Cards in Magic & Mentalism: page 53

Wesley James' 7 DVD set, "The Man Who Knows Erdnase", on the enigmatic book The Expert at the Card Table by Erdnase has been met with controversy. Discussions about Erdnase generally do lead to heated debates, be it the discussions about his identity as well as discussions about the techniques taught in the book and their applicability, history and execution.

Wesley James is undoubtedly an informed card expert with decades of experience who had the guts to put his thinking, believes and information on the table. He made a sincere attempt at trying to make Erdnase more accessible. It is Erdnase through the lens of Wesley James...

An amazing coincidence that goes beyond ACAAN.

Effect: The performer shows a blue deck of cards and shuffles it until he feels psychically inclined to stop. He really does not know the order of the cards. The deck is returned to its case and given to a participant to hold. The performer never touches the blue deck again. A red deck is now shown and shuffled by the performer. He has a second participant freely select a card from the red deck. The participant may change his mind, as there is no force. Next, a number is obtained by chance. No mathematics are involved and there is no force of...

A stunning routine that you'll enjoy performing and your spectators will love to watch. The performer shuffles a blue-backed deck. A spectator selects a card (say the 8D) and signs it on the face. The card is then lost in the deck. Three blank-faced cards with red backs are shown and the performer says that he will print an exact duplicate of the selected card. A back of a red-backed card is erased so that now it is blank and a blue back is then printed on this card. A duplicate of the selected card is then magically printed on the face of this blue-backed card. Wait a moment! To have an EXACT...

Three packets of cards are introduced. Three spectators each select a card from the packets and these cards are seen to be the only cards with DIFFERENT COLORED BACKS!

Requires three blank-faced cards.

An examination of the classic "Cards Across" effect which discusses and explains many methods and presentations from "thought of" cards traveling to "signed cards" or those with different colored backs. If you've used this effect, want to use it or need a great routine for your show, this is essential reading.

Contents

• Introduction
• Early Cards That Travel: Detailing and comments on methods by Robert-Houdin, Devant and Ponsin.
• Cards Being 'Thought Of' Travel: Detailing Zen's method and variants, Paul Curry's variant, Henry Hardin's Kings Kards and Jacob Daley and Annemann's Acme Thought Card Pass.
• Some Thought on Plot Variations
• Selected Selections:...

"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...

These are detailed explanations of sleights and subtleties with cards used in many tricks and routines. They come with tips, history, applications, etc.

CONTENTS:

• GEMINI COUNT (Bro. John Hamman)
• FLUSTERED (Eddy Taytelbaum)
• VARIATION ELMSLEY (Jonathan Townsend)
• ROLLING FLUSHTRATION (Keith Bloomfield)
• HABACK COUNT (Max Maven)
• SPIRIT COUNT (Gene Castillon)
• CUT FORCE (Robin Robertson)
• CATO (Bob Hummer)
• BLOW AWAY CHANGE (J.K. Hartman)
• FALSE CUT (Jean Pierre Vallarino)
• CROSS COUNT FORCE (J.K. Hartman)
• RIFFLE FORCE (Arthur Finley)

These are detailed explanations of sleights and subtleties with cards used in many tricks and routines. They come with tips, history, applications, etc.

CONTENTS:

• FULL DECK FALSE SHUFFLE (G. W. Hunter)
• MIRAGE COUNT (Larry West)
• CHARLIER SHUFFLE (Charlier)
• CUT-DEEPER FORCE (Ed Balducci)
• DIMINISHING COUNT (Daryl-Maddison-Biet)
• HAMMAN COUNT (Bro. John Hamman)
• THE LAUGHING COUNT (Aldo Colombini)
• CRISS-CROSS FORCE (Max Holden)
• BACK SPREAD (anon)
• BRAUE ADDITION (Fred Braue)
• SMALL-PACKET FALSE SHUFFLE (Bro. John Hamman)
• RUMBA COUNT (Jean-Pierre Vallarino)

These are detailed explanations of sleights and subtleties with cards used in many tricks and routines. They come with tips, history, applications, etc.

CONTENTS:

• ELMSLEY COUNT (Alex Elmsley)
• JORDAN COUNT (Charles T. Jordan)
• SIVA COUNT (Jack Avis)
• OLRAM SUBTLETY (Ed Marlo)
• DOUBLE UNDERCUT (L. L. Ireland)
• REVERSE DOUBLE UNDERCUT (Bob Haskell)
• BRAUE REVERSAL (Fred Braue)
• FLIP-FLOP FORCE AND CONTROL (Bro. John Hamman)
• PROPHECY FORCE (Bill Simon)
• FLUSHTRATION COUNT (Bro. John Hamman)
• OMEGA COUNT (Jeff Busby-Karl Fulves)
• ASCANIO SPREAD (Arturo de Ascanio)

Two effects are described, both with a 'Queen gets penetrated by another card' plot. The first effect can live inside a regular deck. The second effect is a small packet trick. Both effects require some preparation, but all you need is a knife and tape. The gaffed cards are very clever allowing for beautifully visual effects.

1st edition 1984, 1st digital edition 2012, 10 pages.

New fun and commercial card effects. Get both volumes of Just Cards for one reduced price.

Volume 2 of John Gelasi's Just Cards series is here, featuring more commercial, workable crowd-pleasing effects using regular cards.

