Cards Through Newspaper

by Michael Pascoe

This great routine from Al Goshman is based on the Sympathetic Coins. The premise is the same, but it
plays differently with cards because of the identity of them gives its unique properties. Goshmans handling of the
Cards Through Newspaper, in my opinion, is so well planned for all of the misdirection needed.

I am using a lot of photos because I feel this is the best way to learn every subtle move that Goshman
used. These moves are important to the misdirection so I will point them out as we go along.

Effect: A newspaper is opened up on the table and is used as a mat. Another newspaper is folded in quarters and will be used as a cover. Four cards are placed on the table. One by one, the cards are placed under the
opened newspaper and it penetrates through to the other side.

Preparation: Five cards are used and placed in this order: The ace of diamonds, the two of clubs, the three
of diamonds, a duplicate two of clubs, and the four of spades. Goshman puts the cards into his pocket. And he
has two double sheets of newspaper.

A close-up mat can be used as well instead of one of the newspapers. Thats how I am going to practice it.
I also suppose you can use a two of spades and two of clubs because some may not notice the difference with the
two black cards. Especially if you are alternating the suits between the other cards.

I think though as not to take any chances, I will use a duplicate two of clubs. I also am thinking of using
all of one suit.


Performance: Dialogue is not important in this, but I guess you can say, You have heard me talk a lot
nonstop, what I am about to present, needs no words. This experiment is more of an optical illusion than it is a
feat of magic. Or something to that affect.

Spread out the newspaper on the table. Fold the other paper into quarters and put it off to the side. Goshman takes the packet of cards out of his pocket. Turn each card face up and place in the corner of the newspaper
starting with the ace in the upper right and moving down right as in figure 1.

Stop when you get to the last card, the four. The card(s) are face down in the left hand. See figure 2. Turn
it face up so the audience can see its identity. With the right hand, pick up the folded newspaper. Turn the left
hand over as you place the newspaper cover over it as in figure 3.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3


In Figures 4 & 5 is shown from underneath. The left middle finger separates the bottom card from the
top and move it to the right. The cards of course are facedown. The newspaper cover is omitted for clarity.
When you place the newspaper cover over it, the left hand grips it and the cards underneath. Drop it on the upper left hand corner.

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

With the right hand, pick up the three. Turn it over so the card is face down. The left hand picks up the
newspaper cover. Secretly, it picks ups the card to the left. In figure 9 you can where the card is picked up from
under the paper cover. When the left hand takes the card, what the audience sees is the left behind four.

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

The newspaper covering is moved to the right hand and switches the card under the cover. Notice how in
figures 10, 11, and 12 that the newspaper is transfered to left hand and the right. This is when the switch is made.

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

Fig. 12


The motivation for this is that you look at the face down card and forgot to turn it face up. So you use the
(three, now really the two) to turn it face up. See figures 13, 14, and 15.

Fig. 13

Fig. 14

Fig. 15

As in figure 16, the newspaper cover is placed over the four. The card in the left hand is transferred to the
right hand. The left hand lifts the corner of the newspaper mat as the right hand goes under it. See figure 17. As
it does, it briefly goes to the left hand (see figure 18) where the left first and second finger, clips the card taking it
from the right hand.

Fig. 16

Fig. 17

Fig. 18

Without hesitation, move the hand to the right of the mat to the opposite corner as in figure 19. Then
slide this hand to the upper right hand corner of the newspaper mat. See figure 20. Figures 21, and 22 shows the
right hand as it moves forward from beneath the mat and show the hand empty as in figure 22. Then, the hand
comes free from the paper mat. Finally, place the empty right face up in the upper center of the mat next to the
paper cover as in figure 23.

Fig. 19

Fig. 20

Fig. 21

Fig. 22

Fig. 23


The left hand still holds the corner of the newspaper mat. Turn the empty right hand over and grab the
corner of the newspaper cover. Notice both in figure 24. Turn it over from top to back towards you as in figure
25. Keep tilting until it reaches the left hand which grabs it. See figure 26.

Fig. 25

Fig. 24

Fig. 26

Also note in figure 26 that after
the right hand lays the cover over to
the left hand, the right hand takes the
face down card and in figure 27 turns it
over. The left hand loads the card under
the paper cover. Meanwhile, the right
hand reaches to the face down card and
turns it over face up so the audience
can see that it the three that has joined
Fig. 27
the four.

