The spectator selects a card and returns it to the deck. The spectator cuts off a packet, then the performer deals left and right. Four consecutive times the dealt cards are not the selection, yet each one precisely names an attribute of the chosen card, and after the elimination, the final remaining card is the original selection. Even more, when the four piles are turned face up, together with the selection they form a Royal Flush.
During the spectator's cut, there is no crimp and no extra handling, yet the selection and the key cards can still be located with precision.
Performance transcript:
- Riffle the deck and have the spectator call stop to take a card.
- That card is selected; have the spectator memorize it.
- Then insert the selection back into the center of the pack.
- Give the deck a casual shuffle.
- Next, have the spectator cut the deck.
- Cutting face down, you can't see what card you cut to.
- So I turn the deck face up.
- And cut roughly half the deck.
- Let's say the spectator cuts to here.
- Now I'll use an elimination procedure to locate the selection.
- I may not hit it the first time, so give me a few tries.
- I'll deal cards alternately left and right.
- One to the left, one to the right.
- Left pile is face up.
- Right pile is face down.
- First face-up card on the left, the King of Clubs — is that your card?
- The spectator says no.
- Give me another chance.
- Keep dealing left and right the same way.
- Second card, the Nine of Spades — is that it?
- The spectator says still no.
- Then we continue.
- Third card, the Ace of Hearts — is that it?
- Still not? That's fine, we're almost out of cards.
- Fourth time, the Ace of Clubs — still no.
- So after four tries I still haven't named the selection.
- But each time I got closer.
- The first was a black card, telling me the selection is black.
- The second was a Spade, so the card is a Spade.
- The third gave us the value — an Ace.
- And the fourth, the Ace of Clubs, is the closest match to your card.
- So your selection is the Ace of Spades.
- In performance, the spectator does the cutting.
- Why do we deal the cards into five piles here?
- Because if you turn over the bottom card of each pile, you'll see they form a royal flush.
1st edition 2026, video 11:56
