IT WOULD seem almost as if the old-time magicians had used all the plots possible for the presentation of card tricks and that all that is left for the successors is to improve the method by which the old effects were done. This fact is one of the reasons why the public generally complains that magic is always the same. While to a magician a modem method of doing an old trick will convert it into a new trick to the lay man it remains simply the same old effect. Not knowing, nor caring to know, the vastly improved methods used to bring the effect about, he simply asks, ‘Why do magicians always do the same things?’ The best audiences to a skilled magician are those composed of people who know something of the technical part of magic and can therefore appreciate his skill. There would seem to be a good argument here in favor of a widespread promulgation of our so-called secrets, exposures if you will, but that is apart from our subject.

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A hat rests on your table a little to your right. First, two of the force cards are taken by spectators. They are replaced amongst their own kind and you explain that the spectators will practically find them themselves without knowing where they are. In explaining how the cards are to be passed illustrate by passing one at a time the seven top cards of the pack over to the hat and putting them inside. In doing this stand the cards on their side with the backs outwards. (more…)

PERFORMER has any card freely selected and returned to the pack. Pack is shuffled and handed to the spectator who is instructed to deal the cards one at a time on to performer’s hand and any time he feels like it to stop and the selected card is found there.

This effect is about 97 per cent perfect and when it works is a real miracle in card magic. Paul Noffke, a very clever card man, works this effect and in his hands it is 100 per cent perfect. Max Holden worked it for Tommy Downs and Eddie McLaughlin and had them completely stumped. As the title implies it is a psychological trick and depends on the manner in which the performer instructs the spectator to deal the cards on to his hand. (more…)

This effect it one of the most simplistic I have seen but the reaction u get from it are superb, Ok to start you must know the Elmsley, don’t worry if you don’t ill write a description, at the end of the end of this document, so here goes.

GIMMICK (more…)

THE modern magician specially prides himself on being able to produce with a borrowed pack effects which originally called for the use of specially prepared cards or forcing packs. This is a brilliant example of the solution of one of these problems. The ‘Stop’ effect is here produced with a borrowed pack. Two hats and a length of wide ribbon are the only accessories required. Place the hats, crown downwards, on the seats of two chairs about four feet apart and stretch the ribbon between them, one end in each hat. A small weight should be attached to each end of the ribbon to hold it in position.

In placing the hats and adjusting the ribbon you have taken the opportunity to introduce into the right-hand hat some ten or twelve cards, previously palmed from the pack. Next have two or three cards freely selected, noted, replaced and brought to the top in whatever way you prefer. Thoroughly shuffle the cards and drop them into the left-hand hat. (more…)