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I've been looking at a couple of Macdonald ace routines.
Both use Gaff-cards.

Do all Macdonald ace routines use Gaff-cards?

CArl...

All of them do. This is a very old trick and is not actually anything to do with Mac McDonald whose name is associated with it because of the reference in the Ganson book referring to the magic of Dai Verno. In actual fact the trick should be credited to Hofzinser who flourished in the 19th century when he invented the trick. The real title of the trick is "Power of Faith". Hofzinser probably invented the principle of the gaffed cards involved.

There are other 4 ace effects along the same lines with a regular deck but none of them have the impact of this one. It may indeed be the strongest trick I do and virtually the only one where I will carrry the special cards needed. It is worth the inconvenience.

There are similar ungaffed routines to this, such as Dai Vernon's 'Slow Motion Aces' (here is a slightly different variation of it) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPbCnBQBiMY but they are not quite as 'clean' looking and in terms of sleights, a lot more difficult. The advantage is, you don't have worry about some one wanting to look at the cards if you're using a regular deck.

I've always loved the effect. Here's me performing the routine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mh2XoMX ... re=feedlik

Some pruning has taken place, let's continue to keep it all sweet please.

Thank you, Mandrake!

Here here. I think some have had a bad few days. Nice work Paul.

Thank you, Ted.

Vernon said, "Only offer criticism if you are asked and even then, do it sparingly."

And on that note........