Just Cards: Volume 2 contains 5 new card effects, covering a wide variety of plots. All of the routines are effective and hard-hitting, yet relatively easy to do. You're sure to find something that you'll love performing.

Contents:

F Sharp: Four kings disappear one by one from a packet of red cards and appear all together on the table. For the second phase, the kings are used for a killer elevator-style routine that leaves you totally clean; lots of magic...

Effect created by Raphael Czaja. A novel piece of magic which will bring you a new 'twist' on a classic theme! Four cards are selected and placed on the table. You show four face-down cards and one at a time one card turns over and it reveals one of the selected cards. At the end, each chosen card is revealed. Then you reveal that the four cards have backs on both sides!

Requires three double-backed cards and two double-faced cards.

This effect is straightforward and powerful. A most unusual routine. A gem of intimate close-up magic. A card is selected from a deck of cards, say it is the 5-of-Spades. A packet of three Jokers is introduced. The 5-of-Spades is placed among the Jokers whereupon it instantly turns face down. It is replaced and turns face up. You then draw an X on the back of the 5-of-Spades which is placed face down in the packet. The cards are counted and now the 5-of-Spades is face up with an X on its face. The X visibly disappears off the face of the 5-of-Spades and now all the Jokers have an X on their...

Revolutionary card technique, chapter one:

Table of Contents

• Miracle Change No. 1
  • Method No. 1
  • Method No. 2
  • Method No. 3
  • Method No. 4
  • A Variation With Effect
• Miracle Change No. 2
• Miracle Change No. 3
• A Multiple Effect
• Follow The Ace
• Climax Sleeving

1st edition 1954, 24 pages; PDF 26 pages.

During his Princeton years, Russell worked in a nightclub doing close-up magic, and he has frequently entertained in that medium in his busy New York life since. He knows the value of a card trick that "entertains" and this is what he focuses on in Master Palm. Careful, concise thinking written up in clear language helps you to learn the 17 sleights and 15 tricks more easily.

1st edition 1975; PDF 58 pages, photo illustrated.

Table of Contents

6. INTRODUCTION

   Part One

7. CUP SHUFFLE
10. LEFT HAND BOTTOM PALM

    Part Two: THE MASTER PALM

15. (1) Right hand Side-Slip Steal
15. (2) Spread Replacement ...

The magician shows a packet of four cards, say three blue-backed Three of Hearts and one red-backed Joker. The Joker is placed in the magician's pocket but keeps jumping back into the packet several times. For the final kicker, all of the cards turn blank. Totally examinable. Easy to do.

Requires four blank faced cards.

A great presentation for the standard Lie Detector theme where you reveal, using four cards, if the spectator tells the truth or lies and at the end the four cards change into four duplicates of the selections. You will love it! Can be done in any language.

Requires blank faced cards.

Jon Racherbaumer steps forward with a very keen Introduction to this Baxter treatment of the classic Three Jacks Deal. “…celebrate and perform Baxter’s latest, evolutionary entry.” It has been around since 1928, but this version guides it well into the 21st century.

Ian Baxter has accomplished something remarkable. He has taken a wonderful classic self-working effect, that has been described and worked on by such luminaries as Walter Gibson, John Scarne, Rufus Steele, Harry Lorayne, Ed Marlo and made it even better, more direct, less dealing procedures while preserving the effect, the sleight-less feature as well as adding an additional climax....

An absolute expert in card manipulation, Ireland brings you here authoritative instructions on bottom and second dealing, a gambling routine, and instructions on the false count. This is ideal material because it is fully illustrated with line drawings by Steranko, plus a series of photographs taken from life. Belongs in the library of every card man.

1st edition 1938, revised in 1963, 24 pages; 1st digital edition 2012, 25 pages.

You show four blue-backed jokers. One after the other, the Jokers become red-backed. Finally, they change back to blue! An amazingly visual routine!

Requires a double backed card.

Ten more routines with two decks of cards.

Contents:

• TWO-DECK CARD TRICK (U.F. Grant): A spectator shuffles a deck and picks a card. You count to the value of this card in a second deck and find the matching card.
• MIRACLE REVERSE (Francis Haxton): A red card is placed in a blue deck. A blue card is placed in a red deck. These two cards reverse themselves and they are shown to be the cards removed from the opposite colored decks.
• PACKED BAGS (Aldo Colombini): A spectator touches a card which is reversed in the deck. You remove another deck and you reveal the same card in a spectacular way. ...

The effect is as folows: A member of the audience is asked to join you. A deck of cards is shown wrapped in elastic bands and placed inside the box. The Magician then puts the volunteer into a trance like state to open up their 3rd eye. When they open their eyes the spectator, holding the box reveals the name of a card, and a number. The cards are then removed from the box still wrapped in bands and the spectator unwraps them and counts down to the number, at that number they reveal the card they named. The box and cards can be handed out straight away for examination. Or even to be kept. ...

An effect by Ken de Courcy. Performed by Aldo Colombini. A terrific three-phase routine with jumbo cards. Having enticed a spectator up to help, you hand him eight jumbo cards and say, "Please give me any four and keep four yourself." This done, both you and the spectator carry out some simple movements but when the cards are counted again, all your cards are face down while the spectator has one face up. This process is repeated with exactly the same result. There is obviously only one answer; the spectator will have to do the actions with both packets. He does so, yet your cards finish up all face down...