"ACAAN with a mental shake"
Gerard likes the ACAAN plot. Whether it is impromptu or formal, closeup or on stage, it always has a strong impact. There have been loads of methods since Mr. Berglas presented this effect in the mid 70's. For this manuscript, Gerard wanted a 100% hands off solution, direct, practical, with NO sleight of hands and doable on stage or closeup and, if possible without knowing the card nor the number. The result is not a card trick but more of a mentalism effect.
EFFECT:
The performer places a boxed deck of cards in full view. He won't touch it again. Four presentations are described in the manual but there are more than that.
Example 1: The performer places a boxed deck of cards on the table in full view. He won't touch it again. He explains that there are many ways to select a card and a number.
- They can be selected completely at random without looking.
- They can be thought.
- or it can be a mixture. For instance, the card can be selected and the number can be thought or vice versa.
Whatever their answer is, a CARD and a NUMBER (between 1 and 52) will be either chosen or thought.
The "prediction deck" is opened by a spectator who counts to the number. The counted card is turned face up and it is the chosen card (or the thought card).
Example 2: The participant thinks of a card, takes it out from a deck of cards and shows it to the audience. She then visualizes a number between 1 and 52 (no restriction). She can keep this number secret. She takes the deck and counts to her secret number: It is the card.
Example 3: The participant eliminates 51 cards from an immaterial deck of cards (no force, no equivoque). She then visualizes numbers between 1 and 52 in her mind until one number is clearly seen. She takes the prediction deck and counts to her secret number: it is the card.
Example 4: A set of business cards with cards written on their face, is given for close examination, shuffled by a member of the audience and spread face down on the table. The participant selects a card without looking at the face, signs it and keeps it safe with her signature in full view.
52 business cards, now with a number between 1 and 52 written on them, are then given to another participant for close examination, shuffled and spread again face down on the table. The participant selects a card without looking at the face, signs it and keeps it safe as well with the signature in full view.
Nobody knows what the card is, nor the number. The performer doesn't know either. The card and the number are revealed and shown to everybody with signatures on the back. A spectator takes the prediction deck and counts to the number: It is the card.
KEY POINTS:
- The Performer never touches the prediction deck.
- The card and the number can be freely selected or thought by the participant.
- No sleight of hand.
- Normal cards, not marked.
- The deck is examinable.
- Different card and number every time.
- Easy reset but needs to be done in a quiet place.
- Very versatile and devious methods. Lots of possibilities.
[Note that some variations taught in this ebook make use of the instant stooge method.]
1st edition 2012, 45 pages.
word count: 11755 which is equivalent to 47 standard pages of text
