talkmagic.co.uk

Hi

I have a personal theory on fanning out a deck of blue backed card to have a card selected, placed back, shuffled and then the cards are spread out on the table to reveal that the spectators chosen card is between two red backed cards.

At the moment, the two reds are placed at the bottom of the deck, after the card is selected I'm closing the deck, recutting it into my other hand. The chosen card is then placed (unknown to the spectator) on to top half of the deck. Then holding the faces to the spectator I move the bottom most red face in front of the chosen card, closing and squaring the deck to sandwich the chosen card between the two red cards. A couple of false shuffles and I'm done.

I just wanted to know if anyone had any better ways of pulling this off. Though my version works, I can't help but feel that holding up the cards to show them the faces seems off putting and sparks curiosity

Let me know if you guys have any ideas

Many thanks

If you don't mind revealing the face of the chosen card as it's going back in the deck then having red cards top and bottom and cutting it into a face up deck would be the easiest approach thats coming immediately to mind

Thanks I'll give that a try

It would be easier to give advice if we knew a bit about your skill set.

If it is ok for the face of the selection to be seen, then Lawrences suggestion would be fine. Bear in mind the face of one of the odd backed cards will also be seen though.

Or - with the odd cards on the bottom, cull the selection under the spread and slide it between the odd cards as you close the spread.

Or - have the odd cards on the bottom. Side steal the selection to the top. Then turn slightly to the left as you begin an overhand shuffle. The first part of the shuffle would be to lift all but the top and bottom cards and throw on top. This places the selection between the odd cards - the slight turn to the left is to prevent any flash of the bottom odd backed card. The shuffle would be carried on by running approx half the cards and dropping the balance on top. The odd backed cards are now in the centre with the selection between them.

Or - if its ok for you to return the card yourself then you could use a crimp.


Jim

Thanks jim, they are some great ideas

My suggestion is to do Chicago Surprise instead.

Or at least make the red cards relevant in some way. Perhaps transition into a monte effect using the selection & the red cards?

Russell, don't you think your post is a little premature ? The OP never said this was an entire effect - in fact I assumed this was part of a longer routine. Nor did he did he mention anything about the odd cards not being justified in the effect.

And what has Chicago Surprise got to do with anything ?


Jim

He doesn't say it isn't an entire effect either so I had a different assumption to you Jim. There's no justification for the red cards in the OP's post either.

If you can't see how Chicago Surprise might be relevant then that's not my problem.

It's only advice. The OP can choose to ignore it as should you if you don't agree.

Was there something in my post which offended you Russell ? Or is there another reason for the attitude ?

Yes, there is no justification for the red cards in the original post. But this might be something to do with the fact that his presentation wasn't mentioned at all - that was not the point in the thread.

Nope, I can't see how Chicago Surprise is relevant to this thread. Its a totally different effect to what's being discussed. I've not seen any mention of a colour change here, nor that of a transformation. It doesn't even use the same number of odd cards. Just because there are two odd cards used in the OPs effect doesn't mean that ANY effect which uses an odd card is relevant.

Its also not relevant because the OP never asked what effect he should learn. He asked for a method for his own effect.

And I only asked what Chicago Surprise had to do with it because the suggestion doesn't make sense (for the reasons mentioned above). So what's with the "if you don't know then that's not my problem" attitude ?

Which brings me to your last statement. This forum is for DISCUSSION. Many of us here have differing opinions on the craft and this can be a good thing and spark some good debates. Why then - if anyone disagrees with you - should they ignore it and not say anything ? Kind of defeats the purpose of the forum.


My apologies to the OP for this silly derailment.


Jim

Does it need to be impromptu and examinable? How about...

Fan cards out, have one selected and signed. Separate the deck, have the card returned and shuffle it into the deck.
Do some fancy cuts, then flip the deck face up and ribbon spread to show the signed selection between two face down red back cards.

Needs a small bit of setup and resets easily. But not examinable.

Otherwise Lawrence's suggestion to perform it with a face up deck is the simplest I can think of. Face down, if you could manage to cut the deck with a red back on the bottom of both packets, then drop one on top of the selection and K***y/O**tte the other one underneath. But then you need motivation for dumping 2 separate packets on top of the selection before cutting it to the centre - it screams "move". The trouble is getting the red backs either side of the selection without showing their backs.

This has some similarity to the Smiling Mule, but in that presentation the cards which end up sandwiching the selection are overtly shown to be different (face up). Depends what you want to do with it.

Ian

Thanks isb, I'll take a look at smiling mule, see if I can adapt it a little. Like Lawrence said, I might have to go with a face up deck.

I've got to this point in the marathon trick and I can take it one way, which work and have been preforming but wanted to explore an alternative that could lead to a bigger end. I know where I want to go with the two cards either side of the selected but its finding that method that doesn't have flashing lights that highlight "THAT WAS A MOVE!"

Jim your right, this was never described as a complete trick, it would be a small part of 3 that could lead to 4 but without this move it looks like I'll be leaving it out which is a shame

Thanks guys

Hi again,

Where in the routine are you wanting this bit, middle, beginning or end ?

If its for the start of the routine you could use a force.

Put one of the odd cards on the bottom and the other second from the top - the top card is the force card. False shuffle and cut, keeping a break. Use the standard riffle force (timing it so you don't riffle the odd cards) and separate the cards. Now you have two options depending on angles. If your spectators are all in front - raise the left hand and thumb the selection to the right (asking them to remember the card). Then pull it back as the hand is returned and the deck is assembled. Or if angles are bad - separate the cards at the "stopped" point, place the right hands portion on the deck injogged about an inch and a half and push flush, while at the same time outjogging the selection. The deck can then be raised for the display.

Jim

If you can replace the card in the deck, rather than having the spec do it, you could have the red back cards second and third from the top, and use the Marlo t**t (Vernon d***h illusion) to ace it in the right place. Pass the deck to carry these to the centre.

A crimp would be better as the card is slid straight into the centre with no further cutting nessecary.

How do you feel about using a duplicate ?

I've had a little think about your idea and it dawned on me the use of a dup would open up a lot of possibilites with this.

While mucking about with this I came up with the following idea for a beginning and end which may spark a few ideas. Here's how it looks -

The magician displays a deck of cards and gives them a short shuffle. He slowly spreads them from hand to hand with the request that the spectator touch any one he likes - he can change his mind if he wishes. The card is removed and shown to all (including the magician). It is returned to the centre of the deck outjogged and the cards are briefly spread to show it clearly in the centre and everything as it should be. The cards are cut to the table as you carry on with your speil. The magician snaps his fingers above the deck which is instantly spread to reveal two odd cards with a card in between them - the selection.
The odd cards are placed to the side and the selection returned to the deck for your middle section(s).
For the finale the deck is riffled, or the fingers snapped (or whatever magic gesture you use) and the deck is spread slowly from hand to hand (or spread face-up on the table - the card is gone. The magician reaches over and cleanly spreads the odd cards on the table. Between them is a face down card - the selection.

Its by no means complete or anything but illustrates how a dup could perhaps be used in the effect.

Instead of odd backed cards two face up cards (say red aces for example) could be used instead.


Jim