Expert at The Card Table

S.W.
Erdnase's
Expert At The Card Table
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C"#TE#TS (We have amended the original contents to links to the
probable most used sleights)
Preface
Introduction
Professional Secrets
Technical Terms
Erdnase System o$ %lind Shu$$les
%lind Cuts
%ottom &ealing and Second &ealing
"rdinary 'ethods "$ Stocing( )ocating And Securing
The Erdnase System o$ *alming
To !old the )ocation o$ Cut While &ealing
Shi$ts
To Ascertain the Top Cards While Ri$$ling and Reser+e Them at %ottom
The *layer Without an Ally
Crimping $or the Cut
The Short &ec
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Three Card 'onte
Forcing
Changes
Trans$ormations
Card Trics
*re$ace
,N OFFERING this book to the public the writer uses no sophistry as an ecuse
for its eistence! "he hypocritical cant of refor#ed ($) %a#blers& or whinin%&
#ealy#outhed pretensions of piety& are not foisted as a 'ustification for
i#partin% the knowled%e it contains! "o all lo(ers of card %a#es it should
pro(e interestin%& and as a basis of card entertain#ent it is practically
inehaustible! It #ay caution the unwary who are innocent of %uile& and it #ay
inspire the crafty by enli%hten#ent on artifice! It #ay de#onstrate to the tyro
that he cannot beat a #an at his own %a#e& and it #ay enable the skilled in
deception to take a post)%raduate course in the hi%hest and #ost artistic
branches of his (ocation! *ut it will not #ake the innocent (icious& or
transfor# the pasti#e player into a professional+ or #ake the fool wise& or
curtail the annual crop of suckers+ but whate(er the result #ay be& if it sells it
will acco#plish the pri#ary #oti(e of the author& as he needs the #oney!
,ntroduction
T,E passion for play is probably as old& and will be as endurin%& as the race of
#an! So#e of us are too ti#id to risk a dollar& but the percenta%e of people in
this fe(erish nation who would not en'oy winnin% one is (ery s#all! "he
passion cul#inates in the professional! ,e would rather play than eat! -innin%
is not his sole deli%ht! So#e one has re#arked that there is but one pleasure
in life %reater than winnin%& that is& in #akin% the ha.ard!
"o be successful at play is as difficult as to succeed in any other pursuit! "he
laws of chance are as i##utable as the laws of nature! -ere all %a#blers to
depend on luck they would break about e(en in the end! "he professional card
player #ay en'oy the a(era%e luck& but it is difficult to find one who thinks he
does& and it is indeed wonderful how #ere chance will at ti#es defeat the
stron%est co#bination of wit and skill! It is al#ost an aio# that a no(ice will
win his first stake! / colored attendant of a 0club)roo#!0 o(erhearin% a
discussion about runnin% up two hands at poker& (entured the followin%
interpolation1 02on3t trouble 3bout no two hen3s& *oss! Get yo3 own hen3! 2e
suckah& he3ll %et a han3 all ri%ht& suah40 /nd #any old players belie(e the sa#e
thin%! ,owe(er& the (a%aries of luck& or chance& ha(e i#pressed the
professional card player with a certain knowled%e that his #ore respected
brother of the stock echan%e possesses& (i.!))#anipulation is #ore profitable
than speculation+ so to #ake both ends #eet& and incidentally a %ood li(in%&
he also perfor#s his part with the shears when the la#bs co#e to #arket!
,a.ard at play carries sensations that once en'oyed are rarely for%otten! "he
winnin%s are known as 0pretty #oney&0 and it is %enerally spent as freely as
water! "he a(era%e professional who is successful at his own %a#e will& with
the subli#est unconcern& stake his #oney on that of another3s& thou%h fully
aware the odds are a%ainst hi#! ,e knows little of the real (alue of #oney&
and as a rule is %enerous& careless and i#pro(ident! ,e lo(es the ha.ard
rather than the stakes! /s a #atter of fact the principal difference between the
professional %a#bler and the occasional %a#bler& is that the for#er is actuated
by his lo(e of the %a#e and the latter by cupidity! / professional rarely
0s5ueals0 when he %ets the worst of it+ the #an who has other #eans of
li(elihood is the hardest loser!
/d(anta%es that are bound to ulti#ately %i(e a percenta%e in fa(or of the
professional are absolutely essential to his eistence& and the #eans e#ployed
at the card table to obtain that result are thorou%hly elucidated in this work!
-e ha(e not been i#pelled to our task by the 5ual#s of a %uilty conscience&
nor throu%h the hope of refor#in% the world! 6an cannot chan%e his
te#pera#ent& and few care to control it! -hile the passion for ha.ard eists it
will find %ratification! -e ha(e neither %rie(ance a%ainst the fraternity nor
sy#pathy for so called 0(icti#s!0 / (aried eperience has i#pressed us with
the belief that all #en who play for any considerable stakes are lookin% for the
best of it! -e %i(e the facts and conditions of our sub'ect as we find the#&
thou%h we sorrowfully ad#it that our own early knowled%e was ac5uired at the
usual ecessi(e cost to the uninitiated!
-hen we speak of professional card players we do not refer to the proprietors
or #ana%ers of %a#in% houses! "he percenta%e in their fa(or is a known
5uantity& or can be readily calculated& and their profits are #uch the sa#e as
any business enterprise! -here the ci(il authorities countenance these
institutions they are %enerally conducted by #en of well known standin% in the
co##unity! "he card tables pay a percenta%e or 0rake off&0 and the
#ana%e#ent pro(ides a 0look out0 for the protection of its patrons! -here the
%a#in% roo#s #ust be conducted in secret the probabilities of the player3s
apparent chances bein% lessened are #uch %reater! ,owe(er& our purpose is to
account for the unknown percenta%e that #ust needs be in fa(or of the
professional card player to enable hi# to li(e!
"here is a (ast difference between the #ethods e#ployed by the card con'urer
in #ystifyin% or a#usin% his audience+ and those practiced at the card table by
the professional& as in this case the entire conduct #ust be in perfect har#ony
with the usual procedure of the %a#e! "he sli%htest action that appears
irre%ular& the least effort to distract attention& or the first unnatural #o(e#ent&
will create suspicion+ and #ere suspicion will deplete the co#pany& as no one
but a si#on)pure fool will knowin%ly play a%ainst #ore than ordinary chances!
"here is one way by which absolute protection a%ainst unknown ad(anta%es
#ay be assured& that is by ne(er playin% for #oney! *ut a perfect
understandin% of the risks that are taken #ay aid %reatly in lessenin% the
casualties! /n inti#ate ac5uaintance with the #odus operandi of card table
artifice does not necessarily enable one to detect the #anipulation& but it
certainly #akes plain the chances to be %uarded a%ainst& and with this
co%nition the #ere suspicion of skill should at once induce sy#pto#s of cold
feet! "his knowled%e& or thorou%h co#prehension of the possibilities of
professional card playin%& can be i#parted only by practical illustration of the
processes e#ployed& and the reader desirin% a co#plete understandin% should
take the deck in hand and work out for hi#self the action as it is described!
"o discri#inate and show clearly the two phases of card #anipulation& the first
part of this work is de(oted to an ehausti(e re(iew of the #any ad(anta%es
that can be& ha(e been& and are constantly taken at the card table& and to
those particular #ethods of obtainin% these ad(anta%es that are least liable to
arouse suspicion! "he eact #anner in which each artifice is perfor#ed is fully
described in #inutia! Part second describes the slei%hts e#ployed in con'urin%
and #any (ery interestin% card tricks!
*ro$essional Secrets
SE7RE"S of professional card playin% ha(e been well preser(ed! -orks on
con'urin% in(ariably de(ote #uch space to the consideration of card tricks& and
#any ha(e been written eclusi(ely for that purpose& yet we ha(e been unable
to find in the whole cate%ory #ore than an incidental reference to any card
table artifice+ and in no instance are the principal feats e(en #entioned! Self)
styled 0e)professionals0 ha(e re%aled the public with astoundin% disclosures of
their for#er wiles and wickedness& and ha(e pro(en a wonderful knowled%e of
the sub'ect by ehu#in% so#e anti5uated #oss)co(ered ruses as well known
as nursery rhy#es& and e(en these etraordinary re(elations are cal#ly
dis#issed with the assertion that this or that artifice is e#ployed+ in nowise
atte#ptin% to eplain the process or %i(e the detail of the action #entioned! If
terrific denunciation of erstwhile associates& and a diatribe on the awful
conse5uences of %a#blin% are a criterion of ability& these purified prodi%als
#ust ha(e been (ery dan%erous co#panions at the card table!
Of course it is %enerally known that #uch deception is practiced at cards& but it
is one thin% to ha(e that knowled%e and 5uite another to obtain a perfect
understandin% of the #ethods e#ployed& and the eact #anner in which they
are eecuted! ,ence this work stands uni5ue in the list of card books! -e
#odestly clai# ori%inality for the particular #anner of acco#plishin% #any of
the #anoeu(res described& and belie(e the# (astly superior to others that
ha(e co#e under our obser(ation! -e do not clai# to know it all! 6any
professionals ha(e attained their success by i#pro(in% old #ethods& or
in(entin% new ones+ and as certain artifices are first disclosed in this work so
will others re#ain pri(ate property as lon% as the ori%inators are so disposed!
-e betray no confidences in publishin% this book& ha(in% only oursel(es to
thank for what we know! Our tuition was recei(ed in the cold school of
eperience! -e started in with the trustin% nature of a fled%lin%& and a cal#
assurance born of o(erweenin% faith in our own potency! -e bucked the ti%er
(oluntarily& and censure no one for the ine(itable result! / self)satisfied
unlicked cub with a fairly fat bank roll was too %ood a thin% to be passed up!
-e naturally be%an to i#bibe wisdo# in copious drau%hts at the custo#ary
sucker rates& but the 'ars to our pocketbook caused far less an%uish than the
heartrendin% 'olts to our insufferable conceit! /fter the awakenin% our
education pro%ressed throu%h close application and constant study of the
%a#e& and the su# of our present knowled%e is proffered in this (olu#e& for
any purpose it #ay answer& to friend and foe& to the wise and the foolish& to
the %ood and the bad& to all alike& with but one reser(ation&))that he has the
price!
!old "uts
'/N8 #echanical contri(ances ter#ed 0hold outs0 ha(e been in(ented to aid
the card player! "he si#plest for# is a steel sprin% with an awl)like attach#ent
at one end which can be pressed into the under side of al#ost any table in an
instant! "he sprin% snaps up a%ainst the table& the end cur(in% sli%htly
downwards to recei(e the cards! "he thu#b of either hand can put in or take
se(eral cards fro# the apparatus without the hands lea(in% the table!
/ #ore co#plicated table #achine passes the cards fro# below co#pletely
o(er the ed%e of the table& and the hands& held naturally on the table top&
recei(e and #ake the discard without a si%n to denote the procedure!
0,old outs0 that are ad'usted to the person are of #ost in%enious construction
and (ery epensi(e! / slee(e #achine which passes the cards into and fro#
the pal# by spreadin% the knees #ay be worth fro# se(enty)fi(e dollars to
se(eral hundred dollars! So#e are worked by ar# pressure& so#e pass the
cards throu%h an openin% in the (est about the usual hei%ht the hands are
held! One of the #ost no(el and perfect #achines e(er constructed #akes the
0sneak0 by si#ply epandin% the chest an inch or two& or takin% a deeper
breath than usual!
In al#ost all cases where 0hold outs0 are used the principal skill possessed by
the player is that of workin% his apparatus perfectly and secretin% the etra
cards while in his hands+ but to e#ploy a #achine successfully re5uires
considerable address& and especially ner(e! ,owe(er& a full description of these
de(ices or their uses is not conte#plated by us! "hey can be purchased fro#
the dealers in 0club)roo# articles&0 and& anyway& the epert professional
disdains their assistance! "hey are cu#berso#e& unnecessary& and a constant
#enace to his reputation!
*repared Cards
T,E sub'ect of prepared cards is al#ost as forei%n to the #ain purpose of this
work as the precedin% one of 0hold outs&0 but a cursory re(iew of the
co##oner kinds and their uses #ay not be out of place!
6arked cards& %enerally known as 0readers&0 can be distin%uished by the backs
as readily as by the faces when the key is known! Printed cards are
#anufactured& but these are rarely used by professionals! "he desi%ns are not
the sa#e as those now of standard #ake& and conse5uently would be difficult
to introduce! "he usual plan is to #ark the standard decks by hand! For the
benefit of the unenli%htened or curious reader we shall describe the process! It
is not at all difficult& and a deck can be 0doctored0 in an hour or so!
Nearly all standard cards are red or blue! 6arkin% inks absolutely
indistin%uishable fro# the printer3s ink can be obtained fro# any of the
dealers! 7ards of intricate desi%n are best adapted for the purpose! Each card
is #arked at both ends& so as to be read in any position! "he peculiarity of the
fi%ures or desi%n across the end is first closely considered& and twel(e fairly
distinct points& or dots or dashes& are noted and located! "hen the four /ces
are laid out& and with a fine pen the first point located is shortened barely
enou%h to notice! "he point is white and the back%round red or blue& the color
of the ink used+ and the sli%htest shortenin% of a sin%le point or the
obliteration of a sin%le dot on a card& is undetectable unless it is known!
"he four /ces are treated in this #anner& then turned end for end& and the
operation repeated! "hen the 9in%s are doctored& the second point located
bein% shortened in this instance! "hen the four :ueens at the third point& and
so on throu%hout the deck for the twel(e (alues+ the absence of any #ark
denotin% the 2euce! Now the suits are #arked! "hree additional points are
located& possibly close to one corner! "he first point #arked say for 2ia#onds&
the second for 7lubs& third for ,earts and Spades left natural! "hus the
operator at a %lance& by notin% the location of the two 0blackouts&0 can
instantly na#e the cards as they are dealt!
7o#bination syste#s lessen the nu#ber of points to be located! "he desi%n of
the particular deck will su%%est whether a dot& line& or blackout& would be least
noticeable! It is seldo# that two operators work alike! 7le(erly done& it is
al#ost i#possible to detect& and unless suspicion is aroused 5uite so! 6ost of
the supply houses keep a skilled operator constantly e#ployed& and will #ark
any deck to order for about one dollar!
So#e players #ake a practice of #arkin% cards durin% the process of the
%a#e! "he #ost desirable cards are creased or indented at certain locations as
they happen to co#e into the player3s possession& with the fin%er or thu#b
nail& which is kept pointed for the purpose+ and in the course of an hour the
principal cards can be readily distin%uished! /nother plan is to darken the
ed%es with different prepared inks that are con(eniently ad'usted in pads!
"hese #anoeu(res& while #akin% nothin% sure in a %i(en instance& always net
the operator a fa(orable percenta%e in the lon% run!
Prepared cards known as 0Strippers0 are #uch used by certain players! "he
desired cards are placed aside and the rest of the cards tri##ed sli%htly alon%
the sides+ then the briefs are tri##ed fro# nothin% at #iddle of sides to the
width of the cut deck at ends! "his lea(es a sli%ht hu#p at sides of the desired
cards when shuffled in the deck& and they can be drawn out at will and placed
on top or botto# at option! "he tri##in% is done with #achines #ade for the
purpose& and the cuttin% lea(es the ed%es and the corners as s#ooth as %lass!
"here are #any other #ethods of doctorin% cards to #eet the re5uire#ents of
particular %a#es& and the skill& or rather want of it& of the operator! *y
rou%henin% the faces of so#e of the cards they will hold to%ether& and are
#ore easily retained while shufflin%! Faro cards& used in connection with a
certain for# of 0brace0 bo& are treated in this #anner! In the construction of
the (arious kinds of control boes the ac#e of in%enuity and #echanical skill
has been reached& and #ost etra(a%ant prices are de#anded and paid& for
these innocent)appearin% little sil(er)plated articles! Strippers #ay be used in
Faro with little fear of detection& as the cards are ne(er shuffled or cut by the
players! / 0crooked0 bo and a cle(er dealer can %i(e the house a percenta%e
that would i#po(erish a prince! 6illions of dollars are wa%ered annually at Faro
in this country! It is the #ost fascinatin% of layout %a#es! ,owe(er& we ha(e
reason to belie(e it is %enerally dealt on the s5uare in %a#blin% roo#s that are
run openly! "he bank3s percenta%e is satisfactory to the proprietors!
"he 07old 2eck0 is a pre)arran%ed pack that is introduced at an opportune
#o#ent! "he cards are not #arked& but two or #ore hands are set up ready
for dealin%! "he na#e is probably deri(ed fro# the fact that the deck #ust
await its opportunity lon% enou%h to contract a chill in the interi#! ;ittle skill is
re5uired in #akin% the echan%e! It is al#ost in(ariably done 5uite openly&
and in co#pany where the attendants and players are in collusion! In #ost
%a#in% roo#s the decks are echan%ed e(ery hour or less! So#eti#es the
players will call for a new deck& but usually the echan%e is #ade at the
instance of the #ana%e#ent! -hen the 0cold deck0 is sprun% a 0blind0 shuffle
is #ade by the dealer& a 0blind0 cut by an ally& and the hands fall in the desired
order! Of course an echan%e #ay be #ade by slei%ht)of)hand& but the player
who can acco#plish this feat successfully is %enerally well (ersed in the hi%her
orders of card)table artifice& and will dispense with such #akeshifts as 0cold
decks0 or any kind of prepared cards!
Con$ederacy
W,EN two card eperts work to%ether their difficulties are %reatly lessened!
"he opportunities of securin% the desirable cards on the outset& that is before
the shuffle& are doubled& and this is half the battle! If they understand each
other perfectly they can often arran%e one or two hands ready for dealin%& and
find little or no trouble at all in %ettin% se(eral desirable cards to%ether while
apparently %atherin% up the deck in the #ost careless #anner! If sittin%
to%ether so that one cuts on the other3s deal the possibilities beco#e so %reat
that ordinary chances will be taken in perhaps nineteen deals out of twenty!
"wo or three coups in the course of an e(enin% will not flush the 5uarry& and
are 5uite sufficient to answer all purposes!
/d(anta%es without deterity can be taken in al#ost any card %a#e when two
or #ore players are in collusion& by the use of any secret code of si%nals that
will disclose the hand of each to the others! For instance& in Poker the ally
holdin% the best cards will be the only one to stay& thus playin% the best hand
of the allies a%ainst the rest+ 5uite sufficient ad(anta%e to %i(e a lar%e
percenta%e in fa(or of the co#bination! /%ain& the allies #ay resort to
0crossfirin%&0 by each raisin% until the other players drop out! "here are
hundreds of s#all but ulti#ately certain ad(anta%es to be %ained in this
#anner& if collusion is not suspected! No sin%le player can defeat a
co#bination& e(en when the cards are not #anipulated!
Two 'ethods o$ Shu$$ling
AS ",E reader obtains an understandin% of the art of 0ad(anta%e playin%0 it
will be seen that the old)fashioned or hand shuffle %i(es the %reater
possibilities for runnin% up hands& selectin% desirable cards and pal#in%! 6any
players ne(er use the 0riffle&0 that is shufflin% on the table by sprin%in% the
ends of two packets into each other& thou%h this #ethod is now by far the
#ore pre(alent a#on% #en who play for #oney! -hile the 0riffle0 cannot be
e#ployed for arran%in% the cards& sa(e to a (ery li#ited etent& it is e5ually
well adapted for retainin% the top or botto# portion& or e(en the whole deck&
in any pre)arran%ed order+ and the 0blind riffle0 can be perfor#ed 'ust as
perfectly as the 0blind0 shuffle! / cle(er botto# dealer will usually e#ploy the
0riffle&0 as he rarely takes the trouble of runnin% up a hand! ,is purpose in that
respect is sufficiently answered by keepin% the desired cards at the botto#! If
he has an ally to 0blind0 cut& e(erythin% %oes well& but if playin% alone he #ust
either pal# the botto# cards for the cut or #ake a 0shift0 afterwards! "he
0shift0 is (ery rarely atte#pted in any kind of knowin% co#pany& and it is
awkward to #ake a pal# when the 0riffle0 is used! "he deck #ust be tilted on
its side& and while the #o(e#ent #ay pass as an effort at s5uarin% up& it is
not 5uite re%ular! "he hand shuffle a(oids the difficulty& as the deck is held
naturally in easy position for pal#in%& and not an instant is lost durin% the
operation! "he hand shuffle is al#ost ideal for 0stockin%0 and 0cullin%&0 and the
curious or interested reader #ay learn how a perfect knowled%e is #aintained
of the whereabouts of any particular cards& and how they are collected or
separated& or placed in any desired positions& while the deck is bein% shuffled
apparently without heed or desi%n!
*rimary Accomplishments
T,E first ac5uire#ent of the professional player is proficiency at 0blind0
shufflin% and cuttin%! Perfection in perfor#in% the 0blind0 shuffle& whether the
old)fashioned hand shuffle or the 0riffle0 supple#ented by a thorou%h
knowled%e of 0blind0 cuttin%& #akes it i#possible for the s#artest card handler
li(in% to deter#ine whether the procedure is true or 0blind!0 "his ability once
ac5uired %i(es the epert ease and assurance in any kind of co#pany& and
enables hi# to lull into a state of absolute serenity the #inds of #any players
who #ay be naturally suspicious! Nothin% so co#pletely satisfies the a(era%e
card player as a belief that the deck has been thorou%hly shuffled and
%enuinely cut!
*ossibilities o$ the -blind-
," IS surprisin% to find a#on% card players& and #any of the# %rown %ray at
the %a#e& the al#ost uni(ersal belief that none but the unsophisticated can be
decei(ed by 0blind0 shufflin%! "hese %entle#en ha(e to 0be shown&0 but that is
the last thin% likely to happen! "he player who belie(es he cannot be decei(ed
is in %reat dan%er! "he knowled%e that no one is safe is his best protection!
,owe(er& the post)%raduate in the art is 5uite conscious of the fact that he
hi#self cannot tell the true fro# the 0blind0 shuffle or cut& when perfor#ed by
another e5ually as cle(er! In fact& si%ht has absolutely nothin% to do with the
action& and the epert #i%ht perfor# the work 'ust as well if he were
blindfolded! Ne(ertheless 0blind0 shufflin% and cuttin%& as eplained by this
work& are a#on% the si#plest and easiest feats the professional player is
re5uired to perfor#+ and when the process is understood the necessary skill
can be ac5uired with (ery little ti#e or effort! Gi(en the a(era%e card player
who can shuffle or 0riffle0 in the ordinary #anner& with so#e de%ree of
s#oothness& he can be tau%ht a 0blind0 in fi(e #inutes that will nonplus the
sharpest of his friends! *ut there are #any players who cannot #ake an
ordinary shuffle or 0riffle0 without bendin%& breakin%& eposin% or in so#e way
ruinin% half the cards& and such bun%lers #ust learn to handle a deck
%racefully before atte#ptin% a fli%ht to the hi%her branches of card
#anipulation!
.ni$ormity o$ Action
T,E in(iolable rule of the professional is unifor#ity of action! /ny departure
fro# his custo#ary #anner of holdin%& shufflin%& cuttin% or dealin% the cards
#ay be noticed& and is conse5uently a(oided! "he player who uses the old)
fashioned hand shuffle will ne(er resort to the table 0riffle0 in the sa#e
co#pany+ and (ice (ersa! "he #anner of holdin% the deck will always be the
sa#e& whether the action is to be true or 0blind!0 In dealin%& one particular
position for the left hand fin%ers is e(er adhered to& and the action of the ri%ht
hand in takin% off the cards and the ti#e or rapidity of the dealin% is #ade as
unifor# as possible! In cuttin% the rule holds %ood& and the true cut is #ade
with the sa#e #o(e#ents as the 0blind!0 -hether the procedure is true or
0blind0 the sa#e apparent action is #aintained throu%hout!
&eportment
T,E deport#ent of the successful card player #ust be as finished as his skill! /
5uiet& unostentatious de#eanor and %entle#anly reser(e are best calculated to
answer his purpose! Especially the entire suppression of e#otion o(er %ains or
losses& -ithout ability to control his feelin%s the 0ad(anta%e player0 is without
ad(anta%e! *oldness and ner(e are also absolutely essential! /bility in card
handlin% does not necessarily insure success!
Proficiency in tar%et practice is not the sole 5ualification of the trap shooter!
6any eperts with the %un who can nonchalantly rin% up the bull3s eye in a
shootin% %allery could not hit the side of a barn in a duel! "he %reater the
e#er%ency& or the %reater the stakes& the %reater the ner(e re5uired!
&isplay o$ Ability
E<7ESSI=E (anity pro(es the undoin% of #any eperts! "he te#ptation to
show off is %reat! ,e has beco#e a past #aster in his profession! ,e can lau%h
at luck and defy the law of chance! ,is fortune is literally at his fin%er ends& yet
he #ust ne(er ad#it his skill or %row chesty o(er his ability! It re5uires the
philosophy of the stoic to possess any %reat superiority and refrain fro#
boastin% to friend or foe! ,e #ust be content to rank with the co##on herd!
In short& the professional player #ust ne(er slop o(er! One sin%le display of
deterity and his usefulness is past in that particular co#pany& and the
reputation is liable to precede hi# in #any another!
/reatest Single Accomplishment
,F RE:>ES"E2 to deter#ine fro# what sin%le artifice the %reatest ad(anta%e
is deri(ed we would unhesitatin%ly decide in fa(or of botto# dealin%! *ut skill
in that respect would be useless without knowled%e of the botto# cards& and
to retain the# necessitates the ability to 0blind0 shuffle! /%ain& the botto#
cards #ay be lost by the cut& hence the necessity of 0blind0 cuttin%! Proficiency
in pal#in% often takes the place of an ally to 0blind0 cut& but pal#in% in itself is
#uch #ore difficult to ac5uire than 0blind0 cuttin%& and is practiced only when
the player is alone& and after other ruses& which are less risky& ha(e pro(en
unsuccessful! ,ence it will be seen that proficiency in one artifice does not
finish the education of the professional card player& and al#ost e(ery ruse in
the %a#e is #ore or less dependent upon another one!
E$$ect o$ Suspicion
TO *E suspected of skill is a death blow to the professional! ,is opportunities
are dependent upon belief pre(ailin% a#on% the co#pany he is in that the
chances are e(en! Players #ay be alert and watchful& which is 5uite natural in
all #oney %a#es& without disconcertin% the epert in the least+ but where
there is knowled%e or e(en #ere suspicion a#on% the players of his ability as
a #anipulator& it will su%%est retire#ent at once rather than playin% a%ainst
the handicap of bein% especially watched& and a further possibility of %ettin%
his con%? fro# the co#pany! *ut thou%h under certain circu#stances a past)
#aster at the card table #ay be suspected& detection in any particular artifice
is al#ost i#possible& and proof of the act is wholly wantin%! For those reasons
knowin% players re5uire nothin% #ore than a bare suspicion of skill to
i##ediately seek a less #isty at#osphere!
Ac0uiring the Art
TO /""/IN the hi%hest de%ree of ecellence at card #anipulation #uch study
and practice are necessary+ but proficiency in the art 5uite sufficient for the
purpose of entertain#ent or a#use#ent #ay be ac5uired with (ery little effort
if a thorou%h understandin% is first obtained of the best and si#plest #ethods
of acco#plishin% the slei%hts! "he only proper way to practice is to be seated
in the usual #anner at a card table with a lookin% %lass opposite+ and #uch
ti#e and labor are sa(ed by this plan! "he correct positions and #o(e#ents
can be accurately secured& and the perfor#er beco#es his own critic!
"he be%inner in(ariably i#a%ines his hands are too s#all or too lar%e& but the
si.e has little to do with the possibilities of skill! Soft& #oderately #oist hands
are best adapted for the purpose! -hen the cuticle is hard and dry& or
ecessi(ely hu#id& the difficulties increase! / si#ple preparation to soften the
hands and %ood %eneral health usually produce the desired conditions! Of
course dry fin%ers #ay be #oistened& or da#p ones dried but either operation
is ob'ectionable!
For superior work the cards should be new& thin& fleible and of best 5uality!
7heap cards are clu#sy and not hi%hly finished! 7ards that ha(e been handled
two or three hours beco#e #ore or less sticky& and the sli%htest friction is a
detri#ent to perfect #anipulation!
,mportance o$ &etails
T,E finished card epert considers nothin% too tri(ial that in any way
contributes to his success& whether in a(oidin% or allayin% suspicion& or in the
particular #anner of carryin% out each detail+ or in leadin% up to& or eecutin%&
each artifice! "herefore the writer has epended #uch ti#e and care in
illustratin% #any #anoeu(res that at first #ay see# uni#portant& but all of
which are essential to the curriculu# of artistic card handlin%!
Technical Terms
'/N8 of the #ethods of card #anipulation eplained in this work ori%inated
with us& and we ha(e& in describin% the (arious processes and conditions& used
certain ter#s for the sake of bre(ity& to desi%nate the particular #atters
referred to! "he reader desirin% to follow the action intelli%ently #ust clearly
understand the #eanin% of the ter#s! / careful perusal of the followin%
definitions will sa(e #uch ti#e and perpleity in co#prehendin% the processes
described1
Stoc1
"hat portion of the deck that contains certain cards& placed in so#e particular
order for dealin%+ or certain desirable cards placed at top or botto# of the
deck!
Run1
"o draw off one card at a ti#e durin% the process of the hand shuffle! "here is
little or no difficulty in ac5uirin% perfect ability to run the whole deck throu%h
in this #anner with the ut#ost rapidity! "he left thu#b presses li%htly on the
top card& the ri%ht hand alone #akin% the #o(e#ent necessary to shuffle!
2og1
/ card protrudin% a little fro# any part of the deck& about 5uarter of an inch&
to fi the location of any particular card or cards! -hile shufflin%& if the top
card is to be 'o%%ed& it is pushed o(er the little fin%er end of deck by the left
thu#b& the little fin%er pre(entin% #ore than one card fro# #o(in%! If the first
card is to be 'o%%ed& that is& the first card in the ri%ht hand& it is done by
shiftin% the ri%ht hand sli%htly towards either end of the left hand packet
durin% the shuffle& so that the first card drawn off by the left thu#b will
protrude a little o(er the end of the left)hand packet!
,n32og1
"he card protrudin% o(er the little fin%er of the left hand!
"ut32og1
"he card protrudin% o(er the first fin%er of the left hand!
%rea1
/ space or di(ision held in the deck! -hile shufflin% it is held at the end by the
ri%ht thu#b! It is for#ed under the in)'o% when about to under cut for the
shuffle& by pushin% the in)'o% card sli%htly upwards with the ri%ht thu#b&
#akin% a space of fro# an ei%hth to a 5uarter of an inch wide& and holdin% the
space& by s5uee.in% the ends of the packet to be drawn out& between the
thu#b and second and third fin%ers! "he use of the break durin% a shuffle
#akes it possible to throw any nu#ber of cards that are i##ediately abo(e it&
in one packet into the left hand& without disarran%in% their order! "he break is
used when not shufflin%& to locate any particular card or position& and is
infinitely superior to the co##on #ethod of insertin% the little fin%er! / break
can be held fir#ly by a fin%er or thu#b of either hand& and entirely concealed
by the other fin%ers of the sa#e hand! It is also the principal aid in the blind
riffles and cuts!
Throw1
"o pass fro# the ri%ht hand to the left& durin% a shuffle& a certain nu#ber of
cards in one packet& thereby retainin% their order! / throw #ay be re5uired at
the be%innin%& durin% the process& or at the end of a shuffle+ and the packet to
be thrown #ay be located by the 'o%& or break& or by both!
Culls The desired cards1
"o cull is the act of selectin% one or #ore desired cards& and #ay consist
si#ply in #akin% the selection as discreetly as possible while %atherin% up the
cards for the deal& or it #ay be the operation of a #uch #ore obscure and
apparently i#possible feat))that of %atherin% the desired cards rapidly and
easily& fro# (arious positions in the deck& to the botto#& durin% the process of
a shuffle that appears perfectly natural and re%ular!
%lind1
/ny #ethod of shufflin%& rifflin%& cuttin% or cullin%& desi%ned to appear re%ular&
but in reality retainin%& or arran%in%& so#e preconcei(ed order!
.pper Cut1
"o take or draw off a packet fro# the top of the deck!
.nder Cut1
"o draw out a packet fro# the botto# of the deck& durin% the process of a
shuffle!
Run Cut1
"o draw off se(eral or #any s#all packets fro# the top of the deck!
Top Card1
"he card on top of packet held in the left hand& or the ori%inal top card of the
full deck& which about to be shuffled!
Shu$$le "$$1
"o shuffle without desi%n& in the ordinary #anner!
Shu$$le1
"he old)fashioned #ethod of shufflin% the cards fro# hand to hand!
Filet Card1
"he card on top of packet held by the ri%ht hand to be shuffled!
Shi$t1
"o return the two portions of the deck to the positions occupied before the cut
was #ade!
Ri$$le1
"he #odern #ethod of shufflin% on the table by sprin%in%& the ends of two
packets into each other!
Crimp1
"o bend one or a nu#ber of cards& so that they #ay be distin%uished or
located!
Erdnase System o$ %lind Shu$$les
*osition For Shu$$le
T,E deck is held #uch as usual in the left pal# but #ore dia%onally& so that
the first fin%er fro# the second 'oint lies up a%ainst the outer end& the first
'oint of the little fin%er curled in a%ainst the inner end& the second and third
fin%ers sli%htly curled in a%ainst the botto#& and the
thu#b restin% on the top& near the outer end& about
the #iddle! "he ri%ht hand& when about to shuffle&
sei.es the under portion at the ends between the
thu#b and second and third fin%ers& and the first
fin%er rests on the upper side! (See Fi%! @!)
"his position& and especially that of the first and little
fin%ers of the left hand& is essential for the process
of blind shufflin% and stockin%! "he first and little
fin%ers hold and locate the Ao%s& which& in
connection with the *reak& the Run& and the "hrow&
#ake this new #ode of stockin% and cullin% possible! "he position is easy and
5uite natural in appearance! "here is no strain on the fin%ers! "he deck fits
fairly on its side& across the pal#& and the left)hand fin%ers are in #uch the
sa#e position as they would naturally take when the hand is about half closed!
It is an ecellent #anner of holdin% the deck for the true shuffle& and should
be strictly adhered to on all occasions!
