| td> | | | | replaces it in the pack; all I have to do then is find that |
| Why is it that most Magicians use card tricks in their | | | | card and I know that the one below it is the selected |
| act? Did they start out entertaining in Gambling Dens | | | | card. Simple. The victim, and the rest of the audience, |
| and Casinos? Or is it that the card sharps’ | | | | were all concentrating on the return of the selected |
| had to learn magic card tricks in order to cheat at | | | | card to the deck and didn’t notice me tilt the top |
| Poker? | | | | half of the deck so that the underside of the card was |
| Whatever the reason, Card Tricks are an essential | | | | visible. A few cuts then make it look as if the card is |
| part of any Magician’s performance. Some | | | | mixed up in the deck (a cut rarely splits the two cards |
| require difficult sleight-of-hand techniques, most just | | | | that you want to keep together, but to be sure, |
| need you to distract your audience while you do | | | | Glimpse the bottom card after the last cut — if it |
| the deed’, many can be done in full view. A few | | | | is your Key Card, cut once more) and I then deal the |
| need gimmicked decks or pre-prepared decks in order | | | | pack onto the table until I see the card I viewed earlier. |
| to work. | | | | A nice twist is to carry on past the selected card, |
| The marked deck is a rarity these days; after all, who | | | | dealing say, another 3 cards before stopping and |
| needs to remember 52 different secret markings, all | | | | announcing the next card I turn over will be the one |
| small enough to go unnoticed by the audience? Far | | | | you selected. The victim gleefully disagrees |
| easier to force’ your victim to pick a specific | | | | — you can take bets on it if you want — |
| card (she thinks she had free choice, but we know | | | | and then you reach over to the selected card and turn |
| better!) then control’ the card to the top or | | | | that one over. |
| bottom of the deck where it sits until you magically | | | | There are lots of card tricks you can learn easily that |
| produce it. | | | | can be found at many dedicated magic websites. |
| A favourite technique of mine (called; the Glimpse) is to | | | | Many magic card tricks are offered free at these sites |
| openly look at the card (this becomes the Key | | | | and are easy to learn. |
| card’) above the selected card as the victim | | | | |