee n h ol ding back, t u r n it over a n d s h ow it is t h e o n e
initiale d by t he s p ect at o r.
#35
LUCKY THIRTEEN
Before ha n d h ave all t h e s p a d e s rever se d in t h e lower p o r tio n of t he d eck.
Have a car d s electe d fro m t h e t o p p o r tio n of t h e d eck, reverse t h e d eck a n d
h ave t h e selecte d car d inse r te d. Re m ar k t o t he s p ect at o r s t h a t you h ave a lucky
s uit: s p a d e s a n d you als o h ave a lucky n u m b e r s: t hir tee n. Shuffle t h e d eck,
place it be hi n d yo ur b ack a n d tell t he a u die nce yo u are going t o u s e you r lucky
s uit a n d also t he lucky n u m b e r t o fin d t he selecte d car d. Co me forwar d wit h all
of t h e s t ri p pe d car d s face d ow n. Cou n t t h e m o n t o t he t a ble, face d ow n. There
will b e fo u r tee n car d s. Tur n t h e m over a n d s p rea d t he m o u t. Spectat o r will s ee
t h e t hir tee n s p a d e s a n d t h e car d h e s electe d.
#36
TWO BLACK ACES
This t rick co n sis t of a si m ple s et u p of t he t o p eigh tee n car d s in t h e d eck.
Deck face d ow n, t he s e t u p is as follows: t o p car d, a ny "six"; n ext, a ny five
in differe n t car d s; t he n, a black ace; n ext, a ny "ten"; t h e n, ni ne in differe n t car d s,
a n d t h e o t he r black ace. These t o p eigh tee n car d s are revers e d. Tell t h e
s p ec ta t o r s t h a t yo u will locate t he two black aces in a n u n u s u al m a n n e r.

22

Re m ove t he p ack fro m t he case, riffle s h uffle o nce, face d ow n, a n d s t ri p t h e

eig h tee n car d s t o t h e t o p of t he d eck. Show t h e t o p car d, t h e "six." Cou n t d o w n
t o t h e sixt h car d a n d t u r n it over. It will be t he firs t ace. Show t h e n ext car d, t h e
"ten." Co u n t d ow n t o t he te n t h car d, t u r n it over a n d s h ow it t o be t h e s eco n d
black ace.
#37
LUCKY SEVEN
Have t h e d eck in yo ur pocket wit h t he s eve n of s p a d e s reverse d. Talk
a b o u t seve n being a m y s tic n u m b e r in m agic. Re m a rk again t h a t s p a d e s a re
yo u r lucky s oil a n d t ake car d s out of yo ur pocket one at a ti m e , a car d for eac h
let te r. As you wit h d r aw t he car d s, s p ell n o t e "S - e - v - e - n o - f S - p - a - d - e - s" s h ow
t h a t t h e las t car d re m ove d fro m t h e p ocke t is t h e Seven of Spa de s. Place t his
face d o w n o n t h e car d s alrea dy o n t h e t a ble. Take t h e re m ai n de r of t he p ack
o u t of yo u r p ocket a n d place it t o o ne si de. Pick u p t h e "spelled o u t" car d s a n d
s h u ffle t h e m, face d ow n. The Seven of Spa de s is s till reverse d. Place t his s m all
p acket in you r p ocke t. Once again s p ell o u t "Seven of Spa de s." Again, t he las t
car d re m ove d is t he Seven of Spa de s. Tur n it face u p a s you t a ke it o u t of yo u r
p ocke t.
#38
KINGS AND QUEENS
In a dva nce, p u t t he fo u r kings o n t o p of t he d eck. To begin yo u r
p e rf o r m a nce, re m ove t he fo u r q uee n s a n d rever se t he d eck. Pat ter a bo u t t h e
fo u r la dies w h o wa n te d escor t s for a d a nce a n d visite d a n escor t b u re a u (the
d eck). Insert t he q u ee n s h a p h a z a r dly int o t h e d eck a n d riffle s h uffle t h o r o u g hly
b u t m a ki ng s u re t h a t t h e fo u r kings re m ai n at t h e t o p. Strip t h e q u ee n s t o t h e
t o p of t h e d eck. Re m ove t h e t o p eigh t car d s (the ki ngs a n d q uee n s) a n d s q u a r e
t h e m u p. Hol d t he p acket face d ow n in o n e h a n d, t h u m b be n t u n d e r o ne lo ng
e dge, t h e fo u r fingers cu rle d u n d e r t he o t he r e dge. Now, wit h t he t h u m p of t h e
o t h e r h a n d o n lo p a n d t he finger s be nea t h, p ull o u t toget her o ne car d fro m t h e
t o p a n d o ne fro m t he b o t t o m of t h e p acke t a n d place b o t h car d s - s till
t oget h er - face d ow n o n you r t a ble. Do t his t h ree ti me s leaving tw o o r t h r ee
inc he s of s p ace be twee n p air s. Whe n yo u h ave o nly two car d s left in yo u r h a n d,
t u r n t h e m over s h owing t h a t a t leas t one la dy fo u n d a n e scor t. Pattering o n,
t u r n t h e car d s o n t h e t a ble over - o ne p air a t a ti m e - a n d re m a rk t h a t all t h e
la dies h a d bee n lucky a n d were n ow reco m m e n di ng t he escor t b u rea u t o all
t h eir frie n d s. If you h ave followe d t he direction s cor rectly, yo n s h o ul d h ave t h e
fo u r q u ee n s p aire d u p wit h t h e kings.
#39
THE LOST ACE
State t h a t t h e aces h ave a n affinity for eac h o t he r - w hich you will p r ove.
Ru n t h r o ug h t he d eck, re m ove t h e fo u r aces a n d place t he m face u p o n yo u r

23

t a ble. Ask a s p ecta t or t o choo se a ny o ne of t h e aces a n d inser t it back int o t h e