%lind Shu$$les
T,E ob'ects of blind shufflin% are to retain a top stock& i! e!& to retain in the
sa#e order the upper portion of the deck which has been prearran%ed for
dealin%3 or to retain a botto# stock& which usually consists of certain desired
cards placed to%ether at the botto#& to be taken fro# that position at will&
durin% the deal& by botto# dealin%+ or to retain the whole deck in a certain
order& which is rarely atte#pted& thou%h 5uite possible! >nder the respecti(e
headin%s of BStockin%0 and B7ullin%0 it will be learned how the blind shuffle
runs up the cards in any desired order& and %athers certain cards fro# any
position to the botto#+ but the se(eral #ethods of retainin% the top and
botto# stocks are treated separately!
4. To Retain Top Stoc
.N2ER cut about half deck& in)'o% first card and shuffle off! >nder cut to in)'o%
and throw on top!
"his is the (ery si#plest for# of the blind shuffle and lea(es the upper portion
of the deck in the sa#e order! "he shuffle #ay be continued ad libitu#!
"he reader who has prepared hi#self with a knowled%e of the position %i(en
for hand shufflin%& and the definitions of the list of ter#s& will ha(e no difficulty
in understandin% the abo(e directions& and eecutin% the blind at the (ery first
atte#pt! ,owe(er& as a first lesson in the /& *& 7 of
card #anipulation& the followin% description of the
action is %i(en at len%th& (i.!1
,old the deck in the #anner described for the Shuffle!
Sei.e about half the deck fro# beneath with the ri%ht
hand (under cut)& draw out and shift the ri%ht hand a
little inwards o(er packet in left hand& so that when
the first card is drawn off by the left thu#b it will
protrude sli%htly o(er the little fin%er (in)'o%)! "hen
shuffle off the balance of the cards in the ri%ht hand on top of those in the left!
(See Fi%! C!) "hen sei.e with the ri%ht hand all the cards beneath the in)'o%
card& which protrudes o(er the little fin%er of the left hand& and throw the# in
one packet on top! -hen sei.in% the under cards beneath the in)'o%& its
location is found by the ri%ht thu#b solely by the sense of touch& and without
the least hesitation or difficulty! "he in)'o% card is held in position by the little
fin%er& and is concealed by the cards on top of it!
"he weak point about the fore%oin% blind is that the last #o(e#ent is a throw&
or under cut& and it #ay be noticed that only part of the deck is actually
shuffled! "his ob'ection is entirely o(erco#e by the use of the break& which is
illustrated in the followin% blind shuffle!
5. To Retain the %ottom Stoc and Shu$$le Whole &ec
.N2ER cut about three)5uarters of the deck and shuffle off about two)thirds&
then in)'o% one card and throw balance on top! >nder cut to and include in)'o%
card (see Fi%! D)& and shuffle off!
"his blind retains the botto# stock and apparently
shuffles the whole deck! "he only difficulty in the
action is in includin% the 'o% card in the second
under cut! "he 'o% card is pulled back by the thu#b&
creatin% a space abo(e it+ then as the under cut is
#ade& the thu#b tip is pressed into the openin% by
s5uee.in% the ends of the under packet& and the
upper packet is not disturbed& because the thu#b
nail slips easily across the card abo(e it as the lower packet is drawn out!
-hen a 'o% is for#ed durin% the process of any shuffle& and the ri%ht hand is
shifted a little in or out as the case #ay be& to allow the 'o% card to fall in the
proper place& the ri%ht hand does not at once return to its for#er position& but
%radually works back as the shuffle pro%resses! "his lea(es the cards in the left
hand a little irre%ular at the ends& and effectually conceals the fact that any
one card is purposely protrudin%! "he ablest shuffler cannot keep his cards
5uite e(en& and the irre%ularity appears e(en #ore natural than if in perfect
order!
/s blind shuffles for retainin% the whole deck in its ori%inal order are ne(er
practiced at the card table& and are only adapted to con'urin% purposes& the
#ethods will be found fully eplained in the second part of this work!
"he fore%oin% shuffles are si#ple and easy& and when perfectly perfor#ed&
absolutely indistin%uishable fro# the true!
6. To Retain Top Stoc and Shu$$le Whole &ec
.N2ER cut about three)5uarters of deck& in)'o% first card and shuffle off!
>nder cut a%ain about three)5uarters of deck& for#in% break at in)'o% (see Fi%!
E)& shuffle off to break and throw balance on top! "his blind apparently shuffles
the entire deck& but really lea(es the top
portion in the ori%inal order!
"here should be no difficulty in for#in%
the break! "he ri%ht thu#b presses
sli%htly upward on the in)'o% card when
sei.in% the under portion& and the space
created is held by s5uee.in% the ends! It
should be done alto%ether by touch&
althou%h fro# the position it is in& the
operator #i%ht %lance at it without bein% noticed! It is practically i#possible
for a spectator to see it unless i##ediately behind the perfor#er! -hen
shufflin% off to the break& the ri%ht hand holds the cards fir#ly and the ri%ht
thu#b %i(es the warnin% by the sense of touch when the break is reached! If
desired& the ri%ht hand #ay shuffle off& 5uite carelessly& se(eral cards at a
ti#e& and throw the last lot up to the break& by sli%htly decreasin% the
pressure on the ends! /bo(e all& a unifor#ity of ti#e and action #ust be
#aintained& thou%h it is not at all essential to the blind to shuffle rapidly!
%lind Ri$$les
T,E riffle& i!e!& shufflin% the cards on the table by sprin%in% the ends of two
packets into each other& is by far the #ore pre(alent #ethod in use a#on%
re%ular card players! "he possibilities of the riffle& for all practical purposes at
the card table& are li#ited to retainin% the top or botto# stock+ but in these
respects it is 5uite e5ual to the hand shuffle as a blind& and the apparent
process of thorou%hly #iin% the cards #ay be indul%ed in to any etent
without disturbin% the order of the top or botto# portion& as the case #ay be!
"he order #ay be arran%ed to a (ery li#ited etent& but the epert who uses
the riffle cares little for stockin%! ,is usual procedure is to place the desired
cards at the botto# and retain the# there! ,owe(er& if the opportunity has
occurred for arran%in% a top stock& it can be retained durin% the riffle 'ust as
easily! / blind cut should always be alternated with each& or e(ery second
riffle!
5. To Retain the %ottom Stoc
.PPER cut about half deck with ri%ht hand
and place the two packets end to end in position for riffle! Sei.e both packets
at sides close to ad'oinin% ends between second fin%er and thu#b of each
hand& the third and little fin%ers curled in& with the first 'oints restin% on top of
packets! Raise thu#b corners and release botto# stock+ first with left thu#b&
then continue action with both thu#bs until all cards are riffled in! (See Fi%! F!)
Push both packets to%ether in the ordinary #anner and s5uare up!
"here is no necessity of co(erin% the botto# stock as in the instance of the top
stock& when s5uarin% up+ because unless it is (ery lar%e it is not noticeable&
and #ore than a half do.en cards are rarely held there! ,owe(er& the sa#e
plan used to conceal the top stock #ay be adopted if desired!
Perhaps a si#pler way to perfor# the blind is to lea(e the botto# stock on the
table without rifflin% it at all& and the left thu#b to pick up the cards abo(e it!
"he ri%ht thu#b& of course& picks up the entire ri%ht packet! "his #ethod
pre(ents any possible difference in the sound of the riffle& thou%h when
cle(erly perfor#ed it is i#perceptible to the ear!
"his riffle can be (aried by drawin% out the botto# half with the ri%ht hand and
lea(in%& or first releasin%& the botto# stock with the ri%ht thu#b! ,owe(er& all
blind rifflin% should be occasionally alternated with blind cuts& and when the
action is %racefully eecuted without either haste or hesitation& it is absolutely
i#possible for any eye to follow the action or detect the ruse! Eecute blind cut
BNo! D)) "o Retain *otto# Stock0 with this riffle!
In perfor#in% the "op Stock Riffle& the use of the third fin%ers and the
positions of the hands and other fin%ers& are (ery i#portant& as conceal#ent is
an essential of the blind! *ut in the *otto# Stock instance& and especially
when the stock is s#all& the action of not interlacin% the botto# cards is not
perceptible& and the handlin% of the deck should be as open and artistic as
possible! ,ence the use of the second fin%ers and the curled up positions of the
third and little fin%ers!
Aust here we are re#inded that co#parati(ely few card players can #ake an
ordinary riffle with any de%ree of %race or s#oothness& and especially few
understand how to s5uare up properly! *ut the whole process is of the si#plest
nature& and so #uch easier than clu#sy force& if the ri%ht #ethod is adopted!
"he position %i(en for the *otto# Stock Riffle is the proper one for all ordinary
occasions! (See Fi%! F!) "he entire work should be done by the second fin%ers
and thu#bs! "he least possible pressure should be eerted when sprin%in% the
corners to%ether& the cards bein% hardly perceptibly bent! -hen the corners
are interlaced& shift the hands to the outer ends& sei.in% the side corners with
thu#bs and second fin%ers& and telescope the two packets about two)thirds!
(See Fi%! G!) Now shift the hands a%ain&
brin%in% the thu#bs to%ether at inner
side& and a second fin%er at #iddle of
each end& and s5uare up the deck
perfectly by slidin% the thu#bs outward
alon% the side& and the second fin%ers
inwards alon% the ends (see Fi%! @H) until
they #eet at the corners& s5uee.in% or
pressin% the cards into position in the
action!
"he blind process of rifflin% the two
packets truly to%ether& and s5uarin% up in
a sli%htly dia%onal position& then
withdrawin% the packets& throwin% the
ori%inal top one on top a%ain+ or pushin%
the two packets co#pletely throu%h in the
dia%onal position& lea(in% the order of the
whole deck the sa#e& is 5uite possible& but (ery difficult to perfor# perfectly!
*ut there is seldo# a desire and ne(er a necessity of preser(in% the co#plete
order at a card table& and the fore%oin% #ethods are #uch easier to eecute&
#ore perfect as a blind& and answer e(ery purpose!
%lind Cuts
T,E blind cut is a natural se5uence to the blind shuffle or riffle! /s the cards
are cut in al#ost all %a#es& there would be little ad(anta%e deri(ed fro#
cle(er shufflin%& were the order to be subse5uently disturbed in cuttin%! "he
able card handler with a player on his ri%ht to blind cut& has the %a#e well in
hand! 8et thou%h the ad(anta%es are %reatly increased by the assistance of an
ally& the reader will learn how it is 5uite possible to play alone and still ha(e a
(ery tolerable percenta%e of the chances in one3s fa(or! *oth hands are
in(ariably used to #ake a blind cut! "he first described is an ecellent one for
retainin% either the top or botto# stock and is in co##on use a#on%
professional players!
4. To Retain %ottom Stoc3Top )osing "ne Card
SEIIE the deck with left hand at sides& near end& between second fin%er and
thu#b& the first fin%er tip pressin% on top! Sei.e the upper portion of deck with
the ri%ht hand& at sides& near end& between the second fin%er and thu#b!
Raise the deck sli%htly with both hands and pull out the upper portion with the
ri%ht hand& but retain the top card in the left hand by pressin% on it with the
left first fin%er tip! (See Fi%! @@!) I##ediately drop the left)hand packet on the
table and brin% the ri%ht)hand packet down on top with a sli%ht swin%& and
s5uare up!
"he action is (ery si#ple and easy
to eecute& the #o(e#ents are
perfectly natural and re%ular& and&
if perfor#ed %racefully& is (ery
decei(in%! "he process displaces
the top card! sendin% it to the #iddle& and if this blind is used when the top
stock is to be retained& an etra card is placed there durin% the shuffle!
5. To Retain the Complete Stoc
T,E followin% is a (ery bold and bare)faced blind& but if cle(erly eecuted it
appears natural1
Sei.e the deck at sides near the ends between the second fin%er and thu#b of
each hand& but the left hand sei.in% the under portion& and the ri%ht hand the
top portion! 2raw out the under portion rapidly with the left hand and place it
5uickly o(er towards the dealer& the ri%ht hand followin% slowly and with an
upward swin%& drops the top portion a%ain on top!
"he #o(e#ents are natural and the blind can be acco#plished (ery neatly! If
the plan of drawin% off the top portion with the left hand is tried& and then the
ri%ht followin% #ore slowly with the under packet& it will be seen that the
identical #o(e#ents are #ade in the true cut! It is the #o(e#ent towards the
dealer that #akes the blind possible!
6. To Retain the Top Stoc
T,E net two #ethods of blind cuts are a#on% the #ost subtle and
undetectable #anoeu(res in card handlin%! "he desi%n and use of the break
ori%inated with us& and by its aid blind run cuts can be alternated with the
blind riffle& until the #ost critical sceptic will ad#it that any prearran%e#ent or
knowled%e of the cards #ust be hopelessly lost in bewilderin% confusion!
Sei.e the deck with both hands& at sides& near the ends& between the thu#bs
and second fin%ers+ raise it a little fro# the table and draw off the top stock
with the thu#b and second fin%er of the left hand& droppin% the left)hand
packet on the table& and brin% the ri%ht)hand packet down on top of it& but
retain fir# hold with the ri%ht hand& and for# the break with the ri%ht thu#b
while s5uarin% up the deck! (See Fi%! @C!) "he left thu#b helps to for# the
break& by holdin% the space between the two packets while the ri%ht thu#b is
%ettin% the new hold on the whole deck! "hen
raise the whole deck a%ain with the ri%ht
hand& and with the left& draw off the upper
portion in s#all packets between the thu#b
and second fin%er until the break is reached&
droppin% the s#all packets on the table& one
on the other (see Fi%! @E)+ and then throw the balance on top with the ri%ht
hand! "his lea(es the top stock intact!
Properly perfor#ed& it is i#possible to
detect the ruse! "he break is for#ed
on the inside& and at one end only&
and is effectually3 concealed at the end
by the ri%ht)hand fin%ers! "o see the
break the obser(er would ha(e to be
stationed directly behind the operator!
"he perfor#er hi#self cannot see the
break& unless his hands are well ad(anced on the table! -hen drawin% off the
s#all packets& the break is found by the left thu#b solely by the sense of
touch! "he action should not be hurried& and this #ethod of cuttin% is 5uite
co##only used by #any players for the (ery opposite purpose!
7. To Retain the %ottom Stoc
SEIIE deck at sides& near the ends between the thu#b and second fin%er of
each hand& raise a little fro# the table and draw out the botto# stock with the
thu#b and fin%er of the ri%ht hand and let the left)hand packet fall on the
table! *rin% the ri%ht)hand packet down on top& retainin% the hold until the
break is for#ed by the left thu#b& which is held at the ed%e of the under
packet in readiness! S5uare up the deck and raise it a%ain fro# the table with
both hands+ draw off top packet to the break with the left hand and drop it on
the table! "hen continue the left)hand action& drawin% off s#all packets&
droppin% the# one on the other& and throw the last packet on top with the
ri%ht hand! "his lea(es the botto# stock intact! "he action is #uch the sa#e
as the precedin% blind& the difference bein% in the position of the break! It is
(ery i#portant to adopt the proper positions for the fin%ers in these cuts! "he
deck should be as #uch eposed as possible& and the open #anner of the
whole process #akes the blind so #uch #ore effecti(e! "he cards are handled
solely by the second fin%ers and thu#bs! "he third fin%ers are curled up
a%ainst the ends of the deck and assist in s5uarin% up& and keepin% the cards
e(en! "he first fin%ers are curled up on top so as to be out of the way and not
obstruct the (iew!
"o for# the break& keep the left hand in the position it occupies as it drops the
packet on the table& the fin%er and thu#b held open apparently to sei.e the
deck a%ain when the ri%ht)hand packet is placed on top! "his enables the left
thu#b to aid in for#in% the break the instant the two packets are brou%ht
to%ether! "he ri%ht hand packet is placed on top with a sidlin% #o(e#ent
instead of strai%ht down& which %reatly facilitates the for#in% of the break& and
also pre(ents the sound fro# indicatin% that a space is held! "here is nothin%
difficult about the perfor#ance of these blinds! -ith a perfect understandin%&
they can be fairly well eecuted on the first atte#pt!
"his #ethod of blind cuttin% is particularly adapted for workin% in with the
blind riffle! It appears to assist in #iin% the cards& and inspires the #ost
positi(e con(iction of %ood faith in the perfor#ance! "he followin% co#bination
of the riffle and cut will illustrate the point!!!!
J! Combination Ri$$le And Cuts
To Retain %ottom Stoc3Ri$$le 5 and Cut 7
E<E7>"E Riffle C! "hen eecute 7ut D! "hen Riffle C a%ain! "hen draw off with
left hand about half the deck in s#all packets& brin% the ri%ht hand o(er on top
with the balance& and for# a break in s5uarin% up! "hen pull out under packet
with the ri%ht hand and eecute Riffle II a%ain! "hen pull out a s#all packet
fro# the #iddle of deck with the ri%ht hand and throw on top! "hen draw out
about half fro# the botto# with ri%ht hand and for# break! S5uare up& draw
out under part a%ain with ri%ht hand and eecute Riffle II and so on to any
etent!
Fancy %lind Cuts
T,E net blind described is in co##on use a#on% ad(anta%e players& and
while it has an ecellent appearance to the uninitiated& we consider it far
inferior to 7ut E and 7ut D as a card table ruse! "he principal ob'ection is that&
once known as a blind& it can ne(er be worked a%ain& as the action is showy
and easily reco%ni.ed!
SEIIE the deck at sides& near ends&
between second fin%er and thu#b of
each hand! 2raw out about one)third of
deck fro# botto# with ri%ht second
fin%er and thu#b& and place on top but
retain hold! "hen hook tip about half of the under part& with the third fin%er
and thu#b of ri%ht hand& and raise the whole deck fro# the table with both
hands! Now suddenly draw out the #iddle packet with the ri%ht second fin%er
and thu#b& the lower packet with the left second fin%er and thu#b& and
release the top packet with the ri%ht second fin%er& which will allow it to fall on
the table! (See Fi%! @D!) 2rop the left hand packet on top& and then the ri%ht
packet!
"he hands #ust be separated rapidly& and with so#e de%ree of skill& to allow
the top packet to fall fairly on the table& but this is the only hurried #o(e#ent
in the cut! "he other two packets are thrown on top carelessly and without
haste! / little practice is re5uired to eecute the ruse %racefully! It is pretty
and well worthy of an effort to ac5uire! -e ha(e elaborated upon this cut& and
the followin% for#ula for a four throw blind is the outco#e1
SEIIE the deck at sides& near ends&
between the second fin%er and thu#b of
ri%ht hand& and the second and third
fin%ers and thu#b of left hand! 2raw out
about one 5uarter of deck fro# botto#
with ri%ht hand and place on top& retainin%
hold! "hen sli%htly raise about one third of
the under packet with the second fin%er of
the left hand& then sei.e about one)half the
re#ainin% lower packet with the third fin%er of the ri%ht hand& holdin% the last
or under portion fir#ly with the third fin%er of the left hand! Raise the whole
deck fro# the table and separate both hands suddenly (see Fi%! @J)& lettin%
the upper packet which is released by the ri%ht second fin%er fall on the table!
"hen drop lower packet in left hand& then packet in ri%ht hand& then last
packet in left hand& one on the other& and s5uare up!
So#e practice is necessary to for# the di(isions rapidly& and the fin%ers #ust
take hold of the packets without an instant3s delay! "he action of droppin% the
packets one on the other should be rather slow! "he appearance of the cut is
brilliant& and the fact that the order of the whole deck re#ains intact will
pu..le #ore than the unsophisticated!
"ne3!anded Fancy True Cut
A =ER8 pretty true cut is #ade in the followin%
#anner! Sei.e the deck at sides& close to end& so as to epose the whole deck&
between the thu#b and second and third fin%er tips of ri%ht hand& the fin%ers
close to%ether& but the second fin%er tip co#in% only half way down the side!
,ook up the top portion with the second fin%er tip so that the corner will co#e
out free of the third fin%er thus di(idin% the deck in two! (See Fi%! @K!) "hen
%i(e the hand a sli%ht swin% or 'erk downwards and inwards& releasin% the
upper portion with the second fin%er& allowin% it to fall on the table! "hen drop
under portion on top! In sei.in% the deck& if it is slid to the table ed%e and
tilted o(er sli%htly& the thu#b and fin%ers take hold #uch easier& and are
certain of raisin% all the cards!
In #akin% this cut the deck is held but a few inches fro# the table& and the
action #ust be nicely #ade to ha(e the cards fall flatly! "he run cut can be
#ade in the sa#e way& droppin% the packets one on the other! "he action is
the sa#e when the cut is #ade by sei.in% the ends& but it is a little #ore
difficult! No haste should be taken! "he #o(e#ents should be deliberate& so
that the truth of the cut is apparent! "he only ad(anta%e the cut possesses is
its beauty& and a possible aid at ti#es& by %i(in% an ecuse to s5uare up with
both hands! "he run cut is liable to lea(e the cards une(en& and a left pal#
holdout can be replaced in this way! "he only drawback is the dan%er in
#akin% a display of e(en such si#ple ability!
To ,ndicate the )ocation $or the Cut
W,I;E on the sub'ect of cuts& we shall consider the (arious #ethods by which
a true cut can be #ade by an ally& and still lea(e the co#plete stock intact!
"he dealer prepares for this by #akin% an etra cut when his shuffle is
co#pleted& and indicates by one of the followin% #ethods the point at which he
wishes his ally to re(erse his last action& by #akin% a true cut!
4. This is located by the Crimp
W,EN usin% the hand shuffle #ake an etra
under cut of about half the deck& and when
throwin% the under packet on top shift the ri%ht
hand sli%htly inwards and for# an in)'o%& the left
little fin%er helpin% to hold the location between
the two packets! "hen turn the left hand sli%htly
downwards& brin%in% the ri%ht hand o(er on top
of the deck& and sei.e the ends between thu#b
and second and third fin%ers& apparently to
s5uare up!
/s the ri%ht thu#b co#es a%ainst the inner end it
pulls up the in)'o% sli%htly& for#in% a break! (See
Fi%! @L!) "hen with the fin%ers of left hand cri#p&
or s5uee.e the under packet a%ainst pal# of
hand so as to lea(e the under packet sli%htly
conca(e! (See Fi%! @F!) "he ri%ht hand effecti(ely
conceals this action of the left! ;ay the deck down
perfectly s5uare to be cut! "he ally #akes the cut
at the ends with one hand& and locates the cri#p
by touch!
"here is little or no difficulty in findin% the cri#p! It
is the #ost probable place the cut would be #ade&
e(en if left to chance and #any an unsophisticated
player has unconsciously cut into a cri#p and aided
in his own undoin%! If the deck is placed before an
innocent player so that his hand naturally sei.es the
ends& the chances are in fa(or of his cuttin% to the openin%! (See Fi%! @G!) /
professional will calculate on this probability when his ri%ht)hand nei%hbour is
not an ally! "he #ain ob'ection to the cri#p is that the bent cards #ay be
noticed! "he dealer i##ediately cri#ps in the opposite direction when s5uarin%
up after the cut!
"he sa#e result can be achie(ed by puttin% in a con(e
cri#p in the under portion! It is led up to in the sa#e
#anner& and the first fin%er of the left hand aids in for#in%
the cri#p by bein% curled up and pressed a%ainst the under
packet to bend it upwards! In this case the ally cuts at the
sides& and locates the cri#p accurately by pressin% the
second or third fin%er tip on the top near the outside ed%e!
"his tilts the upper packet a little& and enables the thu#b to find the cri#p
without an instant3s hesitation! (See Fi%! CH!)
5. This is located by the 8og
W,EN usin% the hand)shuffle chan%e the position
sli%htly so that the four fin%ers will lie flatly a%ainst the
botto# of the deck! 6ake the etra under cut and brin%
tips of the second and third left fin%ers in a%ainst and
sli%htly abo(e packet re#ainin% in left hand! In
throwin% the ri%ht)hand packet on top! ;et it slide a
little across the left fin%er tips& so that a 'o% is #ade by
the botto# card or cards! which are pre(ented fro# %oin% co#pletely o(er!
(See Fi%! C@!) "his is perfectly hidden by the ri%ht hand! S5uare up the deck by
the ends only and lay down to be cut& thereby not disturbin% the 'o%! "he ally
cuts with the left hand& sei.in% the upper packet by the sides& the left thu#b
easily and instantaneously locatin% the 'o% by touch!
"he action of both players #ust be rapid and careless in appearance& but not
hurried! "he irre%ularity of the side ed%es #ade necessary by the 'o% does not
attract attention or epose the ruse& as in ordinary play the deck is rarely
perfectly s5uare when %i(en to cut!
6. This is located by the crimp
W,EN the riffle is used& the cri#p is put in by first conca(in% the whole deck!
"his is a natural procedure& as the cards ha(e a tendency to %et con(e& and it
is 5uite custo#ary for the players to strai%hten the# up! *y drawin% the deck
to the ed%e of the table the conca(e tendency can be put in the whole deck
first& then as the etra cut is #ade a con(e cri#p can be put in the under part
by pressin% it 5uickly downwards with ri%ht thu#b a%ainst the table ed%e as it
is drawn out! "he ally cuts by the ends!
7. This is located by the 8og
*ER,/PS the best #anner of locatin% the cut when the riffle is used& is to 'o%
the top card by pushin% it sli%htly o(er the ri%ht)hand end& with the left first
fin%er! "hen #ake the etra cut with the ri%ht hand& throwin% the under
portion on top& and s5uarin% up at sides and left)hand end only! "he deck is
passed to the ally by the sides with the ri%ht hand& which conceals the 'o%%ed
card! "he ally cuts by the ends& his thu#b easily locatin% the 'o%& and sei.in%
the packet abo(e it!
"he particular #anner in which the dealer for#s the cri#p& or 'o%& to locate
the cut& #atters little if it is done in a natural #anner and without attractin%
attention! *ut a sin%le irre%ular #o(e#ent& or a #o#ent3s hesitation& #ay ruin
the play! ,ence& howe(er si#ple and easy the particular action #ay be& the
eecution should be carefully planned and practiced beforehand& and when put
into effect should be perfor#ed al#ost #echanically! For these reasons we
ha(e de(oted #uch space to #any details that #ay at first appear of little
#o#ent!
%ottom &ealing and Second &ealing
%ottom &ealing
T,E art of dealin% fro# the botto#& althou%h not the #ost difficult to attain& is
perhaps the #ost hi%hly pri.ed acco#plish#ent in the repertory of the
professional! "he botto# is the #ost con(enient place for retainin% desirable
cards durin% the shuffle or riffle& and perfection in dealin% fro# that position
ob(iates to a %reat etent the necessity of stockin%& as the cards can be dealt
at will& and conse5uently need not be run up in a certain order! ;ike ac5uirin%
#any other feats& a perfect understandin% of the eact #anner in which it is
perfor#ed will a(oid the principal difficulties! Practice will soon do the rest!
,old the deck in the left hand& restin% one corner a%ainst the
#iddle of the first 'oint of the second fin%er& the other corner
of the sa#e end in the second 'oint of the first fin%er& the
first two 'oints of which rest idly alon% end of deck! Press the
deck outward as #uch as possible and rest the opposite
inner end corner a%ainst the pal# below the base of thu#b!
Rest the thu#b on the top of deck& pointin% towards the
second fin%er tip& which 'ust shows at top of corner! *rin% up
little fin%er a%ainst the side& and the third fin%er #idway between the second
and little fin%ers! "he deck is held in position principally by the corners&
between the second fin%er and the pal# below base of thu#b! "he little fin%er
#ay aid in holdin% the deck& but it #ust be released when the botto# card is
pushed out! (See Fi%! CC!)
"he second fin%er and thu#b do the work! 2raw back the
thu#b a little and push the top card o(er in the usual
position to sei.e with the ri%ht hand for dealin% "hen draw
back the third fin%er& which action is concealed by the
o(erhan%in% card& until the tip rests a%ainst the ed%e of the
botto# card! (See Fi%! CE!) Press up and sli%htly inwards
a%ainst that card and push it out& at sa#e ti#e releasin% the
little fin%er and holdin% the deck fir#ly between second
fin%er and pal#! If this is done properly it lea(es the top and
botto# cards in the sa#e relati(e position& the top card effecti(ely concealin%
the under one Now ad(ance the ri%ht hand apparently to take off the top card!
(See Fi%! CD!)
2raw back the top card with the left thu#b& and
at the sa#e instant sei.e the botto# card
instead with the ri%ht thu#b and second fin%er
and deal it in the usual #anner! (See Fi%! CJ!)
"his can be done so perfectly that the 5uickest
eye cannot detect the ruse! It re5uires so#e
practice! "he #ain thin% is to understand the
action
thorou%hly and hold the deck correctly!
"he position is an ecellent one for ordinary
dealin%& and should ne(er be chan%ed! "he corner pressed a%ainst the pal#
should be as far fro# the wrist as possible! Each ti#e a card is pressed out
fro# the botto#& the deck will ha(e a tendency to slip towards the wrist& and
#ust be held& or worked back into position a%ain!
"he left hand does nine)tenths of the work! /fter the hold is established& the
#ain task is in ac5uirin% facility to push out the botto# card with the second
fin%er tip! "he cards #ay co#e out in nu#bers& or appear to stick fast+ but the
process is (ery easy when the knack is once obtained! "he second fin%er tip
co#es around the corner to the side& 'ust barely sufficiently to hold the deck in
place& and when the third fin%er tip releases the botto# card fro# the hold of
the second fin%er& it slips out 5uite freely! "he thu#b of the left hand plays a
(ery i#portant part in the blind& by drawin% back the top card at the proper
instant+ and it is this action that #akes the deal appear perfectly re%ular! "he
thu#b #o(e#ent is identically the sa#e as in the true deal& and the drawin%
back of the top card is undetectable when properly and rapidly eecuted! /
(ery sli%ht up and down #o(e#ent of the left hand as the cards are taken&
aids in concealin% the action! ,oyle #akes a point of instructin% that a dealer
should always keep the outer end of the deck& and the cards& as dealt& inclined
towards the table! Followin% this rule tends to hide the work of the third fin%er
in botto# dealin%!
*otto# dealin% is little used with a full deck! It beco#es #uch easier as the
pack %rows less& conse5uently the dealer waits until the last se(eral rounds
before resortin% to it! It is also easier to deal the cards alternately fro# the top
and botto# than to take the# fro# the botto# one after the other! "he
#o(e#ent of the third fin%er need not be so rapid and is less noticeable and
should the deck slip out of position& it can be worked back as the top card is
bein% taken! -hen the botto# cards #ust be taken consecuti(ely& it is an aid
to cri#p the# (ery sli%htly& or to 'o% the# a little& i!e!& to allow the# to
protrude about an ei%hth of an inch at the side! *ut neither of the #anoeu(res
is desirable& or necessary to a %ood perfor#er!
Top And %ottom &ealing With "ne !and
T,IS is a (ery pretty #ethod of (aryin% the deal& and carries certain
ad(anta%es with it! "he deck is held in eactly the sa#e #anner as described
for botto# dealin%! "he sin%le)handed top deal is #ade by pushin% o(er the
top card with the thu#b in the usual #anner& and then with a swin% of the
hand towards the player& the card is released by the thu#b and slides off the
deck o(er the table in the direction indicated! "he sin%le)handed botto# deal is
#ade by first pushin% o(er the top card as usual& then instead of pushin% out
the botto# card& as in the two)handed deal& it is sprun% back a little by the
third fin%er tip& and then suddenly sprun% forward and out as the hand is
swun% in the direction of the player!
"his botto# deal is really #ore decepti(e than where the two hands are
e#ployed& as it appears so open& and the action is co#pletely hidden by the
natural swin% of the hand necessarily #ade towards the player& to cause the
card to slide in the proper direction! "he action of the wrist is a little (aried as
the cards are dealt to the left& opposite or to the ri%ht+ and the i#petus and
direction %i(en to each card #ust be nicely calculated to #ake the deal appear
%raceful! >nless the cards fall pretty fairly before each player& it would see#
(ery awkward indeed! "he swin%& and the wrist action& for dealin% the top and
botto# cards& are 'ust about the sa#e!
Sin%le and double handed top and botto# card dealin% can be nicely
co#bined& and has an ad(anta%e o(er the eclusi(e use of the one or the
other! If the botto# cards are intended for& say& the third player fro# the
dealer& he can deal the first two top cards sin%le)handed& and then brin% up
the ri%ht hand and continue the rest of the round double)handed& %i(in% the
third player the botto# card as the hands are first brou%ht to%ether! Each
round should be #ade in the sa#e unifor# #anner! "he ad(anta%e in this
procedure is& that when the botto# card is wanted the dealer3s hands are
separated possibly ei%ht or ten inches& and the #o(e#ent re5uired to brin%
the# to%ether co(ers up and %i(es ti#e for the action of the left hand in
%ettin% the top and botto# cards in position! "he finished epert can deal the
botto# cards at will& under any circu#stances& without a possibility of
detection+ but it is our desire to show the #ost fa(orable conditions under
which the ruse can be e#ployed! "he sin%le and double)handed deal is 5uite
fre5uently used by players who know absolutely nothin% about ad(anta%es! It
looks pretty& the #o(e#ents are natural& and the chan%e of pace causes no
suspicion!
-hen dealin% Stud Poker& or turnin% a tru#p& the a(era%e player takes off the
cards that are to be faced& by in(ertin% the ri%ht hand& and sei.in% the# with
the fin%ers on top and thu#b under& thereby turnin% the cards before they
co#pletely lea(e the left hand! "his #ust not be atte#pted if the botto# card
is to be dealt or turned tru#p! "he in(erted position of the hand #akes it #ore
difficult to %et the botto# card out noiselessly! "he cards should be taken in
the usual #anner by the ri%ht hand& and turned the instant they are 5uite free
of the deck!
Second &ealing
AS ",E ter# indicates& second dealin% is the process of dealin% the second
card fro# the top& and it is e#ployed al#ost eclusi(ely in connection with
#arked cards! It is ob(ious that the dealer will possess a (ery %reat ad(anta%e
by bein% enabled to reser(e for hi#self& or an ally& any desirable cards as they
appear at the top! ,e need not bother about ac5uirin% skill at blind shufflin%&
cuttin% stockin%& or any of the other hundred and
one ruses known to the profession!
