Card in the Pocket

In this feat the magician discovers a card which has been merely thought of, without apparently his having been given any clue to it. It is well, therefore, to introduce the trick as one that is done by mind reading.

1. It is necessary to have a spectator think of a small number; hence, instead of limiting him to numbers between, say, one and ten or twelve, ask him to think of his favourite hour. "For example," you say, "you may be an early riser and your favourite hour would then be six o'clock–although that certainly is not mine. Or you may favour your lunch hour, or the hour when you listen to your pet radio star. Any hour you please, but fix Your mind on it and do not change it.

"I am going to hand you the pack and I want you to ascertain what card lies at your favourite hour from the top. For instance, four o'clock may be your choice–afternoon tea, you know. In that case you will lift the cards so, one by one, counting one, two, three, four. Look at and remember that fourth card, and put the cards back on top of the pack." Hand the pack to him. "Will you do the same thing, so that the matter will be quite clear to you?" See that the spectator cuts and puts the cards back correctly.

2. "That's fine. Now shuffle the pack thoroughly, and cut it. Satisfied? Then I will turn my back while you count down to the number of your favourite hour, note the card at that number, and show it to all, finally replacing the cards on the top of the pack." Turn away. When the spectator announces he is ready, turn around and take the deck.

3. "Now, sir, you have thought of your favourite hour and you have noted the card at that number from the top of this deck which you shuffled and cut yourself. It is impossible for me to know where any particular card may be in the deck, but to make the test still more convincing I will place the cards behind my back." Do so.

"Now, sir, I want you to think intently of your favourite hour and the card you noted. Imagine you see a big picture of the number and the card on the wall. That's good. I believe I have it." Bring forward the bottom card of the deck, holding it facing you and not allowing anyone to get a glimpse of its face. Look at the card–it makes no difference what card it is–then at the spectators, and say, "Yes, I believe it's the one you are thinking of. Don't name it. I'll put this card in my pocket." Place it in your right trousers pocket and in doing so palm it as you thrust your hand to the bottom of the pocket.

4. You have the deck in your left hand. Bring your right hand from your pocket and place the pack in it, replacing the palmed card on the top by the second replacement method. Move the left hand away and gesture with it, saying, "If I have been successful I have your card here in my pocket." Pat the pocket with your left hand.

5. "Let me show you that your card is gone. What number was it? Don't name the card, just the hour. Six! Yes, I got the impression that you are an early riser." Have some appropriate remark for each hour. "Watch!" Deal five cards deliberately on the table face downwards. Take the sixth card and throw it down face downwards, saying, "Will you look at the card?" As he turns the card face upwards, and everyone's attention is centred on it, push the top card, which will be the spectator's card, well over the side of the deck. Bring the right hand back in the natural reaction after the throw, palm the card flying so to speak, and immediately thrust the hand into your trousers pocket, saying, "Of course it isn't your card. I placed it here in my pocket."

6. Push your hand well down into the pocket, release the card, then bringing the hand upwards take the card by the extreme upper end and bring it up into view about three-quarters of its length out of the pocket. Its back will be toward the spectators. Hold it there and say to the spectator, "Please name your card." He does so and you turn the card slowly showing it to be that very card.

Do not move the right hand backwards swiftly to take the top card when making the palm. All eyes will be drawn to the card you have thrown on the table. Move it back at a natural pace, take the card by covering it with the full width of the hand, and continue the movement backwards to your pocket. By the time the spectators are looking toward your hand again it should actually be in the pocket.

This is one of the great card feats which has stood the test of time, and we urge the student to master it. Not only will it give him confidence in palming cards but he will also gain valuable insight into the importance of timing in the execution of sleights. The palm described in step No. 5 is a special palm especially suitable for this particular trick and should not be confused with the top palm.