d eck (which - a s yo n p a t t e r - yon h ave revers e d). Shuffle. Tell t h e s pecta to r t h a t
t h e o t h er t h ree aces are going t o fin d t he los t o ne. Pick u p t h e t h ree t a ble d ace s,
in ser t t h e m in t he d eck a n d s h uffle. Now s t ri p t h e fo u r ace s t o t he t o p, cu t t h e
d eck a n d co m ple te t he cu t. Sprea d t he d eck face o p a n d s h ow t h e fo u r aces ar e
t oget h er.
#40
THE EYES HAVE IT
Have a car d selecte d a n d p o t h ack into t he reverse d d eck. Shuffle t h e
d eck a n d, if p o s sible, co n t r ol t he rever se d car d t o eigh t h or te n t h fro m t h e t o p.
However, it is n o t a b s ol u tely es se n tial t h a t t he selecte d car d be n e a r t h e t o p;
b u t t h e effect will be m o re of a "quickie" if t he selecte d car d is in t h e
u p p e r m o s t p o r tio n of t he d eck. Hold t h e d eck face d ow n in you r righ t h a n d,
wit h t h e p r o t r u di ng e dge of reverse d car d forw ar d . The righ t t h u m b a n d
mi d dle finger ti p s ge n tly t o uc hing b o t h forwar d si de s of t h e d eck a n d feeling
t h e p r o t r u di ng, selecte d car d. Tell t h e s p ecta t o r s t h a t t h eir eyes will give t h e m
away o n t his o n e. Re m ove t he t o p car d fro m t he face - d ow n p ack a n d h ol d it
face t owa r d s t he s p ec ta t o r s. Tell t h e m n o t t o give a ny sign w he n t h ey see t h eir
car d. Re m ove car d s fro m t he t o p of t h e d eck, o n e a t a ti me. Your righ t t h u m b
a n d mi d dle finger ti p s will tell you w he n you a re s h owing t h e s electe d car d.
Sto p t h e r e, look inte n tly at t he s p ec ta t o r s' eyes (as you h ave bee n d oi ng wit h all
p r evio u sly s h ow n car d s), t he n d eclare t h a t t h ey did give t he m s elves away a n d
t h e car d you are n ow h ol ding is t h e s electe d car d.
#41
FINGERPRINTS
Fan t h e d eck a n d h ave a re d car d selecte d. Reverse t h e d eck a n d h ave t h e
re d car d re place d. Ask t h e s pect a t or t o pick a black car d a n d rever se t he d eck
again b ef ore t he car d is re place d. Now, s h uffle t he d eck, give it t o hi m, a n d tell
hi m t o re m ove o ne of t h e two s electe d car d s, eit her t h e black or t h e re d. He is
t o d o t his wit h his b ack t owa r d s you. Take t h e d eck b ack, s t ri p t he o ne rever se d
car d t o t he t o p. Fan t he d eck face t owar d s yo u a n d t alk a bo u t looking fo r
finger p rin t s. Nat u r ally, you will s ee t h e color of t he t o p car d. You t he n n a m e
t h e color h e re m ove d, t he o p p o site color t o t h e t o p car d.
#42
FACE UP OR FACE DOWN
Have a car d selecte d. Reverse t h e p ack a n d h ave t h e car d re t u r ne d t o t h e
p ack. Hold t he d eck be hin d you r back, re m ove t he selecte d car d a n d re place it
in t h e d eck, b u t t ur ned over. Ask t he s p ect at o r if h e wo ul d like his car d face u p
o r face d ow n. If h e s ays, "face u p," b ring t he d eck forwar d a n d s p rea d it o n t h e
t a ble wit h all t h e car d s face do w n . If h e s ays h e wa n t s t h e s electe d car d face

24

d o w n, s p rea d t he d eck face u p . Either way his selectio n s h ow s u p im m e diately

a s yo u h ave t u r ne d t he selecte d car d wit h its face in t h e o p p o site direc tio n t o
t h e r es t of t he d eck.
#43
MATHEMAGICAL
Reverse a ny twe n ty car d s in t h e d eck. Shuffle. Strip t he twe n ty t o t he t o p
of t h e d eck. Ha n d t he d eck, face d ow n, t o a s p ecta t or a n d a sk hi m t o co u n t off
a s m a ny car d s a s h e wis he s, u p t o 2 0, a n d p u t t h e m in his p ocket. Shuffle t h e
d eck again, place it be hi n d you r b ack a n d s t ri p o u t t h e re m ai ning re ver se d
car d s. Co u n t t h e se car d s be hi n d yo ur b ack, s u b t rac t t h e n u m b e r t h u s ob t aine d
fro m twe n ty. An no u nce t he re s ult. It should be t h e n u m b e r of car d s t h e
s p ec ta t o r h a s in his p ocke t.
#44
COLOR TELEPATHY
In a dva nce, s e p a r a te t he re d a n d black car d s, reverse all t h e car d s of o n e
color a n d s h uffle t he e n tire d eck t oge t he r. Place t h e d eck in its ca se. To
p e rf o r m, re m ove t he d eck fro m t h e ca se a n d h ave it t h o r o ug hly s h uffle d. The n,
q uickly, s t rip t he w hole d eck s o t h a t yo u h ave t he t o p h alf e n tirely o ne color
a n d t h e b o t t o m h alf t h e o t h er. Hol d t h e d eck face d ow n a n d s p re a d o u t t h e top
h alf of t h e d eck for two car d s t o be selecte d. Riffle t he d eck a n d a s k t h a t t h e
tw o car d s be re t u r n e d, b u t m a ke o nce t he tw o car d s a re place d in t h e botto m
h alf of t h e d eck. Break t h e d eck a t t he reverse d car d s, h a n d o ne h alf of t h e d eck
t o a s p ect a t or t o s h uffle. You s h uffle t h e o t he r h alf. If t he car d s are re d, t h ey
will be in t h e black p a r t of t he d eck. After b o t h h alves h ave bee n s h uffle d, place
t h e m t oget her, fa n t h e d eck face t owar d yo u, a n d look over t h e car d s. Ask t h e
s p ec ta t o r t o co nce n t ra te o n t he tw o car d s h e s electe d. You will be a ble t o loca te
t h e m b eca u s e t h ey are t he o p p o site color of t he car d s o n eac h si de of t h e m. Do
t his effect slowly t o give t he im p re s sio n of great co nce n t ra tio n o n yo ur p a r t.
#45
PURELY MENTAL
This m e n t al effect wit h t h e s t ri p p e r is a s t u n n e r. It is ea sy in exec u tio n a n d
b affling t o t he lay m a n. Have t he t o p t h ree car d s revers e d o n t o p of t he face d o w n d eck. Let u s s ay t h a t t h ey a re t h e King of Hear t s, t h e Ace of Clubs, a n d
t h e Th ree of Dia m o n d s. Dis play t he t o p t h ree car d s fa n ne d in you r h a n d a n d
a s k a s p ecta t o r t o co nce n t ra te o n o ne of t h e m. Do n o t dis t u r b t h eir o r de r w hich
we will p r e s u m e t o be: king, ace, t h ree. When a car d h a s bee n m e n t ally s electe d,
place t h e t h ree car d s h ack o n t o p of t h e face - d ow n d eck a n d give t h e d eck o n e
t h o r o u g h riffle s h uffle. Place t h e d eck be hi n d you r back, s t ri p o u t t he t h r ee
car d s t oget he r a n d re place t he m o n t o p of t he d eck. You will s till h ave t h e ki ng,
ace a n d t h ree in t h a t or de r. Put t he t o p car d (the king) in yo ur rear t r o u s e r

