Pinkie Does It

A spectator having freely selected a card, noted it, and returned it to the deck, the cards are thoroughly shuffled. Holding the deck upright in your left hand, the bottom card facing the spectators, place your index finger on the upper end. The chosen card is named and as you lift your index finger that very card is seen to rise from the deck clinging to it. The card is shown to have risen from the middle of the deck, and the spectator may remove it from that position himself.

1. Hand the deck to a spectator to shuffle, then have him remove one card and hand the pack to you. Have him show the card to others as you turn away.

2. Use the overhand shuffle control to bring the card to the top, then shuffle it to the bottom and back to the top.

3. Stand with your left side to the audience holding the deck upright in your left hand, the bottom card facing the onlookers, between the first phalanx of your thumb on one side, a little below the middle of that side, and the first phalanges of your index and middle fingers on the other side. Rub your right fingers along the upper end of the

pack, squaring it, and with the tip of your middle finger push down a small packet, making a step at the back of the deck (Fig. 12).

4. Gravely rub your right index finger vigorously on your left sleeve and then apply it against the top of the deck, holding the other three fingers flexed. Lift the finger slowly, and nothing happens. "I wonder what is the matter?" you say. "I expected your card to rise out of the deck. Oh, of course, it must be named first! What was your card?"

5. The card is named. Rub your right index finger on your sleeve again and apply it against the top of the deck, then straighten out your little finger so that its tip presses against the top card (the chosen card, now the rearmost card). With the little finger push the rear card upwards until it touches the index finger, then raise the right hand, maintaining the pressure of the little finger so that the card appears to cling to the index finger (Fig. 13).

6. When the bottom of the rising card reaches and clears the top of the stepped packet, push its lower end forward against the cards in front of the step, and at the same moment press your left little finger against the bottom of the stepped packet, squaring it with the deck. Flex your little finger and the card will remain protruding from the deck.

7. Tilt the deck forward to show that this is actually the case and invite the spectator to remove his card and the deck and to examine them carefully–and your index finger, too, if he so desires.

The rising of a card from the deck has been a favourite feat with magicians and audiences for many generations. There are many ways of doing the trick with mechanical means, but this impromptu method will be found to create as much astonishment as the most complicated mechanical method if you present the feat as if you, yourself, really believe that the card rises spontaneously.