A multi-phase ACAAN routine with a completely unexpected ending.
A very unusual selection-finding sequence: after a freely chosen card is returned to the deck, the performer claims to give the spectator four chances to locate it. The spectator cuts the deck into four piles, but none of the top cards are the selection. Just as it seems the magician has failed, the plot turns - each of the four cards not only indicates the exact position of the selection, but also reveals the mates of the chosen value. See the full routine in the performance video.
Performance transcript:
- I riffle down the deck from the top.
- Have the spectator call stop anywhere.
- Let's say they stop here.
- Have them remember the card they stopped at.
- OK, got it?
- Let's take a look.
- Jack of Diamonds.
- The Jack of Diamonds is the freely selected card.
- Place it into the middle of the deck.
- Now as the magician, I need to find their card.
- But I want—the spectator to take part in the process.
- So next—I deal the cards into four piles.
- And they call stop anytime.
- They get four chances to locate the selection.
- As I deal like this—they call stop.
- Suppose they stop here the first time.
- Good.
- That's their first stop.
- Then they call stop again anywhere.
- Let's say they stop here the second time.
- And keep going.
- Let's say the third stop is here.
- So the spectator's four stops divide the deck into four piles.
- Let's see if any of these four chances found the card.
- First card: 5 of Hearts.
- They say no.
- Second: 2 of Diamonds.
- Jack of Spades and 6 of Clubs.
- None of them match.
- No hits at all.
- But I notice something—though we didn't find the card—you'll see—the first one is red.
- It might indicate the selection is red.
- The second is Diamonds.
- Red means Hearts or Diamonds—and Diamonds appeared.
- Maybe that tells me—the suit is Diamonds.
- The third card is a Jack.
- Which suggests—the selection is the Jack of Diamonds.
- The spectator agrees.
- And the fourth card is a 6.
- Which might tell me—the position of the Jack of Diamonds.
- Count down: 1 2 3 4 5 6.
- Jack of Diamonds.
- So—we've already found two Jacks.
- There are two more cards.
- This one shows a 5.
- Let's count down: 1 2 3 4 5.
- There's the third Jack.
- This one shows a 2.
- Count down: 1 2. And the fourth Jack appears.
1st edition 2025, video 6:29.