"he deck is held by the left hand #uch the sa#e
as described for botto# dealin%& the tip of the thu#b bein% a little o(er the
end of the top card! "his position enables the thu#b to co#e in contact with
the second card by pushin% the top card a trifle downwards! "o deal& the left
thu#b pushes the two cards o(er the side nearly to%ether& the top card
perhaps a little in ad(ance and the second card showin% a little abo(e it at the
end! "he ri%ht hand sei.es the second card by the eposed corner& the ri%ht
thu#b barely touchin% the ed%e& but the ri%ht second fin%er is well under the
second card and helps to %et it out by an upward pressure as the left thu#b
draws back the top card! (See Fi%! CK!) "hen the left thu#b a%ain co#es in
contact with the second card at the upper ed%e! "he third fin%er tip pre(ents
#ore than two cards fro# bein% pushed o(er the side! "he top card continues
to #o(e forward and back as the seconds are dealt& but the rapidity of the
backward #o(e#ent pre(ents the detection of the action! Properly eecuted&
the appearance of the deal is perfectly re%ular! /n epert can run the whole
deck with the ut#ost rapidity& and still retain the top card!
/nother #ethod of second dealin% is to hold
the cards loosely in the left hand& the left
thu#b pushin% forward se(eral at a ti#e&
each a little in ad(ance of the other! /s the
ri%ht hand co#es forward& the top card is
drawn back and the second dealt! "he left
thu#b uses so#e pressure in pushin% the
cards forward& but draws back the top card
(ery li%htly so as to ha(e the second card
protrudin%! (See Fi%! CL!) "he first #ethod
is decidedly the better& as it %i(es %reater control of the cards& and there is
less liability of the ri%ht hand sei.in% #ore than one! "here is a knack in
sei.in% the second card! "he second fin%er of the ri%ht hand co#es in contact
with it before the top card is drawn back& and %i(es it a sli%ht pressure
upwards& thus helpin% to pre(ent it %oin% back with the top card! "he ri%ht
thu#b #ay actually touch the top card as it is drawn back and the second
dealt! "he whole action of drawin% back the top and dealin% the second card
takes place at the sa#e instant!
"o beco#e an adept at second dealin% is as difficult a task as can be %i(en in
card handlin%& but once ac5uired& like #any other arts& it is as easy as habit!
"o the player who uses #arked cards this acco#plish#ent is the whole thin%&
but without readers the ti#e spent in ac5uirin% the skill is wasted as far as
ad(anta%e playin% is concerned! Opportunities for introducin% prepared cards
are rare& and the process of #arkin% durin% a %a#e& by crease& cri#p& or
inkin%& is slow and detectable! ,owe(er& with readers& strippers& or any kind of
prepared cards the cle(er professional who (alues his reputation will ha(e
nothin% to do!
"rdinary 'ethods "$ Stocing( )ocating And Securing
T,E #ost ordinary #ode of stockin% consists in arran%in% the cards as
discreetly as possible while takin% tricks& or #akin% the discard& or while
%atherin% up for the deal! "here is no slei%ht of hand in this! / player& if he
keeps his wits about hi#& finds #any opportunities durin% a sittin% of
prearran%in% to so#e etent for his deal! -ith the aid of a partner of course
the possibilities are doubled! *ut the %eneral understandin% is that the whole
deck #ust be ta#pered with before the shuffle be%ins! If dalliance with the
deck is allowed))and it is a#a.in% how #uch of that sort of thin% is per#itted
in so#e %a#es))a practiced operator can run up one or two hands with
incredible rapidity& and his actions will appear as #ere triflin%!
"his is done by holdin% the deck in the left
hand& back to pal#& with thu#b a%ainst one
side& second& third and little fin%ers on the other
side& and first fin%er curled up a%ainst the back!
"he ri%ht hand now co(ers the face& fin%ers at
one end& thu#b at the other! "he left thu#b
then sprin%s the cards so that the inde can be
seen! (See Fi%! CF!) /s a desired card is
located& the lower side of the deck is opened at
that point& and the left second& third and little
fin%ers inserted& and the card is drawn or
slipped out to the top of deck! (See Fi%! CG!)
"hen indifferent cards to the re5uisite nu#ber are slipped fro# the botto# in
the sa#e #anner on top of the first selected card! "hen the net desired card
is located and brou%ht to the top& and so on till the stock+ is co#plete! ;ittle or
no skill is re5uired& but a practiced hand can locate and brin% the cards to the
top in a #o#ent or two and without the least noise!
"wo sets of threes for a Poker %a#e #ay be
stocked with but four #o(e#ents& if the
desired cards happen to be separated! /ssu#e
the %a#e is fi(e)handed! "he dealer %lances at
the inde of the fi(e top cards& or places his
own hand on top for the start& and finds& say&
Si! Four& :ueen& Nine and Ei%ht! ,e decides to
run up three Fours for the second player& and
three Ei%hts for hi#self! ,e sprin%s the cards
until he locates an Ei%ht& then inserts second
and third fin%ers& then sprin%s the net two indifferent cards and inserts the
little fin%er& and slips these three cards to the top! "hen he locates a Four and
the net indifferent card and brin%s these to the top! "hen the Ei%ht a%ain&
with two cards+ then the Four with one card& and the stock is co#plete! It
would take an untutored player ten ti#es as lon% to set up the hands if he had
the deck& table and roo# all to hi#self!
/ #ore artistic #ethod of locatin% and securin% cards! when the co#pany will
stand for dalliance at all& is to 'o% the desired cards and brin% the# to the
botto# with one #o(e#ent when about to riffle! It can be acco#plished in the
followin% #anner1
,old the deck in the left hand& back to pal#&
between thu#b and fin%ers& as described for the last
process& but in co(erin% the face with the ri%ht hand
brin% the first three fin%ers strai%ht across the outer
end of the deck& the little fin%er a%ainst the lower
side at corner and the thu#b on top side at corner
close to ri%ht first fin%er! "hen sprin% the cards with
the left thu#b a%ainst ri%ht thu#b! -hen a desired
card is located tilt the packet& then held between the ri%ht thu#b and little
fin%er& about half an inch outward& so that the ri%ht thu#b will pass the corner
of the packet held by the left hand! (See Fi%! EH!) "hen release the desired
card with the left thu#b& press down on its corner with the ri%ht thu#b and
brin% the ri%ht)hand packet back to its ori%inal position& closin% up the space
entirely! In doin% so it will force the desired card down and out a%ainst the left)
hand fin%ers! Release these fin%ers sli%htly as the packets are bein% closed&
and then press the desired card up a%ain with the left little fin%er! "his will
cause it to protrude about half an inch at the end& but it is entirely concealed
by the positions of the hands! "he deck can now be a%ain sprun% rapidly with
the left thu#b in search of the net card without disturbin% the one already
'o%%ed& and the procedure be repeated until the re5uired nu#ber are 'o%%ed in
the position of the first! (See last Fi%ure!) -hen toyin% with the deck is
tolerated& no #ore innocent)appearin% action can be taken! "he #o(e#ents to
'o% the cards are i#perceptible if cle(erly eecuted& and it is 5uite apparent to
an onlooker that the relati(e positions of the cards are not chan%ed! "he fact
that the sprin%in% is continued after the cards are 'o%%ed& and the (isible end
and the sides of the deck are s5uared up perfectly before the riffle be%ins&
#ake it appear to e(en a suspicious obser(er that any knowled%e of location
would be a%ain lost!
-hen the desired cards are 'o%%ed& 'o%
se(eral of the top cards at the sa#e end&
concealin% their opposite ends with the ri%ht
fin%ers& then shift the left thu#b and second
and third fin%ers to the inner side corners&
and turn the deck face down& shiftin% the
ri%ht hand to the top at the opposite side
corners in position to #ake a runnin% cut!
"hen with the left hand draw off the top packet& slidin% out the 'o%%ed cards
with the sa#e #o(e#ent& droppin% the# on the table (see Fi%! E@)& and #ake
a runnin% cut with the rest of the deck! "his lea(es the desired cards at the
botto#!
"here is no difficulty at all in the action of %ettin% out the 'o%%ed cards! / fir#
hold on the# is obtained by the left fin%ers& and they are concealed by the
packet co#in% off the top! If the action of 'o%%in% the cards is not suspected
the rest is easy and absolutely undetectable! "hree or four cards can be
located and brou%ht to the botto# in this #anner in ten seconds! "he blind
riffle is at once proceeded with in the usual way to retain botto# stock!
/ co#plete "op Stock #ay be run up by the last #ethod if the cards chance to
be separated! /ssu#in% a%ain that the %a#e is Fi(e),anded Poker& and say
"hree of a 9ind are desired! -hen the first card is located the net four
indifferent cards are sprun% and the fi(e 'o%%ed all to%ether with one
#o(e#ent! "hen the net card is located& four added and 'o%%ed! *ut when
the third card of the 9ind is located but two indifferent cards are added! "hen
when about to riffle& the 'o%%ed cards are drawn out as in the last described
process& but thrown on top instead of on the table! "his action appears like a
si#ple cut! Now the "op Stock *lind Shuffle is eecuted twice& which action
places two additional cards on top& and these are necessary to co#plete the
"op Stock and %i(e the "hree of a 9ind to the dealer!
/s #entioned& the desired "hree #ust chance to be separated by at least the
four cards necessary to %o in between the#! ,owe(er& the probabilities are
that e(en Four of a 9ind will be found so re#o(ed! It is (ery si#ple to run up
Flushes in this #anner& and in nine cases out of ten any suit will be found
sufficiently dispersed! It is (ery easy to count the cards rapidly and accurately&
if the position for holdin% the deck is properly #aintained+ and the action is the
sa#e in runnin% up a stock for any %a#e!
Stoc Shu$$le
R>NNING up the desired cards in a certain order for dealin%& while the deck is
bein% shuffled& can be acco#plished to any considerable etent only by the
hand shuffle! "he #ethod in co##on use by epert players is to draw the
particular cards fro# the botto#! "his #ethod is first eplained!
Sei.e the deck at ends between the second
fin%er and thu#b of the ri%ht hand in the usual
#anner for shufflin%& the first fin%er restin% on
the side! Run se(eral cards into the left hand&
but well down into the pal#& so that the second
and third fin%ers protrude to the first 'oints fro#
underneath! "hen when the ri%ht hand has
#ade the net downward #otion& instead of
drawin% off the top card with the left thu#b
press the left second and third fin%ertips a%ainst the botto# card and let it
slide into the left hand& drawin% it into position on the other cards with the left
thu#b as the ri%ht hand is raised!
(See Fi%! EC!)
"he ri%ht hand aids the left fin%ers by pressin% the deck a%ainst the# and
drawin% up #ore hori.ontally! "hen run one card less than the nu#ber of
players and a%ain draw one fro# the botto#& and so on until the stock is
co#plete! "he left thu#b %oes throu%h the sa#e #otion when the under card
is drawn but #erely slides across the top card without disturbin% it! -hen the
last card has been drawn fro# the botto# run as #any cards as there are
players between the dealer and the player for who# the botto# cards are
intended& out)'o% the net card and shuffle off balance! "hen under)cut to out)
'o% and throw on top!
"his ea#ple& of course& is for a %a#e in which the cards are dealt one at a
ti#e to each player! If the %a#e re5uires two or #ore cards at a ti#e the
action is the sa#e but #erely repeated! "he ri%ht hand #akes the #o(e#ent
of shufflin%& on the sa#e plane& or about parallel with the packet held in the
left& and this aids in drawin% the botto# cards& as well as dis%uisin% that
action! "here is a little difference in the sound as the cards fall fro# the top
and botto#& but it is hardly noticeable! "his #ethod re5uires considerable
practice& as the knack of drawin% the botto# cards& and but one at a ti#e&
does not co#e easily! *ut when ac5uired it can be eecuted with wonderful
facility and speed& and the ruse is practically undetectable! "he shuffle #ay be
continued to any len%th by under)cuttin% below the stock& 'o%%in% the first
card& shufflin% off and then a%ain undercuttin% to 'o% and throwin% on top+ or
the blind top stock& apparent shuffle of the whole deck& #ay be #ade as
described in this work!
"wo or #ore hands #ay be run up by this #ethod& if one set is placed at the
top and the other at the botto#! "he process is to first draw fro# the top& then
fro# the botto#& in succession& until all the selected cards ha(e been arran%ed
alternately at the botto# of the left)hand packet& then shuffle off balance!
"hen run se(eral cards fro# the top for a start& and then draw the first card
fro# the botto#! "hen run fro# the top the nu#ber that there are players
between where the first botto# card is to fall& and where the second one is
intended! "hen draw a%ain fro# the botto#& and so on until the two sets ha(e
been run up! "he calculation is (ery si#ple and of course should be #ade
beforehand! For instance& in a fi(e)handed %a#e of Poker assu#e that three
:ueens and three Nines are to be stocked! "he :ueens are to %o to the #an
who cuts& and the Nines to the second player fro# the dealer! Place the
:ueens on top& the Nines under! Run :ueen& then draw a Nine& and so on until
all are under the deck! "hen the calculation would be& on e(ery fi(e cards that
are shuffled& to draw the second and fourth fro# the botto#! "he cards #ust
be run up in the re(erse order& so the count is #ade to the ri%ht& the dealer
bein% first! ,is card co#es fro# the top! "hen the second card fro# the
botto#& which is the :ueen& then the third fro# the top& then the fourth fro#
the botto#& which is the Nine& then the fifth and first a%ain fro# the top& then
the second fro# the botto#& and so on until fifteen cards ha(e been run! "hen
out)'o% and shuffle off! "hen under)cut to 'o% and throw on top!
"he ability of drawin% the botto# cards s#oothly and rapidly #ust be perfectly
ac5uired before this #ethod of stockin% can be successfully used! "he #ost
that can be said for it is that it is short! / sin%le hand can be run up with one
shuffle and a throw! *y eecutin% the blind top stock shuffle& after the stock is
run up& any awkwardness in the first process #ay be co(ered! Success in all
card achie(e#ents depends on a(oidin% or allayin% suspicion& and the blind
shuffles described& if properly perfor#ed& will satisfy the #ost eactin%!
Erdnase System o$ Stoc Shu$$ling
T,E co##on #ethod of stockin% which has 'ust been eplained is (ery si#ple
and easy to understand but etre#ely difficult to eecute perfectly! "he
principal ob'ections are that drawin% fro# the botto# is an unnatural
#o(e#ent& that it re5uires #uch skill to acco#plish the feat %racefully& and a
%reat deal of practice to ac5uire the skill& and that this difficult and unnatural
#o(e#ent has to be eecuted for e(ery card that is put in the stock& thereby
increasin% the chances of attractin% attention when the stock is lar%e! "he new
#ethod about to be described is infinitely easier of eecution& and the
#o(e#ents are so natural and re%ular that a (ery indifferent perfor#er can
defy the closest scrutiny! "he cards #ay be shuffled with the ut#ost rapidity&
or worked in 5uite slowly& without fear of eposin% the action! "he ti#e
re5uired is not %reater than usually taken in an ordinary shuffle& and the
calculations are si#ple!
"he principal aids in this new #ethod are the 'o%s and the break& and they are
used to hold and separate and locate solely by the sense of touch& the (arious
di(isions created durin% the shuffle! "he entire stock is run up independent of
si%ht& and& in fact& the dealer can no #ore follow the action with his eyes than
can those who are #ost interested in scrutini.in% his work! -e will %i(e as a
first illustration the action re5uired for stockin% two cards in any %a#e that is
dealt one card at a ti#e to each player! "he position %i(en for shufflin% #ust
be #aintained!
4. Two3Card Stoc
T,E two desired cards are placed on top& under)cut about half the deck& in)'o%
top card& run two less than twice the nu#ber of players& out)'o% and shuffle
off! >nder)cut to out)'o%& for#in% break at in)'o%+ run one less than nu#ber of
players& throw to break& run nu#ber of players& in)'o% and shuffle off! >nder)
cut to in)'o% and throw on top! "his action places the two desired cards so that
they will fall to the dealer in the first two rounds!
"he reader who has #astered the blind shuffles should find it a (ery si#ple
#atter to perfor# this stock! ,is knowled%e of the ter#s #ust be clear& and he
#ust ha(e the sli%ht skill necessary to #ake the run& 'o%& break& and throw& as
re5uired in the blind shuffles! If a perfect understandin% of this si#ple stock is
obtained it will #ake the whole sub'ect easy of co#prehension! -e will
describe the action at len%th!
/ssu#in% that it is a fi(e)handed poker %a#e! "wo
kin%s& the desired cards& which are placed on top! "he
first action is to 0under)cut about half the deck&0 then
0in)'o% top card+0 that is& to push one of the kin%s
sli%htly o(er the little fin%er end of the left)hand packet
with the left thu#b! It is done the instant the under)cut is #ade& and 'ust
before the ri%ht hand #akes the downward #otion to shuffle! 0Run two less
than twice the nu#ber of players&0 which would be ei%ht+ 0out)'o%&0 that is&
run the net card out o(er the left first fin%er by shiftin% the ri%ht hand sli%htly
outward& 0and shuffle off&0 which #eans to shuffle the balance of the ri%ht
hand packet into the left hand without desi%n! "he left little and first fin%ers
now hold the in and out)'o%s! (See Fi%! EE!)
"he net operation is& 0>nder)cut to out)'o%& for#in%
break at in)'o%!0 "he ri%ht hand fin%ers easily find the
out)'o%& the ri%ht thu#b presses up a little on the in)'o%
card& and for#s and holds a space& as the under packet
is drawn out! (See Fi%! ED!) 0Run one less than nu#ber
of players&0 four& 0throw to break&0 that is& pass the rest
of the cards abo(e the break in one packet into the left
hand& which is done by lessenin% the ri%ht thu#b
pressure so#ewhat and sli%htly acceleratin% the
downward #otion! (See Fi%! EJ!)
0Run nu#ber of players&0 fi(e& 0in)'o% and
shuffle off!0 "he in)'o% is #ade in this instance
by shiftin% the ri%ht hand inward so that the
card drawn off by the left thu#b will fall sli%htly
o(er the little fin%er! "hen 0under)cut to in)'o%&
and throw on top0 will be understood!
"he only action in any of the for#ulas for this
#ethod of stockin% that will be found at all difficult is that of 'o%%in% the top
card! It #ust be done rapidly and 'ust at the #o#ent the ri%ht hand is
descendin% to shuffle!
5. Three3Card Stoc
AN8 %a#e in which cards are dealt sin%ly! "hree desired cards on top! >nder)
cut about half deck& in)'o% top card& run two less than twice the nu#ber of
players& out)'o% and shuffle off! >ndercut to out)'o%& for#in% break at in)'o%+
run one less than nu#ber players& throw to break& run one& in)'o% runnin% one
less than twice nu#ber of players& out)'o% and shuffle off! >nder)cut to in)'o%
and throw on top! >nder)cut to out)'o%& run one less than nu#ber of players
and throw balance on top! "his %i(es the dealer the three desired cards in
three rounds!
In the second shuffle of this stock where directed to 0in)'o% runnin% one less
than nu#ber players&0 the in'o% card is counted in the run! 0under)cut to in)'o%
and throw on top0 is to #ake a si#ple cut of the deck below the in)'o% card!
6. Four3Card Stoc
FOR any %a#e in which cards are dealt sin%ly! "hree of the desired cards are
placed on top& one on botto#! >nder)cut about one)third deck& in'o% top card&
run two less than twice nu#ber players& out)'o% and shuffle off to last card& so
that it will be left on top! >nder)cut to out)'o%& for#in% break at in)'o%& run
one less than nu#ber players& throw to break& run one& in)'o% runnin% one less
than twice nu#ber players& out)'o% and shuffle off! >nder)cut to in)'o% and
throw on top! >nder)cut to out)'o%& run one less than nu#ber players and
throw balance on top! "his %i(es the four desired cards to the dealer in four
rounds!
"he action of shufflin% the last card on top is not at all difficult! / little practice
enables the ri%ht hand to release all but the botto# card with ease and
accuracy! It #ust be done 5uite fre5uently& and the knack can be ac5uired
without trouble!
In the ea#ples %i(en the selected cards are stocked to Fall to the dealer& but
of course this is not always desired! It is 'ust as si#ple to %i(e the# to any
player by addin% to or takin% fro# the top& which #ay be done by (aryin% the
ori%inal calculation or by continuin% a blind shuffle! If one card is taken fro#
the top the player on the ri%ht %ets the cards! If one is added they %o to the
player on the left3 and so forth!
"he stock #ust be run up without hurry or hesitation& at the dealer3s
custo#ary %ait! Rapidity is not essential& but s#oothness and unifor#ity are!
"he break is for#ed& and the 'o%s are found& in the usual ti#e necessary for
drawin% out the under cut! "o %o throu%h the whole stock slowly is #uch
better than to chan%e the pace! "he four)card stock for fi(e players can be run
up in fifteen seconds or less& but there is no reason why #uch %reater ti#e
should not be taken!
"he philosophy of the action #ay be reasoned out or not& as the student sees
fit+ but in any case to acco#plish the stock %racefully and epeditiously he
#ust not stop in the #iddle of the shuffle to calculate! "he for#ula and fi%ures
#ust be literally at his fin%ers3 ends! 6ost players stick to one or two %a#es&
and a little practice at that particular stock #akes it as easy as habit! "he
hi%hest tribute that can be paid to the #ethod is the fact that certain players
who# we ha(e instructed& can eecute the stock with the %reatest facility and
yet confess they cannot tell why the particular action produces the result& and
they are totally unable to see what beco#es of the selected cards until the
shuffle is co#pleted! ,owe(er& it re5uires no feat of #e#ory& and a few
repetitions of the sa#e for#ula enables one to stock and talk at the sa#e
ti#e!
7. Fi+e3Card Stoc
FOR any %a#e in which cards are dealt sin%ly! Four desired cards on top& one
on botto#! >nder)cut about one)third deck& in)'o% top card& run two less than
twice nu#ber players& out)'o% and shuffle last card on top! >nder)cut to out)
'o%& for#in% break at in'o%+ run one less than nu#ber players& throw to break&
run two& in)'o% one and shuffle off! >nder)cut to in)'o% and throw on top!
>nder)cut about one)third deck& in'o% top card& run two less than twice
nu#ber players& out)'o% and shuffle last card to top! >nder)cut to out'o%&
for#in% break at in)'o%+ run one less than nu#ber players& throw to break& run
three ti#es nu#ber players& in)'o% and shuffle off! >nder)cut to in)'o% and
throw on top! "his %i(es the dealer the fi(e cards in fi(e rounds!
"he for#ula appears lon%& but #uch of the shuffle is a repetition& (ery si#ple&
and takes but a second or two lon%er than the four)card stock!
"o show the possibilities of this #ethod& we %i(e a fancy stock for a %a#e of
Poker that will throw four of a kind to the dealer and lea(e two sets of fours on
the top for the draw!
9. Twel+e3Card Stoc3For &raw *oer
T,REE sets of fours on top& the set for the dealer to be the under#ost! "ake
whole deck in ri%ht hand& run nine and throw balance on top& for#in% in)'o%
with throw! >ndercut about one)third deck& for#in% break at in)'o%& in'o% top
card& run two less than twice nu#ber players& out)'o%& shuffle off to break and
throw on top! >ndercut to out) 'o%& for#in% break at in)'o%& run one less than
nu#ber players& throw to break& run one& in)'o% runnin% one less than three
ti#es nu#ber players& out)'o% and shuffle off! >nder)cut to in)'o% and throw
on top! >nder)cut to out)'o%0 run one less than nu#ber players and throw on
top! "his %i(es the dealer the first of his set of four on the second round& and
lea(es the other two sets on top for the draw! If the dealer3s set is the hi%hest
of the three it #atters little to hi# how the draw is #ade& as none of the
players can %et a better hand e(en by drawin% four!
"he action is the sa#e as the four)card stock& with the eception of the first
shuffle& which arran%es three of the dealer3s set on the top& and his fourth card
at the break on top of the other two sets! "hen))as in the net shuffle the
break is thrown on top))it brin%s the dealer3s set in precisely the sa#e position
as the first shuffle in the four)card stock! "he balance of the action is the sa#e
only that the second under)cut shuffle in)'o%s one less than three ti#es
nu#ber plo(ers& instead of one less than twice nu#ber players+ and this is
done to put the etra nu#ber of cards in the stock so that the fi(e rounds #ay
be dealt and lea(e the other sets intact for the draw!
-e ter# this ea#ple a fancy stock& as it is (ery rarely that an opportunity
occurs for selectin% three sets of four of a kind+ but the procedure is the sa#e
for two sets& or for sets of three& or pairs& or& in fact& for the stockin% of any
nu#ber or kind& with sli%ht (ariation in the calculation!
"he fore%oin% illustrations of stockin% are applicable for -hist& ,earts& Poker&
7ribba%e and all %a#es wherein the cards are dealt sin%ly! It is #uch si#pler
to stock when the cards are dealt two or #ore at a ti#e& and in this class are
Euchre& 7oon 7an& Penuckle& (arieties of /ll Fours& Pi5uet& etc! -e shall
illustrate the si#plicity of a Euchre Stock! "he hun%riest dealer would not
desire #ore than four cards& as in nine cases out of ten it will %i(e hi# a lone
hand!
:. Euchre Stoc33Four3handed game
FO>R desired cards on top! >nder)cut about three)5uarters of deck& run
se(enteen& in)'o% and shuffle off! >nder)cut to in'o% and throw on top! "his will
%i(e three of the desired cards to the dealer and turn the fourth for tru#p! "he
dealer takes two cards the first round and three on the last& thereby %ettin%
three of the desired cards on the last round and turnin% the fourth for tru#p!
"he calculation is in #erely countin% the nu#ber of cards re5uired in the deal
before reachin% the desired cards& which are for the dealer and the tru#p! In a
three)handed %a#e the run would be twel(e))i!e!& fi(e less! In a two)handed
%a#e& se(en! /s described abo(e& the shuffle is too short! / blind shuffle
should be first eecuted& lea(in% the desired cards on top& and then the stock
run up! If the two bowers are a#on% the desired cards the left #ust not be
turned for tru#ps& so it #ay be placed at any position a#on% the desired cards
sa(e the under one!
If the desired cards are to be %i(en to the dealer3s partner the action is al#ost
as short!
;. Euchre Stoc33Four3handed game
FO>R desired cards on top for partner and tru#p! >nder)cut about three)
5uarters of deck& in)'o% top card& run siteen& out'o% and shuffle off! >nder)cut
to out)'o%& for#in% break at in)'o%& in)'o% first card runnin% ele(en& throw to
break& run three and shuffle off! >nder)cut to in)'o% and shuffle off! "his %i(es
the player opposite the dealer three of the desired cards on the second round&
and turns the fourth card for tru#ps!
For the benefit of the reader who wishes to understand the philosophy of the
procedure& we will eplain the calculation fully! -e #ust first deter#ine how
the desired cards #ust stand when the shuffle is co#pleted! "he order for
dealin% the first round is& three& two& three& two+ and the second round two&
three& two& three! Now& to %i(e his partner three desired cards on the second
round they #ust stand the thirteenth& fourteenth and fifteenth cards fro# the
top& and the fourth desired card #ust stand the twenty)first fro# the top to
turn for tru#ps! It would be easy to stock fro# these fi%ures& but there is a
shorter way! /s there are only thirty)two cards in the Euchre deck& the desired
cards #ust be nearer the botto# than the top& so if we count fro# the botto#
we will find the tru#p card is the twelfth& with fi(e indifferent cards between it
and the other three desired cards! "he ele(en cards below the tru#p and the
fi(e abo(e %i(e us the nu#ber siteen& which is the first run in the shuffle! "he
second run in the shuffle is ele(en& which action #akes the di(ision& and the
rest of the action is for the purpose of insertin% the desired cards in the
di(isions created!
/ny one who can understand and eecute the Euchre ea#ples& should ha(e
no trouble in stockin% for any of the other %a#es wherein two or #ore cards
are dealt at a ti#e! "he #ore at a ti#e the si#pler to run up #ore desired
cards! *ut two %ood cards on each deal are 5uite sufficient to turn the tide
stron%ly in fa(or of the ad(anta%e player& and for practical purposes stockin%
#ore than three should not be atte#pted! Si#ple ability to #ake the run and
the in)'o%& enables one to stock two or three cards in any %a#e that deals two
or three at a ti#e!
The Erdnase System o$ Cull Shu$$ling
,N 6OS" card %a#es where there is a stake at issue the scrutiny is so close
and the rules are so strict& that the epert card handler finds little opportunity
to #ake an open selection of any particular cards! "he sli%htest action that
indicates such a purpose in(ites suspicion& and there is an old ada%e #uch
5uoted that runs& 0If suspected 5uit!0 ,owe(er& we shall describe a new
#ethod of #akin% #any selections without a possibility of the desi%n bein%
detected& and in a #anner so natural and re%ular that not a #o(e#ent is
#ade that indicates anythin% #ore than the purpose of thorou%hly shufflin%
the deck!
"he necessary preparation for the cull shuffle is to note at what particular
nu#ber the first of the desired cards will stand fro# the top when thrown on
the deck& and at what nu#ber the net will stand fro# the first& and so on for
as #any cards as are to be culled! For instance& if there are three desired
cards& the first the ei%hth fro# the top& the net the fourth fro# that& and the
net the sith card further down& their order is fied in the #ind as ei%ht& four&
si! "he lowest desired card is ei%hteenth card fro# the top of the deck& but
the count is #ade fro# one desired card to the other! If the desired cards were
to%ether& the first one the ei%hth fro# the top& and the others the net two
cards& the count would stand ei%ht& one& one!
"he calculation of the positions the cards will take when thrown on the deck is
#ade before the dealer %athers the# up to shuffle& or as he is doin% so! It is a
(ery si#ple #atter to note the order in which two or three desirable cards lie&
or& for that #atter& fi(e or si! In so#e %a#es the note is #ade as the tricks
are taken!
In others the last cards that are faced on the table %i(e sufficient choice! For
instance& if two hands are shown in a Poker %a#e& one holdin% a s#all pair and
the other a side card to #atch the pair& a %lance would deter#ine the order
the three of a kind would take when thrown on the deck! Of course& it would
not do to #ake up the desired cards fro# one hand! ;i%htnin% don3t strike in
the sa#e place often& and the dealer would naturally feel a little diffident about
holdin% the sa#e %ood cards that were contained in the last hand shown! "he
7ull Shuffle will brin% the desired cards to the botto# of the deck! /s a first
ea#ple we will cull two desired cards!
4. To Cull Two Cards( #umbers <( 7
.N2ER7>" about half deck& in)'o% first card and shuffle off! >nder)cut to in)
'o%& run one less than first nu#ber& in'o%& runnin% one #ore than second
nu#ber& out)'o% and shuffle off! ("he two desired cards are now located at top
and botto# of the #iddle packet& which is held by the in and out)'o%s! )
>nder)cut to out)'o%& for#in% break at in)'o%& in)'o% first card (a desired card)&
throw to break& and shuffle off! ("he two desired cards are now to%ether& bein%
the in)'o% card and the net abo(e it!) >nder)cut to in)'o% and shuffle off! "his
lea(es the two desired cards at the botto#!
"he action is a little confusin% at first& but when this syste# of cullin% is
understood it beco#es (ery si#ple! "he first under)cut and shuffle)off& in the
fore%oin% ea#ple& has no bearin% on the result& but it places the cards to be
worked on well down in the deck& and this aids in #akin% the whole shuffle
appear re%ular!
5. To Cull Three Cards( #umbers ;( 9( =
.N2ER)7>" about half deck& in)'o% first card and shuffle off! >ndercut to in)
'o%& run one less than first nu#ber& in)'o% runnin% one #ore than second
nu#ber& out)'o% runnin% one less than third nu#ber& and throw on top! ("wo
of the desired cards are now at top and botto# of #iddle packet and the third
on top of the deck!) >nder)cut to out)'o%& for#in% break at in)'o%& in)'o% top
card& run one& throw to break and shuffle off! ("he three cards are now
to%ether at in)'o%!) >nder)cut to in)'o%& and shuffle off& lea(in% the three
desired cards at the botto#!
It is necessary to put so#e little brains into so si#ple a proble# as addin% two
and two to%ether& and to beco#e acco#plished at cullin% one #ust ha(e an
understandin% of the cause and effect of the (arious actions! It is i#possible to
%i(e a for#ula that will answer for e(ery situation! "here is no end to the
(ariety of positions the desired cards #ay be in! *ut with a thorou%h
knowled%e of the two ea#ples %i(en& and the reason for each particular
action& the student will be fairly established on the road to success& and ha(e
o(erco#e by far the %reatest difficulty!
6. To Cull Four Cards( #umbers 6( :( 5( 9
.N2ER)7>" about one)third deck& in)'o% first card and shuffle off! >nder)cut
to in)'o%& run one less than first nu#ber& in'o% runnin% one #ore than second
nu#ber& out)'o% runnin% one less than third nu#ber& and throw on top! ("wo
of the cards are now at top and botto# of #iddle packet& one on top of deck&
and the last at its ori%inal nu#ber fro# top card!) >nder)cut to out)'o%&
for#in% break at in)'o%& in)'o% top card& run one& throw to break and shuffle
off! ("hree cards are now to%ether at in)'o%& and last card at its nu#ber below
in)'o%!) >nder)cut to in'o% and run one less than last nu#ber and throw on
top! ("hree of the cards are now at the botto#& the fourth on top!)
"he top card can now be brou%ht to the botto# with its fellows by an under)
cut to top card and a throw on top+ or& under)cut about half deck& in)'o% top
card& and throw on top+ then under)cut to in)'o% and shuffle off!
"o under)cut to top card and throw on top& or& in other words& to run one and
throw balance on top& if done rapidly& appears like a si#ple cut& and the fact
that but one card is taken fro# the top to the botto# cannot be detected!
"hese ea#ples of cullin%& if fairly well eecuted& ha(e all the appearance of an
ordinary shuffle& and when perfor#ed with the s#oothness and %race of a
cle(er card handler it is absolutely i#possible to detect the least #anipulation!