25

p ocke t, t h e n ext car d (the ace) o n t h e b o t t o m of t h e d eck a n d, t h e re m ai ning

car d (the t h ree), o n t o p of t he d eck. Bring t h e d eck forwar d a n d place it face
d o w n o n yo ur t a ble. Ask t he s p ec ta t o r t o n a m e his t h o ug h t - of car d. If h e
n a m e s t h e king, slowly t u r n ar o u n d a n d h ave hi m re m ove t he car d fro m yo u r
p ocke t. If h e n a m e s t he ace, si m ply t u r n over t h e d eck o n t he t a ble or, bet te r
s till: h ave hi m t u r n it over. The ace will be reveale d o n t he b o t t o m of t he d eck.
If h e m e n tio n s t he t h ree a s t he t h o ug h t - of car d, tell hi m t o t u r n over t h e t o p
car d of t h e p ack o n t h e t a ble. Put a little p r e se n t a tio n int o t his a n d it ca n be
b uilt u p int o a s t r o ng m e n t al effect. The s p ec ta t or will n ever be aware of t h e
fact t h a t w hichever of t h e t h ree car d s h e n a m e s is of n o im p o r t a nce: You h ave
a r r a nge d a place for eac h car d a n d s o t h e re are t h r ee places whe re t h e t h o ug h t of car d could be!
#46
AN UNUSUAL VANISH
Haven car d s electe d a n d reverse t h e d eck. Have t h e selecte d car d
re t u r n e d t o t h e d eck. While s h uffling, b ring t h e s electe d car d t o t h e t o p of t h e
d eck. Place t he d eck face d ow n o n t he t a ble. While t alking o r by u s e of s o m e
mi s directio n, m oi s te n t he b ack of yo u r righ t h a n d wit h you r lips or t o ng ue. Tell
t h e s p ecta to r yo u a re going t o s h ow h ow t o m a ke a car d vanis h. Place yo u r
rig h t h a n d b ack d ow n, o n t o p of t he t o p car d of t h e p ack. Do t his t o illus t r a te
t o t h e s p ec ta t o r w ha t is you wa n t hi m t o d o. When yo u t a ke yo ur h a n d aw ay
fro m t h e p ack, t he t o p (selecte d) car d s h o ul d be s ticking t o it d u e t o t h e
m oi s t u r e o n its back. Get t h a t h a n d below t a ble level q uickly. The s p ec ta t o r will
d u plicate you r actio n s. The n re q u e s t t h a t h e look t h ro ug h t h e d eck for his car d.
It will h e go ne! By t h e n yo u will h ave h a d a m ple ti m e t o get t h e car d int o yo u r
p ocke t o r w herever yo u wa n t it t o a p p e a r.
#47
THE TRIPLE COINCIDENCE
In a dva nce, rever se t h e Ace of Spa de s o n t o p of t h e faced ow n d eck. Tell t h e
s p ec ta t o r s yo u are going t o co n d uc t in experi m e n t in coincide nce. A t ri ple
coincide nce. Inst r uct o ne of t he m t o co u n t off - wit ho u t looking a t t h e m - a ny
n u m b e r of car d s betwee n eight a n d twe n ty a fter yo u leave the roo m . He is t o
d e al off t he car d s face d ow n o n t h e t a ble. Tell hi m, also, t h a t t he Ace of Spa d e s
is going t o play a n im p o r t a n t p a r t in t h e t ri ple coincide nce. He is t o pick u p t h e
p acket of car d s h e d e alt off a n d re place it, face d ow n, o n t he face - d ow n d eck,
re m e m b e ring t h e n u m b e r of car d s h e co u n t e d. On you r re t u r n, ta ke t h e d eck
a n d b re ak off t he t o p p o r tio n (at t h e rever se d ace, n a t u r ally!) be hi n d you r b ack.
This will give you t h e a m o u n t of car d s d e alt o u t. Now, t a ke t he revers e d ace
a n d in ser t it back into t h e s a m e p acke t, b u t wit h face in t he directio n o p p o site
t o t h e re s t of t he car d s. Bring t his s m all p acket forwar d a n d a s k h ow m a ny
car d s were co u n t e d. Show t h a t t he p acke t you a re h ol ding o u t h a s t he s a m e
a m o u n t. Coincide nce # 2: The ace you m e n tio ne d is in t his p acket. Coincide nce
# 3: The ace is face u p, t h e re s t of t he car d s face d ow n.

26

#48
THE MAD MAGICIAN
Pre - ar ra nge yo u r d eck wit h all t he re d car d s reverse d. Sprea d it, face u p,
o n t h e t a ble b u t d o n o t co m m e n t o n color. Jus t m e n tio n t h a t t he d eck h a s b ee n
t h o r o u g hly s h uffle d.
Pick u p t he car d s a n d s t ri p t h e m s o t he t o p h alf of t he d eck is black a n d
t h e lower h alf, re d.
Relate t h e following s t o ry:
"Once u p o n a ti m e t he re was a m a d m a n w ho t h o ug h t h r wa s a m agician o r a m agicia n w ho t h o ug h t h e was a m a d m a n ... I d o n' t re m e m be r w hich.
However, let's ju s t s ay t h a t all m agician s a re m a d... or all m a d m e n a re
m a gicia n s. Anyh ow, t he rea s o n h e wa s d riven m a d wa s t h a t every ti m e h e t o o k
a car d fr o m t he d eck it was a re d car d." Re m ove a n d s h ow a car d fro m t h e
b o t t o m h alf of t h e d eck yo u a re h ol ding face d ow n. Replace t h e car d.
"Even w he n h r cu t t he d eck h r always got a re d car d." Cut t he d eck int o
t h e r e d h alf. "He even t oo k a car d fro m be hin d hi s back a n d, s u re e n o ug h, it
was a re d car d!" Place t h e d eck be hin d you r b ack a n d ta ke a car d fro m t h e
lower (red) h alf.
"Our m a gicia n t rie d p u t ting t he car d s in his p ocket a n d - gue s s w ha t?...
Sure e n o ug h, h e co ul d o nly p ull o u t a re d car d! It eve n beca m e con t agio u s...
When his frie n d s t o uc he d o ne of his car d s it t u r ne d re d!" Have s o m e o ne t o uc h
t h e b ack of a (re d) car d a n d t h e n s h ow it. *
"Finally, in d e s pe ra tio n, o u r m a d m agicia n d eci de d t h ere was o nly o n e
t hi ng t o d o..." Shuffle t he d eck a n d s t ri p it o nce m o re s o you again h ave all
black o n t o p a n d all re d s o n t h e b o t t o m. "...He was n o t s o d u m b. He cleverly
d e d uce d t h a t if h e s e p a r a te d h alf t h e p ack a n d t o uc he d it it wo ul d be all re d ..."
Divide t h e d eck into tw o piles a n d place t h e m widely s e p a ra te d o n t he t a ble.
"...an d s u re e n o ug h, all re d Sprea d t h e re d h alf face u p o n t he ta ble. "Our n o lo nger - m a d m a gicia n finally fo u n d a way t o get a black car d - ju s t t u r n over
t h e o t h e r h alf of t h e d eck." Tur n over t he s eco n d h alf of you r d eck a n d s h ow it
co n sis t s of all black car d s.
*

A n excellent gag here is to h a ve a red King of Spades ~ o bt ainable fro m yo ur m a gic dealer - in
yo ur pocket, ready to be h a n de d out to be touc he d.

