I'm sometimes asked when performing Gemini Twins why I chose the particular cards that I picked at the start of the effect so was looking for a way to repeat the effect and allow the spectator to choose the cards used. I've come up with a method that to the spectator looks like this:
The spectator names two cards to be used, say for arguments sake the 4 of hearts and the 10 of clubs.
The magician spreads through the cards face up and pulls out the chosen cards.
He then shuffles the deck.
Then, whilst spreading through the face down cards in his hands, he asks the spectator to push the first card (4H) face up anywhere into the deck.
The magician then closes the spread and squares the deck.
Asking the spectator to do exactly the same thing with their remaining card he again spreads through the cards face down and the spectator pushes their face up card (10C) anywhere into the deck.
The magician squares the cards and then ribbon spreads the deck on the table.
He discards all of the cards except the two face up cards and the face down card immediately above each of them.
When turning over the face down cards they are found to be the twins of the spectators cards (i.e. 4D and 10S).
Whilst this is a strong effect I believe that the original Gemini Twins is much stronger as the spectator handles the cards from the start of the effect to the end. I've found, however, that by doing the effect using this alternative method first, and allowing the spectator to choose which two cards it doesn't seem so weird when you use two random cards without giving them the choice when you repeat it. All it appears that you are doing is saving time by picking the cards yourself. You then go into the original Gemini Twins.
I don't know if I should be giving the method away in the public area so I'll refrain for now and await advice from a Moderator.
Any comments are more than welcome.