It will be noticed in the ea#ples %i(en that cullin% is lar%ely a repetition of the
sa#e actions& as the nu#ber to be culled increases+ and conse5uently the ti#e
re5uired is %reater! *ut should the desired cards run to%ether in pairs& as
threes or #ore& the action and ti#e are shortened proportionately! Sets of
cards runnin% to%ether are treated #uch as thou%h each set were one card! If
the order be K& @& @& @& D& @& @& the action of %ettin% the# all to%ether will be
#uch the sa#e as thou%h they were but two cards at K& D! If the order were J&
@& @& @& E& @& @& L& @& the action would be about the sa#e as a three card cull
shuffle& thou%h there are nine desired cards actually run down to the botto#!
7. To Cull #ine Cards( #umbers 9( 4( 4( 4( 6( 4( 4( ;( 4
.N2ER)7>" about one)third deck& in)'o% first card and shuffle off! >nder)cut
to in)'o% and run one less than first nu#ber& in)'o% runnin% all cards to and
includin% last card of second set! ("his run is nine& four in first set& two
indifferent cards& three in second set!) Out)'o% runnin% one less than net
nu#ber (si)& and throw on top! ("his places first two sets at top and botto#
of #iddle packet& and third set on top!) >nder)cut to out'o%& for#in% break at
in)'o%& in)'o% top card& run second set (three) throw to break and shuffle off!
(/ll the desired cards are now to%ether& but the in)'o% di(ides the last two!)
>nder)cut to in)'o% and throw on top! "his lea(es one card on top and ei%ht on
botto#!
"his ea#ple #i%ht well be ter#ed a fancy cull& as runnin% down so #any
cards will rarely be atte#pted& but it shows the possibilities of the syste#!
*efore the shuffle is be%un the entire action should be #entally rehearsed so
that there will be no hesitation in the procedure!
"here is no difficult slei%ht)of)hand #anipulation connected with the operation!
/ny one who can shuffle can cull& if he has the understandin%! Rapidity is not
nearly so i#portant as re%ularity of ti#e and #o(e#ent!
"here are #any ways of #akin% the cull shuffle #ore si#ple! "he dealer can
%ather up the cards with a %reat deal of 'ud%e#ent yet without apparent
desi%n! ,e will ne(er face a card or cards& or ne(er chan%e the positions in any
%roup& but he can pick up any card or %roup of cards in the order best suited to
his desi%n without attractin% attention! ,e can note the order the cards fall in
any particular trick& how #any cards or tricks ha(e been thrown on top of
those he desires& the order of any discard eposed& his own discard& and the
last cards played on the table! "here are scores of opportunities to note the
order of desirable cards in any %a#e! If the dealer has an ally the two #ay
work to%ether in %atherin% up the cards& and the possibilities are doubled!
-hen the desired cards are run down to the botto# the dealer could continue
the shuffle and run up a top stock& but the ti#e re5uired for the two operations
would be too lon%! "he usual practice is to deal fro# the botto#! Fifteen or
twenty seconds is plenty of ti#e to eecute a three)card cull shuffle& and it can
be done in half the ti#e
The Erdnase System o$ *alming
T,E art of card pal#in% can be brou%ht to a de%ree of perfection that borders
on the wonderful! It is (ery si#ple to place one or se(eral cards in the pal#
and conceal the# by partly closin% and turnin% the pal# downward& or inward+
but it is entirely another #atter to pal# the# fro# the deck in such a #anner
that the #ost critical obser(er would not e(en suspect& let alone detect& the
action! "he #ethod followin% were ori%inated by us& and we belie(e the# to be
the #ost rapid and subtle e(er de(ised!
4. Top *alm3First 'ethod
!O;2 the deck in the left hand so that the first 'oints
of the second and third fin%ers will be a%ainst the
#iddle of one side& the thu#b a%ainst #iddle of
opposite side& the first 'oint of little fin%er a%ainst
#iddle of end and first fin%er curled up a%ainst botto#!
*rin% the ri%ht hand o(er top of deck& the third& second
and little fin%ers close to%ether& first 'oint of the little
fin%er bein% a%ainst the end corner& the first fin%er
curled up on top and the tip of thu#b restin% idly at
end& abo(e left little fin%er!
"o pal#& press the ri%ht little
fin%er& eactly at the first
'oint& fir#ly a%ainst the top cards& pull the# up
about half an inch at corner& freein% the# fro# the
left second and third fin%ers& keepin% the three ri%ht
fin%ers (little& second and third) perfectly strai%ht!
"he cards to be pal#ed are now held fir#ly between
the ri%ht little fin%er& and the left little fin%er! (See
Fi%! EK!) Strai%hten out ri%ht first fin%er& swin% left
little fin%er with the cards to be pal#ed free of the end of the deck& press the
cards into the ri%ht pal# with the end of the left third fin%er! (See Fi%! EL!)
2raw the deck out about half way fro# under the
ri%ht hand& and release the left hand entirely! (See
Fi%! EF!) "hen the ri%ht drops the deck on the table
to be cut!
/fter the hands are in the first position the whole
process does not occupy half a second!
"he deck should be kept in (iew as #uch as
possible& and the ri%ht first fin%er is curled up on top
for that purpose until the instant the pal# is
perfor#ed! "he action of drawin% the deck into (iew when the cards are
pal#ed is #ade a part of the whole #o(e#ent!
5. Top *alm3Second 'ethod
T,E positions of the hands are identically the sa#e as the first #ethod& a
sli%ht difference is #ade in the process of pal#in%! Pull up the cards to be
pal#ed as before& then insert the ends of the left second and third fin%ers!
Now strai%hten out ri%ht first fin%er& press down on end of deck with all four
ri%ht fin%ers& bendin% the cards to be pal#ed o(er the left second and third
fin%er ends& and holdin% the# in place by left little fin%er! Release left little
fin%er and the cards will sprin% up into the ri%ht pal#& the left second fin%er
aidin% the #o(e#ent by pressin% the cards fir#ly into the pal# and holdin%
the# there while the deck is bein% drawn into (iew by the left hand! /s
described in the for#er #ethod& the left hand should i##ediately release the
deck& which is dropped on the table by the ri%ht!
-e consider these #ethods the best for pal#in% the top cards after a shuffle!
"he positions the hands assu#e are taken 5uite naturally in s5uarin% up the
cards! "he ri%ht hand should sei.e the ends first& and the left thu#b and
fin%ers s5uare up the sides by slidin% up and down+ then by #o(in% the left
little fin%er to the end of deck the proper position is obtained and the pal#
#ade in a twinklin%!
-hen the cut is #ade reach the ri%ht hand boldly for the deck& but instead of
pickin% it up lay the pal#ed cards on top and draw the deck to the ed%e of the
table! "hen the thu#b naturally %oes under the end and the cards can be
picked up with ease!
6. %ottom *alm3First 'ethod
SEIIE the deck with the ri%ht hand on top& between the
first 'oints of the second and third fin%ers at one end&
and the thu#b at the other end+ the fin%ers close
to%ether and the third fin%er and thu#b close to each
corner so as to epose as #uch of the deck as possible!
*rin% up the left hand and sei.e the deck fro# beneath
at the ri%ht thu#b end& between the first and second
fin%ers& and the pal# 'ust under the second 'oint of the
thu#b& the thu#b lyin% strai%ht across the top close to
the end! If this position is secured correctly the tips of
the left thu#b and second fin%er touch the ri%ht thu#b&
as all three are at the sa#e corner of the deck and
al#ost the whole of the deck is eposed! "o pal#& %rip
the botto# cards at the side of corner with the tip of the left second fin%er&
s5uee.in% the# in a%ainst the pal# under the left
thu#b& and pull down o(er end of ri%ht thu#b about
5uarter of an inch! (See Fi%! EG!)
"his will cause the outer)end corner of the under cards
to pro'ect a little at the side& under the ri%ht third fin%er!
7atch the pro'ectin% corner with the ri%ht little fin%ertip&
pressin% the cards fir#ly a%ainst pal# under the left
thu#b& and draw the# in toward ri%ht thu#b& at the
sa#e ti#e strai%htenin% out the left fin%ers until the under cards lie fairly
alon% the left pal#! (See Fi%! DH!) Sli%htly close left hand with the pal#ed
cards and turn partly o(er and inward as the ri%ht hand lays the deck on the
table for the cut!
"he entire action of this pal# is etre#ely rapid& si#ple& easy and
i#perceptible! "he only difficulty is in establishin% the proper position for the
left hand! "o %et this absolutely eact& pal# half a do.en cards in the left hand
in the #ost fa(orable position for holdin% and concealin%! "hen with one fin%er
of the ri%ht hand press a%ainst the little fin%er corner of the pal#ed cards&
and)) usin% the dia%onal corner as a pi(ot))swin% the# out and o(er the first
fin%er until the left second fin%er tip can be brou%ht a%ainst the corner& and
the left thu#b lie across the end! Now& if the left thu#b is raised and the
balance of the deck is placed on top& the desired position is obtained!
/fter a shuffle& the position is taken 5uite naturally in s5uarin% up by #erely
pushin% the deck out of the left pal# until the left thu#b lies alon% the top
close to the end!
"his pal# #ay be #ade without the aid of the ri%ht little fin%er! "he positions
of the hands are taken eactly as before& then the second left fin%er is dropped
sufficiently to allow the little fin%er to take its place! "he little fin%er then %rips
the corner and pulls the cards back to the left wrist until they lie alon% the left
fin%ers as before!
7. %ottom *alm3Second 'ethod
SEIIE the deck with the ri%ht hand on top& by the
#iddle of the ends between the thu#b and first
'oints of second and third fin%ers& first fin%er curled
up on top! *rin% the left hand up a%ainst the
botto#& the left second and third fin%er tips restin%
idly on the ri%ht second and third fin%ers& the left
little fin%er at first 'oint a%ainst the ed%e of the
botto# cards at the sa#e end& the left first fin%er
curled up a%ainst botto# and the left thu#b
restin% a%ainst the side! "o pal#& %rip the corner of the under cards with the
left little fin%er at first 'oint! (See Fi%! D@!) "hen swin% fin%er end of upper
portion of deck out a%ainst left thu#b& keepin% ri%ht thu#b stationary as a
pi(ot& until the fin%er ends of the two packets are 'ust past
each other& strai%htenin% out the left first fin%er at the
sa#e ti#e! (See Fi%! DC!)
"hen release thu#b end of lower packet& lettin% it down into
left pal#& or press thu#b end of both packets into left
pal#& releasin% under packet& and slide deck out of left
hand and drop it on the table to be cut& turnin% o(er left
hand with the pal#ed cards at the sa#e #o#ent!
"he whole process is as 5uick as a flash& and 5uite i#perceptible! "he
drawback is the sli%htly unnatural action of brin%in% the left fin%ers to the end
of the deck! "hey should be kept at the side in s5uarin% up after the shuffle&
then at the last instant slipped to the end& and without a #o#ent3s hesitation
the pal# is #ade!
"o replace the botto# pal#& pick up the deck by
the ends with the ri%ht hand& and as it is placed in
the left slide the left second fin%er fro# the end of
the pal#ed cards to the side& curl the left first
fin%er up underneath (See Fi%! DE)& and as the
pal#ed cards are slipped into position brin% the
left thu#b a%ainst one side and the left second
fin%er to the other& which #aterially aid in the
rotary #o(e#ent of the under packet!
It is #ore difficult to replace than to pal#& but the
action is not so liable to attract attention& as& if the pal# is not suspected& any
awkwardness at replacin% #ay be co(ered by s5uarin% up the cut! *ut
replacin% #ay be perfor#ed 'ust as perfectly as pal#in%& and to beco#e
proficient in either re5uires so#e practice! -hen the positions and process are
thorou%hly understood the #ain difficulties are o(erco#e!
9. %ottom *alm3When Cards Are Ri$$led
W,EN the cards are riffled))that is&
shuffled on the table))it is i#possible to
#ake a pal# in a perfectly natural
#anner& as there is no reason for takin%
the deck up into the hands before the
cut! "he action would appear awkward& or
at least unnecessary and a waste of ti#e!
*ut when the co#pany is not too fast the followin% plan #ay be used with
success!
/fter the riffle sei.e the deck at sides&
near ends& between second fin%er and
thu#b of each hand! Raise the left)hand
end until the botto# card faces the left
pal#& and %i(e the deck a %entle tap on
its end on the table! (See Fi%! DD!) "hen
release the ri%ht hand and tilt the deck outward& so that the ri%ht second fin%er
and thu#b can %rasp the ends near the top corners! Now release the left
fin%ers& retainin% position of left thu#b& and tap the table a%ain with the side
of deck& at the sa#e ti#e brin%in% left second and third fin%ers to end of deck
and curlin% left first and little fin%ers a%ainst the botto#& the left third fin%er
touchin% the table! (See Fi%! DJ!) "his brin%s the hands into #uch the sa#e
position as the Second 6ethod& net!!!!
:. %ottom *alm3When Cards Are Ri$$led
Second 'ethod
TO P/;6& %rip the botto# cards with the left third
fin%er at first 'oint& and press fir#ly a%ainst ri%ht
thu#b+ raise whole deck sli%htly& swin%in% fin%er
end of top portion a%ainst left thu#b& keepin% ri%ht
thu#b stationary as a pi(ot& until the fin%er ends of
both packets are past each other& and strai%htenin%
out left first and little fin%ers! (See Fi%! DK!) "hen
press ri%ht thu#b with ends of both packets down
into left pal#& releasin% under packet& and slide the deck out of left hand to be
cut& turnin% o(er the left with the pal#ed ends at the sa#e ti#e!
/fter the deck is on its side the #o(e#ents are perfectly natural in
appearance& and the action of tappin% the ed%es on the table to s5uare up is
co##on enou%h to pass in #ost any co#pany! *ut tippin% the deck #ay %i(e
an opportunity to note the botto# card& and the action will #ore likely cause a
suspicion of that desi%n than of pal#in%! ,owe(er& the tiltin% and tappin% #ay
be acco#plished without haste and in a #anner plainly e(ident that no one can
possibly %et a %li#pse! "he left hand should co#pletely co(er the botto# card&
and the deck so handled that at no ti#e does it face either the dealer or the
players!
"he actual pal#in% can be done in a flash& and as we ha(e said& the only
ob'ections are the necessary #anoeu(res to obtain the position in a natural
and easy #anner!
"he top pal# can be #ade with the ri%ht hand in #uch the sa#e #anner& by
re(ersin% the positions! In which case the ri%ht hand sei.es the deck by the
sides after the pal# is #ade! *ut there is little occasion for top pal#in% in any
%a#e! In the second part of this book will be found& under the caption
B7han%es0 se(eral #ethods of pal#in% which are li%htnin%)like in rapidity but
are #ore applicable to card con'urin% than card playin%!
To 'aintain the %ottom *alm While &ealing
T,E botto# pal# #ay be held while the deal is in pro%ress without
incon(enience! "he ruse is adopted for one of se(eral reasons! It #ay be to
a(oid the risk of replacin% the pal# i##ediately after the cut+ as a #ore
fa(orable opportunity occurs 'ust after the deal when the re#ainder of the
deck is placed on the table! "his would be of ser(ice in %a#es such as Poker or
7asino! "he botto# cards can be obtained on the second deal! So#eti#es the
pal# is #ade after the cut and #aintained throu%hout the deal for the purpose
of holdin% too #any! "he dealer3s cards are placed on the pal#ed cards& the
whole 0skinned0 throu%h& the discard pal#ed a%ain in one or the other hand&
and replaced when the deck is taken up a%ain! If the botto# pal# is #ade
before the cut and #aintained throu%hout the deal it both %i(es too #any and
a(oids the necessity of botto# dealin%& but it is a (ery poor substitute! "his is
fully eplained under caption of BSkinnin% "he ,andM!
"he cards are pal#ed in the left hand and the deck+
placed across the#! "he deal is be%un i##ediately! "he
four fin%ers of the left hand are kept close to%ether with
the tips held fir#ly a%ainst the side of deck& and
effectually conceal the pal#ed cards! (See Fi%! DL!)
"here is little or no difficulty in perfor#in% this perfectly&
and the deal can be carried on without a si%n to indicate the #anoeu(re! "he
pal#ed cards will be cri#ped fro# their position and the war#th of the hand!
"he cri#p #ust be taken out when s5uarin% up!
To !old the )ocation o$ Cut While &ealing
T,E ob'ect of holdin% the location of the cut is so that a shift #ay be #ade at
that point when the first deal has been co#pleted! "his will brin% the ori%inal
botto# cards to that position a%ain& fro# which they #ay be dealt durin% the
second deal& and the #ost opportune #o#ent for the shift is i##ediately after
the first deal& as the deck is deposited on the table!
-hen the cut is #ade& pick up the packet that was
under& by the sides& near end& between second and
third fin%ers and thu#b of ri%ht hand& and lay it on
top of packet cut)off& so that the then under packet
for#s a 'o% or protrudes about 5uarter of an inch
toward the ri%ht wrist! Pick up the two packets the
instant the one is placed on the other& by a slidin% #o(e#ent& with the fin%ers
in the sa#e position& and place the deck across the left pal# with the left
thu#b on top to hold it in position! "hen release sides of deck with ri%ht hand
and sei.e ends to s5uare up! In doin% so the ri%ht thu#b co#es a%ainst the
inner end and in contact with the 'o% or pro'ectin% under packet! Press this
down a little with the thu#b and s5uare ends of deck& for#in% break at thu#b
end! Now shift the left hand sli%htly so as to hold the break with the tip of the
left little fin%er at the side& close to the end+ and be%in the deal! (See Fi%! DF!)
"he break is not #ore than an ei%hth of an inch wide& and is concealed by the
left third fin%er! "he action is (ery si#ple& yet should be carefully studied! "he
sli%ht 'o% in the two packets as they are picked up is not noticeable& as the top
packet o(erhan%s at the outer end and the one #ost likely to show is hidden
by the ri%ht hand! *ut in any case it would not #atter #uch& as the action of
s5uarin% up after the deck is placed in the left pal# appears %enuine& and the
break can be for#ed without a possibility of detection! "he little fin%er can hold
the break by pressin% a%ainst the ball of the thu#b without the least
incon(enience while the deal pro%resses!
Shi$ts
T,ERE are #any #ethods of perfor#in% the #anoeu(re that re(erses the
action of the cut& but in this part of our work we will describe but three which
we consider at all practicable at the card table! "his artifice is erroneously
supposed to be indispensable to the professional player& but the truth is it is
little used& and adopted only as a last resort! "he con'urer e#ploys the shift in
nine)tenths of his card tricks& and under his en(iron#ents it is co#parati(ely
(ery si#ple to perfor#! / half turn of the body& or a sli%ht swin% of the hands&
or the use of 0patter0 until a fa(orable #o#ent occurs& enables hi# to co(er
the action perfectly! *ut seated at the card table in a #oney %a#e& the
conditions are different! "he hands #ay not be withdrawn fro# the table for an
instant& and any unusual swin% or turn will not be tolerated& and a still %reater
handicap arises fro# the fact that the ob'ect of a shift is well known& and
especially the eact #o#ent to epect it& i##ediately after the cut! "he shift
has yet to be in(ented that can be eecuted by a #o(e#ent appearin% as
coincident card)table routine+ or that can be eecuted with the hands held
stationary and not show that so#e #anoeu(re has taken place& howe(er
cle(erly it #ay be perfor#ed! Ne(ertheless upon occasion it #ust be
e#ployed& and the resourceful professional failin% to i#pro(e the #ethod
chan%es the #o#ent+ and by this epedient o(erco#es the principal obstacle
in the way of acco#plishin% the action unobser(ed! "his subterfu%e is
eplained in our treat#ent of the sub'ect& 0"he Player -ithout an /lly&0 under
the distincti(e headin%& BShiftin% "he 7utM
"he first shift described is eecuted with both hands and is a %reat fa(orite! It
is probably the oldest and best in %eneral use!
4. Two3!anded Shi$t
!O;2 the deck in the left hand& the thu#b on one side& the first& second and
third fin%ers curled around the other side with the first 'oints pressin% a%ainst
the top of the deck and the little fin%er inserted at the cut& or between the two
packets that are to be re(ersed! "he deck is held slantin%ly& with the ri%ht side
downward! *rin% up the ri%ht hand and co(er the deck& sei.in% the lower
packet by the ends between the thu#b and second fin%er& about half an inch
fro# the upper corners& the ri%ht)hand fin%ers bein% close to%ether but none of
the# touchin% the deck but the thu#b and second fin%er! (See Fi%! DG!)

If this position is properly taken the ri%ht hand holds the lower packet and the
left hand clips the upper packet between the little fin%er and the other three!
Now& to re(erse the position of the two packets& the ri%ht hand holds the lower
packet fir#ly a%ainst the left thu#b& and the left fin%ers draw off the upper
packet& under co(er of the ri%ht hand (see Fi%! JH)& so that it 'ust clears the
side of the lower packet& and then swin% it in underneath! (See Fi%! J@!)
"he left thu#b aids the two packets to clear each other by pressin% down on
the side of the under packet& so as to tilt up the opposite side as the upper
packet is drawn off! "he under packet bein% held by only one fin%er and
thu#b& can be tilted as thou%h it worked on a swi(el at each end& and the ri%ht
fin%ers #ay retain their relati(e positions throu%hout! 6ost teachers ad(ise
assistin% the action by ha(in% the fin%ers of the ri%ht hand pull up on the lower
packet& but we belie(e the blind is #uch #ore perfect if there is not the least
chan%e in the attitude of the ri%ht fin%ers durin% or i##ediately after the shift!
"he packets can be re(ersed like a flash& and without the least noise& but it
re5uires considerable practice to acco#plish the feat perfectly! "he positions
#ust be accurately secured and the action perfor#ed slowly until accusto#ed
to the #o(e#ents!
5. The Erdnase Shi$t3"ne !and
T,E followin% #ethod is the outco#e of persistent effort to de(ise a shift that
#ay be e#ployed with the %reatest probability of success at the card table! It
is (astly superior for this purpose& because the action takes place before the
ri%ht hand sei.es the deck& and 'ust as it is about to do so& thereby co(erin%
naturally and actually perfor#in% the work before the action is anticipated! It is
etre#ely rapid and noiseless& and the two packets pass throu%h the least
possible space in chan%in% their position! "he drawback is the etre#e
difficulty in #asterin% it perfectly! 6any hours of incessant practice #ust be
spent to ac5uire the re5uisite a#ount of skill+ but it #ust be re#e#bered if
feats at card)handlin% could be attained for the askin% there would be little in
such perfor#ance to interest or profit any one!

,old the deck in the left hand& little fin%er at one end& first and second fin%ers
at side& thu#b dia%onally across top of deck with first 'oint pressed down
a%ainst the opposite end& and the third fin%er curled up a%ainst the botto#!
"he second fin%ertip holds a break at the side& locatin% the cut& or separatin%
the two packets that are to be re(ersed! (See Fi%! JC!) Now& by s5uee.in% the
under packet between the second fin%er and pal# and pressin% the upper
packet with the thu#b at one end a%ainst the little fin%er at the other end& it
will be found that the two packets can be #o(ed independently! "o re(erse
their positions& hold the upper packet fir#ly by pressin% with the thu#b& open
the two packets at the break and draw out the under packet with the second
and third fin%ers& the second fin%er pullin% down and third fin%er pressin% >p&
until the inner side of the under packet 'ust clears the outside of the upper
packet! (See Fi%! JE!) "hen press the lower packet up and o(er on top! -hen
%ettin% the under packet out and forcin% it clear of the upper packet& it is
turned a little by the third fin%er& so that the corner at the little fin%er end
appears o(er the side first! "he little fin%er aids in %ettin% the under packet
o(er or the upper packet underneath by pullin% down on the upper packet
when the lower one is 'ust appearin% o(er the side! (See Fi%! JD!)
2oubtless the first atte#pts to #ake this shift will
i#press the student that it is i#possible! "he (ery
unusual positions of the fin%ers will appear to %i(e the#
no control o(er the deck+ but the facts are the packets
#ay be held with (ice)like ri%idity durin% the entire
operation& or it #ay be perfor#ed by holdin% the
packets (ery loosely& and in each case either in a
twinklin% or (ery slowly!
"he principal difficulty will be in drawin% out the under packet in such a
#anner that it will not fly out of the fin%ers! It #ust not sprin% away fro# the
upper packet at all& but should slip alon%& up& and o(er in one continuous
#o(e#ent!
Of course& in perfor#in% this shift at the card table the ri%ht hand is brou%ht
o(er he deck 'ust at the #o#ent of action& and the operation #ay be %reatly
facilitated by allowin% the under packet to sprin% (ery li%htly a%ainst the ri%ht
pal#+ but the finished perfor#er will use the ri%ht hand only as a co(er& and it
will take no part at all in the action! -e presu#e that the lar%er& or the lon%er
the hand& the easier it will be for a be%inner to acco#plish this shift& but a (ery
s#all hand can perfor# the action when the knack is once ac5uired!
"he a#ateur who does not wish to spend the ti#e necessary to perfect hi#self
in this (ery difficult one)handed shift& #ay obtain nearly the sa#e result by
adoptin% the followin% #ethod& which is perfor#ed with both hands and is (ery
#uch easier!
6. Erdnase Shi$t3Two !ands
!O;2 the deck in the left hand as described in the one)hand shift! ecept that
the first fin%er is curled up a%ainst the botto# and the third fin%er is held
a%ainst the side! Now brin% the ri%ht hand o(er the deck& the fin%ers held close
to%ether but in easy position& and insert the tip of the little fin%er in the break
at side close to outer corner& 'ust sufficiently to press down on corner of the
under packet!
"o #ake the shift& press down with the ri%ht little fin%er& and out and up with
the left first fin%er& holdin% the upper packet fir#ly between left thu#b and
little fin%er! (See Fi%! JJ!) "he lower packet will sprin% into the ri%ht pal#& the
top packet is lowered by the left thu#b and little fin%er& and the botto# packet
closed in on top by the left second and third fin%ers! "his two)handed for# of
the shift is co#parati(ely (ery easy to eecute+ it is etre#ely rapid and can
be perfor#ed without the least noise!
To Ascertain the Top Cards While Ri$$ling and Reser+e Them at %ottom
&>RING the process of a riffle an epert
perfor#er can obtain a %li#pse of the top
cards and brin% the# to the botto# in
reser(e for the deal! It re5uires a
suspicious and (ery knowin% player to
detect the ruse! "he %li#pse is obtained
by sli%htly in)'o%%in% the top card of the
left)hand packet& as eplained in treat#ent of 0*lind Riffles&0 under caption&
BNo! @)"o Retain "op Stock!0 /s the thu#bs raise the corners of the two
packets to riffle& the top card is sli%htly 'o%%ed o(er and raised by the left
thu#b& 'ust barely enou%h to obtain a %lance at the inde& and when the cards
are riffled the card seen is left on top& as it naturally should be! (See Fi%! JK!)
It is 5uite possible to %et a %li#pse without 'o%%in% the card if the cards are
sprun% in the usual #anner and the last one retained for an instant in a
sli%htly ele(ated position by the left thu#b! *ut this operation is #ore liable of
detection! "he opportune #o#ent& both to 'o% and to %et the %li#pse& is after
the corners are raised and as the thu#bs are about to release the cards! "he
top card is brou%ht to the botto# by a ruse worked in connection with the
*lind 7ut& described under headin% of BNo! D) "o Retain *otto# Stock0! /n
under)cut is #ade with the ri%ht hand& and as the packet is placed on top it is
done with a sidlin% #o(e#ent& the tip of the ri%ht thu#b li%htly slides across
the top card of the then under packet& pushin% it a little o(er the inner side!
"he left thu#b is at the side to recei(e it& and for#s a break& so that it
beco#es the under card of the top packet when s5uared up! "hen the *lind
7ut is eecuted as described& the top packet to the break is drawn off first& and
the rest of the deck in se(eral packets& and the particular card is left at the
botto#! "he riffle is a%ain eecuted& retainin% this card at the botto#& the
%li#pse obtained of the net top card of the left)hand packet& which is brou%ht
down in like #anner& and so on!
"hese cards #i%ht be left on top& but they would be of little use there! If at the
botto#& the knowled%e of two or three cards is of i##ense ad(anta%e to an
epert! -hen playin% alone he either deals without replacin% on the cut& or
pal#s for the cut& or shifts after the cut! If he has an ally on his ri%ht a *lind
7ut is #ade! In any case he deals the cards fro# the botto#& to hi#self if they
are desirable& and to an opponent if not!
'ode o$ !olding the !and
T,E professional player& e(er conscious of the necessity of unifor#ity& will
always hold his hand in the sa#e #anner+
and as he often finds it con(enient to ha(e
#ore than his share of the cards& the
position #ust be one which will always
dis%uise that possibility! "he best for all
purposes is as follows1
,old the cards in the left hand& the end
fittin% into the third 'oints of the first&
second and third fin%ers& the lower corner
restin% on the little fin%er close to the third
'oint& and the little fin%er curled in so that the cards rest on the first 'oint also!
"he left thu#b rests on the upper side& and the first& second and third fin%ers
are curled in so that their tips rest a%ainst the back!
"o read the cards& brin% the ri%ht hand up& the third fin%er a%ainst the under
side& the little fin%er a%ainst the end& the first and second fin%ers curled up on
back& and the thu#b on top! (See Fi%! JL!) "hen& with a slidin% downward
#o(e#ent of the left thu#b cri#p or con(e the cards sufficiently to read the
inde on each+ or& open the ed%es sli%htly with the ri%ht thu#b by sprin%in%
the cards one at a ti#e a%ainst the left thu#b& which is pressed on top to keep
the# open! "his eact position is (ery i#portant for se(eral reasons&
principally because it effectually conceals the nu#ber held& and it enables the
player to 0skin0 his hand and pal# off the etra cards without fuss or unusual
#o(e#ents! In %eneral appearance the hold is the sa#e as adopted by (ery
#any players for the ecellent purpose of pre(entin% bystanders fro# %ettin%
a %li#pse!
Sinning the !and
W,EN too #any cards are held the hand #ust be sorted& the etra cards
brou%ht to top or botto#& the discard pal#ed and restored& s#oothly& rapidly
and with #o(e#ents that are custo#ary!
"he cards are held as described for
B6ode Of ,oldin% "he ,and0! Separate
the upper ed%es with both thu#bs so
that the ri%ht thu#b can press a%ainst
the card to be brou%ht to the top! *end
this card sli%htly between ri%ht thu#b
and second and third fin%ers& so that it
can be slipped fro# beneath the left
thu#b! "hen& holdin% this card fir#ly&
and keepin% the ri%ht hand al#ost
stationary& pull out the rest of the cards with the left hand by a backward and
inward #otion and by pressin% the left fin%ertips a%ainst the back! (See Fi%!
JF!) "hen sho(e the ri%ht)hand card on top! "he action is not concealed& but
#ade openly! It is a (ery co##on procedure for arran%in% any hand for play
or discard! If the discard happen to lie to%ether& brin% the# to the top with one
action!
Now the top cards #ust be pal#ed& and one of the
#ethods already described in this work #ay be
e#ployed! *ut for use in this particular case we
would ad(ise another pal#& which is #ost fittin% for
a discard& and especially the #o(e#ents leadin% up
to the actual pal#in%! For# a break between the
discard and the rest and hold the break with the
ri%ht thu#b! Shift the left thu#b to the outer)end
corner of the under packet& and slide it down about
half an inch into the ri%ht pal#! 7lose the break& hold cards with left hand&
release the ri%ht and push the cards further down into the ri%ht pal# between
base of thu#b and third and little fin%ers& sufficiently to allow tips of ri%ht
thu#b and second fin%er to reach the outer)end corners o(er the left thu#b
and little fin%er! (See Fi%! JG!)
Now release the left hand entirely and turn the ri%ht pal#
downward! "his position co(ers the sides and the inner end
co#pletely& concealin% the 5uantity& and the fact that the
packets o(erlap& and yet has a (ery easy and natural
appearance! ( See Fi%! KH!) "he ri%ht hand can now
nonchalantly hold the cards& while the left handles the chips
or #akes a bet! -hen ready to deal a%ain& the left hand
sei.es the cards fro# below& at the #iddle of sides&
between second and third fin%ers and thu#b& and the little fin%er on the
protrudin% corner of the under packet& and at the sa#e #o#ent the ri%ht four
fin%ers are shifted to the outer end as if to take the fresh hold!
Press down on the outer end& hold inner protrudin% end
with left little fin%er& release the upper packet which is
held by the left thu#b and second and third fin%ers (see
Fi%! K@)& and it will sprin% up into the ri%ht pal#! "he left
hand instantly draws the under packet out sideways about
half way& and the ri%ht hand drops it on the table and
then places the pal#ed cards on the deck while pickin% it
up!
"his #ethod of pal#in% is ecellent after the position is
secured& and under the circu#stances 'ust described it is
better to take this position than to #ake the pal#
i##ediately after the hand is ski##ed! If it is desired to pal# in the left hand&
the discard is retained and the others brou%ht to the top while skinnin%! "hen
one of the botto# pal#s described #ust be e#ployed!
The *layer Without an Ally
," IS the %eneral belief that it takes two to obtain any ad(anta%e in a card
%a#e with knowin% players))the dealer and the #an who cuts! "hat this is
%enerally true cannot be denied& but it is by no #eans always so! "here are
#any ways of beatin% the %a#e alone& and thou%h the percenta%e in fa(or of
the sin%le player #ay be less in any %i(en instance& it is pretty constant and
5uite sufficient to insure a (ery co#fortable li(in% to #any cle(er people&
thou%h the card table is their sole source of re(enue!
"he %reatest obstacle in the path of the lone player is the cut! It is the bet?
noir of his eistence! -ere it not for this for#ality his deal would #ean the
#oney! "hou%h he #ay run up a hand howe(er cle(erly& the cut sends hi# to
sea a%ain! 0Put your faith in Pro(idence& but always cut the cards&0 is a wise
in'unction! So#eti#es the cut is not #ade& and the adept dearly lo(es to sit on
the left of a player who is careless enou%h to occasionally say& 0Run the#0))
i!e!& he wai(es the cut! Professional players always calculate on such a
possibility& and will continue to stock on e(ery deal to so#e etent with that
chance in (iew!
&ealing Without the Cut
W,EN the dealer has desired cards on the botto# and the cut is #ade without
replacin% the two packets& he will pick up the packet that was under and
i##ediately proceed to deal fro# that alone! In this way he can %et the under
cards by botto# dealin%! "he cut is usually #ade in this way& and the dealer
aids the play by bein% ready to sei.e the under packet as the top is lifted off!