#49
THE ALLOWANCE
"Once u p o n a ti m e, a m a gicia n h a d a s t u pi d wife - in fact, a n y wo m a n wh o
wo ul d m a r ry a m agicia n is s t u pi d. However, t h a t' s be si de t he p oi n t. He h a d h e r
b elieving t h a t playing car d s were m o n ey a n d h e always gave h e r a n allowa nce
of 6 5 ce n t s a week. Here is h ow h e di d it." The m agicia n t h r ow s a b u nc h of
car d s o n t h e t a ble, t h ey a re t u r n e d face u p a n d t he t o t al of t he s p o t s eq u als 6 5.

27

Met ho d: Reverse tw o te n s, t h ree fives, o n e fo u r, two sixes, o n e t rey, o n e

d e uce, o n e eight a n d o ne ace. Strip t h e m o u t a n d t h r ow t he m o n t h e t a ble face
d o w n.
#50
THE STRANGER
In t his effect o ne of t h e car d s in you r d eck is of t he o p p o site color; let u s
s ay yo u h ave a bl ue - backe d car d in a re d - backe d d eck. Reverse d, of co u r se.
Sprea d t he d eck face d ow n a n d re m a r k t h a t s o m e o n e m a d e a mi s t a ke in
p acking t he d eck. p r o p e r ties. Now, u si ng t he s t ri p pe r p ri nci ple you ca n cu t t o
t his "str a nger" car d, or fin d it be hi n d you r b ack, d o t he s t a b be d d eck t rick wit h
t h e k nife bla de fin di ng t he o d d car d, etc.
For a finis h, d r o p t he d eck int o yo ur coa t p ocke t a n d b ring o u t a d eck of
bl ue - b acke d car d s into w hich yo u h ave inser te d t he rever se d re d - b ack
d u plicate of t h e o ne you've bee n u si ng. Bring t h e d eck o u t face u p a n d s p rea d it
o n t h e t a ble. Patter a bit a b o u t t h e m y s t eries of color a n d s p rea d t he d eck face
d o w n t o s h ow t he s t ra nger car d h a s t u r n e d color a n d s o h a s t he re s t of t h e
p ack.
#51
THE RELUCTANT CARDS
EFFECT: Three car d s are s electe d, re place d in t he d eck a n d t he d eck
s h u ffle d t h o r o ug hly. Perfor m e r t a ke s t he d eck a n d d r o p s it int o t h e o p e n e n d
of a wo o de n ca se. The s electe d car d ref u se t o d r o p in wit h t h e o t he r s.
You will n ee d a ca se t o h ol d you r d eck b u t t a pe re d ju s t a s t he car d s a re.
It ca n b e ea sily co n s t r uc te d fro m h eavy car d b oa r d or cigar - b ox woo d. The
b r o a d e n d of t he ca se is left o pe n. When d r o p pi ng t h e s h uffle d d eck b ack int o
t h e case, be s u re t o d o s o wit h t he tapered en d do w n . The s electe d car d s will b e
fo rce d u p by t h e t a pe ring of t h e case. Patter a bo u t h ow s o m e car d s are
relucta n t t o mi ngle wit h t he o t h e r s.
#52
WORLD'S FASTEST COUNT
Set u p you r s t ri p pe r d eck a s follows:
Abo u t te n car d s fro m t h e t o p of t he d eck, reverse t h e n ext six. Abo u t te n
car d s fr o m t he b o t t o m of t he d eck, rever se t he n ext te n. So yo u will h ave a d eck
wit h t o p car d s n o r m al, six re verse d, m o r e n o r m al car d s a n d t h e n te n rever se d.
Place a joker be twee n t h e 2 7 t h a n d t he 2 8 t h car d s a n d t he o t he r joker
s o m ew h ere n e a r t he t o p o r bo t t o m of t he d eck.
When ab o u t t o p e rfor m t a ke t he d eck o u t of its case a n d, s aying t h a t you wo n't
u s e t h e joker s for t his effect, t a ke t h e m o u t a n d lay t he n o n t h e t a ble. However,
it is i m p o r t a n t t h a t yo u h ol d t h e place w he re t he joker was m a r king off t h e
2 7 t h a n d t h e 2 8 t h car d s. Break t he d eck a t t h a t p oi n t, h a n d t h e t o p h alf

28

(co n t ai ning 2 7 car d s, 6 of w hic h a re rever se d) t o o ne s p ecta t o r a n d t he bo t t o m

h alf (with 2 5 car d s, 1 0 reverse d) t o a n o t h er. Ask eac h t o s h uffle t h eir h alf
t h o r o u g hly.
Now, t a ke t he h alf w hich wa s originally a t t h e t o p a n d p u t it be hi n d yo u r
b ack. Im m e diately, b ring yo u r h a n d s for war d eac h h ol di ng a pile a n d s ay: "I
h ave 2 1 car d s in o ne h a n d a n d six in t he o t h e r." The n, t a ke t h e s eco n d h alf of
t h e d eck a n d re pea t t he s a m e p r oce d u re b u t - wit h t his h alf - s ay: "I h ave 1 5
car d s in o ne h a n d a n d te n in t h e o t he r."
When t he fo u r piles a re co u n te d, it will a p p e a r a s if yo u h ave d o n e a
ligh t ning co u n t be hi n d you r b ack.
#54
JUST FOR LAUGHS
Have a Fort u n e Telling Deck s t ri p pe d. Revers e t he car d s yo u wis h t o jibe
wit h a for t u ne yo u will p re dict for s o m e o n e. Ask s o m e o ne t o s h uffle t h e d eck
fo r yo u. Take it b ack a n d b ring t he rever se d car d s t o t h e t o p. Tur n t he m over
a n d s h ow t h a t t h e fort u n e you h ave p re dicte d in a dva nce, by rea di ng (?) t h e
s p ec ta t o rs p al m, is co nfir m e d by t he car d s.
#53
SUPER STRIPPER
Take tw o s t ri p p e r d eck s, o ne blue - backe d a n d o ne re d - b acke d. Fro m
t h e se tw o d ecks yo u ca n m a ke two u n u s u al d eck s - wit h infinite p o s sibilities.
Make two s t ri p p e r s t h a t co n sis t of h alf re d - b acke d a n d h alf bl ue - b acke d car d s.
Not o nly ca n yo u u s e t his a s a reg ular s t ri p pe r d eck, yo u ca n n ow d o effect s
involving color. For exa m ple: Separa ting re d - b acke d fro m bl ue - b acke d car d s by
rever si ng o n e color; cu t ting t o a d e sire d color b ack wit h t h e d eck face d ow n o n
t h e t a ble (selecte d color reverse d), etc.
END STRIPPERS
You ca n p u rc ha s e car d s s t ri p pe d a t t he e n d s ins tea d of t he si de s of t h e
d eck. The se, t oo, h ave m a ny u s e s a n d will fool eve n t h e fellow w ho is fa miliar
wit h t h e Strip pe r p ri nci ple. However, m a ny m o re effects are p o s sible wit h sid e
s t rip p e r s t h a n wit h e n d s t ri p p e r s, s o t his bo ok is d evote d s olely t o t h e si de
s t rip p e r.
BLANK STRIPPER
Have yo ur favorite m a gic d ealer s t ri p a d eck of bla nk car d s for yo u. With
t his d eck, you ca n d o a m a zi ng "living a n d d e a d" te s t s a n d m a ny o t h er "me n t o r'
r o u ti ne s.
MAKING YOUR OWN
Cla m p a n o r di n ary d eck in a vise a n d, wit h fine s a n d p a p e r, yo u ca n wear
away o n e cor ne r of t h e e n tire d eck. However, p r ofe s sio n ally s t ri p p e d d eck s a re

