I only just noticed this thread. I must be slipping. Furthermore I wish to state that I am struck with the utmost horror of all this discussion of methods and secrets to be read willy nilly by the great unwashed public. Well at least unwashed in some of the areas I perform in anyway.
I do not use gaffed cards when I perform. I see enough of the bloody things when I am doing this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3GSItQV6io I do thank Neal for his complimentary remarks and naturally I agree with every word he says. It is obvious that he is a man of astute and superb judgement.
The answer is no. I do not use trick cards for this although I did when I was a kid just starting out in magic. It is not as good as using pure sleight of hand although you do have to practice a trifle. The method I use is the one mentioned by Barry-that is the Thumb Push Off move. And I would like any laymen who are reading this to push off immediately otherwise I will put a psychic hex on them.
It is true that the move is not described in the Vernon Book Of Magic but it IS described in one of the Vernon card books by Ganson. It is the method I use although I do use the buckle count once only in the routine when I show four cards. I can't say for certain but I am pretty sure that most performers use regular cards for this trick. I really like this superb version by Wayne Dobson. I particularly like the very visual way he throws the cards all over the place and I have been tempted to do it this way but it makes a hell of a mess and besides I like to follow the trick with 3 cards across using the counted cards. Anyway watch the first minute or so of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAWi15MAOmo Let me tell you about my history with this trick. I always hated it. I thought it was corny and although, as I mentioned already, I once tried to do it when I started out with fake cards but I had utterly no success with it. I hated the hackneyed story that always goes with it and I decided that I would never do the bloody thing as long as I lived.
But then one day I worked with the late Harry Stanley, the magic dealer, who helped me produce my act. Harry insisted that I open my card act with the 6 card repeat and I protested mightily but he had an answer for everything. I told him there was no climax to the trick but he provided one which I still use. I told him the patter sounded stilted (and I still think it does) but he twisted my arm to do it and he prevailed. I reluctantly went along with it.
Best decision I ever made. It may not be a great mystery (and it certainly won't be after every layman who has ever seen me work reads this thread) but it does have one wonderful advantage. It is a terrific opener and is wonderful for quietening an inattentive audience. I found out accidentally years ago that when you count out loud it either gathers a crowd or in the context we are talking about gets attention immediately and stops chattering audience members very quickly.
When I worked the Northern clubs years ago I would sometimes find inattention and an unpleasant buzz of conversation around the room when I first went on. As soon as I learned 6 card repeat I found the second I started counting the conversation ceased and everyone watched attentively.
I have even performed this trick in the circus ring. It is a great trick to add to your repertoire. I still don't like it though!