,owe(er& if the co#pany will not stand for this& and so#e one says& 07arry the
cut&0 he will& of course& do so in future and turn his attention to other
#anoeu(res!
Replacing the Cut as %e$ore
A 2/RING and yet oftenti#es successful ruse of o(erco#in% the cut difficulty
is to pick up the under packet with the ri%ht hand& and instead of placin% it on
the other packet it is slid across the table into the left hand& and then the
second packet placed on top in the sa#e way! "he packets #ay be picked up
by the ri%ht hand instead of slidin% the#! "he #o(e is #ade 5uite openly&
carelessly and without haste and is surprisin%ly re%ular in appearance! It will
not pass in fast co#pany& but the beauty of it is that if noticed it can be
attributed to thou%htlessness!
!olding "ut $or the Cut
TO ,O;2 out in a card %a#e is the riskiest and #ost dan%erous for# of takin%
ad(anta%e that a player #ay atte#pt& but it can be& and is& successfully
practiced when cle(erly perfor#ed and the player is not suspected! *ut the
only hold out that we consider really safe is #ade by the dealer& and but for
the #o#ent of cuttin%! /fter a blind shuffle& with the desired cards on the
botto#& the dealer pal#s in the left and passes the deck with the ri%ht to be
cut! /fter the 7ut he picks up the deck with the ri%ht hand and replaces the
pal#ed cards when s5uarin% up for the deal! Of course& this necessitates a
perfect knowled%e of pal#in% and replacin%& but both actions shell beco#e
possible in any kind of co#pany& if the player is not suspected! ,oldin% out for
the cut is inco#parably less risky than holdin% out on another3s deal+ as the
deck is ne(er sub'ect to bein% handled or counted& and the pal#ed cards
re#ain in the dealer3s possession but for the #o#ent!
-hen there are but two or three players in a %a#e where the cards are dealt
one at a ti#e& a top stock of four or si cards #ay be run up and pal#ed in the
ri%ht hand as the deck is passed for the cut! "he top pal# is replaced when
pickin% up the deck& and usually by a slidin% #otion! "his pal#in% and
replacin% of the top stock is easier and perhaps less noticeable& and does not
re5uire the botto# work in the deal+ but when there are fi(e or si players& or
when the cards are dealt two or #ore at a ti#e& the 5uantity to be pal#ed
would be too bulky!
Shi$ting the Cut
T,ERE is a current supposition that the epert player e#ploys what is
co##only known as the two)handed shift to re(erse the action of the cut& but
there has ne(er been a shift in(ented that can be eecuted durin% a card %a#e
by #o(e#ents that appear 5uite re%ular! If the professional player could
always sit in with neophytes& who would stand for actions that are forei%n to
the usual procedure& he would ha(e little need of special ability to %et the
#oney! In the a(era%e %a#e where the players keep their hands& and ar#s
also& on the table there is little opportunity to shift the cut! Still there is an
opportune #o#ent in so#e %a#es when the shift #ay be #ade with
probabilities of bein% unnoticed! It is i##ediately after the first deal! "he
dealer holds the location of the cut until the hands are dealt& and #akes the
shift as he lays down the deck! "hen the desired cards can be dealt fro# the
botto# durin% the net deal! "his #o#ent& after the first deal& is the #ost
fa(orable& as the players are occupied with their hands& the cut has been #ade
5uite re%ularly& the deal finished and conse5uently there is less cause for close
scrutiny! *ut principally because the shift can be #ade with a #uch #ore
natural action when about to lay down the deck than when pickin% it up& and
also because the deck is #uch s#aller after the deal and therefore so #uch
easier to shift! In any %a#e where cards are dealt the second ti#e the play
holds %ood! *ut& in any e(ent& shiftin% is #uch #ore noticeable than pal#in%
for the cut!
&ealing Too 'any
A F/=OR/*;E and perhaps the #ost %enerally used ad(anta%e is in the dealer
%i(in% hi#self one or two etra cards on the last round! "he 5uantity is not
noticeable when lyin% on the table& and as the etra cards are taken on the
last round there is little ti#e for inspection! "he dealer i##ediately picks the#
up with the left hand as the deck is deposited on the table by the ri%ht! "he
selection is #ade and the discard pal#ed and %otten rid of as described under
headline& BSkinnin% "he ,and0 -hen holdin% too #any in Poker& it is preferable
to pal# and replace the etra cards on the deck+ when pickin% it up to deal the
draw than to #ake the discard and throw the etra cards with it on the discard
heap! "he dealer pal#s the etra cards& lays his full hand on the table&
replaces the pal#ed cards& deals the draw and his own draw& then #akes his
discard and picks up his draw!
/ second #ethod of takin% too #any is by pal#in% the desired nu#ber after
the deal! "he left hand #akes the pal# as the ri%ht is about to lay down the
deck! / still safer plan is to #ake the pal# i##ediately after the cut when
s5uarin% up& and #aintainin% the pal# while dealin%! "his can be alone
perfectly and a(oids the sli%htest hesitation or #o(e#ent after the deal is
finished!
Crimping $or the Cut
T,E probability of the unsuspectin% player cuttin% into a cri#p is always kept
in (iew! "he process of cri#pin% is fully eplained under caption BIndicatin%
;ocation For "he 7ut0 -hen cri#pin% for the chance of the cut bein% #ade at
that point& the bend is put in #ore forcibly& and so#eti#es if the co#pany is
not too fast& the two packets #ay be cri#ped in opposite directions& creatin%
5uite a space and thereby increasin% the probabilities of the player
unconsciously cuttin% into it! "he packets #ay be cri#ped conca(e& or con(e&
as thou%ht best for the player3s #ode of cuttin%& but the deck should be
s5uared up perfectly and laid down accordin%ly! It is the rule for players to cut
in about the sa#e #anner each ti#e! "hat is& he cuts hi%h& low or near the
#iddle& and sei.es the cards by the sides or ends! "he #ode of cuttin%
oftenti#es beco#es a habit that is unconsciously followed! "he obser(ant
dealer is thus enabled to put in his cri#p hi%h or low& in about the location
#ost fa(orable& and conca(e if the player cuts by the ends& and con(e if at
the sides! "he deck #ust be laid down so that the hand which the player
habitually uses will co#e naturally into the #ost fa(orable position to obli%e
the dealer! E(en if the cri#p is #issed it still locates the stock& and the dealer
has other opportunities of profitin% thereby! Of course cri#ped cards are ne(er
dealt! "he cri#p is effectually taken out by bendin% in the opposite direction!
Replacing *alm When Cutting
AS / %eneral rule the card epert will not hold out ecept on his own deal for
the cut+ howe(er& we shall describe an eception that is at ti#es worked
successfully! "he player on the dealer3s ri%ht #ay hold out a pal# in either
hand& and replace it when %i(en the deck to cut! In %a#es wherein the whole
deck is dealt& the hold out is usually pal#ed in the ri%ht hand back to pal#!
-hen the deck is recei(ed he #akes a runnin% cut& sei.in% the deck by the
ends in both hands! "he first pass to take of the first s#all packet& is a blind&
and the pal#ed cards are dropped on the table! Precisely the sa#e #o(e#ent
is #ade as in takin% off a s#all packet by the ends! "hen the runnin% cut is
continued& lea(in% the pal#ed cards on the botto#!
/nother #ethod is to pal# in the left hand face to pal#! "he cut is #ade with
the ri%ht hand and then the deck placed in the left on the pal#ed cards& the
replacin% appearin% as a s5uare up! *ut this plan is risky& as there is little
ecuse for s5uarin% upon another3s deal! If a one handed fancy cut is #ade
with the ri%ht hand& and the cards left so#ewhat scattered& they #ay be with
#ore propriety& taken up into both hands and s5uared!
/ third way& and the #ost %enerally e#ployed& is for the ri%ht hand holdin% the
pal#ed cards back to pal# to #ake a cut by the ends& and then deposit the
pal#ed cards on the packet that was under& when pickin% it up to put in place!
"his is %ood in any %a#e as the pal#ed cards are dealt first!
7le(erly eecuted& a hold)out can be replaced in cuttin% without attractin% the
least notice& but it re5uires as #uch practice and study as any other artifice!
/s the player who cuts was the last dealer& it usually %i(es hi# a %ood
opportunity to hold out and arran%e desired cards+ and as such an ad(anta%e
is on another3s deal& it %reatly increases the percenta%es of the epert! "he
#ethods described can be successfully worked with as #any as ei%ht or ten
cards& thou%h of course the %reater the nu#ber& the #ore probability of the
dealer noticin% the di#inished condition of the deck++ but it re5uires a %ood
'ud%e to detect the absence of half a do.en or so! Of course cards so held out
to replace when cuttin% are arran%ed so that the desirable cards will fall to the
operator!
"he cautious and prudent epert #akes it a rule to ne(er 0hold out&0 or pal#
etra cards& or clear hi#self too #any& or obtain #ore than his share throu%h
any artifice& unless the re%ular procedure of the %a#e will brin% the deck into
his possession& so that he can %et rid of the etra 5uantity& naturally and
easily& by replacin% the# on the top or botto# of the pack! "o /%o south0 with
etra cards& i! e!& to drop the# in the lap& or conceal the# any place about the
person& or hold the# pal#ed durin% the play& or e(en to throw the# on the
discard heap when #akin% his own discard& is inartistic& and risky& and
unworthy of any but a neophyte or a bun%ler& Possibly the #ost closely
watched procedure& and the easiest to obser(e in a poker %a#e& is the nu#ber
of cards that are discarded+ and where there is the least suspicion& discardin%
too #any in the ordinary way is surely detected! -hen playin%& poker the
epert will hold too #any only on his own deal& and then only before the draw!
,e can pal# and replace the etra card or cards when about to deal the draw!
In 7ribba%e the non)dealer #ay hold out one or two cards& and after the crib is
laid out& replace the etra card when cuttin% for the turn)up! *ut in whatsoe(er
%a#e& where cards are held out at all& the rule holds %ood that they #ust be
restored& and at a #o#ent when the re%ular procedure of the %a#e
necessitates the handlin% of the deck!
7assino %i(es the dealer #any opportunities of holdin% too #any& as the deck
is continuously handled durin% the %a#e!
The Short &ec
A SI6P;E #ethod of obtainin% an ad(anta%e in #any %a#es is that of playin%
with a 0short0 deck! Se(eral cards are re#o(ed entirely fro# the pack but
retained in the #e#ory& and the %a#e is played without the#! "he knowled%e
that these particular cards are withheld enables the strate%ist to #ake his
calculations and play his own cards with a %reat deal #ore certainty! 7ards
held out entirely are usually destroyed& or otherwise effectually disposed of& so
as to preclude the possibility of the sche#er bein% disco(ered NNwith the
%oods on hi#!0 / (ery bold epedient at "wo ,anded 7assino is to dispose of
ei%ht cards! "his runs the deck to fi(e deals instead of si! "he lower cards are
usually selected& and of different deno#inations& say the four and si of
spades& and the deuce& tray& four& fi(e& se(en and ei%ht of other suits! -ith
this arran%e#ent& or depletion& an ad(ersary en'oyin% ordinary luck& will find in
su##in% up his points that he does not #ake 0cards0 or 0spades0 in a (ery
lon% ti#e indeed& and of course he credits his opponent with three points! "he
idea of so #any cards bein% withheld fro# the deck without bein% noticed will
doubtless cause certain 7assino players to s#ile! -e don3t think #any shrewd
players could be so i#posed upon& but we re%ret the truth of the confession
that once upon a ti#e we were& and we #ar(eled %reatly and also sorrowed&
o(er a continuous and (ery protracted run of 0hard luck!0
Three Card 'onte
WE 7/NNO" lea(e the %eneral sub'ect of card table artifice without %i(in%
so#e consideration to the ancient and honorable %a#e whose title furnishes
the headline for this para%raph! Only three cards are used& but the #ore
players the #errier! "he banker& or dealer& shows the faces of any three cards&
%enerally usin% one ace& and deals or throws the# face down in a row on the
table! Now he lays e(en #oney or perhaps two to one& that no player can pick
out the ace! In appearance it is the si#plest and easiest proposition a better
could desire! In reality it is pure chance or accident if he calls the turn! "he
cards are thrown so slowly& and apparently so openly& that it see#s like
robbin% the dealer to co(er his odds!
"his is really one of the #ost subtle and in%enious %a#blin% %a#es e(er
de(ised to win #oney honestly with cards! -e use the word 0honestly0 in the
sense that it #ay be applied to 5ualify any procedure in a %a#e of chance&
which %i(es the player a known percenta%e for or a%ainst hi#! In this instance
it is two to one in fa(or of the dealer+ but as the dealer lays the odds of two to
one& and the player keeps his eyes open& it would indicate that the player has
the better chance of winnin%! "he dealer lays out the three cards& and the
player takes his choice! One of the# is the ace& and there is no hocus)pocus
after the deal! Should the player select the ace he wins the #oney! *ut the
player3s chances are lessened 'ust because he watches the deal! -ere he to
#ake the selection at hap)ha.ard& his chances of one to two& a%ainst the
dealer3s odds of two to one& would #ake it an e(en break! "he banker3s
ad(anta%e lies in his ability to #ake the deal or throw! "he cards are usually
cri#ped len%thwise& the faces bein% conca(e& so the dealer #ay pick the# up
easily by the ends! "here is no other ad(anta%e in the cri#p& and the %a#e is
so#eti#es dealt with strai%ht cards! -hen bein% cri#ped the cards are placed
to%ether& so that all will be bent alike! "he deal or 0throw0 is perfor#ed as
follows1
;ay the three cri#ped cards in a row on the table face down! Pick up one of
the indifferent cards& by the ends& near the ri%ht side corners& with the ri%ht
hand thu#b and second fin%er& and show the face of this card to the players!
Now place this card fairly o(er the ace& lettin% the left sides of the two cards
touch& and pick up the ace with the thu#b and the third fin%er! Now the ri%ht
hand holds the two cards& their left side ed%es touchin%& and about half an inch
of space between the opposite sides+ the top card bein% held by the second
fin%er and thu#b& and the botto# card& or ace& by the third fin%er and thu#b!
Show the ace to the co#pany& keep the ri%ht hand suspended about si inches
fro# the table& pick up the third card with the left hand& and show it to the
co#pany! (See Fi%! KC!)
Now turn the faces down& #o(e the ri%ht hand o(er towards the left and with a
sli%ht downward swin% release the upper card& lettin% it drop flatly on the left
side of the table by 5uickly withdrawin% the ri%ht hand to its for#er position+
the rapid withdrawal %ettin% the lower card out of the way! /s the ri%ht second
fin%er releases the top card it instantly sei.es the lower card and the third
fin%er is strai%htened out& so when the ri%ht hand is a%ain stationary at its first
position o(er the table& the players #ay see that the fin%er that held the upper
card is still doin% duty& and the fin%er which held the lower card is now idle!
Now #o(e the left hand o(er towards the ri%ht& and drop its card there& then
a%ain #o(e the ri%ht hand o(er and drop the last card between the other two!
/s described abo(e& the blind takes place in the first #o(e#ent or throw! "he
ri%ht hand apparently drops the botto# card first& but in reality the top is
thrown! "he action is neither hurried or slow& and especially& not 'erky! "here
is no hesitation after the faces are turned down& and the #o(e#ents of both
hands are #ade unifor#ly and %racefully while the three cards are bein% laid
out!
"here is (ery little difficulty in ac5uirin% the ability to throw the top card first&
or in chan%in% the positions of the second and third fin%ers as the top card
falls& and a little practice at the %a#e enables an a#ateur to afford endless
a#use#ent or entertain#ent to his friends with this cunnin% play! "he proper
way to introduce it is to #ake the throw se(eral ti#es in the natural order&
that is& by droppin% the under card first& while eplainin% the %a#e to the
co#pany! "he ace should be picked up by either hand in the order it happens
to fall& and be held at either the top or botto# position in the ri%ht hand& and
the faces shown before each throw! "hen the blind throw is #ade and the
%uessin% and fun be%ins! -hen the deal is perfor#ed by a finished artist& it is
absolutely i#possible for the keenest eye to detect the ruse! E(en when the
process& or nature of the blind is understood& the player has no %reater
ad(anta%e sa(e that he knows enou%h not to bet! "he particular card cannot
be followed with the eye& and if the knowin% player were to bet on a blind
throw once& the dealer can #ake his net throw re%ular! "he dealer hi#self is
as hopelessly lost& if %uessin% a%ainst another who can throw e5ually as well!
/ second #ethod of #akin% the throw or deal is to hold the two ri%ht hand
cards between the second fin%er and thu#b only& the ri%ht third fin%er takin%
no part in the action and bein% held rather ostentatiously strai%ht out! -hen
the top card is thrown& the left little fin%er is #o(ed in under the end of the
third fin%er& and the tip catches and holds the corner of the lower card& while
the second fin%er releases both& so as to let the top card fall! "hen the second
fin%er instantly retakes its ori%inal position& and the little fin%er is released!
"he action of the little fin%er is co#pletely co(ered by the position of the third
fin%er! "his #ethod is perhaps #ore subtle& as it appears 5uite i#possible to
throw the top card without droppin% both!
/n addition to the %a#e is #ade by puttin% in a cri#p or upturn in a corner of
the ace! "hen se(eral throws are #ade& and a player finds he can locate the
ace 0'ust for fun0 e(ery ti#e! -hen perfect confidence is inspired& and the
cupidity of the player te#pts hi# to co(er the odds& a throw is #ade& the
player selects the card with the corner turned& and is a#a.ed to find he has
#issed the 0cinch!0 In a confidence %a#e& the corner of the ace is turned by a
0capper&0 who sei.es an opportunity when the careless ($) dealer turns to
epectorate& or on any pretet ne%lects his %a#e for a #o#ent! *ut the cri#p
can be put in& taken out& and a%ain put in the corner of another card durin%
the procedure of the throw!
"o cri#p the corner& pick up the ace with the second fin%er and thu#b of ri%ht
hand& second fin%er at #iddle of end& and let the third fin%er tip rest on top of
the card close to second fin%er! "hen catch the corner with the little fin%er and
s5uee.e it in& pressin% down with third fin%er tip& and the corner is cri#ped
upwards! "he corner is turned down a%ain by slippin% the third fin%er tip o(er
the end& and pullin% up+ and pressin% down on the corner with the little fin%er
tip! Either action can be perfor#ed in an instant as the card is picked up! Now
to #ake the 0corner0 throw the ace is picked up& shown& and cri#ped& then the
second card is picked up with the third fin%er and thu#b and shown& the left
hand picks up and shows the third card& and a natural throw is #ade which
lea(es the ace in the #iddle! "hen the ri%ht hand picks up the ri%ht hand card&
shows it& cri#ps the corner& picks up the ace& shows it& and the left hand picks
up the last card! Now the ri%ht hand holds the two turned corner cards& but the
fact that the upper one is cri#ped cannot be seen because of the positions of
the fin%ers& e(en when the face of the under one& which is the ace& is shown!
"his ti#e a blind throw is #ade& the ri%ht hand droppin% the top card first with
its corner turned& then the left hand card is thrown& and lon% ere this the ri%ht
hand has turned down the corner of the ace and it is dropped innocently in the
#iddle!
"he process of turnin% and re(ersin% the corners re5uires as #uch skill and
cle(erness as #akin% the throw! /ll details of the %a#e should be perfected
before it is atte#pted in co#pany& and nothin% but careful practice before a
#irror will enable an a#ateur to perfor# the action in anythin% like a
satisfactory #anner! *ut there is not a sin%le card feat in the whole calendar
that will %i(e as %ood returns for the a#ount of practice re5uired& or that will
#ystify as %reatly& or cause as #uch a#use#ent& or bear so #uch repetition&
as this little %a#e+ and for these reasons we belie(e it worthy of unstinted
effort to #aster thorou%hly!
'exican Three Card 'onte
W,EN the %a#e is played in the followin% #anner the better has no possible
chance to win& and yet it appears si#pler and easier shall the other! /n
entirely different subterfu%e is e#ployed by the dealer! "he three cards are left
perfectly flat! So#eti#es the four corners are turned the (ery least upwards&
#erely enou%h to allow one card to be slipped under the other when ;yin% face
down on the table& but the bend is not necessary!
"he dealer now shows the faces of the three cards& and slowly lays the# in a
row! "hen he #akes a pretense of confusin% the co#pany by chan%in% their
places on the table! Now in eplainin% the %a#e& he shows the faces of the
cards by pickin% up one& and with it turnin% o(er the others& by slippin% it
under the# and tiltin% the# o(er face up! "hen he turns the# down a%ain in
the sa#e #anner and lays down the third card! "his procedure is continued
until the co#pany understands the %a#e& and the #anner of showin% the
cards has %rown custo#ary& as it were!
-hen the bet is #ade and the player indicates his choice the dealer at once
proclai#s that the player has lost& and to pro(e it he picks one of the other
cards and with it rapidly turns o(er the player3s card& and then the third card&
and the third card pro(es to be the ace!
Of course the better can really select the ace e(ery ti#e& but he is not
per#itted to turn the cards hi#self& or touch the# at all! "he dealer echan%es
the card he picks up for the player3s card& and a%ain echan%es that for the
third card& when apparently turnin% the# o(er! "he echan%e is absolutely
i#possible to note& and is #ade as follows1
,old the card in the ri%ht hand between the tips of
thu#b and first fin%er close to ri%ht inner end corner&
thu#b on top! Slide the free side of this card under the
ri%ht side of the card on the table& until it is about two)
thirds concealed& but half an inch eposed at the outer end! (See Fi%! KE!) "his
will brin% the upper& inner end corner of the table card& a%ainst the tip of the
second fin%er! Now shift the thu#b to the corner of the table card& holdin% it
a%ainst the second fin%er& carryin% it to the left and turnin% o(er the lower
card with the tip of the first fin%er! (See Fi%! KD!)
Of course there is no hesitation in the action! "he
slippin% of the hand card under the table card&
and the turnin% o(er of the hand card& is done
with one #o(e#ent! "he table card is not shown
at this sta%e& but is slipped under the third card
and the echan%e is a%ain #ade in like #anner!
"hen the last card is shown!
"his #ethod of echan%in% can be worked with
the first #ethod of dealin% or throwin%& but in
such case the cards are not cri#ped!
"o perfor# this feat perfectly a cloth co(ered table #ust be used! -hen the
table is of polished wood the cards slip about& and it is #uch #ore difficult to
slip the hand card into position under the other!
)egerdemain
T,ERE is no branch of con'urin% that so fully repays the a#ateur for his labor
and study as sli%ht)of)hand with cards! "he artist is always sure of a
co#prehensi(e and appreciati(e audience! "here is no a#use#ent or pasti#e
in the ci(ili.ed world so pre(alent as card %a#es& and al#ost e(erybody lo(es
a %ood trick! *ut the special ad(anta%e in this respect is that the really cle(er
card)handler can dispense with the endless de(ices and preparations that
encu#ber the perfor#er in other branches! ,e is e(er prepared for the #ost
unepected de#ands upon his ability to a#use or #ystify& and he can sustain
his reputation with nothin% but the fa#ily deck and his ni#ble fin%ers& #akin%
his ehibition all the #ore startlin% because of its known i#pro#ptu nature
and si#ple accessories!
"o the student who wishes to #ake the #ost rapid pro%ress towards the actual
perfor#ance of tricks& we su%%est that he first take up the study and practice
of our BSyste# Of *lind Shuffles0 as tau%ht in the first part of this book&
ac5uirin% thorou%h proficiency in for#in% and usin% the 0'o%0 and 0break&0
which #ake this style of shuffle possible! ! -e are aware that all con'urers
ad(ise the shift or pass& as the first acco#plish#ent& and while we do not
belittle the #erits of the shift when perfectly perfor#ed& we insist that all or
any of the (arious #ethods of eecutin% it& are a#on% the #ost difficult feats
the student will be called upon to ac5uire& and i#posin% such a task at the
outset has a #ost discoura%in% effect! *ut so far as we can learn fro# the
ehibitions and literature of con'urers& not one of the# knows of& or at least
e#ploys or writes of& a satisfactory substitute+ hence their entire dependence
upon that artifice to produce certain results!
-hen the blind shuffles with the coincident 'o% and break& are thorou%hly
understood& the student should take up our BSyste# of Pal#in%0 also treated
in the first part& payin% particular attention to the 0botto# pal#&0 and with
e(en a #oderate de%ree of skill in these acco#plish#ents he will be enabled to
perfor# #any of the best tricks that con'urers #ake entirely dependent on the
shift!
For ea#ple& the co##on process for obtainin% possession of a selected card
when it is replaced in the deck is to insert the little fin%er o(er it& #ake a shift
brin%in% the lower packet with the selected card to the top& pal# it off in the
ri%ht hand& and %i(e the deck to the spectator to shuffle! Now it #ay be a
#atter of opinion& but we think it would appear 5uite as natural if the
perfor#er were to shuffle the deck hi#self& i##ediately when the card is
replaced in the #iddle& then pal# off and hand the deck to the spectator to
shuffle! If the spectator shuffles for the purpose of concealin% any knowled%e
of its whereabouts& the perfor#er3s shuffle #ay reasonably be epected to
increase the i#pression that it is hopelessly lost& and especially because his
shuffle is #ade without the least hesitation& turn& swin%& conceal#ent or
patter& and apparently in the #ost natural and re%ular way! "hen the
perfor#er3s shuffle %i(es a tacit reason for holdin% the deck while the card is
inserted& instead of per#ittin% the spectator to take the deck in his own hands!
-ell eecuted& the blind shuffle brin%s the card to the top or botto# at will&
defyin% the closest scrutiny to detect the #anipulation! "he card is then
pal#ed while s5uarin% up& and the deck now handed o(er for further shufflin%!
Should the perfor#er wish to pal# off the selected card without e#ployin% a
shuffle& we belie(e the B2ia%onal Pal# Shift0 is easier and far #ore
i#perceptible than the shiftin% of the two packets and then pal#in%& assu#in%
that the different processes are perfor#ed e5ually well! For this reason we
su%%est the early ac5uire#ent of the #entioned shift!
,owe(er& the enthusiast will not rest until e(ery sli%ht in the calendar has been
perfectly #astered& so that he #ay be enabled to nonplus and s5uelch that
particularly obnoious but e(er present indi(idual& who with his s#atterin% of
the co##oner sli%hts always knows 0eactly how it is done!0 /c5uirin% the art
is in itself a #ost fascinatin% pasti#e& and the student will need no further
incenti(e the #o#ent the least pro%ress is #ade!
"he finished card)table epert will eperience little or no difficulty in
acco#plishin% the (arious sli%hts that lie at the botto# of the con'urer3s tricks!
"he principal feats ha(e been already #astered in ac5uirin% the blind shuffles&
blind cuts& botto# deal& second deal& pal#in% and replacin%& the run& the
cri#p& cullin%& and stockin%+ and his trained fin%ers will readily acco##odate
the#sel(es to any new positions or actions! *ut the #ere ability to eecute the
sli%hts by no #eans fits hi# for the sta%e or e(en a drawin%)roo#
entertain#ent! In this phase of card)handlin%& as with card)table artifice& we
are of the opinion that the less the co#pany knows about the deterity of the
perfor#er& the better it answers his purpose! / #uch %reater interest is taken
in the tricks& and the denoue#ent of each causes infinitely #ore a#a.e#ent&
when the entire procedure has been conducted in an ordinary #anner& and
5uite free of ostensible cle(erness at prestidi%itation! If the perfor#er cannot
resist the te#ptation to parade his di%ital ability& it will #ar the effect of his
endea(ors #uch less by ad'urin% the ehibition of such sli%hts as pal#in% and
producin%& sin%le)hand shifts& chan%es& etc!& until the wind up of the
entertain#ent! *ut the sli%hts should be e#ployed only as a #eans to an end!
"he a#ateur con'urer who is not naturally blessed with a 0%ift of the %ab0
should rehearse his 0Patter0 or #onolo%ue as carefully as his action! "he
si#plest trick should be appropriately clothed with chicanery or plausible
sophistry which apparently eplains the procedure but in reality describes
about the contrary of what takes place!
"he principal sli%hts e#ployed in card tricks& that are not touched upon in the
first part of this book& are known as 0forcin%&0 0chan%es&0 0transfor#ations&0
and (arious #ethods of locatin% and producin% selected cards! -e shall also
describe other #ethods of shiftin% and pal#in%! -e should #ention that a shift
is ter#ed by the con'urer a 0pass!0
Shi$ts
4. Single !anded Shi$t
T,IS is known to con'urers as the 07harlier Pass&0 and we presu#e was
in(ented by the fa#ous #a%ician of that na#e!
,old the deck in the left hand face down& between
the thu#b tip at one side and first 'oints of second
and third fin%ers at opposite side& first 'oint of little
fin%er at end& and first fin%er etended at botto#! "o
#ake the shift release the lower portion of the deck
with the thu#b& lettin% it fall into the pal# (see Fi%!
KJ)& then push up the fin%er side of the fallen
portion& with the first fin%ertip& until it reaches the thu#b which is still
supportin% the upper portion! Now etend the second and third fin%ers sli%htly
so that the thu#b side of the upper portion will pass the upturned side of the
lower portion (see Fi%! KK)& then strai%hten out the first fin%er allowin% the
upper portion to drop down into the pal# and the lower portion on top of it!
"he little fin%er held at the #iddle of the end is of
%reat assistance in this shift& %i(in% better control of
both portions& and enablin% the perfor#er to hold
the deck #uch nearer a (ertical position! "he shift is
(ariably #ade with a sli%ht swin%& or up and down
#otion of the hand! It can be eecuted (ery rapidly&
and is the fa(orite one handed shift with #ost
eperts! It is usually e#ployed to recei(e and brin% a selected card to the top!
/s the perfor#er etends the deck to ha(e the selected card returned& he
raises the upper portion with the tip of the thu#b& and the selected card is
naturally placed in the openin%! In this position the shift is half #ade& the
condition bein% the sa#e as when the first #o(e#ent of droppin% the lower
portion into the pal# takes place! "he perfor#er now with an up or down
#otion& or swin% towards the person& tilts up the lower portion with the first
fin%er and the shift is #ade& brin%in% the selected card to the top to be
disposed of as desired!
The )ongitudinal Shi$t
This shift& for which we ha(e to thank no one& is %i(en a (ery lon% na#e& but
the reader who is interested sufficiently to practice the process& will find it a
(ery short shift and co#parati(ely an easy one!
,old the deck in the left hand& face down& first 'oint of
thu#b at #iddle of one side& first 'oint of second fin%er&
and second 'oint of third fin%er& at opposite side& and the
lower corner of the deck fittin% in between the third and
little fin%ers& at the base of little fin%er& the first fin%er
curled up a%ainst the botto#! Now brin% the ri%ht hand
o(er+ second& third and little fin%ers at outer end& first
fin%er curled up on top& thu#b at inner end! Separate the
deck with the ri%ht thu#b& at the inner end only& about half
an inch& and press the third 'oint of the little fin%er in
between the corners of the two packets to be shuffled! (See
Fi%! KL!) Now the deck is ready for the shift& but the ri%ht hand #ay be
withdrawn without disclosin% the break at the inner corner& or the fact that the
little fin%er runs between the packets! "he left thu#b and fin%er hold the
packets fir#ly to%ether and the deck could not ha(e a #ore innocent
appearance!
"o #ake the shift& brin% the ri%ht thu#b a%ainst the side of
the first fin%er& strai%hten out the first fin%er& press the end
of the lower packet in a%ainst the left little fin%er and down
a%ainst the curled up first fin%er& with the four ri%ht hand
fin%ers+ and with the left little fin%er and thu#b draw off the
upper packet towards the person (See Fi%! KF)& and as the
lower packet sprin%s into the ri%ht pal# brin% the upper
packet back underneath!
"he ri%ht thu#b takes no part in the shift& and a fa(orable
feature of the operation is that it #ay be perfor#ed without
the ri%ht hand appearin% to be used at all! "he ri%ht fin%ers
#ay be held al#ost strai%ht& and the pal# well away fro#
the deck& the hand bein% sli%htly closed as the lower packet sprin%s up! It can
be #ade with practically no noise& and the action is well co(ered!
If desired this shift can be #ade with al#ost the whole deck eposed& by
e#ployin% ri%ht second and third fin%ers only at end& and keepin% first fin%er
curled up on top! In this case the ri%ht thu#b tip catches the end of the lower
packet as it sprin%s up!
The "pen Shi$t
This is another outco#e of our constant but e(er
failin% efforts to de(ise a perfect shift& and incidentally
one that is not readily anticipated by the #anner of
holdin% the deck! "he particular feature of this #ethod
is the open position in which the cards are held& the
entire deck bein% eposed to (iew!
,old the deck in the left hand& the first 'oint of the
thu#b at one side& first 'oints of second& third& and
little fin%ers at opposite side& the little fin%er holdin% a
break between the two packets near the corner& and
the little and third fin%ers bein% separated about one
inch! "he first fin%er is curled up a%ainst the botto#!
*rin% the ri%ht hand o(er& and sei.e the ends of deck
close to ri%ht side corners& with the second fin%er and thu#b tips& the thu#b
sei.in% only the lower packet below the break& the first fin%er curled up on top!
(See Fi%! KG!) "he left third and little fin%ers take no part in the action and are
held idly out of the way!
"o #ake the shift& curl the ri%ht first fin%er
back o(er the side of the deck& between the
left little and third fin%ers& until the root of
the fin%er nail rests a%ainst the ed%e of the
top card! Now press the upper packet
a%ainst the left thu#b and downwards by
strai%htenin% out the ri%ht first fin%er& at
the sa#e ti#e drawin% the lower packet to
the ri%ht and upwards with the ri%ht thu#b and second fin%er (See Fi%! LH)&
and as the sides clear each other tilt the left side of the lower or ri%ht hand
packet up on top! "he upper packet should not fall into the left hand! It #ust
be cau%ht by the curled up first fin%er and first 'oints of the other left fin%ers&
as it clears the side of the under packet! "he left thu#b ne(er lea(es its
position a%ainst the side of the upper packet& and the tip should be held
sufficiently abo(e it to recei(e the lower packet as it is brou%ht on top! "he left
little fin%er is not inserted between the two packets& but #erely holds the
break!