29

s o ea sily a n d eco n o mically available fro m a ny m a gic s h o p t h a t it is im p r actical

t o go t o t h a t m u c h t r o u ble.
ALPHABET CARDS
Many effect s a re p o s sible wit h a s t ri p p e d d eck of Alp h a bet Car d s. You
m ay p u rc h a se t h e se car d s fro m a ny m agic d e aler a n d h e will also s t ri p t h e m fo r
yo u.
ESP CARDS
A d eck of Extra Sens ory Perce p tio n car d s h a s sy m b ols, ins tea d of s uit s
a n d n u m b e r s, o n t he faces. The se sy m b ols a re Tria ngles, Square s, Circles etc.,
s uc h a s a re u s e d in tele p a t hy experi me n t s. A s t rip p e d d eck of s uc h sy m b ols
offer s m a ny p o s sibilities for p s e u d o mi n d rea di ng effect s.

30

FOR THE CARD MEN

For t h o s e wit h a goo d working k n owle dge of sleigh t of h a n d t he s t ri p p e r

ca n p r ove invalua ble in m a ny effect s. Thos e liste d below a re a few you ca n u s e
in co nj u n ctio n wit h s t a n d a r d effect s.
#55
TAP IT OFF
This is a weir d effect. Have tw o car d s reverse d in t h e d eck.
Shuffle a n d b ring t he m t o t he t o p. Hold t h e d eck face d ow n in
yo u r left h a n d. With you r righ t t h u m b a n d mi d dle finger, lightly
pick u p t h e two t o p car d s by t he p r o t r u di ng e dges a n d s h ow t he
tw o car d s as o n e car d. Replace t h e tw o car d s o n t o p of t he d eck.
Ask a s p ecta t o r t o t a p t he back of t he t o p car d o n t h e p ack.
Show it. Beca u se h e p re s u m e d t h a t be t a p p e d t he car d w hich
was s h ow n hi m, h e will be a m a z e d w he n yo u t u r n t h e car d over a n d it p r oves t o
h ave ch a nge d t o a differe n t o ne.
#56
THE AUTOMATIC RISE
As in t he p r eviou s effect reverse two car d s, s t ri p t he m a n d b ring t h e m t o
t h e t o p. With yo u r righ t t h u m b a n d m i d dle fin ger s h ow t h e two t o p car d s a s
o n e. Place t h e d o u ble b ack o n t o p of t h e d eck. Hol d t he d eck face d ow n a n d
b u ry t h e t o p car d in t he d eck. Ta p t h e t o p of t h e d eck a n d s h ow t h a t t he car d
yo u "bu rie d" h a s re t u r ne d t o t he t o p.
#57
THE PAPER CLIP
Have two car d s rever se d in t h e d eck. Shuffle. Strip t he tw o reverse d car d s
t o t h e t o p a n d s h ow a s o ne car d. Replace t h e two car d s o n t o p of t h e d eck a n d
fas te n a p a p e r clip t o t h e t o p car d. The s p ec ta t o r will p re s u m e t h a t t h e clip is
o n t h e car d yo u s h owe d hi m. Lay t h e t h ree t o p car d s face d ow n o n t h e t a ble
a n d tell t h e s p ec ta t o r t o n a m e t he car d wit h t he clip o n it. Of co u r se, h e wo n' t!
#58
THE FLYING CARD
Reverse tw o aces in t h e d eck. Let u s u s e t he Ace of Spa de s a n d t h e Ace of

31

Dia m o n d s for illus t ra tio n. Shuffle t h e d eck a n d s t ri p t he tw o aces t o t he t o p.

Gras p t h e p r o t r u di ng e dges of t h e rever se d car d s a n d s h ow t he d o u ble car d a s
o n e car d. Let u s s ay t he s p ecta t o r s s ee t he Ace of Spa de s (the Ace of Dia m o n d s
is hi d d e n be hi n d it). Place t h e tw o car d s b ack o n t o p of t he d eck, re m ove t h e
face - d o w n t o p car d a n d lay it o n t h e ta ble. The s p ec ta t o r will p re s u m e t his
car d t o be t h e Ace of Spa de s. Re m ove t he seco n d ace fro m t he t o p of t he d eck
a n d h ol d it face d ow n over t h e car d o n t h e t a ble. The ace in you r h a n d (Ace of
Spa d e s) is h el d a bo u t a foot over t he face - d ow n car d o n t he t a ble. Ta p t he b ack
of t h e faced ow n car d in yo u r h a n d a n d s h ow it t o be t he Ace of Spa de s, t u r n
over t h e car d o n t h e t a ble a n d s h ow it t o be t h e Ace of Dia m o n d s.
#59
ONE HAND LOCATION
Req ue s t t h a t a car d be selecte d. Rever se t h e d eck, a s k t h a t t h e car d b e
re place d a n d t h e n t h a t t he d eck be s h uffle d. Rem a r king t h a t, "The h a n d is
q uicker t h a n t h e eye," s h ow t h a t t he selecte d car d is n o t o n t he b o t t o m n o r o n
t h e t o p of t he d eck. Hold t h e d eck in t h e righ t h a n d in p o sitio n for t he o n e
h a n d cu t. When yo ur righ t t h u m b feels t he reverse d car d, allow t he car d s below
it t o fall int o yo u r righ t p al m; co m plete t h e cu t, t he n s h ow t h a t t h e selecte d
car d is o n t h e b o t t o m of t he d eck.
#60
THE BAD PENNY
Reverse t h ree ace s in t h e d eck a n d s h uffle. Strip t h e aces t o t h e t o p.
Execu te a t ri ple lift (showing t h e t h ree car d s a s o ne). Let u s s ay t h a t whe n yo u
s h ow t h e s p ec ta t or s t he (ap p a re n tly o ne) car d, t h ey see t he Ace of Hear t s.
Re m a r k t h a t t he Ace of Heart s is a b a d p e n ny a n d always kee p s t u r ni ng u p. Lay
t h e t h ree car d s face d ow n o n t o p of t he d eck. Re m ove t h e t o p car d a n d place it
in t h e ce n te r of t h e d eck, face d ow n. The s p ecta t o r s will p re s u m e t h a t you h ave
b u rie d t h e Ace of Heart s. Now, d o a d o u ble lift wit h t h e two car d s o n t o p of t h e
d eck a n d s h ow t h a t t h e Ace of Hear t s h a s re t u r ne d t o t he t o p. Place t he two
car d s face d ow n o n t o p of t h e d eck a n d, again, b u ry t h e t o p car d. Once again
s h ow t h e t o p car d, The Ace of Heart s is b ack! Throw u p yo ur h a n d s in disg u s t
a n d re m a r k yo u give u p.
#61
THREE CARD MONTE
A goo d s ucker effect., Have two car d s p r eviou sly reverse d in t he d eck.
Shuffle a n d b ring t h e m t o t h e t o p. Lift t he two car d s a s in effect # 5 5, a n d s h ow
t o t h e s p ec ta t o r s. Place t h e two car d s back o n t o p of t he d eck, t he n be n d b ack
t h e co r n e r of t he t o p car d a n d place it face d ow n o n t he t a ble. The s p ec ta t o r s
will p r e s u m e t h a t t h e car d wit h t h e be n t cor ne r is t he s a m e o ne yo u h ave
s h ow n. Lay two m o re car d s face d ow n alo ng si de t h e be n t o ne. Do not sho w t he

