Dai Vernon says that Faucett Ross performs this trick better than anyone - including Dai himself! We had the pleasure of seeing Faucett perform it for several card enthusiasts in Harry Stanley's Magic Studio in and everyone present was very impressed.
The effect is that the performer quickly cuts off seven packets of cards from the pack. When each packet is counted it is found that one packet contains seven one one one four and so the last being a single card.
To spread the cards between the hands saying, "Most people count cards by the simple method of pushing each one off singly." the tenth card, then hold a break under the top six cards - square the pack.
Say, how a magician counts cards." Bring the right hand over the pack, thumb at the and pick off one card and place it face down on the table - to the left. By feeling with the thumb, push off two cards and place them squared, alongside the single card. Cut off all the cards above the break (actually three cards) and place the squared packet on the table. Cut at the injog (four cards) and place the squared packet on the table. Now cut off a few more than five cards and place them down, then cut off a few more than six cards and place them down. Finally cut off a few more than seven and place them down.
So we now have seven packets in a row on the table; the first four on the left have the correct number of cards in each, but the last three have a few more cards than required.
Starting with the packet on the right, false count as seven cards, using the Buckle Count. False count the next packet as six cards by the same method and the third packet as five cards. The three and two card packets are correct, so can be counted slowly and deliberately. To complete the effect, pick up the single snap it with the fingers as you say, - and the diffi- cult one!"
To obtain the full effect, the cutting should be done quickly and surely and the false counting smoothly. When false counting and counting fairly, the handling must be identical, although the action should be slowed down
as the number of packets diminish.
As each packet is it should be placed on top of the pack. In this way there is no chance for anyone to check the actual number after a false count has been made.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN PURE MATHEMATICS
As the title implies this effect appears to be brought about by some math- ematical yet just how is accomplished remains a mystery. Al- though here we have another revelation of a freely selected the cir- cumstances under which it is located are unusual.
Preparation:
A set-up of the top ten cards of the pack is required. Reading from the top we have Ace - the suits do not matter; its just the sequence that is important.
Performance:
False shuffle or cut to retain the order of the ten cards on top of the pack. Now hold the pack face down in the left hand and bring the right hand placing the thumb at the inner end and bending up a packet of cards so that the inner end of the faces can be glimpsed. Allow the cards to run past the thumb and deliberately look for the Ace of the set-up sequence and hold a break under it.
Riffle the front of the pack and allow an almost free selection of a card, only ensuring that from the bottom three quarters of the pack. Riffle the cards to the break, cut off the packet above the break, have the selected card returned then replace the packet on top.
Now ask one spectator to name any number from 1 to 5 inclusive and another spectator a number from 6 to 10 inclusive.
The rule is to add the two numbers together in your head and proceed as follows:
(a) If the total is more than 11, subtract 11 from it and move that number of cards from the bottom to the top, by shuffling or cutting.
If the total is less than 11, subtract it from 11 and move that number of cards from the top to the bottom.
(c) If the total is 11, the pack is all set and the actual effect begins.
Repeat the smaller number given by the first spectator and count down that number of cards from the top of the pack onto the table. Turn over the last card of the and the number of spots on the face will be the same as the larger number given. Place all these cards back on top and count down to the larger number, when the spots on the card at that position will be the smaller number given. Now place all the cards on top and count down to the total of the numbers - the selected card is revealed!
Note:
By placing an indifferent card on top of the set-up at the the chances are greatly in favour of you not having to add to or remove any cards from the top of the pack. Take advantage of this whenever the total number is 11 or 12. if the number is 11, there is one minor change in procedure: In counting down to the smaller, larger and total numbers, always turn over the next card after the count.
If the total number is neither 11 or 12, rules (a) or (b) must be observed, but now the key number is 12.