"he shift can be #ade like a flash& and with the cards in perfect order! -hen
eecuted perfectly& the only sound is the slippin% of one packet o(er the other!
"here is no snap or crack& and it is in e(ery way worthy of the practice
necessary to ac5uire it! -ith the face of the deck turned upward it produces a
0transfor#ation0 that ranks with the best of the#!
"he sa#e shift #ay be #ade with the deck held flat in the pal#& the left
thu#b lyin% idly across the top& and the first fin%er at the side with the others&
but we #uch prefer the for#er position thou%h it is a %reat deal #ore difficult!
"he latter position is an ecellent one when it is necessary to #ake a shift that
is apparently a si#ple cut& in which e(ent the ri%ht hand does not tilt its packet
on top! "he hands i##ediately separate and the under packet is placed on top
when desired!
5. The S. W. E. Shi$t
WE ,/=E not dubbed the followin% process with
our initials because we wish to appear 0bi% on the
bills&0 but #erely to %i(e it a na#e! Still& we #ust
confess to so#e satisfaction in ha(in% ori%inated
what we belie(e to be the #ost rapid& and& for
certain purposes& the #ost perfect shift e(er
de(ised! "he #ethod is practically the sa#e as the
B;on%itudinal0 but as the deck is held crosswise it is
#uch #ore rapid! "he position is open and natural&
and the shift possesses #any ad(anta%es for
con'urin% purposes!
,old the deck in the left hand& face down& first 'oint of the thu#b a%ainst
#iddle of one end& second& third and little fin%ers a%ainst the opposite or lower
end& little fin%er holdin% a break between the two packets at end& by the corner
of the lower packet bein% between the little and third fin%ers& the little fin%er
lyin% partially across the corner of the under packet! (See Fi%! L@!)
"his position& like that of the 0;on%itudinal&0
allows the tips of the second& third and little
fin%ers to appear o(er the top of the deck& and
the fact that there is a break is not apparent to
a spectator! "he first fin%er is curled up a%ainst
the botto#! "he break is held only at the lower
end& and at the inside& the other fin%ers and
thu#b holdin% the packet fir#ly to%ether!
Now brin% the ri%ht hand o(er the lower or
ri%ht)hand end of the deck& and sei.e the sides close as possible to the lower
corners& between the second and third fin%ertips and thu#b& the first fin%er
curled up on top out of the way! "his lea(es at least two)thirds of the deck in
(iew! (See Fi%! LC!)
"o #ake the shift raise the ri%ht thu#b to the ed%e of the
side& draw the top packet in and down with the left thu#b
and little fin%er& and press the lower packet out and down&
between the ri%ht second and third fin%er tips and the left
first fin%er which is curled up underneath+ the left second
fin%er at the end helps to control the lower packet as it is
pressed out! "his action will tilt the opposite sides of both
packets upwards& and as they clear each other the ri%ht
thu#b tip catches the under packet& and the left third fin%er catches the upper
packet and it is brou%ht back underneath! (See Fi%! LE!)
-hen the shift is #astered the entire action is acco#plished by a pressure in
opposite directions on the lower packet& and the packets re(erse like a flash&
but of course it #ust be practiced slowly until the knack is obtained! "he
positions of the hands #ay be taken with easy deliberation& as there is no
indication that a shift is #editated! It #ay be #ade with the hands stationary
without eposin% the action! -ith the deck face up it #akes an instantaneous
0"ransfor#ation&0 and the position of the deck per#its the operator to %et a
%li#pse of the inde without bein% obser(ed!
"he shift #ay be #ade with the ri%ht hand al#ost entirely co(erin% the deck&
but this alters the whole character and ai# of the process& the #ain endea(or
is to #ake it as open and free fro# conceal#ent as possible!
6. The &iagonal *alm3Shi$t
T,E plan of ha(in% one or se(eral selected cards inserted in the deck& then
forcin% the# throu%h sli%htly dia%onally& and twistin% the# out to the top or
botto#& is well known to #ost con'urers& and by so#e is treated as a blind
shuffle! "hat the process is not satisfactory is seen by the fact that it is seldo#
or ne(er e#ployed& and but rarely e(en #entioned in any list of card sli%hts!
Our efforts to i#pro(e& or rather to co#bine the first part of this #anoeu(re
with a process for pal#in% the inserted cards& instead of
placin% the# on top or botto# of the deck& is shown in the
followin% description! "he action is silent& rapid&
undetectable if well perfor#ed& and takes place under the
ordinary #o(e#ent of passin% the deck to be shuffled!
,old the deck in the left hand& by sides& between the first
'oints of thu#b& and second& third and little fin%ers& first
fin%er curled up at botto#! /llow spectator to insert
selected card in outer end of deck& pushin% it in until about
half an inch only protrudes! Now brin% the ri%ht hand o(er
deck with the little fin%er at side corner of protrudin% card&
second and third fin%ers at #iddle of end& and first fin%er
close to end corner& and the thu#b close to the inner end
corner of the deck! /pparently push the card strai%ht
ho#e& but really push the protrudin% end with the ri%ht little fin%er& about
5uarter of an inch to the left& so that the ri%ht first fin%er can push the tilted
corner down the side of the deck& the card #o(in% sli%htly dia%onally& and the
opposite corner 'ust %ra.in% the ri%ht thu#b& and protrudin% about three)
5uarters of an inch! "he left third and little fin%ers are released sufficiently to
allow the card to protrude at the side! "he left thu#b now takes the place of
the ri%ht first fin%er& pushin% the corner flush with side of deck! ( See Fi%! LD!)
"he dia%onal position of the selected card is now perfectly concealed& and the
deck is held in a natural and re%ular #anner! / little practice at the dia%onal
slide enables one to %et the card in that position instantaneously! "he net
action is to pal# the selected card in the left hand& as the ri%ht passes the
deck to be shuffled!
-ith the left little fin%er a%ainst the side of card&
swin% or turn it inwards& usin% the ri%ht thu#b as a
pi(ot& strai%hten out left first& second& and third
fin%ers& catchin% the outer end as it turns& and at the
sa#e ti#e slidin% pack outwards and to the ri%ht&
the left hand turnin% o(er and inwards with the
pal#ed card (see Fi%! LJ) and the little fin%er slipped
to the end!
"here should be no force or twist e#ployed& the card
runnin% out as freely as thou%h drawn! "he card and
the deck #ust continue on the sa#e plane until 5uite
free of each other! "he left little fin%er #ay press the
side of the card (ery sli%htly upwards& so that as it is pal#ed it will bend into
instead of away fro# the left hand! /s the card is bein% turned by the little
fin%er the left thu#b is raised& lettin% the ri%ht thu#b with the corner of deck
pass under it& so that the card can lie parallel with& but still abo(e& the left
pal#! /s the deck is slid out& the ri%ht thu#b slides alon% the side of the card&
and it is not actually pal#ed until the hands are al#ost free of each other!
"he whole action #ay be #ade 5uick as a flash and
without a sound& yet when perfor#ed 5uite slowly is
still a perfect blind! "he left hand #ay sei.e the
deck by the corner& between the first fin%er and
thu#b& as the card is pal#ed& lea(in% the ri%ht
hand free (see Fi%! LK)+ but the beauty of the shift
is in the natural and si#ple #anner of pal#in% the
selected card& by the ordinary #o(e#ent the ri%ht
hand #akes in passin% the deck to be shuffled!
-e wish to particularly i#press our readers with the
#erits of this pal#)shift! It is not difficult if a proper understandin% of the
action is obtained& and it is of (ery %reat assistance in card tricks! It dispenses
to a %reat etent with the re%ular shifts and blind shuffles& and it can be
acco#plished under the (ery nose of a shrewd spectator without an inklin% of
what is takin% place! "he usual procedure of card)handlers is to insert the little
fin%er o(er the selected card& shift the two packets and pal# the card fro# the
top in the ri%ht hand! "his process takes #ore ti#e& the shift #ust be
concealed by a partial turn& swin% or drop of the hands+ and to pal#& the deck
#ust be co(ered at least for an instant! In the pal#)shift described the card is
placed in its dia%onal position with apparently the custo#ary #o(e#ent of
s5uarin% up& and the rest is acco#plished& as it were& by handin% the deck to
be shuffled!
Se(eral cards #ay be pal#ed to%ether& when inserted at different points& or
fro# one point& or fro# top& or botto#! If the top card is to be shifted& it is
slipped into the sa#e dia%onal position and held in place by the ri%ht little
fin%er bein% curled up on top! "he action is the sa#e! -hen the sin%le card
pal#)shift is ac5uired& the rest will co#e easily!
The %lind Shu$$le $or Securing Selected Card
!O;2 the deck across the left hand and when selected card is inserted& for#
break o(er it with left little fin%er close to side corner! Now sei.e the deck by
the ends fro# abo(e with the ri%ht thu#b and second fin%er& and close to ri%ht
side corners+ the ri%ht thu#b takin% up the break at the end& and with the left
thu#b and fin%ers turn the deck down on its side into the left pal# in the
position %i(en for blind)shufflin%& the ri%ht hand re#ainin% stationary& the
thu#b and fin%er bein% the pi(ots& as it were& allowin% the deck to turn& and
the ri%ht thu#b still holdin% the break! "he action appears 5uite natural& and
enables the thu#b to hold the break without #o(in%! I##ediately be%in the
shuffle! >nder)cut to about half portion abo(e break& shuffle off to break& in)
'o% first card and shuffle off! "hen under)cut to in)'o% and shuffle off! "his
action lea(es the selected card at the botto#! S5uare up& pal# botto# card in
left hand and pass deck to spectator to shuffle!
In #akin% the botto# pal# it #atters little whether one or se(eral cards are
pal#ed& and the action is 5uicker if not particular about the nu#ber!
Of course the selected card #ay be brou%ht to the top 'ust as easily& as an
understandin% of the BSyste# of *lind Shuffles0 #akes clear! "he only
difference in the fore%oin% action would be to 'o% the second card instead of
the first when the break is reached& and then under cut to the 'o% and throw
on top& instead of shufflin% off! *ut we consider the left hand work& or botto#
pal#in%& far superior to pal#in% fro# the top& and the se(eral #ethods %i(en
in the first part of the book will be found instantaneous& undetectable& and up
to the present unknown and conse5uently not suspected!
Forcing
'/N8 of the best card tricks are dependent upon ha(in% the co#pany select
one or #ore certain or particular cards& which after bein% replaced in the deck
and shuffled& are reproduced in (arious ways at so#e sta%e of the proceedin%!
7o#pellin% the co#pany to select such particular cards& without in the least
suspectin% the choice is influenced in any #anner& is called 0Forcin%!0 It is
probably used to a %reater etent than any other epedient& eceptin% the
shift!
"he usual #ethod of 0Forcin%0 is to brin% the particular card to the #iddle of
the deer+ by #eans of a shift& and hold its location by insertin% the little fin%er
at that point! Now the perfor#er& ad(ancin% the hands toward the spectator
opens the deck sli%htly fanwise& pushin% the cards with the left thu#b one
under the other into the ri%ht pal#& the ri%ht fin%ers aidin% the operation+
apparently to enable the spectator to take any card he #ay wish! /s he shows
an indication of selectin% one& the passin% #o(e#ent& which by this ti#e has
reached the located card& is stopped and the located card eposed a trifle #ore
than the others! /n unsuspicious person will naturally select the one easiest to
sei.e! In any case& he can %et no other& as the fin%ers and thu#bs of the
perfor#er3s hands hold the balance of the cards fir#ly! Should the spectator3s
fin%ers touch other than the particular card the perfor#er carelessly draws
back and closes the deck as thou%h he thou%ht a card were sei.ed& then& with
an ecuse& opens the deck a%ain! *ut a little practice at forcin% enables a
cle(er perfor#er to al#ost place the particular card in the spectator3s hand
without the least show of desi%n! "he action should be easy& but rather rapid&
and if the first spectator approached shows a disposition to be o(er
discri#inatin% he should be passed i##ediately and the net one #ay display
%reater alacrity! *ut should the first indi(idual %et the wron% card& there is no
har# done! "he perfor#er passes on to a #ore obli%in% spectator and forces
the particular card& and co#pletes the trick in conte#plation! "hen the first
card drawn is returned to the deck and used in so#e trick that does not
re5uire a prior knowled%e! If two or three cards are noted and located to%ether
the force beco#es si#pler& as a %reater liberty #ay be allowed in the selection
and& of course& the order of the se(eral cards enables the perfor#er to
deter#ine the particular card as it is selected!
*alming
,N /22I"ION to the #ethods %i(en in the first part of our book& which we
consider the best for %eneral purposes& we shall describe se(eral processes
that #ay be e#ployed ad(anta%eously under special circu#stances!
"he top cards #ay be pal#ed apparently without touchin% the deck in the
followin% #anner1 ,old the deck across the left pal#& the little fin%er well
inserted under the cards to be pal#ed& the first& second and third fin%ers
holdin% the cards fir#ly in place! Now #o(e the ri%ht hand& throu%h so#e
natural #oti(e& o(er the left& and as it passes within one inch or two strai%hten
out the left)hand fin%ers& forcin% the cards up into the ri%ht pal# with the little
fin%er& which is under the#! "he ri%ht hand either continues its #o(e#ent as it
sli%htly closes o(er the pal#ed cards or else sei.es the deck in a #anner to
epose it fully& and the left hand #akes so#e %esture or natural #o(e#ent!
/ si#ple way to pal# one top card is to push it sli%htly o(er the side under
co(er of the ri%ht hand& then press down on its outer)end corner with the ri%ht
little fin%ertip& and it will sprin% up into the ri%ht pal#!
In all cases of pal#in% the deck should be co(ered for the s#allest possible
space of ti#e& and the co(erin% and eposin% should be #ade under so#e
natural pretet& such as s5uarin% up the cards& or passin% the deck to the
other hand& or chan%in% its position in the hand& or turnin% it o(er!
The %ac *alm
WE /RE afraid the abo(e title is a #isno#er! "he cards to be concealed are
transferred to the back of the hand! ,old the card in the ri%ht hand face up
between the tip of the thu#b at one end and tips of second and third fin%ers at
opposite end& the first 'oints of the first and little fin%ers hold the sides! (See
Fi%! LL!) "o #ake the 0pal#0 slip the tips of the second and third fin%ers under
the end of the card and curl the# down until they co#e under the thu#b& at
the sa#e ti#e pushin% the card outward with the thu#b until the inner corners
reach the first and little fin%ers& which hold it in position! (See Fi%! LF!) Now&
strai%hten out the four fin%ers& clippin% the corners of the card between the
little and third fin%ertips and the first and second fin%ertips& and the card lies
alon% the back of the hand! (See Fi%! LG!)

"o brin% it to the front a%ain curl the four fin%ers a%ain into the pal#&
strai%hten the first fin%ertip a little so that the thu#b #ay take its place
holdin% the card& then draw the card as far as possible toward the wrist with
the thu#b and little fin%er& strai%htenin% out the other fin%ers& then clip the
corner between the first and second fin%ertips& and slide the little fin%er alon%
the side of the card until it is strai%ht out& this ti#e clippin% the outer corners
between the sa#e fin%ers instead of pal#in% in the usual way!
Se(eral cards #ay be transferred back and forth in this #anner& and one at a
ti#e #ay be produced fro# the back without showin% the rest! Perfection in
the feat enables a perfor#er to show both sides of the hand& transferrin% the
cards as it is turned o(er! / sli%ht up)and)down #otion and)a backward turn of
the wrist is used!
/s an ehibition of deterity this is probably unsurpassed in card #anipulation&
but it is of little aid in the perfor#ance of tricks! ,owe(er& e(erythin% #ay be
put to so#e use& and the back pal# once helped us out of a difficult
situation))0but that is another story!0
Changes
.N2ER this %eneral headin% we shall describe se(eral of the best #ethods
known for secretly echan%in% one or se(eral cards separated fro# the pack&
for others in the pack or held in the other hand!
4. The Top Change
!O;2 the deck in the left hand crosswise&
face down& the thu#b restin% across the
top! ,old the card to be echan%ed in the
ri%ht hand between the thu#b and first
fin%ertips& thu#b on top fin%er under! Now
the hands are brou%ht to%ether for an
instant by an easy swin%& both hands #o(in% in the sa#e %eneral direction but
one hand faster than the other! /s they #eet the left thu#b pushes the top
card sli%htly o(er the side& the ri%ht hand places its card on top and clips the
protrudin% card between the tips of the first and second fin%ers& carryin% it off
(see Fi%! FH)& the left thu#b retainin% the now top card and slidin% it back into
position on the deck! In theory it see#s that this action will be (ery easily
noticed! In practice& if cle(erly perfor#ed& it is al#ost i#possible to detect! "he
%eneral #o(e#ent or swin% of the hands is not stopped when the echan%e is
#ade but continued until they are separated a%ain by so#e little distance& and
the swin% should be taken naturally& with so#e ulterior #oti(e& such as playin%
the card on the table or %i(in% it to so#e one to hold! / sli%ht turn of the
person #ay brin% the hands easily to%ether! "he swin% #ay be #ade in any
direction& in or out& up or down& to the ri%ht or left& the one hand followin% or
passin% the other& but in no case stoppin% until well separated a%ain!
5. The %ottom Change
,N ",IS process the action is #uch
the sa#e& the difference bein% that
the card in the ri%ht hand is passed to
the botto# of the deck& the ri%ht hand
carryin% off the top card as before!
,old the ri%ht hand card between the
thu#b and first and second fin%ertips&
first fin%er on top! ,old the deck with the thu#b and first fin%er& droppin% the
other fin%ers sli%htly to recei(e the ri%ht)hand card& drawin% it back under the
deck as the hands separate! "he top card is pushed o(er as before and carried
off by the ri%ht thu#b and first fin%er! (See Fi%! F@!) "he swin% of the hands is
#ade in the sa#e #anner! "he only difficulty in this chan%e is %ettin% the card
fairly back under the deck with the left fin%ers!
6. The *alm Change
,N ",IS process an entirely different subterfu%e is e#ployed& and it is
probably the #ost in%enious e(er de(ised for the purpose!
"he two cards to be echan%ed are held in
the ri%ht hand by the ends between the
second and third fin%ertips and the thu#b&
and close to%ether& so that when shown to
the co#pany they appear as one! "he ri%ht
hand is now turned pal# down and the left
hand apparently takes the card that was
eposed& layin% it on the table& but in reality
takes the second card& lea(in% the other one
pal#ed in the ri%ht hand! "his is done by sei.in% both cards between the left
thu#b and second and third fin%ers& and drawin% out the upper one with the
thu#b and pressin% the lower one up into the ri%ht pal# with the left fin%ers
as the top one is drawn off! (See Fi%! FC!)
"his chan%e is one of the si#plest and easiest feats in the whole ran%e of card
sli%hts& and yet one of the #ost useful and undetectable! "he action should be
perfor#ed in about the sa#e ti#e and #anner that would ordinarily be taken
in transferrin% a card fro# one hand to the other!
7. The &ouble *alm Change
T,IS #ethod #ay be e#ployed to echan%e one or
se(eral cards! "he cards to be echan%ed lie in a packet
on the table face up! "he other cards are secretly
pal#ed face down in the left hand! "he left hand now
picks up the packet on the table by the sides& between
the thu#b and second and third fin%ertips& and transfers
the packet to the ri%ht hand! /s the left hand turns pal#
up the ri%ht hand pal#s the packet 'ust picked up and
sei.es the packet in the left pal# by the sides& carryin%
it slowly and openly away& and the left hand is seen
e#pty! (See Fi%! FE!)
/s the ri%ht hand pal#s the upper cards the left first fin%er curls up under the
pal#ed cards& bendin% the# upward& thus enablin% the ri%ht hand to sei.e
the# easier and also effectually takin% out the cri#p or bend that #ay ha(e
been caused while so closely pal#ed!
"he only ob'ectionable feature of this chan%e is that the ri%ht hand carries the
packet away by the sides& while it #ay ha(e been noticed that the packet first
in (iew was sei.ed by the ends! *ut this is a splendid chan%e for #any
purposes!
Trans$ormations3Two !ands
T,E card con'urer in #any instances purposely produces the wron% card& and
when his error ($) is proclai#ed by the co#pany or the indi(idual& he coolly
proposes to 0#ake %ood0 by transfor#in% the wron% card into the ri%ht one!
"his is usually done by placin% the wron% card on the top or botto# of the deck
and #akin% the 0"ransfor#ation0 with the aid of both hands or only one!
4. First 'ethod
T,E ri%ht hand holds the wron% card& which has 'ust
been ehibited+ the left hand holds the deck
between the thu#b and second& third and little
fin%ers at the sides& first fin%er at end& the back of
deck to the pal# and the selected card on the
botto#! "he deck is in(erted or the hand turned
pal# down& so that the botto# card cannot be
seen! "he ri%ht hand now openly places the wron%
card on the botto# of the deck and carelessly
shows the pal# e#pty! "hen the tips of the ri%ht)
hand fin%ers are placed a%ainst the botto# of the deck& both hands turnin% it
up in (iew& showin% the wron% card that was 'ust placed there! *ut as the deck
is turned up the ri%ht fin%ertips push the wron% card up a%ainst the left first
fin%er& about one inch& so that the ri%ht pal# a little below the base of the
fin%ers #ay be pressed a%ainst the selected card& which is the net one! "his
card is drawn down slowly by pressin% a%ainst it& the downward #o(e#ent
bein% apparently to %i(e the co#pany a full (iew of the wron% card! (See Fi%!
FD!) -hen the ends of the two cards pass each other the lower card is tilted on
top and the ri%ht pal# a%ain co(ers the whole deck& carryin% the selected card
alon%& and the left first fin%er presses the wron% card back into position! "he
perfor#er now pronounces the talis#anic word& shows the ri%ht hand e#pty&
and the transfor#ation acco#plished!
7le(erly eecuted& this is a (ery effecti(e slei%ht& and there is little or no
difficulty in ac5uirin% it! It #ay be perfor#ed rapidly or slowly& as the operator
fancies!
5. Second 'ethod
!O;2 the deck in the left hand& between the thu#b and
second& third and little fin%ers& at sides& first fin%ertip a%ainst the back near
end& and the back& or top card& the selected card+ the wron% card bein% on the
botto#& or placed there and held in full (iew! "o #ake the transfor#ation brin%
the ri%ht hand o(er the deck with the four fin%ertips a%ainst the end! Slide or
push the selected card with the first fin%ertip up a%ainst the ri%ht)hand fin%er
ends& drawin% the deck down toward the wrist until it clears the lower end of
the selected card& which is pressed into the ri%ht pal# by the left first fin%er!
(See Fi%! FJ!) "hen slide the deck back to its first position! "his slei%ht #ay be
#ade in an instant and the action is fully co(ered!
6. Third 'ethod
!O;2 the deck in left hand& restin% on its side across the third 'oints of the
four fin%ers& tip of thu#b on top side& face to the co#pany! 7o(er face with
the ri%ht hand held 5uite flatly+ tilt top side of deck sli%htly toward ri%ht hand+
drop left thu#b to the back& and push up the top card! /s it co#es abo(e the
side brin% the ri%ht hand up and back o(er the left thu#b& catchin% the up)
co#in% card a%ainst the side of the hand and pal#in% it as it is carried o(er&
the left thu#b aidin% the pal#in% by pressin% the card ho#e! "he left thu#b
then instantly retakes its position on the top side of the deck! "he #o(e#ent
of the ri%ht hand is #ade apparently to show the botto# card! "he ri%ht hand
now a%ain co(ers the deck for an instant& lea(in% the pal#ed card there!
Pal#in% the back card in this #anner #ay be done (ery rapidly& but a slow
#o(e#ent is satisfactory!
7. Fourth 'ethod
T,E action of this transfor#ation is identical with the
"hird 6ethod but the first and little fin%ers are held
a%ainst the ends of the deck close to the lower corners&
the thu#b and second and third fin%ers at the top and
botto# sides as before! In this position the deck is held
#uch #ore fir#ly& and it beco#es easier for the left
thu#b to push up one card at a ti#e& the fin%ers at the
ends restrainin% the other cards! "he ri%ht hand
perfor#s its part as in the "hird 6ethod! "he
i#pro(e#ent is our own! (See Fi%! FK!)
9. Fi$th 'ethod
!O;2 the deck in the left hand& thu#b and three fin%ers at opposite sides& first
fin%er a%ainst end! 7o(er the deck with the ri%ht hand but run the ri%ht thu#b
underneath! Now draw out the under card with the ri%ht thu#b& pal#in% it&
and a%ain co(er the deck& lea(in% the pal#ed card on top!
:. Sixth 'ethod
#O- we introduce another 0ho#e#ade0 article&
and conse5uently unknown up to the present! -e
think it is (ery pretty!
,old the deck in the left hand by the ends&
between the tips of the thu#b and second and
third fin%ers& the first fin%er restin% a%ainst the
side and the little fin%ertip a%ainst the botto#&
close to the corner& the face of the deck to the
co#pany and the fin%er end down! *rin% the ri%ht
hand forward so that the little)fin%ertips #eet at the corner of deck& the pal#
partly facin% the co#pany and showin% the hand e#pty& the wrists bein% about
si inches apart! Now& with the left little fin%ertip push the corner of the lower
card sli%htly o(er the side& and clip it with the ri%ht little fin%ertip& so that it is
fir#ly held between the two tips (see Fi%! FL)& and press it down a%ainst the
left third fin%er& turnin% the ri%ht hand o(er and #o(in% the upper end of the
deck to the left at the sa#e ti#e! "his action will cause the lower card to swin%
out at the upper end& and it is cau%ht and pal#ed by the ri%ht hand as the
hand turns o(er!
"he left little fin%er is etended as the turn is
#ade& pressin% the card fir#ly a%ainst the ri%ht
fin%ers! (See Fi%! FF!) Now the ri%ht hand
i##ediately sei.es the deck close to the lower
end& and the left hand releasin% it& is shown
e#pty! "hen the left hand a%ain sei.es the deck&
but this ti#e by the sides& with the little fin%er
a%ainst the lower end! "he ri%ht hand is now
released and passed rapidly downward o(er the
deck& lea(in% the pal#ed card on top& and the
ri%ht hand is shown e#pty! "he left little fin%er at the end aids the replacin% by
catchin% the pal#ed card as the ri%ht hand is drawn down!
Of course& the perfor#er #akes the #o(e#ents of passin% the deck fro# hand
to hand and showin% the hands e#pty& ostensibly to pro(e that no pal#in%
takes place! "he act of pal#in%& if cle(erly perfor#ed& is absolutely
undetectable+ the ri%ht hand turnin% o(er 'ust in ti#e and sufficiently to co(er
the card co#in% out& but not obstructin% the continued (iew of the face of the
deck! "he actual pal# can be #ade as rapidly as desired and without a sound!
Our readers should culti(ate this 0"ransfor#ation&0 thou%h it #ay take so#e
little practice to ac5uire perfectly!
Trans$ormations3"ne !and
4. First 'ethod
!O;2 the deck in the left hand& the thu#b well etended across the face& first
fin%er at end& second and little fin%ers at side and third fin%er curled in as far
as possible underneath! Grip the top card with the thu#b and draw it back&
tiltin% up the deck with the third fin%er until the top card clears the side (see
Fi%! FG!)& then press the top card down between the curled)up fin%er and deck
by brin%in% the thu#b a%ain to its ori%inal position across top! (See Fi%! GH!)
"he third and little fin%er ends steady the pack as it is tilted upward& but the
first fin%er takes no part in the action! "he top card #ust be %ripped well into
the root of the thu#b and drawn back as far as possible as the deck is bein%
tilted up!

"he action should be co(ered by a swin%& and as it is etre#ely difficult to
eecute without so#e noise the co#pany #i%ht be infor#ed that if they
cannot see the 0"ransfor#ation0 they will be per#itted to hear it! "he rapidity
of the action is proportionate to the skill of the perfor#er& and it #ay be #ade
with the hand in any position!
5. Second 'ethod
T,IS blind shuffle& or rather riffle& will re5uire considerable practice to perfor#
nicely& but it is worth it!
Sei.e the deck with both hands& face down&
second and third fin%ers at one side& thu#bs
at the opposite side& little fin%ers at opposite
ends! held so#ewhat under the deck& and first
fin%ers curled in with tips on top! "he second
fin%ers touch each other at #iddle of side& and
the thu#bs touchin% at opposite side! Each
hand occupies identically the sa#e position!
Now di(ide the pack with the thu#bs and
draw off the upper portion with the ri%ht hand+ place the inner corners of the
outer ends to%ether so that the two packets for# a sharp an%le& but the ri%ht
hand packet about half an inch further out! Now riffle or sprin% the corners of
the left hand packet into the ri%ht hand packet& both thu#bs sprin%in% the
cards& but be%innin% with the left thu#b and finishin% with the ri%ht& so that
the left hand holds se(eral cards that are not interwo(en at the botto#& and
about half a do.en of the ri%ht hand packet are still free on top! (See Fi%! GD!)
Now shift the left hand sli%htly so that the four fin%ers lie across the botto# of
its packet& and with the ri%ht hand spread the top cards fawns o(er the left
packet! /t the sa#e ti#e brin%in% the inner ends of the two packets towards
each other& twistin% out the riffled upper corners and replacin% the ri%ht hand
packet on top!
/s the inner ends are brou%ht to%ether the two packets are spread so#ewhat&
and the ri%ht little and third fin%ers twist out the botto# card first& and bend it
in on top of the left hand packet sli%htly in ad(ance of the rest! "his pre(ents
any of the other cards %oin% wron%! "he #ore fawns the packets are spread
durin% the operation the #ore perfect the blind! "he deck should be s5uared
up rather slowly& the left thu#b and fin%ers holdin% the deck+ with the cards in
their irre%ular condition& the ri%ht hand bein% released and pushin% or pattin%
the cards into position! 7are should be taken not to riffle the corners far into
each other! "he #erest hold is sufficient& and in fact if the packets can be held
under perfect control the cards need not be interlocked at all& and the difficulty
of the twistin% out process is a(oided! *y sli%htly spreadin% the two packets as
the sprin%in% or rifflin% of the sides is continued the appearance of the corners
bein% interlocked is perfectly #aintained!
"his shuffle can be perfor#ed (ery rapidly& and with perfect control of the
cards& and it is an ecellent one for con'urin%& as these perfor#ers ne(er riffle
on the table! *ut& as we ha(e #entioned& it is difficult& and if the operator is
not a skillful card handler he will find it 5uite a task to e(en riffle in the two
packets& and this is the si#plest part of the operation!
-hen this riffle is alternated with the fore%oin% shuffle it re5uires (ery close
scrutiny of a (ery knowin% card epert to detect the fact that the operation is a
blind!
%lind Shu$$les( Retaining Entire "rder
,N ",E first part of our book we described two blind shuffles for retainin%
either the upper or lower half of the deck in the sa#e order& yet apparently
shufflin% the whole deck! Retainin% the whole deck in a prearran%ed order is
seldo# or ne(er atte#pted& or e(en desired& at the card table! *ut the
con'urer perfor#s #any (ery interestin% tricks throu%h such an arran%e#ent+
therefore it is necessary to pro(ide a blind shuffle that will not disturb any part
of the deck! "he followin% #ethods for retainin% the entire order will be found
sufficiently decepti(e for his purpose& thou%h by no #eans so perfect in
appearance as the processes already described!
4. First 'ethod
!O;2 the deck in the left hand& crosswise& in the custo#ary #anner for the
hand shuffle! >ndercut with the ri%ht hand about three)5uarters of the deck&
and brin% it down in the usual way of shufflin% on top of the packet in the left
hand& droppin% a s#all packet fro# the top! Now& in raisin% the ri%ht hand
a%ain& still in the ordinary #anner& sei.e the lower packet that was first left in
the left hand between the ri%ht third fin%er and thu#b& brin%in% it up with the
rest of the cards& the packet that was dropped fro# the top now fallin% a%ainst
the left fin%ers& concealin% the fact that the under packet is withdrawn! (See
Fi%! GE!)
Now& with the left fin%ers tilt the packet o(er
a%ainst the left thu#b& and drop another s#all
packet fro# the top of the ri%ht hand portion
into the left hand between its packet and the
fin%ers& still with the usual #o(e#ent for
shufflin%! "he left thu#b now tilts the packet
back on the other& and the ri%ht hand #akes its
custo#ary #o(e#ent downward& but this ti#e
drops the lower packet that is held between the
third fin%er and thu#b& by si#ply releasin% the
pressure of the third fin%er! Now the left hand portion is a%ain tilted a%ainst
the thu#b& the ri%ht hand droppin% another packet fro# the top& then the left
hand packet is tilted back& and the ri%ht hand throws the balance on top! "his
process lea(es the order the sa#e& the deck ha(in% recei(ed but a si#ple cut!
"he ri%ht hand #akes fi(e up and down #o(e#ents in the ordinary or re%ular
#anner of shufflin%& and without hesitatin% for an instant! "he left fin%ers and
thu#b keep up the process of tiltin% its portion back and forth& allowin% the
ri%ht hand packets to fall abo(e and below it! "he actions of the ri%ht hand in
brin%in% up the first packet fro# the left hand& with the first upward
#o(e#ent& and in releasin% it a%ain on the third downward #o(e#ent (instead
of droppin% a packet fro# the top) are undetectable if the shuffle is perfor#ed
with so#e de%ree of rapidity and s#oothness! It is not at all difficult& but so#e
practice is necessary!
"he #ode of shufflin% o(er and under the left hand packet is co##only
e#ployed& and incites no notice! "he shuffle #ay be repeated as desired& and
should be (aried with an occasional cut!
5. Second 'ethod
T,IS blind shuffle& or rather riffle& will re5uire considerable practice to perfor#
nicely& but it is worth it!
Sei.e the deck with both hands& face down&
second and third fin%ers at one side& thu#bs
at the opposite side& little fin%ers at opposite
ends! held so#ewhat under the deck& and first
fin%ers curled in with tips on top! "he second
fin%ers touch each other at #iddle of side& and
the thu#bs touchin% at opposite side! Each
hand occupies identically the sa#e position!