32

f aces. Move t he t h ree car d s a ro u n d. Ask t h e s p ec ta t o r t o pick o u t t h e car d fir s t

s h ow n hi m, h e will of co u r se t u r n over - t h e car d wit h be n t cor ner.
#62
PASSE PASSE
Procee d exactly a s in effect # 5 8 (Flying Car d) u n til after you s h ow t h e
d o u ble car d a n d re place t h e tw o o n t o p of t h e d eck. The n o pe nly t ake t he t o p
car d a n d place it face u n s ee n, in a s p ec ta t o r's p ocket. The ace left o n t o p of t h e
d eck is s h uffle d int o t he d eck. Now, "co m m a n d" t h e tw o aces t o cha nge places.
The s p ecta t o r will fin d t h a t t h e ace in his p ocke t is t h e o ne h e p re s u m e d t o b e
in t h e d eck a n d t h e o ne in t he d eck t he ace h e t h o ug h t yo u h a d given hi m.
#63
INKREDIBLE
Pre p a re a n o r di n ary, u nstripped, Ace of Heart s by p u t ting a d r o p of bl ue
ink n e ar t h e ce n ter of t he large pi p a n d allow it t o d ry. Insert t his p re p a re d ace
in yo u r s t ri p p e r.
Force t h e u n p r e p a re d , stripped, Ace of Heart s fro m you r s t ri p p e r o n a
s p ec ta t o r; o r, cut t o it a n d s h ow it t o you r a u die nce b u t d o n' t look a t it
yo u r s elf. Shuffle t he d eck a n d p al m o u t t his t a pe re d ace (leaving, of co ur se, t h e
p r e p a re d u n p re p a re d ace in t he p ack). Inser t t h e d eck face d ow n into its case.
Patte r a bo u t m a gicia n s' bloo d h aving m agical p r o p e r ties a n d - a s every
m a gicia n h a s m a gic in his vein s - his bloo d ca n locate t h e d e sire d car d.
Fro m yo u r p ocke t, t a ke o u t a fo u n t ain p e n w hich you h ave fille d wit h
vanis hing ink * a n d re m a rk t h a t t his effect re q uires bloo d, bl ue m agician s' blo n d
a n d yo u h ave fille d t he p e n wit h you r ow n. Let o n e d r o p of ink fall o n t h e
o u t si de of t h e car d - cas e, n e a r t h e cen te r. With you r forefinger, ge n tly r u b t h e
d r o p of ink. It will vanis h co m pletely in a s eco n d or tw o. Rem ove t he d eck fr o m
t h e ca se, s p re a d it face u p a n d s h ow t h e s electe d car d h a s a n ink s p o t o n it.
*

T his ink is sold at m ost no velty a n d m a gic shops.

#64
THE JACKS' PERSISTENCY
(Originally p u blis he d in Hugar d' s MAGIC Mont hly)
EFFECT: Magician ribb o n s p rea d s a d eck of car d s, faces u p, a n d slide s t h e
fo u r jack s clear of t h e s p rea d. Leaving t he jacks face u p o n t he t a ble, h e ga t h e r s
u p t h e d eck, s q u a res it a n d in vite s a ny s p ect at o r t o s h uffle it. Taking t he d eck
b ack h e a s k s fo u r differe n t s p ect at o r s each t o inser t o ne of t he jacks a t a ny
p oin t t h ey please in t h e d eck. When t his h a s bee n d o ne, p e r for m e r again
re q u e s t s s o m e o n e t o s h uffle t he car d s t h o r o ug hly. Perfor m e r t he n ta ke s t h e
d eck a n d m a ke s it into fo u r s e p a r a te piles o n t h e t a ble before hi m. When t o p
car d of eac h pile is t u r ne d over, s p ecta to r s a re s u r p rise d t o fin d t h a t all t h e

33

jack s h ave rise n t o t he t o p.

