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I'm trying to remember the name of this cut force but unfortunately can't even remember what source that I learned it from. It goes like this:

Force card is on top of the deck. Deck is held in Mechanic's Grip. Deck is riffled with directions to the spectator along the lines of "Tell me when to stop." When the spec says "Stop." the deck is cut at that point and the top half of the deck is put down on the surface. The bottom half is put on top of the top half at a 45 degree or so angle. While the cut is made, the spec is asked whether they are left or right handed. The magician then asks that the spec use the index finger of their dominant hand to remove the card that they cut to and thus the force of the top card.

So, anyone know the name of this cut force?

sounds like the cross cut force to me. Mark Wilson and Royal Road have both got it in as well as quite a few other books.

Yes definetely the cross cut force This is probably the easiest of all card forces, however, performed well and with proper time misdirection it can be very decieptive. jim

Thanks for the help, much appreciated!

defo the cross cut force

. . . and about as unnoticable as an elephant in a tea room!

Peter Marucci wrote:. . . and about as unnoticable as an elephant in a tea room!

Then you are performing it wrong!

Back in the day I used it as part of the final phase of ambitious card

Peter Marucci wrote:. . . and about as unnoticable as an elephant in a tea room!

Wow Peter, I must say I was surprised at your comment here. The Crossing the Cut force can be a very effective force with the correct presentation and used in the right circumstances. Done correctly, it looks very simple, pracical and fair; not unlike the material you print up in the Linking Ring actually. That's why I'm surprised you think it's transparent.

I recall a number of years back, Lance Burton used a simple Hindu Shuffle force on one of his TV specials. Lance knew how fair and effective it would play and had no concerns doing it on TV of all places.

I feel the same way with the crossing the cut force. In the right situation and for the right trick and with the proper time misdirection, it's great!

Happy Thoughts,
Paul Pacific

The execution that .robb. describes does sound a little clumsy to me but I have to agree with the others that when done well, the cross cut is a very deceptive and effective force.

It is what it is- one of a million ways to force a card. No big whoop. I'm not trying to fool Peter Marucci or any other magician.

I like the cross cut. It seems screamingly obvious because you know how it is done, to someone who doesn't, when you are talking and distracting their attention, its extremely effective.
Its best used in a lighthearted way like, hey, lets just lift up this top section, could you take that card please? I even ask if that card is ok, nobody has ever refused because it looks so fair. I got busted once, the second time I used it so I said "Oops, someone has good eyes!" placed that cards back in the exact same cross position, did it again with a "There you go then!" and he took it, looking pleased that he had caught me out and was getting his fair card

Also this cut is in Mark Wilson's I think, if you were looking for it?

A) I can do it flawlessly.

B)The only applause one will get with it is "pity" applause.

C) Carry on doing it, and leave the real work to the grown ups.

D) i seem to remember you sharing some routines that use that force in online visions...a tarot effect from a few years back...

Mr. Marucci, it does seem like you hate magic at times, even though we know you love it...

Iain,
Thank you for the kind words; I DO, in fact, love magic and hate when it is done sloppily, which is how the cross-cut force is usually done.

I checked all the Online Visions columns that are available to me, and could not find the column of which you speak. Nor do I remember it.
Not that I doubt you. But a couple of years is a long time ago.

Peter Marucci wrote:A) I can do it flawlessly.

B)The only applause one will get with it is "pity" applause.

C) Carry on doing it, and leave the real work to the grown ups.

The double-undercut looks obvious...as does the DL in the ambitious card routine. Does that mean you don't do them either? Of course not, it is about the presentation of it. Those at mentis this year who saw me perform a few effects on the friday night will back me up when I used the cross-cut without being noticed...

But then again, what do I know? I guess that I should leave the "real work" to you...as you seem to be somebody who, if a technique doesn't work for them, palms it off as "rubbish", "transparent", and "pitiful"

Also, you say you can do it flawlessly, but it isn't exactly the hardest technical thing to do in the world is it? I would be worried if you didn't...

If the only thing you get is piy applause however, then obviously your performance of it isn't as "flawless" as you first believed