Now di(ide the pack with the thu#bs and
draw off the upper portion with the ri%ht
hand+ place the inner corners of the outer
ends to%ether so that the two packets for# a sharp an%le& but the ri%ht hand
packet about half an inch further out! Now riffle or sprin% the corners of the
left hand packet into the ri%ht hand packet& both thu#bs sprin%in% the cards&
but be%innin% with the left thu#b and finishin% with the ri%ht& so that the left
hand holds se(eral cards that are not interwo(en at the botto#& and about half
a do.en of the ri%ht hand packet are still free on top! (See Fi%! GD!) Now shift
the left hand sli%htly so that the four fin%ers lie across the botto# of its
packet& and with the ri%ht hand spread the top cards fawns o(er the left
packet! /t the sa#e ti#e brin%in% the inner ends of the two packets towards
each other& twistin% out the riffled upper corners and replacin% the ri%ht hand
packet on top!
/s the inner ends are brou%ht to%ether the two packets are spread so#ewhat&
and the ri%ht little and third fin%ers twist out the botto# card first& and bend it
in on top of the left hand packet sli%htly in ad(ance of the rest! "his pre(ents
any of the other cards %oin% wron%! "he #ore fawns the packets are spread
durin% the operation the #ore perfect the blind! "he deck should be s5uared
up rather slowly& the left thu#b and fin%ers holdin% the deck+ with the cards in
their irre%ular condition& the ri%ht hand bein% released and pushin% or pattin%
the cards into position! 7are should be taken not to riffle the corners far into
each other! "he #erest hold is sufficient& and in fact if the packets can be held
under perfect control the cards need not be interlocked at all& and the difficulty
of the twistin% out process is a(oided! *y sli%htly spreadin% the two packets as
the sprin%in% or rifflin% of the sides is continued the appearance of the corners
bein% interlocked is perfectly #aintained!
"his shuffle can be perfor#ed (ery rapidly& and with perfect control of the
cards& and it is an ecellent one for con'urin%& as these perfor#ers ne(er riffle
on the table! *ut& as we ha(e #entioned& it is difficult& and if the operator is
not a skillful card handler he will find it 5uite a task to e(en riffle in the two
packets& and this is the si#plest part of the operation!
-hen this riffle is alternated with the fore%oin% shuffle it re5uires (ery close
scrutiny of a (ery knowin% card epert to detect the fact that the operation is a
blind!
6. Third 'ethod
T,IS is another for# of the second #ethod! "he deck is sei.ed with the
thu#bs and fin%ers at the ends instead of at the sides& the little fin%ers %oin%
under the sides& the positions bein% identical& only that the deck is turned
endwise!
-hen the deck is separated into the two packets the thu#bs riffle the inner
corners to%ether& the left fin%ers are shifted across the botto#& the ri%ht
thu#b spreads the top cards o(er the left hand packet& and the ri%ht hand
brin%s the outer ends of the two packets towards each other& twistin% out the
interlocked corners and placin% the ri%ht hand packet a%ain on top in #uch the
sa#e #anner!
In this #ethod the packets are easier controlled& and it is hard to say which is
the better! *ut we think for con'urin% purposes the #ore the #ethods for blind
shufflin% are (aried the %reater are the probabilities of con(incin% the co#pany
that the cards are %enuinely #ied+ pro(idin% always& that the se(eral
#ethods e#ployed appear the sa#e as those in co##on e(ery)day usa%e!
7. Fourth 'ethod
T,IS is a (ery barefaced blind& si#ple& etre#ely easy& and surprisin%ly
decepti(e when cle(erly perfor#ed!
Rest the deck on its side in the left hand in the usual position for shufflin%& but
hold the first fin%er a%ainst and alon% the end! >nder cut about half the deck
with the ri%ht hand& the first fin%er on the top side& and #ake the ordinary
#o(e#ent to interlock or force the ri%ht hand cards down a#on% those in the
left hand& brin%in% the sides to%ether for that purpose! /llow a few of the cards
fro# the top of the ri%ht hand packet to drop down on top of the other packet&
but pre(ent the# fro# %oin% 5uite to the left pal# with the left thu#b! Now
keep up a constant lateral #o(e#ent with the ri%ht hand& shiftin% the packet
rapidly len%thwise about half an inch each way& as thou%h forcin% the two
packets to interlace& but really droppin% the upper cards on top of the left hand
packet& by holdin% the ri%ht hand packet sli%htly dia%onally o(er the lower one&
so that the inner corner of the ri%ht hand packet is 'ust o(er the side of the
lower one! 2rop the top cards o(er in this #anner until all are apparently
interlocked about half way or #ore& then strike the# on the top side with the
fin%ers held flatly& dri(in% the# down e(en& and s5uare up the deck!
"he first fin%er held a%ainst the end and the first or top cards of the ri%ht hand
packet& %oin% o(er i##ediately as the sides are brou%ht to%ether& effectually
conceal the ruse! If the process of actually interlockin% the cards is tried it will
be seen how perfectly the action can be i#itated! /n occasional cut tends to
increase the deception!
9. Fi$th 'ethod
T,IS process is (ery #uch e#ployed by #any cle(er card con'urers who ou%ht
to know better& and we include it only because it is in co##on use and to
su%%est its re'ection! It consists in pushin% s#all packets alternately fro# the
top and botto# of the portion held in one hand to the botto# and top of the
portion held in the other! "he deck is held in the left hand and se(eral cards
are pushed o(er by the left thu#b into the ri%ht hand! "hen the left fin%ers
push se(eral cards fro# the botto# on top of the ri%ht hand cards! "hen the
left thu#b a%ain pushes se(eral fro# the top& but these are recei(ed under the
ri%ht hand portion! "he left fin%ers now push se(eral fro# the botto# to the
top of the ri%ht hand portion& and so on until the left hand is e#pty! "his
clu#sy 'u%%lin% #i%ht pro(e satisfactory if perfor#ed by an awkward no(ice
before a parcel of school children& but it appears si#ply ridiculous in the hands
of a card con'urer& who& it is presu#ed& knows how to shuffle a deck in the
custo#ary #anner& and with at least the de%ree of s#oothness that any
ordinary person #i%ht possess!
'ethods $or &etermining a Card Thought o$
,N ",REE of the followin% instances the spectator has no choice& as he is
supposed to think of a card he sees& and the perfor#er shows hi# but one&
thou%h apparently without desi%n! In the fourth instance a #ost in%enious ruse
is e#ployed& the spectator bein% %i(en perfect freedo#& yet the card is
deter#ined al#ost as surely!
A.
,old the deck in the left hand& thu#b
across top near inner end& and first and
second fin%ers at side! *rin% o(er the ri%ht
hand and sei.e deck with fin%ers at outer
ends& thu#b at inner end& and hold so that
the outer ends of the cards #ay be sprun%
or 0ruffled&0 with the faces towards the
spectator! Re5uestin% hi# to think of a
card& sprin% the ends rapidly& stoppin% for an instant at any one place (see Fi%!
GJ)& then co#pletin% the ruffle! "he sprin%in% is perfor#ed at such a pace that
the spectator can reco%ni.e but one card& which is #ore fully eposed by the
#o#entary lull in the sprin%in%& and at this point the perfor#er for#s and
holds a break with end of left second fin%er! /t the end of the first ruffle ask if
card has been noted& and if not repeat the action& but of course hesitatin% at
so#e other point!
%.
,old the deck len%thwise in the ri%ht hand& face
to pal#& between second 'oint of thu#b and
ends of fin%ers! *end fin%er end downwards and
allow ends to escape rapidly& sprin%in% the#
into the left hand in the usual #anner of the
flourish! ,esitate or stop the sprin%in% for an
instant& at any sta%e of the operation (see Fi%!
GK)& and the only card that the perfor#er can
notice or fairly distin%uish will be the probable
selection of the spectator! Of course the
perfor#er conceals his notice of the cards as far
as possible!
C.
,old the deck across the left pal# face down& etend it towards a spectator&
re5uestin% hi# to think of one of the#! /s he cannot see any he will naturally
atte#pt to take the deck in his hands& or cut off a portion! In either case let
hi# cut only& and the #o#ent he sees the botto# card of his packet thank hi#
and take back the cut& holdin% a break at the location!
&.
"his cunnin% and absolutely unfatho#able strata%e# #ust ha(e been de(ised
by an indi(idual of truly 6achia(elian subtlety! "he deck is held in the left hand
face down and the cards are taken off in the ri%ht hand and held face to the
spectator! Each card is counted as it is taken off the deck& and the ri%ht hand
packet is kept well s5uared up& so that but one card re#ains eposed to (iew!
/s the cards are eposed the hands are parted so#e little distance& and the
action of drawin% off the cards is #ade unifor#& neither rapidly nor slowly!
Now the operator looks co(ertly into the eyes of the spectator and he sees with
surprisin% distinctness that they follow the #o(e#ents of his ri%ht hand in
takin% off and eposin% the cards! "he #o#ent the eyes rest& or lose their
intensity& the perfor#er notes the nu#ber of the card& but continues the
drawin% off process! Shortly& askin% if a card has been thou%ht of& he closes up
deck& secreti(ely counts off to the nu#ber& and produces at will! Of course a
break #ay be held at the card noted& but the countin% a(oids the least chan%e
in the ri%ht hand action!
To /et Sight o$ Selected Card
A SI6P;E plan of catchin% a %li#pse of a selected card is to ha(e it inserted at
the end and pre(ent the spectator fro# pushin% it 5uite ho#e by s5uee.in%
the deck! "hen& with the card protrudin% about a 5uarter of an inch! co(ertly
turn the deck1 partially o(er by passin% it to the other hand& and %et si%ht of
the inde!
/nother and better plan is to push the selected card throu%h dia%onally& and
s5uare up& lea(in% it protrudin% at the inner end! In this case the inde is at
the dia%onal corner and #ore easily seen& and the fact of the card protrudin%
can be co(ered co#pletely!
Still another plan is to insert the left little fin%er under the inserted card and
sli%htly tilt up inner left hand corner to note the inde!
The Slide
!O;2 the deck in the left hand& back to pal#& fin%ers and thu#b at opposite
sides! Show face of deck to co#pany& then turn it down& and with tips of third
and little fin%ers slide the botto# card half an inch or so towards wrist (see
Fi%! GL)& and draw the net card out at end with ri%ht hand fin%ers! Of course
this has the appearance of drawin% off the card 'ust shown to the co#pany!
It is a for# of echan%e that #ay be occasionally e#ployed!
Fa+orite Sleights $or Terminating Trics
Catching Two Cards at Fingertips
/ fa(orite #anner of ter#inatin% a trick that re5uires the production of two
selected cards is to brin% one to top and one to botto#& then toss the deck in
the air a yard or so strai%ht upwards& retainin% the top and botto# cards by
pressure and friction of thu#b and fin%ers& then thrustin% the hand a#on% the
cards as they descend& apparently findin% the selected cards in the act!
)ea+ing Selected Card in !and o$ Spectator
/ plan for the production of a sin%le card& as the last of a series& is to brin% it
to the botto# face up and re5uest a spectator to hold the deck fir#ly by the
corner& thu#b on top! *y strikin% the deck forcibly fro# abo(e all the cards will
fall fro# his hand sa(e the selected card& which is retained by the friction of
the fin%ers and left face up in his hand!
The Re+olution
"his is a %reat fa(orite for ter#inatin% certain tricks& and has a (ery showy
appearance! If the top card is pushed o(er the side about half an inch& and the
deck dropped flatly on the table fro# a point of perhaps twel(e or fifteen
inches abo(e it& the top card will turn o(er in the descent and lie fairly on top
of the deck+& face eposed! "he turn is caused by the resistance of the air
a%ainst the protrudin% side! "he facts that the card to be produced is on top&
and that a card is pushed o(er& are concealed!
Cards Rising $rom the !and
"he selected cards are brou%ht to top of deck and the pack is
held in the left hand& thu#b at one side and ;yin% strai%ht
alon% with tip near end& second third and little fin%ers at
opposite side& and first fin%er at back! "he cards are pushed
up by first fin%er& the thu#b and other fin%ers bein% released
sufficiently to allow their risin%& but retainin% their position!
(See Fi%! GF!) -hen the cards are raised to nearly the full
len%th the ri%ht hand takes the# off! So#e address is
necessary to push up a card with one fin%er& but a little
practice& and especially at the #anner of holdin% the deck& so
as to keep the card in position and yet not retard its upward
course& will soon ac5uire the ability! If the first and second
fin%ers are placed at the back the feat beco#es #uch easier&
but of course the effect is proportionately lessened!
Card Trics
," IS not our purpose to describe the (arious kinds of apparatus& or prepared
or #echanical cards& that play so %reat a part in the professional con'urer3s
startlin% ehibitions! "he enu#eration alone of these de(ices would fill a
(olu#e twice this si.e+ and anyway they would be of little ser(ice to the
a#ateur for i#pro#ptu entertain#ent! *ut we shall describe so#e tricks that
#ay be perfor#ed with an ordinary deck& under any circu#stances& pro(idin%
the necessary skill has been ac5uired to eecute the slei%hts! ,owe(er& the
artist who has attained so#e de%ree of proficiency in #anipulation as tau%ht
by this work& #ay by tain% his wits a little& de(ise no end of tricks for hi#self&
with the ad(anta%e that they will not be 0shop worn0 articles!
"he si#plest slei%ht& if well ri%%ed up with either plausible or nonsensical clap)
trap& #ay be #ade to pro(ide a #ost astonishin% and elaborate card trick+
whereas& if the slei%ht be ehibited alone& the effect is not at all co##ensurate
with the ti#e and labor spent in ac5uirin% the skill! 7onceal& as far as possible&
the possession of di%ital ability& and lea(e the co#pany still %uessin% how it is
done!
For so#e of the followin% tricks we ha(e in(ented na#es and %arnished the#
up with a ri%#arole #erely to show the part that 0Patter0 plays in card
entertain#ents! Our readers essayin% the tricks should co#pose their own
#onolo%ue& so that it #ay be in keepin% with their particular personality or
style of address!
The Exclusi+e Coterie
,n E$$ect. "he four :ueens are selected and laid face down in a row on the
table! "hree indifferent cards are placed on each :ueen! Now the co#pany
selects one of the four packets& and it is found to consist of the four :ueens
only!
Sleights. Pal# and Shift!
*atter and Execution. 0;adies and %entle#en& I shall endea(or to illustrate&
with the aid of this ordinary deck of cards& how futile are the efforts of
plebeians to break into that select circle of society known as the *eau)#onde&
and especially how such entree is pre(ented by the polite but fri%id
eclusi(eness of its %entler #e#bers!
0-e shall assu#e that it is the occasion of a public reception& our table the
hall& our deck the co##on herd& and we #ay fittin%ly select the four :ueens
as representin% the fe#inine portion of the S#art Set!0 (;ay four :ueens face
down on table!) 0-ill so#e one now kindly see that there are no #ore :ueens
in the deck!0 (,and deck for inspection!) 0"here are no #ore :ueens in the
deck$ "hanks40 ("ake deck back!) 0*ut are we all 5uite sure that the cards on
the table are the four :ueens$ Please ea#ine the#!0 (,and the# to one of
the co#pany& and now secretly pal# three cards in ri%ht hand!) 0"hey are the
four :ueens$ 9indly place the# on the deck!0 (Etend deck in left hand and
when :ueens are placed on top secretly place pal#ed cards on top of the#!)
0Now& as our table is supposed to be the scene of this %rand function& we shall
station those four particularly eclusi(e ladies at different points in the roo#0 (
lay out the first three top cards face down)& %i(in% her #a'esty the :ueen of0
(hesitate and carelessly turn :ueen face up apparently to see the suit& and
allow the co#pany to see it also& then na#e the suit)& 0the post of honor near
the entrance!0 (;ay first :ueen on the table and #ake a shift& holdin% location
of other three :ueens!) 0Now& as would naturally be the case& we shall besie%e
these hi%h strun% patrician ladies with attentions fro# the lower orders& which
the rest of the deck represents& by first surroundin% her #a'esty on the ri%ht
with three cards fro# the top0 (lay three cards on first table card)& 0and to
show no partiality we shall cut the deck hapha.ard& and pla%ue our second
lie%e lady with three of the first presu#ptuous plebeians we #ay find there0
(cut off s#all packet and place three cards on second table card)& 0/nd thou%h
the proi#ity or e(en notice of any of these co##on persons are e5ually
abhorrent to our %rand da#es we shall treat the# all alike by a%ain cuttin%
and surroundin% her #a'esty at the entrance with three #ore rank outsiders0
(this ti#e cut to location of shift& and place the three :ueens on table :ueen)&
0/nd per#it three #ore fro# the botto# who ha(e been least crowdin% and
therefore #ore deser(in% to proffer their ho#a%e to the other fair one!0 (;ay
three botto# cards on the other table card!)
0Now& ladies and %entle#en& as you ha(e seen& I ha(e brutally taken
ad(anta%e of these unprotected and tenderly nurtured creatures by placin%
the# in circu#stances that #ust be etre#ely %allin% to their aristocratic
sensibilities! -ill they endure such conditions$ ,a(in% so#e knowled%e of the
#ar(elous subtlety& finesse and resources of the se& I feel confident they can&
with tact and discretion& easily elude their persecutors& and for# a #ore
con%enial coterie a#on% the#sel(es! -ill so#e one please select two of these
packets$0 (-hiche(er packets are selected place those two that do not contain
the :ueens at the back of the table side by side!) 0"hanks! Now kindly tell #e
which of the two re#ainin% packets I shall take$0 (In any case pick up the two
packets& placin% the :ueens at the front of the table and the second packet
back beside the others! "he 5uestion is purposely a#bi%uous!)
0Now we #ust see whether I were o(er)confident in predictin% that the :ueens
would seek each other3s society! If they are all found in one packet I was ri%ht!
In which packet would they be #ost likely to con%re%ate$ /s the front packet
was your selection& and as it is %i(en the #ost pro#inent position& I think the
fatal (anity of the se would te#pt the# to be there! -e shall see!0 ("urn up
four :ueens& then face the other three packets& showin% no :ueens a#on%
the#!)
It will ha(e been seen by the fore%oin% that the presentation of a card trick
#ay contain #uch #ore bosh than action& and indeed the perfor#ance of the
one 'ust described #i%ht be ad(anta%eously prolon%ed by a %reat deal #ore
nonsense! In all card entertain#ents the #ore pala(er the #ore the interest is
ecited& and the address and patter of the perfor#er will count as #uch if not
#ore than his skill in #anipulation!
The &i+ining Rod
,n e$$ect. / card is freely selected by the co#pany and replaced in the pack&
which is thorou%hly shuffled! "he perfor#er is now blindfolded& shuffles the
cards in this condition& then spreads the# face down o(er the table& poises a
pen)knife o(er the #ass& and suddenly pierces the selected card throu%h with
the open blade!
Sleights. Shift& Pal# and *lind Shuffle!
Execution and *atter. 0;adies and Gentle#en! It is a fact well known to
archaeolo%ists that #any (ery wonderful arts which were possessed by the
ancients ha(e& throu%h the course of a%es& been co#pletely lost to #odern
ci(ili.ation! Pro#inent a#on% these superior acco#plish#ents was the
#ysterious power of di(inin% the presence of water or #etals that lay hidden
far under the %round! Now it #ay be that the assertion I a# about to #ake will
be recei(ed by you with polite but none the less absolute incredulity+ but it has
been #y (ery %reat %ood fortune to disco(er& by the #erest accident& the
underlyin% principle of this lost art& and I ha(e #apped out a plan of
eperi#ent and study that will in ti#e& I trust& enable #e to %i(e once #ore to
the world co#plete and scientific data for positi(ely ascertainin% the i##ediate
whereabouts of such #etals as %old& sil(er or copper by a process as si#ple as
the wa(in% of a willow wand o(er the prospected area!
0I do not #yself as yet fully understand the eact nature of the power I ha(e
stu#bled upon& but I know it to be a sort of #a%netic or sy#pathetic
attraction& and I shall illustrate to you the principle in(ol(ed by eperi#entin%
with a deck of cards! -ill so#e one please #ake a selection of one card$
"hank you! Now I wish you to re#e#ber the na#e! Put it back anywhere in
the deck!0 (Shift and pal# off card!) 0-ould you like to shuffle$ 6i the# up
thorou%hly!0 ("ake back deck& placin% pal#ed card on top and show lar%e
handkerchief!) 0Now& ladies and %entle#en& althou%h no ordinary power on
earth can find that selected card& I a# %oin% to satisfy all present that it is a
(ery etraordinary power indeed that will assist #e in producin% it! /s a #atter
of fact& the power is entirely apart fro# any personal ability I #ay possess+ the
#erit of the feat will be solely due to the #ysterious properties of this little
pen)knife! "o conclusi(ely pro(e that I take no part in the action I shall ha(e
so#e one blindfold #e with this handkerchief!0 (Fold the handkerchief& and
when it is bein% knotted at back ad'ust fold o(er eyes and nose so that table
can be seen when lookin% strai%ht downwards!) 0Now& as it is utterly
i#possible for #e to see at all& I shall a%ain shuffle the cards0 (blind shuffle
and lea(e one etra card on top)& 0/nd spread the# out o(er the table!0
(Spread the deck on the table with a rotary #otion& %radually workin% off top
card and retainin% second card with fin%er or thu#b& e#ployin% both hands so
that selected card can be al#ost wholly co(ered! 9eep eposed corner in si%ht
and spread balance of cards still further o(er table! Now take open pen)knife in
hand!) 0Please obser(e that I do not touch the cards at all!0 (Poise knife
daintily between fin%er and thu#b& circle about with ho(erin% #otion& and
suddenly pierce card throu%h its eposed part! Re#o(e handkerchief& re5uest
na#e of card and slowly turn it up on point of blade!)
-e consider this trick a capital one if perfor#ed with so#e address! Of course
the patter is all a #atter of taste and any in(ention #ay answer! "he
possibility of %ettin% a perfect (iew of the table when the eyes are banda%ed is
ne(er suspected by the uninitiated& but it is a fact well known to con'urers! "he
sli%htest %lint is 5uite sufficient& as the head #ay be #o(ed about freely so as
to take in the whole plane below! >nder any circu#stances it is difficult to fold
a handkerchief so that no ray of li%ht will enter fro# beneath!
"his trick #ay be perfor#ed without %ettin% si%ht of the card& by retainin% the
selected card under fin%er of one hand and then the other& and when
spreadin% is co#plete retainin% its position well eposed& and piercin% by
#echanical 'ud%#ent of its location!
The ,n+isible Flight
,n e$$ect. / card is selected by the co#pany! "he perfor#er places it on the
table to the ri%ht! /nother card is selected and perfor#er places it on table to
the left! "he first drawn card is now placed on top of the deck& which was ;yin%
on the table& and the two selected cards are co##anded to chan%e places and
found to ha(e done so!
Sleights. "op 7han%e and Pal# 7han%e
Execution. Stand behind the table facin% the co#pany! ,a(e a card selected
by a spectator to the ri%ht& hold deck in left hand& take back drawn card in
ri%ht hand& show it first to the co#pany on the ri%ht& then to co#pany on the
left& then echan%e it for top card of deck when #akin% half turn a%ain to the
ri%ht and deposit card with sa#e #o(e#ent on the table at the ti%ht side! Now
ha(e the second card selected by so#e spectator to the left& pal# the top card
in ri%ht hand when closin% the deck& and hold deck in ri%ht hand by ends& face
down! "ake back second drawn card in left hand& showin% it to co#pany on
left! Now drop deck on #iddle of table& and take second selected card fro# the
left hand into the ri%ht& sei.in% it by the ends& and depositin% pal#ed card on
top of it! ,old closely to%ether and show as one card to co#pany on the ri%ht!
"he ri%ht hand now contains the two selected cards! 6ake 0Pal# 7han%e&0
takin% first selected card in left hand& and deposit it on left side of table!
I##ediately pick up card on ri%ht side of table by ends& with the ri%ht hand&
and drop it openly fro# se(eral inches abo(e& on top of deck! Pick up deck by
drawin% it with slidin% #o(e#ent to ed%e of table& depositin% pal#ed card on
top& and place the pack on the table to the ri%ht! /s the echan%e is now #ade
finish the trick as desired!
"he first echan%e is #ade by e#ployin% the 0"op 7han%e&0 and the tacit
ecuse for brin%in% the hands to%ether for the instant is obtained by showin%
the card first to the co#pany on the ri%ht& then to the left& and then depositin%
the card on ri%ht side of table! "he second echan%e is #ade (ery slowly& or at
least in the usual ti#e re5uired to pass a card fro# one hand to the other! "he
entire co#pany should be per#itted to see the card about to be pal#ed+ then
the hand is naturally turned down as the left fin%ers apparently carry away to
the left the card 'ust shown! -hen the table card is dropped on the deck& it
#ay be per#itted to fall une(enly& %i(in% one reason for pickin% up the deck& i!
e!& to s5uare up! "ransferrin% the deck fro# the #iddle of the table to the ri%ht
side is the second tacit ecuse!
"his trick is usually perfor#ed by ha(in% one duplicate card& and forcin% it& in
which case the assistance of the deck for the third echan%e is not re5uired!
*ut as we confine our list to those that #ay be perfor#ed with an ordinary
deck& the fore%oin% #ethod will be found satisfactory!
Trics With the *rearranged &ec
T,E usual plan is to arran%e the whole pack in the order su%%ested by the
followin% 'in%le& (i.!1
0Ei%ht 9in%s threatened to sa(e Ninety)fi(e :ueens fro# one sick 9na(e!0
"hus indicatin% the order of the thirteen (alues& as Ei%ht& 9in%& "hree& "en&
"wo& Se(en& Nine& Fi(e& :ueen& Four& /ce& Si& Aack! "he suits are taken in a
re%ular order& say& 2ia#onds& 7lubs& ,earts& Spades! "o arran%e the deck& lay
the Ei%ht of 2ia#onds face up on the table& then place the 9in% of 7lubs face
up on that& then the "hree of ,earts on that& then "en of Spades& "wo of
2ia#onds& Se(en of 7lubs& Nine of ,earts& Fi(e of Spades& :ueen of
2ia#onds& and so on& continuin% until the fifty)two cards are laid out& the last
card bein% the Aack of Spades!
/ny arran%e#ent is as %ood as another so lon% as the (alues do not run in
their re%ular order& i!e!& one& two& three& four& fi(e& etc!& and thou%h the abo(e
arran%e#ent is well known it does not #atter in the least when perfor#in%!
Only those who are well (ersed in card tricks would reco%ni.e the order! and
such persons cannot be decei(ed with any kind of arran%e#ent! "he ta on the
#e#ory is (ery sli%ht& there bein% but thirteen na#es to co##it& and connin%
the# o(er for half an hour or so should i#press their order on the #ind
per#anently! "he deck so arran%ed #akes e(ery thirteenth card the sa#e
(alue& and of the net suit in the order of suits+ e(ery fourth card the sa#e
suit& and e(ery second card the other suit of the sa#e color!
7uttin% does not disturb the order and the top card is always net in the
re%ular order to the botto#& and the perfor#er& secretly notin% the botto#
card& has the key to the situation! -e shall describe se(eral (ery startlin%
effects that #ay be caused by the e#ploy#ent of the prearran%ed deck in the
hands of a really cle(er operator!
Of course& the prearran%e#ent #ust be carefully concealed! "he perfor#er
first blind shuffles& then re5uests so#e spectator to cut! "hen spreadin% the
cards fawns with both hands& re5uests the spectator to select any nu#ber of
the cards& and per#its hi# to do so but fro# only one position in the fan!
withdrawin% the deck i##ediately as the cards are drawn& so as to pre(ent
any atte#pt to select fro# different positions!
"he perfor#er now separates his hands and the deck& at the point where the
cards were drawn& and the ri%ht hand carelessly places the cards which were
abo(e those drawn& under the left)hand portion! ,e now secretly notes the
botto# card& barely si%htin% the inde at the base of the left thu#b& then
raises the inner corner of the top card sli%htly with the left thu#b& %ettin% a
%li#pse of its inde! "here is little or no fear of this action bein% noticed& as
the co#pany is not yet infor#ed of the nature of the trick& and the principal
attention is taken by the cards selected!
"he perfor#er #ay now finish the trick in any #anner! ,e has learned the
nu#ber of cards drawn& and what cards they are& by na#in% o(er #entally in
the prearran%ed order& be%innin% fro# the botto# card that he has noted& the
cards that should be between it and the top card& which he has also noted! ,e
#ay first pretend to deter#ine the nu#ber drawn by wei%hin% those that are
left& and then take back the selected cards one at a ti#e& boldly proclai#in%
that thou%h the difference in the wei%ht of each card is infinitely little& still
there is a difference+ and delicately ascertainin% its suit and (alue by this
#eans as he holds it poised in the ri%ht hand! Or he #ay assu#e the power of
#ind)readin%& deter#inin% first the color then the suit& then the (alue of each
card! Or he #ay ter#inate the trick by si#ply na#in% the cards in their order!
"here are a hundred and one (ariations& and in carryin% the# out the
perfor#er #ust see that the arran%ed order is not disturbed& so that he #ay
continue his eperi#ents with the deck! "here is no reason that he should not
look at the cards when they are returned& but they are rarely chan%ed fro# the
order drawn!
"he perfor#er #ay now re5uest the co#pany to call for any particular card&
and he can locate it al#ost instantly fro# his knowled%e of the botto# card&
and he #akes the two)handed shift& brin%in% it into (iew! ,e #ay hold the
deck face up in the left hand& and sli%htly sprin% the outer corners under co(er
of the ri%ht hand& %lancin% at the inde+ or hold it face down and sprin% the
inner corners! In either e(ent he has only thirteen cards to run throu%h before
findin% one of the sa#e (alue as that called for& and if the suit is not the sa#e
it instantly tells hi# that it #ust be the thirteenth& or twenty)sith card fro#
the one found!
"he perfor#er #ay& of course& na#e e(ery card in the deck& takin% the# off
one at a ti#e and callin% the (alue and suit before he throws it face up on the
table+ but rather than #ake the trick so lon%& and such a constant repetition& it
is preferable to na#e half a do.en or so& then eecute a blind shuffle& ha(e the
deck cut a%ain& and be%in once #ore! *y assu#in% to deter#ine the (alue and
suit by the sense of s#ell& or any chicanery& is #ore #isleadin%& and has a
better effect!
*ut the #ost re#arkable feats that #ay be acco#plished with the prearran%ed
deck+ ha(e yet to be described! "he perfor#er eecutes a blind shuffle
thorou%hly& re5uests a spectator to cut& and lays the deck+ face down on the
table! Now so#e #e#ber of the co#pany is re5uested to %i(e any nu#ber
between one and fifty)two& and the perfor#er i##ediately na#es the card
that will be found at that nu#ber! -hen this has been (erified& and the shuffle
and cut are a%ain #ade& the perfor#er lays the deck on the table and this ti#e
desires the co#pany to %i(e the na#e of any card in the pack! "he perfor#er
at once calls the nu#ber at which it will be found& and pro(es his accuracy by
slowly and openly countin% the cards until it is reached! Of course& in each
instance the perfor#er has noted the botto# card after the cut was #ade& and
before he placed the deck on the table! -e ha(e for#ulated the followin% rules
for deter#inin% the card that will be found at the nu#ber %i(en& and for
ascertainin% the nu#ber at which any particular card called for will be located!
"o deter#ine the card that is at any particular nu#ber& its suit is first
deter#ined! 2i(ide the nu#ber by four& and if there is no re#ainder the suit is
the sa#e as the botto# card! If the re#ainder is one& the suit is the net in
the order of suits! If the re#ainder is two& the suit is the second in the order of
suits& or the other suit of the sa#e color! If the re#ainder is three& the suit is
the third in the order of suits& or the precedin% suit& always calculatin% fro#
the suit of the botto# card!
Now ha(in% ascertained the suit of the card at the nu#ber %i(en& we proceed
to learn its (alue! First di(ide the nu#ber by thirteen! If there is no re#ainder&
the (alue is the sa#e as the botto# card+ but this is (ery i#probable! If there
is a re#ainder& na#e o(er #entally in the arran%ed order& as #any cards as
the re#ainder& be%innin% with the top card (which is net in order to the
botto#)& and the last card #entally na#ed will denote the (alue of the card at
the nu#ber %i(en! "hen the (alue and suit& or the na#e of the card at the
nu#ber& is proclai#ed to the co#pany and the prediction (erified!
"o ascertain the nu#ber at which any particular card called for will be found&
we first deter#ine where the first card of that (alue is& and the suit of that first
card! "o find the nu#ber at which this first card of like (alue is located&
#entally na#e o(er the arran%ed order& startin% with the top card (which is
net in order to the botto#) until the card of like (alue is reached! Of course&
the nu#ber will be less than thirteen! "hen find the suit of this card by di(idin%
its nu#ber by four& as eplained in the first rule! Now if the suit chances to be
the suit of the card called for& the task is co#pleted& but the odds are three to
one a%ainst it! If the re5uired suit is the net in the order of suits& add thirteen
to the first nu#ber! If the suit re5uired is the second in the order& add twenty)
si to the first nu#ber+ and if the suit of the card called for is the third in the
order of suits& or the precedin% suit& add thirty)nine to the first nu#ber& and in
each instance it will be the nu#ber at which the card called for will be found!
-e shall first %i(e an ea#ple of deter#inin% the card that will be found at any
particular nu#ber! /ssu#e that the co#pany %i(es the nu#ber thirty)fi(e& and
the botto# card is the 9in% of Spades! Followin% the rule& we di(ide the
nu#ber thirty)fi(e by four& and %et a re#ainder of three! "his %i(es us the suit
as the third in order fro# the botto# suit& or the precedin% suit which is
,earts! Now to deter#ine the (alue of the thirty)fifth card! "he rule is 0di(ide
the nu#ber by thirteen&0 and this %i(es us a re#ainder of nine! Now we
#entally na#e our nine cards in their order& fro# the 9in% at the botto#1
0"hree& "en& "wo& Se(en& Nine& Four& :ueen& Four& /ce!0 "he /ce bein% the
ninth card deter#ines the (alue! ,ence the thirty)fifth card is the /ce of
,earts!
2i(idin% any nu#ber under fifty)two by thirteen is (ery si#ple+ re#e#berin%
that it %oes e(enly into thirteen& twenty)si& and thirty)nine& the re#ainder can
be instantly calculated! -hen #entally runnin% o(er the order& the (alues only
are rehearsed& thereby takin% half the ti#e that would be re5uired to rehearse
both (alue and suit of each card! "he suit ha(in% been obtained by the first
di(ision by four& only the (alue re#ains to be deter#ined! / cle(er perfor#er
can na#e the card al#ost instantly!
