Effect
The performer has three participants write their astrological signs down on pieces of card. The participants mix the cards face down so no one knows the order.
The performer explains that he is going to flip the top card over and that the
participants are not to react - It is essential that no one tips off the performer as to whom the card belongs to.
The performer flips the card over and instantly starts to read the person he feels the sign belongs to and then finishes by identifying who the zodiac sign belongs to.
The second card is flipped over and again the performer reads accurately and identifies the person whom the card belongs to.
He then by default knows whom the last card belongs to and makes a point of not turning the card over. The performer starts to read the participant instead, he then calls out what zodiac sign he believes the participant to be.
The performer turns the card over and it matches the exact sign the performer just called out!
Breakdown
If it wasn’t clear from the description, this is my take on sneak thief. I think this premise is more logical when using astrology signs, it totally makes more sense to be reading someone based on their astrology sign and the way that they wrote their sign than it does to read a picture or random word.
The subtleties are where the real gold is within this routine.
First let me outline quickly for the people that don't know the mechanics of this routine - For the people that know Larry Becker's 'Sneak thief' the mechanics are very much similar
First take each piece of card (the number of cards depends solely on the number of participants) and put a marking upon each card. In my experience marking them in a sequential way is always the best.
So for example if you are restricted to marking them in one spot on the card for
example (as it is your business card) you might take a series of coloured sharpies and in the telephone number where the number '0' is or a number similar to this I place a dot that is large enough to see inside the number... But I follow the nursery rhyme 'The
Rainbow song' - Red and Yellow and Pink (So on if there is more participants/ cards). The reason being is on stage, I need to quickly identify without the worry of forgetting which is the first second and third card. It needs to be instantly identifiable and a mnemonic like that is simple and ensures I won't forget.
I stack the cards in sequential order, this ensures the first card goes to the first participant, the second the second participant and the third the third (So on and so forth of there is more participants).
Now I know when I get the pieces of card back, even when they mix them up which card belongs to which person.
That's the main part of the method.
We must secretly obtain the star sign written on the third card - This is done in the most beautiful of ways.
Take the stack of cards back after they have been mixed, explain that you are going to flip the top card over and then study the graphology (the writing) and then give a reading and state who you feel the card belongs to.
Look at the marking whilst saying "who the card belongs to". It's a moment that is
logical to look down at the card. Before you have turned the card over you know who the card belongs to.
You flip over the top card and read the sign out loud. Start to call out the typical characteristics and traits belonging to that sign, then point to a loop of writing on the card saying "this loop is Interesting".
As you say that you lift forward the entire stack of cards to the audience (or people you are performing for) just briefly whilst pointing to the loop - THIS IS THE MOMENT YOU LOOK AT THE CARD ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STACK!
You will now know the last star sign commit it to memory - I personally like to get rid of the cards at this point. If I'm at a table I casually drop them into the table
continuing the reading.
Then finish by saying - "I think this card belongs to you, right?"
This is where I pick up the one card and hand it to the participant as a Souvenir and they return to their seat (in a stage context). Some people worry about leaving the cards with the participant, this is something I've never worried about.
If there is no table then hold the cards flat and ensure you make an effort to display the cards at all times as flat.
The method is over.
You know who the next card belongs to by looking at the marking. You flip over that card and read that person finishing by handing the participant their card.
This leaves one card - say,
Performer: "It doesn't take a genius to work out who this card belongs to, so instead of reading the card to find out things about you - I am going to read you to find out what's on the card."
This is where you give the reading for the star sign you have committed to memory, then finish by revealing that persons sign!
This routine is simple and makes logical sense. It is sure fire and the reactions are always amazing.