The paper covering is dropped along with the hidden card onto the
two cards, loading the card on top of it. Figure 28 shows the paper covering
Fig. 28
already at the upper corner.

The right hand picks up the face up two that is in the lower left corner as in figure 29. It brings it to the
left hand which shows it freely. See figure 30. The right hand takes the card as the left hand lifts up the corner
again, at the same time picking up the card trapped under it.

Fig. 29

It goes under the newspaper mat and repeats the motion as before.

Fig. 30


This time, the left hand is
opened wide as in figure 31. You
can see that the card in this hand is
wedged with the newspaper mat.

While the hand moves
away, it leaves the card under the
mat. As in figures 32 and 33, the
hand is shown empty as it does.
Fig. 31

Fig. 32

Fig. 33

The left index finger presses on the corner of the paper covering as in figure 34. In figure 35, the right
hand grabs the opposite corner of the newspaper cover and turns it towards you revealing the fact that another
card has joined the other two. This corner in the right hand is let go so it returns to its original position as in 36.

Fig. 34

Fig. 35


With the left hand still on the corner of the paper cover, the right hand picks up the last card, the ace. As
in figure 36 , the thumb goes in the rear and the fingers at the long end of the card. Once this grip is atained, the
right hand snaps it so the card turns over. See figures 37 and 38.

Fig. 36

Fig. 37

Fig. 38

Once it is flipped over and the left hand goes to the card. Both hands display the face of the card to the
audience as in figure 39. Its turned over with the right hand while the left hand goes to the left corner of the
paper mat and clips the card under it. See figure 40. This corner is lifted up. Figure 41 shows the right hand goes
under as usual, but forgets something. The face of the produced card was never shown.

Thats the motivation, but in reality, the right hand card is switched for the card under the left corner.
When this mistake is acknowledged, figure 42 shows the right hand coming out with the card which is suppose
to be the last card, the ace.

Fig. 39

Fig. 40

Fig. 41

Fig. 42

The right hand switched card comes out from under the mat and placed on it about center as in figure 43.
The right hand picks up the paper cover and reveals the cards as it is placed into the waiting left hand. See figure
44. The card in the left hand is loaded under the paper cover as the right hand goes to the face down card. This
card is turned over to show that the two has indeed arrived with the four and the three as in figures 45 and 46.

Fig. 43

Fig. 44

Fig. 45

Fig. 46


The cover in your left hand is placed
over the three face up cards as in figure 47.
The right hand picks up the last face down
card which is supposed to be the ace, as in
figure 48 but really is the duplicate two.

Fig. 47

Fig. 48

This card is placed under the mat like the others did, the right hand moving to the right. Then of course
to the upper right hand corner of the mat and shown empty.

The empty right hand is placed face up on the mat again like it did before. See figure 49. It picks up the
paper covering and tilts it back to youas in figures 50 and 51. This brings the covering back to the left hand which
is holding the last card. See figure 52.

Fig. 50

Fig. 49

Fig. 51

Fig. 52

As the left hand takes the covering away, the unknown fifth card is taken with it. See figure 53. This needs
to be disposed of and Goshman has a great way of doing that. With the right hand turning over the last card,
all attention is on it. In figure 54, you can see that all of the cards are picked up with the right. From there, it is
placed under the paper covering that is in the left hand, joining the extra card.

Fig. 53

Fig. 54

As you can see in figures 55 and 56, the right hand reaches over to the lower left corner of the mat and
turns it over to show that its empty. Meanwhile, after the right hand flips the mat face up, this hand reaches over
and takes the paper covering while the left hand shows the cards.

These cards are put away. I think it would be wise to move a few of the cards around to reset as you place
the cards back to the pocket where they came from. Make sure that the extra card goes on top of the packet.
Then when you are left with the packet, turn it over. Count the first three cards one at a time reversing their
order, starting with the ace. Stop with the four. There should be two cards. Place this pair on top. Now put them
away. It doesnt matter if the audience sees this. Its just a display to show the produced cards.

Fig. 55

Fig. 56

Fig. 57

Fig. 58