METHOD: Whe n d eck is re t u r n e d, riffle s h uffle o nce, s t ri p t he jacks t o t h e
t o p a n d riffle s h uffle o nce m o r e re t aining t he jacks in p o sitio n.
Now:
1. Hold d eck in you r left h a n d, righ t e dge p a r allel t o floor a n d res ti ng o n
t h e lower joint s of mi d dle, ri ng a n d little finger s wit h t h u m b lying acro s s left
e dge a n d forefinger curle d agains t face of b o t t o m car d.
2. With ti p of left t h u m b, riffle u p p e r left cor ner of d eck u n til you h ave
a b o u t of t h e d eck left t o go.
3. Gras p t h e t o p 3 / 4 p o r tio n of t he d eck be twee n you r righ t t h u m b a t t h e
in ne r e n d a n d you r fingers a t t he o u t er e n d a n d lift p acket clear of b o t t o m
p o r tio n. A t the sa m e ti m e , left mi d dle, ri ng a n d little fingers curl u p a n d p r e s s
again s t t o p car d (jack) re taini ng it agains t t o p of b o t t o m p acket re m ai ning in
left h a n d.
4. Place t his p acket o n t h e t a ble a n d re pea t s te p s 2 a n d 3 u n til you h ave
fo u r p acket s o n t he t a ble eac h wit h a jack o n Sop.
SUGGESTED PRESENTATION AND PATTER: Idly s h uffling yo ur d eck, as k: "Have
a ny of yo u ever n o tice d h ow s o m e d eck s h ave car d s w hich are re ally
o b n oxio u s?.., No m a t t e r w here you p u t t he m, t h ey kee p t u r ni ng u p!... I'll s h ow
yo u w h a t I m e a n - .. In t his p a r tic ular d eck, t he jacks are t he s ocial cli m b er s.
Let's t ake t he m o u t.,," (Ribbo n s p rea d t h e d eck a n d slide jacks o u t; pick u p t h e
s p r ea d, s q u a re it u p, s h uffle.)
..So me of yo u m ay t hi nk t h a t t h e jacks t u r n u p o nly for m e... t h a t t h ey
h ave a n 'affinity' for m e.., Well I'll a s k fo u r of you ge n tle me n t o pick u p o n e
jack eac h a n d inser t it w herever you like in t h e d eck Now, sir, will yo u pleas e
s h u ffle t h e d eck? Tha n k you... While o u r coo pe r a tive frien d m a ke s s u re t h a t t h e
jack s are really b u rie d, let' s review wha t h a s h a p p e ne d..." (Use in dex finger s of
rig h t h a n d t o co u n t off left fingers t h u s ca s u ally s h owing yo ur h a n d s are clea n.)
One, we s e p a ra t e d t h e jacks fro m t he re s t of t h e car d s a n d left t he m face
u p o n t h e t a ble in or d e r t o m a ke cer tain t h a t t h ey were n o t in s o m e s or t of p ee a r r a nge d se q ue nce. Two, fo u r differe n t p e r s o n s re place d a jack a t a dif fere n t
s p o t in t he d eck. Three, a n o t he r p e r s o n is n ow s h uffling t he d eck - ,. Will yo u,
sir," (to t he s h uffler) "please m a ke s u re t h a t t h e re a re n o jacks a t t h e t o p o r
b o t t o m of t h e d eck a n d t h e n give it b ack t o m e? Tha n k yo u - - - Let u s n ow
s q u a r e t h e d eck.,, divide it int o fo u r p a r t s like s o. a n d n ow we t u r n over
t h e t o p car d of eac h pile ...an d we fin d t h a t you ca n' t kee p t he jacks d o w n.
No m a t t er w here yo u p u t t he m, t hey p e r sis t in cli m bing t o t h e t o p!"
WARNING: Don't let m o re t h a n one spectator at a ti m e pick u p a jack a n d keep your eyes
on hi m! He m a y inadverte ntly t ur n his jack en d for e nd.

#65
ELUSIVE CARD
An elu sive car d r o u ti ne is always e n t er t ai ning a n d m y s tifying. However,

34

by h aving a car d p revio u sly reverse d in t h e d eck yo u ca n a d d a grea t d eal t o t h e

effect, fo r d u ring t he ro u ti ne you ca n h ave a s p ecta t o r s h uffle t h e car d s a n d
im m e dia tely go into t he elu sive car d again.
#66
If a car d is p r o t r u di ng a t e n d "a" of t he d eck, t h a t s a m e car d will b e
in de n t e d a t e n d b of t h e d eck. This in de n t a tio n m ay be u s e d as a s h o r t car d.
There is a d efinite click w he n t he d eck is riffle d at t his e n d.
#67
Use t h e rever se d car d as a "key" car d. You ca n cu t t o t he reverse d car d
ea sily af ter eac h s h uffle a n d h ave t h e s electe d car d place d n ext t o it.
#68
Car d o n ceiling, u si ng t he s t ri p pe r t o b ring t he selecte d car d t o p o sitio n.
#69
If yo u d o "Out Of This World" - a n d yo u p r o b a bly d o - u si ng t h e s t ri p p e r
m a k e s it all t he m o r e of a mir acle. Sim ply h ave t h e car d s s e t u p its t he case
wit h o n e color rever se d, h a n d t he d eck t o t he s pecta to r t o be s h uffle d, q uickly
s e p a r a te site colors a n d you are s et t o p e rfor m.
#70
For a ga m bling r o u ti ne yo u ca n h ave site d e sire d car d s reverse d, t h e n
s h u ffle, a n d b ring t h e e n tire se t u p t o site t o p of t he d eck.
#71
Nee dles s t o s ay, b ri nging a car d t o t he t o p for p al mi ng is a n ea sy m a t t er
wit h t h e s t ri p p e r. After site car d is p al m e d a n d t he d eck s h uffle d yo u ca n a d d
t h e p al m e d car d t o t h e d eck, s till reverse d, a n d be able t o d o m a ny u n u s u al
effect s.
#72
You will fin d t h a t, wit h a little experi m e n t a tio n, t h e s t ri p p e r ca n be very
u s ef ul in you r work. For exa m ple: wit ho u t a ny false s h uffles o r p a s se s you ca n
fo rce t h e s a m e car d several ti m e s, si m ply by b ringing t he s t ri p p e d car d you ar e
fo rcing t o t he t o p of t he d eck.
#73

35

THE GIANT FAN

If every o t he r car d in t he d eck is rever se d, it is a n ea sy m a t te r t o get int o
p o sitio n for t he gia n t fa n wit h o u t inter weaving t he two h alves of t he d eck.
Sim ply s t ri p o u t h alf t he car d s al m o s t t o t h eir full lengt h, giving t h e p ack
n e a rly d o u ble t h e lengt h a n d t he n go righ t into t h e fa n, The s t ri p pi ng s h o ul d b e
d o n e q uickly a n d s m o o t hly.

***********

The tw o effect s w hic h follow were d evise d by m y goo d frie n d, Joh n V, Ho p e. A

p a s t p r e si de n t of New York's F.A.M.E., Mr. Ho pe is a versa tile m a gician wit h a
p a r tic ular be n t for coin m a gic. However, t he following s a m ples will p r ove t h a t
h e is n o "slouc h" wit h car d s!
#74
BOOKED DECK DISCOVERY
EFFECT: A car d is s electe d a n d re t u r ne d t o t h e d eck. Durin g t he s h u ffle,
s o m e car d s beco m e rever se d in t h e d eck. On s p r ea ding t he car d s it is s ee n t h a t
t h e d eck is p r e t ty well mixe d u p wit h car d s face u p a n d face d ow n. The d eck is
s h u ffle d s o m e m o r e a n d cut o nce. Sprea ding t h e car d s again it is s ee n t h a t t h ey
h ave all righ te d t he m s elves, exce p t for t h e s electe d car d.
METHOD: Have a car d selecte d a n d re t u r ne d a s yo u u s u ally d o fo r
co n t r olling t he car d. Start s h uffling a n d, afte r o ne o r tw o reg ular s h uffles,
rever se o ne h alf t he d eck a n d t u r n it face u p. Contin ue s h uffling. This will give
yo u w h a t ga m bler s call a "booke d" d eck, t h a t is: a d eck wit h t h e car d s mixes
face u p a n d face d ow n. This t u r ni ng of t he car d s face u p is im p o r ta n t. The
si m ples t way is t o o pe n t he d eck like a bo ok, u si ng o ne of t he e n d s a s a n
imagin a ry hi nge. Con ti n ue o p e ni ng t his im aginary b ook u n til b o t h p acket s
t o uc h t h e t a ble. You n ow h ave o ne p acke t face u p a n d o ne face d ow n. With o u t
ch a nging t he relatio n s hi p of t he p acke t s, s h uffle t h e m int o eac h ot he r. Show
t h e car d s t o be all m e s se d u p.
After s h owing t he car d s t o be h o p eles sly mixe d, s t ri p o u t all p r ojecting
car d s a n d place t h e m o n t o p of t he d eck. Whe n all t h e p r ojecting car d s a re o n
t o p of t h e d eck, t u r n t he s e car d s over s o t h a t b o t h p acke t s a re facing t he s a m e
way. Sprea d t h e car d s a n d all of t h e m will be facing t h e s a m e way exce p t t h e
s electe d car d.
NOTE: If t he deck h as bee n used a bit, spread it outf ace u p. T here is a ten de ncy for t he
reversed car d to stick to t he ot hers a n d not show itself. If t his h a p pe ns, do n't say a n yt hing abo ut
t he selected card. Square t he deck a n d m a k e a m a gical gest ure tow ar ds it. No w, spread t he cards
f ace do w n a n d t he selected card will be t he only one f ace u p.