/s an ea#ple of deter#inin% the nu#ber at which any particular card will be
found& we shall assu#e the co#pany calls for the "en of 2ia#onds& and the
botto# card is the Si of 7lubs! "he rule is to 0first& deter#ine where the first
card of the sa#e (alue is& and the suit of that card!0 -e #entally rehearse the
order fro# the Si at the botto# until we reach the first "en& (i.!1 0Aack& Ei%ht&
9in%& "hree& "en&0 findin% the first "en is the fifth card! Now to learn its suit&
we di(ide by four& %ettin% the re#ainder of one! "his %i(es us the suit as the
first in order fro# the botto# card! /s the botto# card is a 7lub& the "en
located is a ,eart! Now& as the card called for is the "en of 2ia#onds& and
2ia#onds is the second suit fro# ,earts& we apply the rule and add twenty)si
to the first nu#ber found (fi(e)& and %et thirty)one& which is the nu#ber at
which the "en of 2ia#onds will be found!
"he card con'urer3s repertory is ne(er co#plete without e#ployin% the
prearran%ed deck to so#e etent& and we belie(e the rules here %i(en for
deter#inin% the card at any nu#ber %i(en& and the nu#ber of any card called
for& are the first e(er for#ulated for a fifty)two)card deck!
The Tra+elling Cards
,n E$$ect. / card is selected and replaced in the deck& which is then
thorou%hly shuffled! Perfor#er now causes the cards to fly up his slee(e& one&
two& or se(eral at a ti#e& producin% the# fro# the shoulder! "he selected card
is called upon to lea(e the deck at the co#pany3s desire& and the operation is
continued until the last se(eral cards& which are noted& disappear fro# the
hand and are slowly produced fro# the shoulder!
Sleights. 6asterly feats of Pal#in% and >nflinchin% /udacity!
Execution and *atter. 0;adies and Gentle#en1 I a# constantly i#portuned
by so#e of the #ost curious and least discernin% of #y auditors to eplain the
#anner by which the results in certain tricks are achie(ed! -hile I consider it
unprofessional to #ake these disclosures& I accede so#ewhat to the pre(alent
de#and& and to)ni%ht I a# %oin% to take you especially into #y confidence
and epose one of the #ost i#portant secrets in the whole real# of con'urin%!
/lthou%h #any professors of the art (ehe#ently deny the i#putation& it is
ne(ertheless a fact that the coat slee(e of the #a%ician is to hi# #uch the
sa#e as a Sarato%a trunk to a su##er %irl! -here does he %et his bou5uets of
roses& baskets of e%%s& dishes of swi##in% fishes$ 3>p his slee(e!3 ,ow do his
rabbits& bird ca%es and cannon balls disappear$ 3>p his slee(e!3 "he sayin% is
as true as it is ancient& and I shall pro(e #y assertions by de#onstratin% the
process+ and thou%h you #ay doubt #y (eracity& you certainly cannot 5uestion
your own eyes!
0/s a preli#inary& I wish so#e one to kindly obli%e by selectin% a card fro#
the deck! /ny one you wish! Now please re#e#ber the na#e and place it
a%ain in the deck!0 (7ard is inserted& shifted and pal#ed!) 0-ill you shuffle for
#e$0 (2eck is shuffled and returned! Place pal#ed card on top and pal# off
ei%ht or ten #ore with it in ri%ht hand& hold deck in left!) 0Now to illustrate the
point in 5uestion& ladies and %entle#en& I a# %oin% to cause these cards to fly
up #y slee(e and out throu%h the ar#hole here!0 (Indicate place by thrustin%
the ri%ht hand into the shoulder of coat& and lea(e pal#ed cards there!) 0Now&
attention& please& and you #ay see the# fly& or if you do not see the#& you
#ay hear the#! First card& %o40 (7lick corner of deck with left little fin%er&
carelessly show ri%ht hand e#pty& passin% it rather 5uickly under coat to
shoulder and produce botto# card! Show it and throw on table!) 0-ell& you see
the first card obeyed #e! Second card& pass40 (Produce another fro# botto#!)
0"hird card40 ( Produce+ each ti#e clickin% deck with fin%er as cards are
ordered to pass& and showin% cards as produced!) 0*ut we ha(e had a card
selected and shuffled in the deck& and thou%h we ha(e no idea where it is I
shall co##and it to fly up #y slee(e at whate(er nu#ber you #ay elect! -hat
shall it be))four& fi(e& si or se(en$ "he sith$ =ery well! /s three cards ha(e
already passed& the selected card shall be the third one! Pass40 (Produce!)
0Pass40 (Produce!) 0Oh& what is the na#e of the card you selected$ Aack of
,earts4 -ell& Aack of ,earts& it is your turn& sir! 8ou will please obli%e the
co#pany by flyin% up #y slee(e!0 (Produce top card& showin% it to be the one
called upon!)
0"o show the ease with which the cards tra(el I shall order se(eral to pass
to%ether!0 (Pal# ei%ht or ten in left hand fro# botto#!) 0I ha(e only to speak
a little louder! Pass40 ("ake deck in ri%ht hand and thrust left into ri%ht
shoulder& withdrawin% two or three of the pal#ed cards& lea(in% balance
there!) 08ou see& I ha(e three cards this ti#e& and they tra(el e5ually well
throu%h either slee(e! Go4 Four cards passed! Go4 "hree cards! It #ay be
thou%ht that I ha(e duplicate cards concealed in #y coat abo(e& but that is
easily dispro(ed! 8ou see there are no cards there! ("hrow open fully ri%ht side
of coat& fro# which all cards ha(e been taken& and left side partially!) 0*esides&
if you watch the deck you will notice that it is %radually %rowin% less! "o sa(e
ti#e I shall hasten their acti(ity! Go40 ("ake deck a%ain in left hand and
produce balance in left shoulder& then pal# a%ain in left hand!) 0"hree cards
that ti#e! Pass40 ("hrust pal#ed cards in ri%ht shoulder and produce about
half of the#& then pal# fro# top with ri%ht hand!) 0Fi(e that ti#e! Go433
(Produce half with ri%ht hand lea(in% balance!) 0Four! Pass40 (Produce balance
fro# left shoulder!) 0Fi(e cards! Pass40 (7han%e hands and produce balance
fro# ri%ht shoulder!) 0Now& how #any ha(e we left))& two& three& four& fi(e&
si! Si only Please note what they are! "he 9in%& "ray& Se(en& "en& /ce& and
another Se(en! Shall I pass the# all at once& or one at a ti#e$ /ll to%ether$
=ery well! Now& all of you& be %one40 (*rin% left hand down below ri%ht& then
when repassin% ri%ht with 5uick outward #o(e#ent propel cards into ri%ht
pal# with left first fin%er& #akin% snappin% noise& point ri%ht inde fin%er at
e#pty left hand for instant& then thrust ri%ht into left shoulder and slowly
produce& showin% cards are sa#e as na#ed!)
/lthou%h this trick is one of the oldest& it is one of the prettiest+ and in the
hands of a really cle(er artist ne(er fails in producin% a #ost pleasin% and
brilliant effect! So#e perfor#ers produce the cards fro# the boso# beneath
the (est& but we think the shoulder preferable! "he cards can be slipped
partially into the coat slee(e near top of shoulder& and their position securely
#aintained while the ar#s are #o(ed about at will! "he hand that holds the
deck should be etended as the cards are co##anded to pass! >sin% both
slee(es %i(es ecuse for chan%in% deck fro# hand to hand& creatin% fa(orable
and natural opportunities for pal#in%& and also pre(entin% the spectators
anticipatin% which hand will produce the cards until it is too late!
The Row o$ Ten Cards
,n E$$ect. "he perfor#er shuffles the deck and lays the first ten cards face
down in a row on the table! "he perfor#er now turns away while any nu#ber
of the cards are transferred fro# one end to the other! "hen& without ha(in%
seen the action& or bein% aided in any #anner& the perfor#er i##ediately
turns up one card whose (alue indicates the nu#ber of cards that were
transferred+ per#ittin% this action to be repeated as often as desired& and
deter#inin% the nu#ber #o(ed each ti#e!
Execution. /rran%e ten cards in consecuti(e order fro# /ce to "en& and place
on top of deck& the "en bein% upper#ost! *lind shuffle and lay out the ten
cards face down in a row on the table& be%innin% at the left& so that the "en is
the left end card of the row! Eplain to co#pany that any nu#ber #ay be
transferred fro# the ri%ht to the left end! /s the order #ust be #aintained& it
is well to insist that but one card #ust be #o(ed at a ti#e!
"his will preser(e the order& and not be likely to i#press the co#pany that
there is any certain arran%e#ent!
"he rules for deter#inin% the nu#ber transferred fro# ri%ht to left are& first1
"he left end card will always indicate the nu#ber of the first transfer1 i!e!&
when the first transfer of any nu#ber of cards is #ade& the (alue or nu#ber of
spots of the card at the left end will be the nu#ber of the cards that were
transferred+ so that by turnin% up the left end card when the first #o(e is
#ade& the perfor#er indicates the nu#ber that were transferred! On the
second or any subse5uent transfer& the card to turn is deter#ined by addin%
the (alue& or nu#ber of spots& of the last card turned& to the nu#ber of the
place it occupies in the row!
For ea#ple& the cards& when first laid out& will stand1
"en& Nine& Ei%ht& Se(en& Si& Fi(e& Four& "hree& "wo& One!
/ssu#e the co#pany transfer four cards& the order will then be1
Four& "hree& "wo& One& "en& Nine& Ei%ht& Se(en& Si& Fi(e&
so that when the rule for deter#inin% the first transfer is applied& and the left
end card turned& it would indicate that four cards were transferred!
-hen the card is turned the calculation for deter#inin% the net transfer is at
once #ade by the second rule& 0addin% the (alue of the card turned (four) to
the nu#ber of its place in the row0 (one)& #akin% fi(e! -hen the net transfer
is #ade the fifth card is turned and it indicates the nu#ber transferred! ;et us
pro(e this by assu#in% that two cards are now transferred! "he new order will
be1
Si& Fi(e& Four& "hree& "wo& One& "en& Nine& Ei%ht& Se(en! Now& countin% fro#
the left& we turn the fifth card in the row& and find the "wo& indicatin% the
nu#ber transferred! /%ain add the nu#ber of turned card (two) to its place in
the row (fi(e)& and we %et se(en& which will be the nu#ber in the row to turn&
when the net transfer is #ade!
Of course& if this is continued& the nu#ber will in ti#e be %reater than ten+ in
which case ten is subtracted fro# the nu#ber& and the re#ainder indicates the
position of the card to turn!
If the co#pany should test the perfor#er3s ability by #akin% no transfer& or by
transferrin% the ten cards& the card turned will always be the "en+ and in such
case the perfor#er will at once state that transferrin% all or none was not a
part of the conditions #ade& thus concealin% the fact that he cannot tell
whether all or none were #o(ed!
"he first #o(e should always be #ade by the perfor#er when eplainin% the
eperi#ent to the co#pany& and thereby a(oid turnin% up the end card! /s the
perfor#er #akes the first transfer& he si#ply adds one to the nu#ber #o(ed&
one bein% the position of the card that otherwise would be turned& and he has
the position for the turn when the co#pany #akes the first transfer!
6uch effect #ay be obtained with this trick if the proper address and by)play
are indul%ed! "he perfor#er #ay affect to acco#plish the feat by #ind
readin%& and increase the interest by failin% to fatho# the subtlety of so#e
lady3s intellectual faculty! and easily wrestin% the secret fro# the coarser
calibre of so#e %entle#an& e(en a%ainst his will+ and by pretendin% to ha(e
deter#ined the nu#ber transferred before turnin% the card& and #akin% the
findin% of the particular card also dependent upon so#e etraordinary power!
"he trick is one of the (ery best of those not re5uirin% slei%ht of hand!
The Acrobatic 2acs
,n e$$ect. "he Aacks are placed by the co#pany at top& botto#& and #iddle of
the deck& and keep constantly chan%in% positions in #ost re#arkable #anner!
Sleights. One ,and Shift& "wo hand Shift!
*atter and Execution. 0;adies and Gentle#en1 8ou ha(e all doubtless been
interested or a#used& at one ti#e or another& by the re#arkable perfor#ances
of educated ani#als! "he do%& the pony& the elephant& and e(en the pi%& ha(e
all been carefully trained to understand and obey each word or si%n of their
#asters! *ut ha(e you e(er witnessed the perfor#ance of an educated pack of
cards$ 8ou do not know that cards can be educated$ I assure you that it is
5uite possible& and I shall de#onstrate the truth of #y assertion! 6oreo(er& I
ha(e disco(ered in #y efforts to educate #y fifty)two pupils& that they& like the
#e#bers of any other fa#ily& possess certain indi(idual characteristics or
te#pera#ents& and I ha(e endea(ored to de(elop the special talents of each&
in the direction #ost in keepin% with the natural bent!
0I shall select the four Aacks for the purpose of illustratin% how an ori%inal
athletic tendency that was early #anifested by the# has been de(eloped by a
syste# of trainin%& until they ha(e ac5uired a de%ree of skill in acrobatic feats
that is truly re#arkable! I wish two ladies or %entle#en in the audience to
assist #e& by each holdin% two of the Aacks!0 (Gi(e two red Aacks to spectator&
who# we shall desi%nate as /!& and two black Aacks to second spectator&
who# we shall call *! "hen to /!) 0-ill you& sir& place one of the red Aacks on
top of the deck$ "hank you! /nd will you (to *!) place one of the black Aacks in
the #iddle of the deck$0 (Open pack with left thu#b bookwise& ready for the
07harlier Shift&0 and when Aack is inserted shift packets!)
0Now& ladies and %entle#en& we ha(e a red Aack on top& and a black Aack in
the #iddle& and as a first display of their intelli%ence and trainin%& I shall order
the# to chan%e places! Ready! Go40 (7lick deck with little fin%er and show
chan%e has taken place! ,and Aacks back to /! and *!) 08ou see that they are
5uite acti(e and (ery obedient! -e shall try the# a%ain and place the# farther
apart! ("o /!) Place your red Aack at the botto#! ("o *!) Place your black Aack
on top! Now obser(e& I shall not touch the cards&0 (6ake %esture with the ri%ht
hand as if to show that this hand would be the one necessarily e#ployed& and
as attention is attracted to it& shift with the left!) /but shall co##and the
Aacks to perfor# a so#ersault fro# the top and botto# and #eet in the
#iddle! /ttention! Go40 (7lick deck& show top and botto# cards& then show
Aacks in #iddle! 7lose deck with little fin%er between Aacks& and shift with both
hands!) 0"hat was a forward so#ersault& ladies and %entle#en& but they
perfor# backwards 'ust as easily! I shall show you! Ready! Go40 (7lick deck
and show Aacks a%ain at top and botto#!)
0I trust I ha(e i#pressed you so#ewhat with the intelli%ence and a%ility the
Aacks possess in the#sel(es& but for fear you #ay fancy that I ha(e anythin%
to do with their perfor#ance& I shall call upon all four Aacks tON eecute their
%round and lofty tu#blin% at the sa#e ti#e& and I need not say to you& ladies
and %entle#en& that howe(er cle(er I #i%ht be& I could not possibly& of #y
own power& instantaneously chan%e the positions of four cards at four different
points!0 (Gi(e back Aacks to /! and *!& and ha(e /! place his at top and
botto#& and b! place his two in #iddle! Insert little fin%er between #iddle
Aacks and #ake shift with both hands!) 0Now& please re#e#ber the order! "he
two red Aacks are at the top and botto#& and the two black Aacks are in the
#iddle! "his ti#e I shall order the four to play leap)fro%& and each take the
place of the other! Ready! Go40 (6ake click and show the chan%es ha(e taken
place!)
0I cannot doubt& after this de#onstration& that you are 5uite satisfied the Aacks
ha(e been fairly well trained+ and I a# now %oin% to #ake the# perfor# their
acrobatic feat (ery slowly& so that you #ay all see 'ust how it is clone!0 (Gi(e
back Aacks to /! and *! "hen to /!) 0Place your two red Aacks a%ain at the top
and botto#+0 (then to *!) 0/nd now we shall ha(e yours a%ain in the #iddle!
*ut stop4 On second thou%ht& as you are to see how it is done& I shall ha(e the
Aacks eecute their so#ersaults while the deck is in your hands! I assure you
they will perfor# e5ually well& and the #o#ent you place your cards in the
#iddle I wish you to hold the deck yourself / (/pparently cut deck in the
#iddle& but really #ake two)handed shift without brin%in% the two packets
to%ether a%ain& holdin% the ri%ht)hand packet a few inches o(er the left when
shift is #ade! ,a(e Aacks placed between& and i##ediately close packets&
puttin% deck in *3s hands!) 0Now& sir& don3t hold the# too fir#ly& and watch
the# perfor#! I shall order all four to co#e to%ether at the #iddle! /ll ready!
Go4 2id you see the# %o$ Nor e(en feel the# %o$ "hat is stran%e& for they
certainly obeyed #e! ;ook at the top and botto# cards! "hey ha(e %one4 Now
look in the #iddle and you will find the# all to%ether as co##anded!0
A 'ind3Reading Tric
Sleights. Stock Shuffle!
Execution and *atter. 0;adies and Gentle#en& I shall net atte#pt an
eperi#ent in #ind)readin%& and thou%h I do not clai# to be an adept in the
art& I ha(e #ana%ed to obtain an understandin% of its funda#ental principles&
and I shall endea(or to de#onstrate that under fa(orable conditions I can
actually read the thou%ht that is #ost pro#inent in the #ind of a willin%
sub'ect! I wish so#e %entle#an in the audience who is desirous of %i(in% #y
ability a fair and i#partial test& to take this deck of cards in his own hands and
select any four he #ay wish for the purpose of #y eperi#ent!0
(Gi(e deck to spectator& who selects four cards at will& and take back deck!)
0Now& sir& will you please #ake a #ental note of any one card of the four you
ha(e selected& and as an aid to i#press it #ost fir#ly& think of the one that to
you #ay appear the #ost easily re#e#bered! If you can associate one of
the# with a pro#inent date& or so#e incident in your own life& so #uch the
better+ and& if possible& disabuse your #ind co#pletely of the other three!
,a(e you done this$ "hank you! Now insert the four anywhere in the deck!0
(,a(e cards replaced in #iddle& for# break abo(e& with ri%ht thu#b at inner
end& turn on side in left hand in position for blind shuffle! >nder cut to about
half portion abo(e break& shuffle off to break& run two& in)'o% runnin%& say&
se(enteen& out)'o% and shuffle off! >nder cut to in)'o% and throw on top! >nder
cut to out)'o%& run se(en and throw balance on top! "his action places two of
the selected cards the ninth and tenth fro# the top& and the other two the
ei%hteenth and nineteenth!)
0Now& ladies and %entle#en& I ha(e doubtless 5uite satisfied you& and #ost
certainly #yself& that the four cards drawn& includin% the particular one
thou%ht of& are hopelessly lost in the shuffle+ but before atte#ptin% to read the
#ind of the %entle#an who is so kindly assistin% #e in the eperi#ent& I wish
to be assured that he has %ot the card fir#ly established in his #e#ory! Please
watch these cards as I epose the#! I shall not atte#pt to deter#ine the card
should it appear& by any outward si%n you #ay #ake1 in fact& I shall not look
at either you or the cards!0
(Epose se(enteen cards& one at a ti#e& throwin% the# carelessly one on the
other& face >p& on the table! Note the two selected cards& the ninth and tenth&
as they fall on the table& payin% no attention to the others!)
02id you see the cards you thou%ht of$0
(If he did& it is one of those noted! If not& it is one of the net two selected
cards& which are now on top of deck! In either e(ent!)
0-ell& I see that you are not at all uncertain about your #e#ory!0
(Now assu#in% the thou%ht card is on the table+ if they are of different color&
by ascertainin% the color of the thou%ht card& its identity is established! If of
the sa#e color& but different suit& the suit will fi its identity! If both color and
suit are the sa#e& the (alue #ust be different& and the first 5uestion is asked
concernin% the point of difference! In whiche(er particular! they differ& color
preferred& %a.e intently into the indi(idual3s eyes!)
0Please think of the color! -as it red$0
(In e(ent of it bein% so& it will be presu#ed that the %uess was certain
knowled%e! Should he answer 0No&0 step close to hi#& takin% his hand!)
09indly per#it #e to co#e in contact with you& and I a# certain to obtain a
perfect i#pression of your thou%ht0
(In either e(ent the answer to the first 5uestion discloses the identity of the
thou%ht card!)
0Oh& now I obtain a startlin%ly clear i#pression of the color& and the suit is
2ia#onds!0
(Or& as the case #ay be!)
0Now& please think solely of the (alue!0
("hen& #editati(ely!)
0-as it a 7ourt or a Spot card$ Now& as I close #y eyes to pre(ent the
confusion of eternal ob'ects& I see it is co(ered with spots+ one& two& three&
four& fi(e& si& se(en! yes& it is the Se(en of 2ia#onds!0
(Or& as the case #ay be!)
Should the thou%ht card not ha(e been one of those eposed& and the chances
are e(en& %et a %li#pse of the two top cards when replacin% the table cards& or
by shiftin% the# to the botto#& and proceed in the sa#e #anner to ascertain
which is the one thou%ht of!
*ower o$ Concentrated Thought
,n E$$ect. / spectator is re5uested to think of a card! Perfor#er now lays deck
on the table and re5uests another spectator to think of a nu#ber! *oth
spectators are now re5uested to whisper the na#e and nu#ber to each other&
and #entally co##and the card thou%ht of to take its position in the deck at
the nu#ber thou%ht of! "he perfor#er& who has not been near the deck in the
interi#& now re5uests the na#e and nu#ber& and per#its a spectator to take
the deck in hand and ascertain for the co#pany that the silent in'unction has
been obeyed!
Execution. -hen re5uestin% the first spectator to think of a card& e#ploy one
of the se(eral #ethods %i(en for B2eter#inin% the 7ard "hou%ht Of0 *rin% this
card to the top! Secretly count se(en cards at botto# and shift to top! ;ay
deck on the table& and re5uest second spectator to 0think of a nu#ber between
one and ten!0 "he trick is based on the (ery) stron% probability that he will
think of se(en! Now babble nonsense about the power of concentrated thou%ht
upon e(en inani#ate ob'ects& re5uestin% parties to whisper na#e and nu#ber
and #entally ur%e the re5uired action! Now re5uest na#e and nu#ber! If the
nu#ber is se(en& tell hi# to count off the nu#ber thou%ht of& and turn the
net card! If the nu#ber is ei%ht& tell hi# to turn the card at the nu#ber
thou%ht of! ,owe(er& should the nu#ber be #ore or less than either& the
perfor#er #ust pick up the deck hi#self& and when handin% it to the spectator
shift one fro# the botto# if the nu#ber is nine& or the re5uisite nu#ber fro#
the top if less than se(en! *ut the chances are ten to one that se(en will be
the nu#ber thou%ht of!
The Acme o$ Control
,n E$$ect. / spectator selects two cards! "hen takes the deck in his own
hands& inserts the cards hi#self& shuffles to any etent! and returns deck to
perfor#er who produces the selected cards instantly!
Sleights. Force and Pal#!
Execution. Secretly place Fi(e of 2ia#onds and Four of ,earts& at top or
botto# of deck& and Four of 2ia#onds and Fi(e of ,earts& in #iddle! Force the
two #iddle cards on spectator& pal# the other two when closin% deck& and
i##ediately hand the pack to spectator& tellin% hi# to insert the drawn cards
and shuffle! Gi(e hi# as little ti#e as possible to #editate on his selection& as
the trick is based on the si#ilarity of the forced cards and the pal#ed ones!
-hen the deck is returned& finish the trick as desired& and when producin% the
two pal#ed cards& boldly proclai# the# as the ones drawn! If the trick be
perfor#ed properly& not one in fifty will disco(er the i#position unless in the
secret! "he difference between the cards forced& and the cards produced is so
little re#arkable that it is seldo# or ne(er detected! "he Se(ens and Ei%hts& or
the 2euces and "rays& or any two pairs of the spot cards of the sa#e color&
would probably answer as well!
"he perfor#er #ay en%a%e to cause the selected cards to appear to%ether at
top& or botto#& or #iddle of deck& at the option of the co#pany& and shift the
pal#ed cards to such position as decided upon+ or he #ay 0Pass0 the cards
under so#e ob'ect on the table& or to the pocket of a spectator& in which latter
e(ents he will ha(e secretly placed the cards there beforehand instead of on
top or botto# of deck!
The Card and !anderchie$
,n E$$ect. / card is freely selected& restored to the deck and thorou%hly
shuffled! "he deck is now wrapped up in a borrowed handkerchief& which is
held suspended by the corners& and upon co##and the selected card is seen
to slowly pro'ect itself throu%h the handkerchief and flutter to the floor!
Execution. *orrow a rather lar%e handkerchief first! Place it in full si%ht in
(est or on table& then ha(e card selected and replaced in deck& shift to top&
pal#in% in ri%ht hand& and return deck to be shuffled! Now take corner of
handkerchief in each hand& show both sides by crossin% ri%ht hand o(er left&
keepin% ri%ht pal# to person& then throw handkerchief o(er ri%ht pal#& one
corner ;yin% alon% ri%ht ar#& and dia%onal corner han%in% down o(er ri%ht
fin%ers the hand bein% about the #iddle! Now take back deck with left hand
and place it on handkerchief len%thwise o(er ri%ht hand& sei.in% it by ends with
that hand& and s5uarin% up pal#ed card a%ainst it& at sa#e ti#e takin% out the
cri#p so that it will lie flatly! "hen& with the left hand& brin% up the
o(erhan%in% corner of handkerchief& co(erin% the deck& and showin% the ri%ht
hand fin%ers+ sei.e sides of deck with left hand& %ather back the folds of
handkerchief with ri%ht so that the selected card will be retained at its inner
end and suspend the deck by the folds with the ri%ht hand& holdin% well abo(e
the pack! (See Fi%s! GG and @HH!)

Now 7o##and the selected card to appear& first re5uestin% the drawer to %i(e
its na#e& and by %i(in% sli%ht up and down 'olts to the deck& the card will
slowly e#er%e fro# the back& ha(in% all the appearance of forcin% its way
throu%h the center of the handkerchief at the lower end of the suspended
deck!
The Top and %ottom *roduction
,n E$$ect. Four persons freely select two cards each! /ll are restored to the
deck& which is thorou%hly shuffled! "he top and botto# cards are now shown
not to be any of those selected! "he perfor#er then causes the se(eral pairs to
instantly appear at top and botto# as called for!
Sleights. "wo ,anded Shift& Pal# and *lind Shuffle!
Execution and *atter. 0;adies and Gentle#en1 For the purpose of this
eperi#ent& I shall re5uest se(eral indi(iduals in the co#pany to each select
two cards! I wish you to take particular note of those you draw so that you will
know the# a%ain!0 (/llow four persons& who# we shall call /!& *!& 7! and 2!& to
freely select two cards each! -hen all are selected& take the# back in the
re(erse order sayin% to 2!) 0-ill you kindly place your two in the deck$0 (-hen
this is done& shift& pal# off& and hand deck to be shuffled! "ake back deck&
replace pal#ed cards on top& turn to 7!) 0Please place your two in the #iddle!0
(Shift without closin% two packets& appearin% as a si#ple cut& and ha(e 7!3s
cards now placed on 2!3s! /%ain shift to top& and eecute blind shuffle& 'o%%in%
first card& and lea(in% selected cards in the #iddle! Now cut to& and include 'o%
card& and ha(e *!3s cards placed on first two pairs! Repeat the action taken last
and ha(e /!3 cards replaced in sa#e #anner& then shift and blind shuffle& and
run three etra cards on top of the four pairs which are now on top of the
pack!)
0Now& ladies and %entle#en& we ha(e had ei%ht cards selected by four of you&
and all ha(e been thorou%hly shuffled in the deck! It is needless to say that I
do not know which cards were selected& or that I ha(e no idea where they are!
,owe(er& we shall look at those near the top and botto# to see if any are in
that position!
("urn deck o(er and show two or three of the botto# cards& turn deck back
and take off top three in ri%ht hand& showin% faces+ then as replacin%& push
o(er net card with the left thu#b so that left little fin%er #ay be inserted
under it& and shift all four to the botto#! "his will lea(e /l3s two cards at top
and botto#!)
0-ere any of the selected cards a#on% those I ha(e 'ust shown$ No$ -ell& I
a# about to perfor# what under ordinary circu#stances would be a (ery
difficult feat indeed& but with this trained and perfectly educated deck&
beco#es ridiculously si#ple and easy! It is to cause the selected cards to
appear at the top and botto#& in any order that you #ay desire!0 ("o /!) 0If
you will tell #e& sir& what cards you drew& I shall call upon the# to appear
instantly! 8ou say they are the Se(en of 2ia#onds and the Aack of Spades$
-ell& now& Se(en and Aack& co#e40
(,old deck in left hand& click with little fin%er& show botto# card& take off top
and show with ri%ht hand& push net card o(er side when replacin% and shift
two to botto#! "his lea(es *3s cards at top and botto#!)
08ou see how willin%ly the cards obey #e! Now& sir (to *!)& let #e know the
cards you selected and we shall see if they are as acti(e$0
(-hen na#es are %i(en& produce as before! Now eecute blind shuffle a%ain&
runnin% three etra cards on top! /%ain show se(eral at botto#& then show top
three& and this ti#e pass o(er two cards with left thu#b when replacin% top
cards& and shift fi(e to botto#! "his lea(es *3s cards in position!)
0-e ha(e still another pair to find& and thou%h they see# ecessi(ely #odest
in keepin% away fro# the top and botto#& I ha(e no doubt they will be in
e(idence when called upon! -hat two did you draw& sir$0
(to 7! -hen na#es are %i(en show as before& then shift two cards to botto#&
lea(in% 23s at top and botto#! Now affect to ha(e for%otten about 2!3s cards&
and drop the deck on the table as thou%h the trick were ter#inated! -hen
re#inded by the co#pany that 2!3s cards were not produced& show so#e sli%ht
e#barrass#ent!)
08es& that is true! I had for%otten that all were not produced& and as the deck
has been out of #y possession& I cannot eact the sa#e obedience fro# the#!
,owe(er& if you will tell #e the na#es of the last two cards& I shall try to find
the# #yself!0
(-hen na#es are %i(en& sei.e deck with ri%ht hand& toss it a yard or so
strai%ht upwards& retainin% top and botto# cards in hand by friction& thrust
hand a#on% descendin% pack and apparently find the last two in the act!)
The Three Aces
,n E$$ect. "he /ce of 2ia#onds& /ce of 7lubs and /ce of Spades are shown to
the co#pany and laid face down on the table! "hen one is picked up and
inserted in the #iddle of the deck& another is placed on the botto#& and the
third is placed on the top! / sin%le true cut is now #ade and the three /ces are
found to%ether!
Sleight. Prearran%e#ent!
Execution. Secretly place the /ce of 2ia#onds on top of the deck! /rran%e
the other three /ces in the left hand& fanwise& face up& the /ce of ,earts below
the other two& and showin% in the #iddle! "he fi%ure of the heart is in(erted
and shows at the an%le #ade by the other cards& so that the part seen is
dia#ond)shaped! "he corner of the /ce on the left of the fan 'ust co(ers the
s#all heart fi%ure of the inde& but fully eposes the s#all
letter //!0 (See Fi%! @H@!) "his arran%e#ent can be #ade
in a #o#ent! "he appearance is #ost innocent and
surprisin%ly decepti(e!
"urn the faces to the co#pany& and then lay the three
cards face down on the table& still in the sa#e fan position&
and with the sa#e hand! Now take up the deck& and& if
desired& eecute a blind shuffle& retainin% top /ce! ,old
deck in left hand& pick up the top card of the fan& which is
the /ce of ,earts& and insert it in #iddle of deck! Pick up
net /ce& carelessly showin% it& and place it on botto#!
Show third card as it is placed on top! ;ay the deck on the
table and re5uest spectator to cut+ and as the three /ces& i! e!& the two black
/ces and /ce of 2ia#onds& were on top and botto# of deck& all will be found
to%ether!
The Card and !at
,n E$$ect. / borrowed hat is placed upon the table / card is now freely
selected and %i(en to a second spectator to hold! /ttention is now drawn to the
hat& which is shown to be e#pty& and it is a%ain placed on the table& but crown
up! "he selected card is then restored to the deck+ by the spectator& who is
per#itted to take the deck in his own hands! "he perfor#er now eercises (ery
re#arkable powers by first deter#inin% the na#e of the selected card& and
then causin% it to win% an in(isible fli%ht fro# the deck to a position beneath
the hat on the table& where it is found by a spectator!
Sleights. "op 7han%e and Pal#!
Execution. *orrow the hat first and place it ri# up on the table! ,a(e a card
selected by spectator on the left! "ake it fro# hi# with the ri%ht hand& and
when turnin% to spectator on the ri%ht& #ake 0"op 7han%e&0 and re5uest
second spectator to hold the card between his two pal#s+ which will pre(ent
hi# fro# lookin% at it! Now pal# top card in ri%ht hand and %i(e deck to first
spectator to hold! Step towards table& %ettin% %li#pse of pal#ed card& and pick
up the hat with ri%ht hand& fin%ers well inside& thu#b across ri#& callin%
attention to the fact that it is e#pty& and showin% the inside! Now turn the ri#
down and place the hat a%ain upon the table& workin% the pal#ed card up
alon% the inside with the fin%ers& and releasin% it as the hat is laid down! 7are
#ust be taken to lea(e no cri#p in the card!
Now take deck fro# first spectator& re5uest second spectator to hold it in the
hand that happens to be upper#ost! "hen take the card fro# his other hand
and insert it in the deck& and ha(e spectator shuffle thorou%hly!
/s the action is now co#plete& #ake by)play of deter#inin% the na#e of the
drawn card& by tracin% the (ery faint i#pression that it left on the pal# of
spectator who held it+ and cause it to speed fro# the deck& under the hat&
(isibly if desired& epressin% surprise that no one sees it %oin%& and ha(e
spectator raise the hat to pro(e there is no hocus)pocus!
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