#75

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AGAIN THE BOOKED DECK

EFFECT: The d eck is s h uffle d wit h a bo u t h alf t he car d s face u p a n d h alf
face d ow n. Sprea di ng t h e car d s in you r h a n d s, ex plain t o a s p ecta t o r: "Ru n
t h r o ug h t he car d s as I'm d oing a n d if you s ee a car d yo u d o n' t like, t u r n it face
d o w n, if yo u s ee a car d t h a t is face d ow n a n d yo u wa n t t o k n ow w ha t car d it is,
t u r n it face u p. Re me m be r w hic h car d s yo u t u r n eit he r face u p or face d o w n."
After t h e s p ec ta t or h a s d o n e t his, t a ke t he d eck fro m hi m, s h uffle it a n d cu t it a
few ti me s. Sprea d t h e d eck a n d s h ow t h a t all t he car d s h ave righ te d t he m s elves,
exce p t t h e car d s reverse d by t he s pect a t or.
METHOD: Shuffle a bo u t h alf t h e d eck face u p int o t he o t he r face - d o w n
h alf a s explaine d in t h e p revio u s effect. Explain t o t h e s p ect at o r, w ha t yo u wa n t
hi m t o d o, illus t ra ting wit h t h e car d s in you r h a n d s. When t u r ni ng car d s face u p
o r face d ow n, d o s o wit h a righ t t o left or vice vers a m o tio n. Do not reverse
t he m b y tur ning t he cards over e nd for e nd . Ret u r n a ny car d s t h a t you rever se
t o t h eir original p o sitio n, im p re s s u p o n you r s p ec ta t o r t h a t you wa n t hi m t o
t u r n his car d s over a s yo u di d, t h e n h a n d hi m t h e d eck. After h e h a s rever s e d
his s electe d car d s, t ake t he d eck fro m hi m a n d s h uffle a bit. Strip all t he face
u p o r face d ow n car d s t o t h e t o p of t h e p ack. By reversing o r t u r ni ng t his
p acket s o t h a t t h e car d s in it a re facing in t he s a m e directio n a s t h e faces of t h e
o t h e r p acke t, you h ave a rr a nge d t he d eck s o t h a t all t he car d s h ave rig h te d
t h e m s elves except t he spectator's cards.
****************

A SHORT STRIPPER ROUTINE

A r o u ti ne, or "act" wit h t he s t ri p pe r s h o ul d n o t be of long d u ra tio n, for
eve n goo d car d t ricks ca n beco m e bo ri ng. If you u s e t his ro u ti ne, p r actice it
over a n d over again. Know t h e s e q ue nce of t h e t ricks s o well t h a t you al m o s t
a u t o m a tically go fro m o ne effect t o t he n ext. Most im p o r t a n t of all: Be s u re yo u

37

k n ow h ow t o "han dle" t he s t ri p p e r p r o p e rly s o t h a t it is n o t a p p a re n t t h a t yo u

a re u si ng a t rick d eck. Whe n s ea te d wit h a gro u p of s p ecta t or s s t a r t o u t by
h aving t he d eck s h uffle d by s everal p e r s o n s. Watch for t h e o ne w ho s h u ffles
t h e d eck p r o p e rly, i.e.: n o revers als a s h e s h uffles. When you h ave n o tice d t h o s e
t h a t s h u ffle "your" way, pick o n t he m w he n t h e effect you wa n t t o p re se n t
re q uires t h a t t h e d eck be s h uffle d by a s p ecta t o r.

PATTER & ROUTINE

"Ladies a n d Gentle me n: The secret of car d m a ni p ula tio n is co n t r ol. By
control I m e a n t h e s h uffling of t he d eck a n d a p p a re n tly losing of t he s electe d
car d o r car d s d u ri ng t h e s h uffle w he n act u ally t he p e rfor m e r h a s co n t rol of t h e
s electe d car d s w he never h e wis hes. I wo ul d like t o give you s o m e exa m ples of
car d co n t rol. Firs t, t he si m ples t: co n t r ol of a si ngle car d."
Have a car d selecte d, reverse t he d eck, h ave car d inse r te d in t he d eck a n d
t h e n locate d q uickly by you.
"Now, for a m ul ti ple co n t r ol. We s h all h ave fo u r p e r s o n s select a car d a n d
e n d e avo r t o locate all fo u r of t h e m."
Have fo u r car d s s electe d a n d inser te d in t h e reverse d d eck. Shuffle a n d
fin d t h e fo u r car d s, p refera bly by b ringing t h e m t o t he t o p.
"Now I wis h t o s h ow yo u tw o of t h e m o s t difficult ty pes of car d locatio n."
Fin d tw o selecte d car d s, o ne be hin d yo u r b ack, t he o t he r u n d e r a silk.
"Now, h e re is a n exa m ple of a s p ec ta t o r u nwit ti ngly co n t rolling his ow n
car d."
Perfor m "The Coincide nce" (#1).
"And n ow for t h e im p o s sible! The m o s t u n u s u al car d t rick yo u h ave ever
s ee na n d d o n' t t ry t o figure it o u t - it is im p o s sible."
Finis h u p by p e rfo r mi ng "The India n Giver" (#10).
It is wise t o lear n a few si m ple car d t ricks t h a t you ca n d o wit h o u t u si ng
t h e s t ri p p er p ri nci ple. Your m a gic d e aler h a s a vas t n u m b e r of bo ok s o n si m ple
car d t ricks a n d sleigh t of h a n d. It is also a goo d idea t o h ave in you r p ocket, a n
o r di n a ry d eck of car d s, wit h backs t o m a tc h t h e s t ri p p e r yo u a re u sing. When
finis h e d wit h t h e s t ri p p e r ro u ti ne, d r o p t he t rick d eck int o you r p ocke t t he n, a s
a n af ter t h o ug h t, b ring o u t t h e or di na ry d eck a n d s h ow a few si m ple car d t rick s.
This is t h e ea sies t of "switc he s."

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